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[Koss revamps Porta Pro headphones with iPhone remote, intros 'interlocking' earbuds]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/30/koss-revamps-portapro-headphones-with-iphone-remote-intros-int/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/30/koss-revamps-portapro-headphones-with-iphone-remote-intros-int/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/30/koss-revamps-portapro-headphones-with-iphone-remote-intros-int/#comments We're baffled that we missed this gem of news during the bustle of CES, but it turns out that Koss has recently announced a new version of its iconic Porta Pro headphones. The Porta Pro KTC (Koss Touch Control), as it's dubbed, is essentially the same piece of retro kit that's been delighting ears and keeping wallets chubby for nearly three decades. The KTC bit in its name refers to the inclusion of an iDevice-certified inline remote / mic, aimed at keeping on-the-go users in sync with their playlists and phone calls. If you prefer earbuds, but hate tangled cords, then the company's interlocking intra-aurals might be to your liking. This lineup features in-ears which snap into each other for easier storage. You'll have a choice between the IL-100 and 200, the latter of which distinguishes itself with the mere addition of an inline remote for iPhones. While there's no word on pricing just yet for any of the aforementioned units, Koss aims to begin shipping the new audio-wares once spring is in full bloom. For now, you'll find the press releases and a render of the 'buds after the break.

Continue reading Koss revamps Porta Pro headphones with iPhone remote, intros 'interlocking' earbuds

Koss revamps Porta Pro headphones with iPhone remote, intros 'interlocking' earbuds originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleaudiocellphonecheapcoolheadphoneshipiconiconicideviceil-100il-200il100il200in-earsinexpensiveinline remoteInlineRemoteinterlocking headphonesInterlockingHeadphonesintra-auraliphonekosskoss portapro ktcKoss Touch ControlKossPortaproKtcKossTouchControllegendaryporta proportaproportapro ktcPortaproKtcretroMon, 30 Jan 2012 06:41:00 EST<![CDATA[SNK's new Neo Geo: 20 retro classics in one modern handheld]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/25/snks-new-neo-geo-20-retro-classics-in-one-modern-handheld/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/25/snks-new-neo-geo-20-retro-classics-in-one-modern-handheld/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/25/snks-new-neo-geo-20-retro-classics-in-one-modern-handheld/#comments We rubbed our eyes a little when they first landed on this fine looking specimen, just to make sure they weren't deceiving us. But no, this really does appear to be a new handheld Neo Geo. We've seen SNK make inspired controllers, bring its catalog to other platforms and even make handhelds before, but nothing like this. The iPhone-esque body and 4.3 inch screen house a D-pad, shoulder and front buttons while hiding 2GB of storage inside -- pre-loaded with 20 classic titles (yes Fatal Fury and League Bowling included, and all in English). There's also an SD slot which we really really hope is for more games, as well as an AV output for some good old big-screen action. Famicon Plaza claims it's a licensed product not yet in full production, so there's no whiff of availability just now. When it does finally land, we hope it's not at a 2012 equivalent of grandad's $600+ price tag.

Gallery: SNK Neo Geo portable

SNK's new Neo Geo: 20 retro classics in one modern handheld originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classicsfatal furyFatalFurygamesgaminghand heldHandHeldjapanneo geoneo geo portableNeoGeoNeoGeoPortableportableretrosnkWed, 25 Jan 2012 10:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Retrobit RetroDuo portable and RetroPort hands-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/15/retrobit-retroduo-portable-SNES-and-retroport-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/15/retrobit-retroduo-portable-SNES-and-retroport-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/15/retrobit-retroduo-portable-SNES-and-retroport-hands-on/#comments Inspired, perhaps, by the fruits of Ben Heck's dual-console handheld dreams, Retrobit has retrofit their Retroduo NES / SNES hybrid game console to fit in your hand. The Retroduo Portable, a handheld SNES console shown for the first time at CES 2012, hopes to one-up Hyperkin's SupaBoy by adding support for classic NES games. We dropped by their booth to get a closer look.

Gallery: Retrobit RetroDuo portable hands-on

Continue reading Retrobit RetroDuo portable and RetroPort hands-on

Retrobit RetroDuo portable and RetroPort hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Jan 2012 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CESces 2012Ces2012hands-onnesNintendoPortable Consoleportable nesPortable SNESPortable Super NintendoPortableConsolePortableNesPortableSnesPortableSuperNintendoretobitretobit retoduoretobit retroduo portableRetobitRetoduoRetobitRetroduoPortableretoduoretoduo portableRetoduoPortableretofitRetroRetro GamingRetroGamingSNESSun, 15 Jan 2012 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Retrode 2 retro gaming adapter brings SNES / Genesis support to your PC for $85]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/02/retrode-2-retro-gaming-adapter-snes-genesis-pre-order/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/02/retrode-2-retro-gaming-adapter-snes-genesis-pre-order/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/02/retrode-2-retro-gaming-adapter-snes-genesis-pre-order/#comments We were already head over heels for the original Retrode, and we've gotta say -- version 2.0 looks mighty good in that attire. As the story goes, the product shown above is the result of some three years of toiling, with the second iteration handling cartridges for Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo. In fact, there's a pair of ports on here, enabling one cart from each console to be loaded up and carried around. Users need only to find and install an emulator on their machine, plug a cartridge and / or an associated controller into the device and then connect the Retrode 2 to one's computer via USB. Once you've loaded a ROM into your emulator, configured your controller and canceled every appointment on your calendar for the next 48 hours... well, you're in for quite a weekend of retro gaming nirvana. It's up for pre-order now in the source link for $84.99, with shipments expected to begin on January 23rd.

Retrode 2 retro gaming adapter brings SNES / Genesis support to your PC for $85 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessorycartridgecontrolleremulationemulatorgaminggenesisnintendonow shippingNowShippingperipheralretroRetrodeRetrode 2Retrode2ROMsegasega genesisSegaGenesisshipshippingshipssnessuper nintendoSuperNintendousbusb adapterUsbAdaptervintageMon, 02 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayStation Vita shown running Sega Genesis titles (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/02/playstation-vita-shown-running-sega-genesis-titles-video/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/02/playstation-vita-shown-running-sega-genesis-titles-video/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/02/playstation-vita-shown-running-sega-genesis-titles-video/#comments Still mulling whether or not to pick yourself up a PlayStation Vita? Obsessed with retro gaming titles? If you answered "yes" to both, you should probably start socking away a few extra coins, buster. YouTube user frwololo has just upped a video showcasing the Half Byte Loader running the Picodrive emulator on Sony's PS Vita -- the first major proof that this kind of wizardry is indeed a possibility. The nuts and bolts of how it happened are being kept under wraps for now, and he seems certain that Sony's inbuilt security will make the mod unusable as soon as it's released. That said, there's still a lot of hope to be found in the clip just after the break, and c'mon -- who doesn't need a little hope to kick off a year where we're all supposed to perish?

Continue reading PlayStation Vita shown running Sega Genesis titles (video)

PlayStation Vita shown running Sega Genesis titles (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consoleemulationemulatorgaminggaming handheldGamingHandheldgenesishackhackedhomebrewhomebrew emulatorHomebrewEmulatorPicodriveplaystationplaystation portablePlaystationPortableps vitapsppsp vitaPspVitaPsVitaretroROMsegasega genesisSegaGenesisvideovintageMon, 02 Jan 2012 13:39:00 EST<![CDATA[cTrix forges Atari 2600 and guitar together, mesmerizes nerds (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/31/ctrix-forges-atari-2600-and-guitar-together-mesmerizes-nerds-v/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/31/ctrix-forges-atari-2600-and-guitar-together-mesmerizes-nerds-v/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/31/ctrix-forges-atari-2600-and-guitar-together-mesmerizes-nerds-v/#comments If you're going to rock out, you might as well do so with a video game console from the '70s as the core of your guitar. In fact, this is precisely what modder cTrix has done with his gATARI2600. In his configuration, he's able to write and play new music through an Atari 2600 by using an EPROM programmer (a software application he wrote) and daughterboards to feed the new music back through the instrument. The gATARI also features equalizer and flange pedals, a track selector, and whammy bars that allow the player to switch tracks and make changes on the fly. No details have been posted as to how to make your own just yet, but click past the break to watch cTrix jam both thoroughly and effectively at Blip Fest 2011 in Japan.

Continue reading cTrix forges Atari 2600 and guitar together, mesmerizes nerds (video)

cTrix forges Atari 2600 and guitar together, mesmerizes nerds (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 31 Dec 2011 17:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>260070sAtariaudioBlip Fest 2011BlipFest2011cTrixdaughterboarddaughterboardsEPROMEPROM programmerEpromProgrammerequalizerflangegATARIgATARI2600guitarmodmoddermusicpedalsretrovideovintagewhammy barWhammyBarSat, 31 Dec 2011 17:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Visualized: IBM's 1956 HDD packs 5MB of storage, requires forklift for installation]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/27/visualized-ibms-1956-hdd-packs-5mb-of-storage-requires-forkli/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/27/visualized-ibms-1956-hdd-packs-5mb-of-storage-requires-forkli/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/27/visualized-ibms-1956-hdd-packs-5mb-of-storage-requires-forkli/#comments

Check out IBM's 305 RAMAC (Random Access Method of Accounting and Control) hard disk and those gripes about dragging around that USB thumb drive soon evaporate. This 1956 HDD was composed of 50 24-inch discs, stacked together and taking up 16 sq ft of real estate. The once-cutting-edge monstrosity was capable of commanding an annual fee of $35,000 and stored up to 5MB of data. Sure, by modern standards it's a pretty modest capacity, but the RAMAC still weighed in at just shy of a ton. Our technological forefathers could have done with that exoskeleton prototype.

Visualized: IBM's 1956 HDD packs 5MB of storage, requires forklift for installation originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 10:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1956 HDD1956Hdd5MBhard diskhard disk driveHardDiskHardDiskDriveHDDIBMIBM 305 RAMACIbm305RamacRAMACRandom Access Method of Accounting and ControlRandomAccessMethodOfAccountingAndControlretrovisualizedTue, 27 Dec 2011 10:54:00 EST<![CDATA[iMAME app gets pulled from iTunes]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/24/imame-app-gets-pulled-from-itunes-app-store/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/24/imame-app-gets-pulled-from-itunes-app-store/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/24/imame-app-gets-pulled-from-itunes-app-store/#comments

In barely enough time to get out of the app store and into the hearts of retro gamers everywhere, the iMAME emulator on iOS has already been erased from iTunes -- just days since its release. Alas, that lack of any official endorsement may have reared its ugly head. Well, it was good while it lasted. Guess we'll carry on saving up for that Vita purchase...

[Thanks Zac]

iMAME app gets pulled from iTunes originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 24 Dec 2011 08:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appapp storeappleAppStoreemulationemulatorgamegamingimameiosipadiphonemameminipostmobilepostcrossretrosoftwarevintageSat, 24 Dec 2011 08:17:00 EST<![CDATA[iMAME emulation app hits the App Store, humanity cheers in unison]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/21/imame-emulation-app-hits-the-app-store-humanity-cheers-in-uniso/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/21/imame-emulation-app-hits-the-app-store-humanity-cheers-in-uniso/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/21/imame-emulation-app-hits-the-app-store-humanity-cheers-in-uniso/#comments No interest in snapping up an iCade? No sweat. Jim VanDeventer has just pushed today's app-to-end-all-apps into Apple's App Store, and while it's only been live for a few hours, iMAME is already on a mission to change the world. Built-in titles include Circus, Crash, Hard Hat, Fire One, Robot Bowl, Side Track, Spectar, Star Fire and Targ, and while it's not officially endorsed by Nicola Salmoria or the MAME Team, you can certainly pretend. It's available now in the source link for precisely nothing, and yes, both the iPhone and iPad (and iPod touch!) are supported. Get it while the gettin' is good.

[Thanks, Gary]

iMAME emulation app hits the App Store, humanity cheers in unison originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appapp storeappleAppStoreemulationemulatorgamegamingimameiosipadiphonemamemobilepostcrossretrosoftwarevintageWed, 21 Dec 2011 21:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Nexus ninjas return in retro game, give you the skills to perform your own epic unboxing]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/20/nexus-ninjas-return-in-retro-game-give-you-the-skills-to-perfor/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/20/nexus-ninjas-return-in-retro-game-give-you-the-skills-to-perfor/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/20/nexus-ninjas-return-in-retro-game-give-you-the-skills-to-perfor/#comments Tiny box destroying shinobi? Old hat. Fourth wall obliterating martial masters? Passe. The future of ninjitsu based phone unboxings will be found in the past: Google's gone 8-bit. Continuing in its tradition of out doing every possible Nexus unboxing the internet could ever hope to bear, El Goog has crafted a retro beat-'em-up game that puts you in the Nexus ninja's mask. Your mission? Secure and unbox the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. The game is playable directly on YouTube, but is also available in the Android Market under the title Clash of The Nexus Ninjas -- in case you've already performed your own unboxing. If you haven't? Hit the source link below to begin your training.

Nexus ninjas return in retro game, give you the skills to perform your own epic unboxing originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 01:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8-bitgalaxy nexusGalaxyNexusgooglemobilepostcrossninjaninja unboxingNinja Unboxing 3ninjasNinjaUnboxingNinjaUnboxing3retrosamsungsamsung galaxy nexusSamsungGalaxyNexusunboxunboxingvideo gamesVideoGamesyoutubeTue, 20 Dec 2011 01:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Love Hulten shows off R-Kaid-6 game console, resurrects Octorok from 'Zelda']]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/14/love-hulten-shows-off-r-kaid-6-game-console-resurrects-octorok/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/14/love-hulten-shows-off-r-kaid-6-game-console-resurrects-octorok/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/14/love-hulten-shows-off-r-kaid-6-game-console-resurrects-octorok/#comments In a perfect world, you could have a cool, original retro gaming peripheral and impress the sort-of-snooty steampunk nerds at the same time. That day has arrived to do just that, as Love Hultén has created a new wooden video game console called the R-Kaid-6. Inspired by various retro game consoles, the R-Kaid-6 features a custom version of the Maximus Arcade front-end for emulators and runs on PC innards from 2001. The unit also sports customized cables and two arcade joysticks that can be stored in the top of the base unit when not in use. So far, there's no set price for the R-Kaid-6, though the website states that the creator can be contacted if you're interested in purchasing the works displayed. Take a look, and remember that even the most annoying Modern Warfare 3 opponent screaming epithets at you over Xbox Live has to respect retro gaming goodness in its purest form.

Love Hulten shows off R-Kaid-6 game console, resurrects Octorok from 'Zelda' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Dec 2011 07:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadeconsoleconsolesemulatorgamegame consolegame consolesGameConsoleGameConsolesgamesgamingjoystickjoysticksLove HultenLoveHultenperipheralR-Kaid-6retroretro gamingRetroGamingWed, 14 Dec 2011 07:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Click KeyPad Watch is the timewasting retro-timepiece you've been waiting for]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/14/click-keypad-watch-is-the-timewasting-retro-timepiece-youve-bee/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/14/click-keypad-watch-is-the-timewasting-retro-timepiece-youve-bee/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/14/click-keypad-watch-is-the-timewasting-retro-timepiece-youve-bee/#comments
We do like a good indecipherable timepiece 'round these parts and Click's KeyPad certainly fits the bill. Resembling an old-school mechanical numerical keypad, each button packs an LED -- press any number and it'll blink out the time in single digits, so if it was 9:15am, the zero, nine, one and five buttons would flash in sequence. Push the hash key and the watch will oblige you for today's date. If you enjoy frustrating colleagues who ask you for the time, then you'll be delighted to hear that it costs $90 and is shipping now. However, we're not sure we could pull one off -- maybe the hipster down the street will have better success.

Click KeyPad Watch is the timewasting retro-timepiece you've been waiting for originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Dec 2011 01:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ClickClick KeyPadClickKeypadHipsterHipstersKeyPadKeyPad WatchKeypadWatchRetroTimepieceWatchWatchismoWearablesWed, 14 Dec 2011 01:41:00 EST<![CDATA[SupaBoy portable SNES, the most fun you can have without a soldering iron]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/02/supaboy-portable-snes-the-most-fun-you-can-have-without-a-solde/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/02/supaboy-portable-snes-the-most-fun-you-can-have-without-a-solde/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/02/supaboy-portable-snes-the-most-fun-you-can-have-without-a-solde/#comments
We previewed Hyperkin's SupaBoy back in the summer and loved the idea of toting 'round original SNES games without resorting to Ben Heck-style crafting. The handheld takes full-size cartridges, packs a 3.5-inch screen and a battery that's disappointingly rated for just two point five hours (best keep a power cable handy). It'll also double as a home console: there's an AV-out port and slots for two classic controllers for when you wanna kick it old-school. It's reportedly compatible with titles like Mario World, A Link to the Past and Starwing Starfox, but who needs them when we've got a mint condition copy of Tetris Attack at home? It'll cost you $80 and is available from Amazon as of yesterday -- we suggest you get to practicing blowing the dirt from the connectors, since you'll be doing a lot of it soon.

Continue reading SupaBoy portable SNES, the most fun you can have without a soldering iron

SupaBoy portable SNES, the most fun you can have without a soldering iron originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A Link to the PastALinkToThePastBen HeckBenHeckHackHackingHyperkinHyperkin SupaBoyHyperkinSupaboyModdingNintendoPortable ConsolePortable SNESPortable Super NintendoPortableConsolePortableSnesPortableSuperNintendoRetroRetro GamingRetroGamingSNESStarfoxStarwingSupaBoySuper Mario KartSuper Mario WorldSuper NintendoSuperMarioKartSuperMarioWorldSuperNintendoThe Legend of Zelda: A Link to the PastTheLegendOfZelda:ALinkToThePastFri, 02 Dec 2011 16:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple II drum sequencer surfaces for chiptune composers]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/30/apple-ii-drum-sequencer-surfaces-for-chiptune-composers/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/30/apple-ii-drum-sequencer-surfaces-for-chiptune-composers/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/30/apple-ii-drum-sequencer-surfaces-for-chiptune-composers/#comments No, this isn't a recycled news item from the 1980s -- it's 2011, and MJ Mahon and 8 Bit Weapon have just announced the release of the Apple II DMS Drummer, a wavetable-based drum sequencer for Apple II-era machines. The monophonic synth reproduces eight drum sounds like bass, snare, rim shot, hand clap, tom, hat open, hat closed and "lazer," along with a sequencer that lets you plug in up to 16 drum patterns across 256 slots. Seems like just the thing for chiptune composers hankering for a way to make authentic eight-bit drum tracks using vintage Apple hardware. System requirements call for an Apple IIe, IIc, IIc+ or IIgs with 80-column capability and a 5.25-inch floppy drive -- you know, pretty modern stuff. A limited demo version is available, but if that doesn't satisfy, you can either buy it on a floppy for $14.95 or download a .dsk disk image for $9.95. Oh, and neither require a time-traveling DeLorean to go back to 1985.

[Thanks, Seth]

Apple II drum sequencer surfaces for chiptune composers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8 Bit WeaponAppleApple IIechiptunesmusicretroSci/TechsequencersoftwarevintageWed, 30 Nov 2011 22:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Arduino kit beams low-fi Google Weather to VGA screens]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/22/arduino-kit-beams-low-fi-google-weather-to-vga-screens/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/22/arduino-kit-beams-low-fi-google-weather-to-vga-screens/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/22/arduino-kit-beams-low-fi-google-weather-to-vga-screens/#comments

Looking for another way to use that aging VGA CRT screen hogging space in the closet? Try making your own dedicated weather screen by mixing together Google's meteorological data stream and some Arduino magic. It looks like parsing that Google Weather data was a bit of a challenge on the miniscule 2KB of RAM, but a tinkerer going by the handle Zmashiah has managed to do it. He's even managed to cram in a few extra graphical flourishes, including icons and background themes that change depending on the temperature and time of day. The entirely PC-free device grabs the data through an Ethernet connection and flashes up all the weather goodness in stunning VGA. Any meteorological mavens reading this can grab the full shopping list and procedure at the Instructables link below.

Arduino kit beams low-fi Google Weather to VGA screens originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arduinoDIYgooglegoogle weatherGoogleWeatherHackhackslow-firetrovgavga displayVgaDisplayweatherweather forecastWeatherForecastxmlyboxTue, 22 Nov 2011 08:31:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone case offers up literal kaleidoscope of Holga lens effects]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/18/iphone-case-offers-up-literal-kaleidoscope-of-holga-lens-effects/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/18/iphone-case-offers-up-literal-kaleidoscope-of-holga-lens-effects/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/18/iphone-case-offers-up-literal-kaleidoscope-of-holga-lens-effects/#comments Sometimes photo apps just don't cut it. Sometimes you want instant color filters and split image gratification. Now they're here with a turn of a dial, though it looks suspiciously like something your parents might have played with in the distant past. Holga's iPhone Lens Filter will fit both iPhone 4 and 4S models and there are nine different lens effects to meddle with. The case itself is up for grabs in some curiously Nokia-esque colors options available for $25 in white, silver, black, blue and red. If tinted photography sends you into a spin, you can direct yourself to the source link below.

iPhone case offers up literal kaleidoscope of Holga lens effects originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>holgaholga iPhone caseHolga iPhone Lens Filter KitHolgaIphoneCaseHolgaIphoneLensFilterKitiphoneiphone 4iphone 4siphone caseIphone4Iphone4sIphoneCaselens filterLensFiltermobilepostminiretrorotary dialRotaryDialFri, 18 Nov 2011 09:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Bang and Olufsen's Beolit 12 sends the FCC a little bit of Don Draper]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/15/bang-and-olufsens-beolit-12-sends-the-fcc-a-little-bit-don-drap/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/15/bang-and-olufsens-beolit-12-sends-the-fcc-a-little-bit-don-drap/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/15/bang-and-olufsens-beolit-12-sends-the-fcc-a-little-bit-don-drap/#comments
Imagine when the Bang and Olufsen Beolit 12 (label after the break) came through the double doors of the FCC's underground bunker. Seeing the golden honeycomb speaker and faux-Bakelite styling, the technicians all dashed home to slick back their hair and put on sharp suits before subjecting this particular iPod dock with AirPlay capabilities to the usual multimeter and rulers treatment we expect from our boys. The top area is hollow to keep your futuristic-looking iDevice from sticking out and ruining the illusion that you're living in 1964 (did you see the brown leather carrying strap?). Since it's been approved by the Government, we can only assume it's not long for these shores, and since it's a B&O device, we can expect it to retail for four or five times what you'd expect to pay.

[Image courtesy AMC TV]

Continue reading Bang and Olufsen's Beolit 12 sends the FCC a little bit of Don Draper

Bang and Olufsen's Beolit 12 sends the FCC a little bit of Don Draper originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BakeliteBang OlufsenBang and OlufsenBang and Olufsen Beolit 12Bang OlufsenBang Olufsen Beolit 12BangAndOlufsenBangAndOlufsenBeolit12BangOlufsenBangOlufsenBeolit12Beolit 12Beolit12DocksDon DraperDonDraperFCCHome AudioHomeAudioiOS DockIosDockiPodiPod DockIpodDockMad MenMadMenRetroTue, 15 Nov 2011 16:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Dinosaur Jr. reissuing first three albums on cassette, harnessing the latest jurassic technology]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/15/dinosaur-jr-reissuing-first-three-records-on-cassette-harnessi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/15/dinosaur-jr-reissuing-first-three-records-on-cassette-harnessi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/15/dinosaur-jr-reissuing-first-three-records-on-cassette-harnessi/#comments Forget your Google Musics and Spotifys -- J Mascis, indie rock's favorite guitar-shredding gray haired curmudgeon and the rest of Dinosaur Jr. are stepping into the format time machine to reissue their first three LPs on cassette. Yep, Dinosaur, You're Living All Over Me and Bug will once again be heard the way they were meant to be: on the terrible, tiny speakers of your dusty old RadioShack tape deck. The three tapes are being sold as the Cassette Trilogy, a $39 screen-printed box set, limited to 500 copies -- one for every working tape player in America. The box set follows the cassette release of 1988's Bug this summer. You can pick the box up online now, for the rock and roll luddite on your holiday shopping list.

Continue reading Dinosaur Jr. reissuing first three albums on cassette, harnessing the latest jurassic technology

Dinosaur Jr. reissuing first three albums on cassette, harnessing the latest jurassic technology originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>box setBoxSetcassettecassette tapeCassetteTapedinosaur jrdinosaur jr.DinosaurJrDinosaurJr.musicretrotapeTue, 15 Nov 2011 12:33:00 EST<![CDATA[German museum recreates 130-year-old EV, looks like a steampunk Segway]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/14/german-museum-recreates-130-year-old-ev-looks-like-a-steampunk/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/14/german-museum-recreates-130-year-old-ev-looks-like-a-steampunk/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/14/german-museum-recreates-130-year-old-ev-looks-like-a-steampunk/#comments If you think that EVs are new-fangled rubbish, it'll serve you well to listen up. Five years before Karl Benz patented his original horseless carriage, messers. William Ayrton and John Perry engineered the electrically-powered Starley Tricycle. Germany's Autovision Museum spent around a year building a fully working replica of this transportation sensation of the 1880s. Considering the 130-year-old nature of the technology, the vehicle turned out to be very comfortable, super-quiet and fast: it'll top out at a respectable eight miles per hour, with a range of around 25 miles. After the break you'll be able to see the machine in action. No word on if the museum will produce any more in time for Christmas, but it would certainly be a hit with the steampunk commuter crowd.

Continue reading German museum recreates 130-year-old EV, looks like a steampunk Segway

German museum recreates 130-year-old EV, looks like a steampunk Segway originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Autovision MuseumAutovisionMuseumElectric BikeElectric TrikeElectricBikeElectricTrikeEVEVsHorseless CarriageHorselessCarriageJohn PerryJohnPerryKarl BenzKarlBenzRetroStarley TricycleStarleyTricycleSteampunkTricyclevideoWilliam AyrtonWilliamAyrtonMon, 14 Nov 2011 22:14:00 EST<![CDATA[iHome goes retro futurist with new iP4 boombox speaker dock]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/07/ihome-goes-retro-futurist-with-new-ip4-boombox-speaker-dock/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/07/ihome-goes-retro-futurist-with-new-ip4-boombox-speaker-dock/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/07/ihome-goes-retro-futurist-with-new-ip4-boombox-speaker-dock/#comments We've seen a number of companies put a modern spin on the venerable boombox, but nothing quite like this new iP4 speaker dock from iHome. While it's unmistakingly a boombox, it looks more like a circa-1980s attempt to create a futuristic boombox than simply a modern boombox -- an unused prop from Back to the Future II, perhaps. It is decidedly modern when it comes to features, however, including a dock for your iPhone or iPod, an auxiliary input for your other devices, and a tiny remote. True to its boombox lineage, it can also be operated on six D cell batteries, and it even backs a five band graphic equalizer (updated slightly with an LCD display). Did we mention it's also available in pink? Look for this one to set you back $200.

iHome goes retro futurist with new iP4 boombox speaker dock originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleboomboxdockihomeihome ip4IhomeIp4ip4iphoneiphone dockIphoneDockipodipod dockIpodDockretrospeakerspeaker dockspeaker systemSpeakerDockSpeakerSystemMon, 07 Nov 2011 13:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Atari Greatest Hits app lands in Android Market, Star Raiders awaits your download]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/06/atari-greatest-hits-app-lands-in-android-market-star-raiders-aw/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/06/atari-greatest-hits-app-lands-in-android-market-star-raiders-aw/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/06/atari-greatest-hits-app-lands-in-android-market-star-raiders-aw/#comments Jealous of your iOS-carrying companions who have been blasting Asteroids for months on their handsets and tablets? Prepare to quell your rage, as Atari has announced that its Greatest Hits app has launched for Android devices. Surpassing 3.5 million downloads in the iTunes App Store, the company has expanded the offering to Google OS faithful -- and it'll come with Missile Command for free, along with a 100 title catalog looking back on 30 years of gaming. Once you grab that install, you'll have your pick of 25 game packs for a buck each or you can spring for the whole lot for a cool Hamilton. The app is available now for both tablet and smartphone users, should you prefer a larger screen when your Centipede addiction strikes. For a full list of titles, hit the PR button after the break before checking things out for yourself in the Market.

Continue reading Atari Greatest Hits app lands in Android Market, Star Raiders awaits your download

Atari Greatest Hits app lands in Android Market, Star Raiders awaits your download originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Nov 2011 08:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid marketplaceAndroidMarketplaceappappsarcadeatariatari arcade greatest hitsAtariArcadeGreatestHitsataris greatest hitsAtarisGreatestHitsgamegamesgaminggooglemarketplacemobile appmobile appsMobileAppMobileAppsmobilepostcrossretroSun, 06 Nov 2011 08:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Commodore USA goes Extreme, stuffs a 2.2GHz quad-core i7 into its C64x]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/03/commodore-usa-goes-extreme-stuffs-a-2-2ghz-quad-core-i7-into-it/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/03/commodore-usa-goes-extreme-stuffs-a-2-2ghz-quad-core-i7-into-it/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/03/commodore-usa-goes-extreme-stuffs-a-2-2ghz-quad-core-i7-into-it/#comments We've loved Commodore USA's C64 computer recreations ever since it began producing them back in 2010. Much to our delight, the company recently outed its third variant, the C64x Extreme. This unit features the '80s flair we've come to appreciate, but supercharged to 2011 spec. Crammed inside its case is a 2.2GHz Intel core i7 quad-core CPU (capable of turbo boosting to 3.3GHz), 8GB of DDR3 RAM, Intel HD integrated graphics and a spacious 2TB HDD. Externally, you'll find a duo of USB 3.0 ports, a triplet of USB 2.0 ports and an eSATA connection, along with HDMI, 3.5mm S/PDIF, VGA and DVI ports for A/V hookups. Best of all, it's loaded with Bluetooth, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, an Ethernet port and even a DVD-RW drive on its side. The C64X-Ex will initially come loaded with Linux Mint 11, and it'll fully support Windows once the company's "retro inspired" Commodore OS Vision becomes available. Of course, the C64x-Ex's blend of vintage looks and modern-day power will cost ya -- to a tune of $1,500. If that's cool by your books, Commodore USA plans to ship orders placed by November 25th before December 15th. Full press release after the break.

Continue reading Commodore USA goes Extreme, stuffs a 2.2GHz quad-core i7 into its C64x

Commodore USA goes Extreme, stuffs a 2.2GHz quad-core i7 into its C64x originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>c64commodorecommodore 64x extremecommodore os visioncommodore usaCommodore USA 64xCommodore64xExtremeCommodoreOsVisionCommodoreUsaCommodoreUsa64xhdmiintelintel core i7intel hd graphicsIntelCoreI7IntelHdGraphicslinuxlinux mintlinux mint 11LinuxMintLinuxMint11minipostmodernizedreissueretrosandy bridgeSandyBridgeusbusb 2.0usb 3.0Usb2.0Usb3.0vintageThu, 03 Nov 2011 08:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Giant wall console lets you Game & Watch while you wait]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/24/giant-wall-console-lets-you-game-and-watch-while-you-wait/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/24/giant-wall-console-lets-you-game-and-watch-while-you-wait/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/24/giant-wall-console-lets-you-game-and-watch-while-you-wait/#comments Before there was a 3DS and DS -- heck, before there was a Game Boy, there was Game & Watch, Nintendo's portable, sometimes dual-screened gaming line from the '80s. But while the gaming giant has long since moved on, nostalgia for their platform-based frustration lives on in the form of this large piece of interactive wall art, a case that uses an Arduino and Python script to bring folks with a little spare time the sort of retro gaming that will make them long from the graphical power of the original NES. Check out more images of the device in the Source link below.

Giant wall console lets you Game & Watch while you wait originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 24 Sep 2011 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arduinogame and watchgame watchGameAndWatchGameWatchhackmodnintendopythonretroretro gamingRetroGamingSat, 24 Sep 2011 10:44:00 EST<![CDATA['What Was There' project adds a pinch of history to augmented reality]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/18/what-was-here-project-adds-a-pinch-of-history-to-augented-real/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/18/what-was-here-project-adds-a-pinch-of-history-to-augented-real/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/18/what-was-here-project-adds-a-pinch-of-history-to-augented-real/#comments So, it works as such. You dig up ancient photos -- a few generations prior, or even a few decades ago -- scan 'em in, and tag them to their rightful place on Google Maps. Then, folks who visit the 'What Was Here' project website or download the iOS app (all linked below) will be able to see what kind of world they'd be living in if Uncle Rico's time machine actually worked. 'Course, the initiative needs you, you and you to participate if it's to be dubbed a success, so we'd recommend using whatever's left of your weekend to contribute. And then send your mum a "thinking of you" letter using the very map you're improving. Who said retro had to be retro, anyway?

'What Was There' project adds a pinch of history to augmented reality originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Sep 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appapp storeAppStoreARaugented realityAugentedRealitygooglegoogle mapsGoogleMapshistorichistoryinternetiosiphoneiphone appIphoneAppmapsphotophotographphotographsphotosprojectretrovintagewhat was hereWhatWasHereSun, 18 Sep 2011 16:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Atari Arcade is the $60 answer to iCade (review)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/07/atari-arcade-is-the-60-answer-to-icade-review/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/07/atari-arcade-is-the-60-answer-to-icade-review/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/07/atari-arcade-is-the-60-answer-to-icade-review/#comments
Yearning to relive the classics (Lunar Lander, anyone?) on your iPad, replete with that authentic arcade feel? It wasn't long ago that we reviewed ThinkGeek and Ion's formidable iCade, but at $100, it was -- and still is -- a pricey portion to stomach for an occasional retro gaming fix. Fast forward to the present, and Atari's paired with Discovery Bay Games to create their own official spin on an iPad arcade adapter, fittingly dubbed the Arcade Duo-Powered Joystick. Unlike the iCade, it doesn't use Bluetooth and requires no batteries -- you simply dock your iPad into its 30-pin connector. The joypad is specifically made to work with Atari's Greatest Hits app, and it's set to land in early October for a slightly more wallet-friendly price of $60. We were able to slam its controls a bit while playing through various levels of Major Havoc and the like, and you'll find our impressions after the break.

Gallery: Atari Arcade unboxing and hands-on

Continue reading Atari Arcade is the $60 answer to iCade (review)

Atari Arcade is the $60 answer to iCade (review) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoriesaccessoryappleapple ipadapple ipad 2AppleIpadAppleIpad2arcadeArcade stickArcadeStickatariatari arcadeAtariArcadeataris greatest hitsAtarisGreatestHitsDiscovery Bay GamesDiscoveryBayGamesDuo PoweredDuoPoweredgamepadgamingGreatestHitshands-onicadeideviceipadipad2joystickretroRetro Arcade StickRetroArcadeStickreviewtablet accessoriestablet accessoryTabletAccessoriesTabletAccessoryvideogamevideogamesWed, 07 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA['Kraftwerk Who?' Pioneering '50s Synthesizer unearthed in French Barn]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/13/kraftwerk-who-pioneering-50s-synthesizer-unearthed-in-french/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/13/kraftwerk-who-pioneering-50s-synthesizer-unearthed-in-french/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/13/kraftwerk-who-pioneering-50s-synthesizer-unearthed-in-french/#comments
So there Dr. Mick Grierson was, wandering around a French barn, minding his own business when all of a sudden he happened upon an antique: one of the earliest modern synthesizers. Grierson, a professor at Goldsmiths University in London did what any expert in the field of electronic music would do, and whisked it back to the motherland for restoration. The Oram "Oramics" Synthesiser (sic) was built by Daphne Oram in 1957, a year before she co-founded the BBC Radiophonic Workshop to research and develop electronic music. Political wrangling within the corporation forced her to leave in 1959, and she retreated to a farm in nearby Kent to tinker with her invention. After her departure, the Workshop shot to fame for creating the original electronic theme to Doctor Who. In order to create music on the Oram, a composer painted waveforms directly onto 35mm film strips which were fed into the machine. Inside, photo-electronic cells read the light pattern and interpreted it as sound. Check out the video to see the arrival of the machinery back into England where it'll be on display all the way through December 2012. If you're really interested you can tap Dr Grierson's homebrewed Oramics iPhone app (linked below for your downloading pleasure) to create your own futuristic theme songs, '57-style.

Continue reading 'Kraftwerk Who?' Pioneering '50s Synthesizer unearthed in French Barn

'Kraftwerk Who?' Pioneering '50s Synthesizer unearthed in French Barn originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 13 Aug 2011 03:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AntiqueBBC Radiophonic WorkshopBbcRadiophonicWorkshopDaphne OramDaphneOramDelia DerbyshireDeliaDerbyshireDr Mick GriersonDrMickGriersonElectronic MusicElectronicMusicGoldsmiths CollegeGoldsmithsCollegeHistoryiPhone appIphoneAppiTunesiTunes storeItunesStoreMick GriersonMickGriersonNick StreetNickStreetOramicsPreservationRareRelicRestorationRetroScience MuseumScience Museum LondonScienceMuseumScienceMuseumLondonSynthesizerSynthesizersUnearthedSat, 13 Aug 2011 03:05:00 EST<![CDATA[iHome's SD63 headphones will satisfy your vague sense of nostalgia]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/03/ihomes-sd63-headphones-will-satisfy-your-vague-sense-of-nostalg/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/03/ihomes-sd63-headphones-will-satisfy-your-vague-sense-of-nostalg/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/03/ihomes-sd63-headphones-will-satisfy-your-vague-sense-of-nostalg/#comments Okay, so iHome's SD63 headphones may not be quite as "retro" as their name suggests, but there are certainly some design elements that harken back to a simpler time of beanbag chairs, black lights, and physical media -- a fact helped along by the inclusion of the old Soundesign brand. The SD63 Retro-Style Hi-Fi Stereo Headphones pack 40mm neodymium drivers, a volume knob on on the outside of an ear cup, and a coiled six-foot cord. They're available now for $50, which totally would have bought you a lot of Jethro Tull records, back in the day.

iHome's SD63 headphones will satisfy your vague sense of nostalgia originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 14:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiocansheadphoneheadphonesihomeihome SD63IhomeSd63musicretroSD63sdisoundesignvintageWed, 03 Aug 2011 14:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Broadband claims another: France Telecom putting the kibosh on Minitel]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/25/broadband-claims-another-france-telecom-putting-the-kibosh-on-m/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/25/broadband-claims-another-france-telecom-putting-the-kibosh-on-m/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/25/broadband-claims-another-france-telecom-putting-the-kibosh-on-m/#comments'Tis a sad, sad day for fans of all things retro. In a developed nation dominated by high-speed connections, near-ubiquitous 3G and sub-$€300 computers, it's more than a little astounding that the Minitel is just now being axed by France Télécom. Originally, the aforesaid machine was ordered by the French government in the 1970s "as part of an initiative to get people to share information and, eventually, reduce the consumption of paper." In a bid to rapidly increase adoption, the terminals -- complete with a monochrome screen and bantam keyboard -- were actually doled out to denizens free of charge, with access billed on a per-minute basis. It obviously required a phone line, and things were kept understandably simple; users rarely did more than shop for train tickets, check the occasional bank account and peruse the phone directory. Astonishingly, France's precursor to the internet still raked in €30 million in revenue last year, but the time has finally come to push existing users onto more sophisticated solutions. As of June 30, 2012, "the Minitel will die." 'Course, the service itself will be the only thing shuttered -- those memories are bound to last a lifetime.

Broadband claims another: France Telecom putting the kibosh on Minitel originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communicationsconvivial messagingConvivialMessagingdial updial-upDialUpdumb terminalDumbTerminalfranceFrance TelecomFranceTelecomfrenchgovernmentinternetkillkilledmessagingMinitelretroripshut downShutDownVideotexvintageMon, 25 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CD-shaped mouse is perfect for our physical media-free future]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/23/cd-shaped-mouse-is-perfect-for-our-physical-media-free-future/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/23/cd-shaped-mouse-is-perfect-for-our-physical-media-free-future/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/23/cd-shaped-mouse-is-perfect-for-our-physical-media-free-future/#comments disk+Mouse Unless you've got a penchant for going the ultralight route, chances are you've got a DVD or other optical drive in your laptop that you rarely, if ever, actually stick a disk in it. This concept, dubbed disk+Mouse plans to put that space to good use holding a pointer that stores flat, but pops up in a conical shape when needed. Of course, by this time next year we'll all probably be looking at physical media the same way we did floppies in the post iMac world and this will be nothing but a cutesy throwback with no place to go -- just like those cassette-shaped USB drives.

CD-shaped mouse is perfect for our physical media-free future originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Jul 2011 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoriesaccessoryconceptdesigndisk+mousemouseoptical diskoptical disk driveOpticalDiskOpticalDiskDrivePeripheralperipheralsphysical mediaPhysicalMediapop upPopUpretroSat, 23 Jul 2011 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[New Commodore C64 gets stacked against the original, deemed a worthy successor (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/06/new-commodore-c64-gets-stacked-against-the-original-deemed-a-wo/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/06/new-commodore-c64-gets-stacked-against-the-original-deemed-a-wo/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/06/new-commodore-c64-gets-stacked-against-the-original-deemed-a-wo/#comments We know a few of you have been waiting with bated breath for the retooled Commodore C64 to arrive, so we're not at all surprised that the first people to claim one are wasting no time putting its tactile keys through its paces. In that clip you see below, YouTube user "EternalPtah" places the three decades-old original next to its Atom-powered successor, comparing everything from the beige color to the height of the function keys. All told, he reassures us, the twenty-first century iteration is a worthy follow-up to the vintage model, even if it does replace the power light with a button. If you've got four minutes to spare, hit play for what will probably be the most nostalgic hands-on you see this week.

[Thanks, Ian]

Continue reading New Commodore C64 gets stacked against the original, deemed a worthy successor (video)

New Commodore C64 gets stacked against the original, deemed a worthy successor (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AtomC64xCommodorecommodore usaCommodore64Commodore64xCommodoreUsacomparisoncomparisonsEternalPtahIntel AtomIntelAtomkeyboardkeyboardsretroside by sideSideBySidevideovintageWed, 06 Jul 2011 15:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Fujifilm X100 gets firmware update, 22 tweaks make the best even better]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/24/fujifilm-x100-gets-firmware-update-22-tweaks-make-the-best-even/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/24/fujifilm-x100-gets-firmware-update-22-tweaks-make-the-best-even/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/24/fujifilm-x100-gets-firmware-update-22-tweaks-make-the-best-even/#comments The retro X100 brought out all our kleptomaniacal tendencies when we first went hands-on, and it has since impressed virtually every other lucky soul who's come into contact with its build quality and groundbreaking integration of a big APS-C sensor within a compact body. But, just as you often find in extremely beautiful humans, the camera's brains were slightly haywire: in particular, it tended to forget or confusingly alter crucial ISO, dynamic range, macro and drive settings when shifting between shooting modes. Fortunately though, many of these niggles can now be nuked by downloading firmware update v1.10 at the source link. The update promises a total of 22 fixes and modifications, which are listed in full in the PR after the break. Of course, some annoying issues will remain outstanding with this $1,200 shooter, including slow focus-by-wire MF and strangely buried menu settings. We don't know if they'll ever be fixed, but the next time we get hold of one it'll still be a morality-pounding wrench to give it back.

Continue reading Fujifilm X100 gets firmware update, 22 tweaks make the best even better

Fujifilm X100 gets firmware update, 22 tweaks make the best even better originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 12:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aps-caps-c sensorAps-cSensorcompactfinepixfirmwarefirmware updateFirmwareUpdatefujifilmfujifilm finepixfujifilm finepix x100FujifilmFinepixFujifilmFinepixX100new age vintageNewAgeVintageretrovintagex100Fri, 24 Jun 2011 12:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Commodore USA begins shipping replica C64s next week, fulfilling your beige breadbox dreams (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/19/commodore-usa-begins-shipping-replica-c64s-next-week-fulfilling/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/19/commodore-usa-begins-shipping-replica-c64s-next-week-fulfilling/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/19/commodore-usa-begins-shipping-replica-c64s-next-week-fulfilling/#comments
If you're like us, you've probably been holding your breath in anticipation since Commodore USA announced its replica of the famous C64. It promised a keyboard PC that duplicated the original's retro-beige finish, with an Atom CPU and an NVIDIA Ion graphics card under the hood. But despite numerous announcements, and even after a cross-promotion with Tron: Legacy, they've yet to ship any products. The latest word from the company has pre-orders shipping next week, in five different varieties, from a barebones chassis and card reader to the C64x Ultimate - an $895 machine that includes 1TB hard drive and a Blu-ray player. If you haven't been teased enough over the past year of delays, hit the video after the break for more preview images.

Continue reading Commodore USA begins shipping replica C64s next week, fulfilling your beige breadbox dreams (video)

Commodore USA begins shipping replica C64s next week, fulfilling your beige breadbox dreams (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Jun 2011 11:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Barry AltmanBarryAltmanc64commodorecommodore 64commodore PC64commodore USACommodore64CommodorePc64CommodoreUsadesktopdesktopskeyboard computerkeyboard pcKeyboardComputerKeyboardPclicensingpc in a keyboardPC64PcInAKeyboardretrovideoSun, 19 Jun 2011 11:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Datamancer Steampunk Laptop now available for anachronistic pre-order]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/datamancer-steampunk-laptop-now-available-for-anacrhronistic-pre/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/datamancer-steampunk-laptop-now-available-for-anacrhronistic-pre/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/datamancer-steampunk-laptop-now-available-for-anacrhronistic-pre/#comments Datamancer Steampunk Laptop We really hope you've haven't grown tired of Steampunk over the years. Over-saturated? Passé? Perhaps, but there's still something undeniably alluring about the blend of Victorian-era mechanics and modern technology. That's why, even three years after we first caught a glimpse of it, we're pretty psyched to hear that Datamancer's Steampunk Laptop is actually being made available for purchase. Detailed specs haven't been offered, we only know that it will feature "cutting-edge internal components," but we can tell you there are a bevy of customization options. You can choose everything from the wood stain color, to keyboard fonts, to etched brass lids or clockwork gears like the original design (except these will tick and turn). You can pre-order one now (at the source link) for $5,500 -- a healthy discount over the estimated price once production on these one-of-a-kind machines kicks in to gear ($7,500+). Now we just have to decide between food and rent, or a work of PC art.

Datamancer Steampunk Laptop now available for anachronistic pre-order originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clockwork laptopClockworkLaptopcustomcustom madeCustomMadedatamancerlaptopmodmodsnotebookpre orderpre-orderPreOrderretrosteampunksteampunk laptopSteampunkLaptopFri, 10 Jun 2011 17:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Ion iCade Arcade Cabinet review]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/31/ion-icade-arcade-cabinet-review/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/31/ion-icade-arcade-cabinet-review/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/31/ion-icade-arcade-cabinet-review/#comments
The iCade Arcade Cabinet began as an April Fool's joke in 2010, but this golden unicorn of iPad accessories has actually made it to production, showing up at our door last week. iCade creator ThinkGeek partnered with Ion to make this former imaginary gadget a reality, and so far it appears to be a hit, backordered for weeks soon after hitting the online store in April. The $100 cabinet pairs with your iPad or iPad 2 over bluetooth, bringing familiar hardware arcade controls to the Atari's Greatest Hits app, which includes classics like Missile Command (free), and Pong, which you can download from within the free Atari app for $1. The iCade is an awesome addition to your gaming collection, but it won't replace the hours of coin-dropping at your local arcade. Read on to find out why this accessory may become a permanent fixture on our desk.

Gallery: Ion iCade

Continue reading Ion iCade Arcade Cabinet review

Ion iCade Arcade Cabinet review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple ipadAppleIpadarcadearcade cabinetArcadeCabinetataribluetoothcabinetcaseenclosurefor saleForSalegamingicadeionipadjoystickold schoolOldSchoolon saleOnSalepre-orderpre-ordersretroreviewtabletthinkgeekTue, 31 May 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Modder turns candy canisters into gaming console, retro Pong paddles (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/30/modder-turns-candy-canisters-into-gaming-console-retro-pong-pad/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/30/modder-turns-candy-canisters-into-gaming-console-retro-pong-pad/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/30/modder-turns-candy-canisters-into-gaming-console-retro-pong-pad/#comments
This is the second time this week we've covered a modder getting an old-school game to run with the help of some unexpected hardware. And arguably, it's the simpler of the two tales. A fellow named John Graham-Cumming fashioned a game console out of little more than a pair of metal canisters, an Arduino Pro board, and a potentiometer -- all so he could play Pong on his TV. The rig (cutely dubbed the Cansole) actually consists of two controllers, with the secondary one housing just a potentiometer. The first has one, too, but also houses the Arduino Pro, along with a battery, A/V controls, and a button for selecting and firing in the game. Et voilà! 1970s arcade-style tennis for two. For a 90-second nostalgia break, head on past the break to see these vintage-looking paddles in action.

Continue reading Modder turns candy canisters into gaming console, retro Pong paddles (video)

Modder turns candy canisters into gaming console, retro Pong paddles (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 May 2011 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadearcade-styleArduinoArduino ProArduinoProcancanisterCansoleconsoleDIYdo-it-yourselfgamehackhacksmodmodsping pongPingPongpongpotentiometerprojectretroTable tennisTableTennistennis for twoTennisForTwovideoMon, 30 May 2011 17:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Telecommunications device for the deaf gets hitched to a rotary phone, hacked to run Zork]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/27/telecommuniations-device-for-the-deaf-gets-hitched-to-a-rotary-p/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/27/telecommuniations-device-for-the-deaf-gets-hitched-to-a-rotary-p/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/27/telecommuniations-device-for-the-deaf-gets-hitched-to-a-rotary-p/#comments In today's episode of "But will it run Zork?" a chap named Ulysses got the vintage game to run on a TDD (telecommunications device for the deaf) -- a project he built to show off at the Bay Area Maker Faire last weekend. In a move we truly respect, he hunted down a rotary phone lifted straight out of the era when Zork was conceived (that would be the late '70s / early '80s). Then, he modified a modem so that the acoustically coupled TDD could be interfaced -- transmitting at a slow 45.5 baud to make it easy for even ponderous readers to keep up, one line at a time on the TDD's narrow display. Once this was sorted, things weren't exactly smooth sailing when Ulysses started fitting the compressed Zork story file into the system. At first, he tried using an Arduino Pro and an Arduino Mega, but found that neither had enough memory to accommodate the compressed Zork story file. Ultimately, he took a different tack and settled on an embeddable FitPC. We'd love nothing more than to see this thing in action, but in lieu of a video we highly suggest carving out a few minutes and perusing Ulysses' photo blog at the source link.

Telecommunications device for the deaf gets hitched to a rotary phone, hacked to run Zork originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 May 2011 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ArduinoArduino MegaArduino ProArduinoMegaArduinoProBay Area Maker FaireBayAreaMakerFairedeafDIYFitPcgamehackhard of hearingHardOfHearingMaker FaireMakerFairemodretrorotary phoneRotaryPhoneTDDtelephoneZorkFri, 27 May 2011 10:59:00 EST<![CDATA[NaClBox brings DOS-based gaming to Chrome along with sweet, sweet nostalgia]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/12/naclbox-brings-dos-based-gaming-to-chrome-along-with-sweet-swee/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/12/naclbox-brings-dos-based-gaming-to-chrome-along-with-sweet-swee/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/12/naclbox-brings-dos-based-gaming-to-chrome-along-with-sweet-swee/#comments
Now that Angry Birds has come to Chrome, none of us have any reason to leave the house. But if you like your games closer to 1fps, NaClBox may be more your speed. The Chrome-only emulator revives such DOS-based classics as The Secret of Monkey Island , Falcon 3.0, and Alone In the Dark. Most are demos, meant to show off the browser's Native Client potential and tug the heartstrings of retro-gamers. And we'll admit getting a little misty at stepping back into the blocky shoes of Guybrush Threepwood -- but maybe even more so at the bleepy-bloopy Soundblaster-era soundtrack.

NaClBox brings DOS-based gaming to Chrome along with sweet, sweet nostalgia originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 May 2011 18:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DOSemulationemulatoremulatorsgamingRetroretro gamingRetroGamingvideo gamevideo gamesVideoGameVideoGamesThu, 12 May 2011 18:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Modder miniaturizes 5.25-inch disk drive, brings microSD support to Atari 400]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/07/modder-miniaturizes-5-25-inch-disk-drive-brings-microsd-support/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/07/modder-miniaturizes-5-25-inch-disk-drive-brings-microsd-support/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/07/modder-miniaturizes-5-25-inch-disk-drive-brings-microsd-support/#comments
You aren't looking at a retro microSD card reader, you're looking at an Atari-compatible serial disk drive that just happens to use microSD in lieu of 5.25-inch floppies. In a Zork inspired fit of nostalgia (we've all been there), hardware modder Rossum paired up an Atari connector with a LPC1114 microcontroller, capable of emulating up to eight Atari drives, managed by a custom, auto-booting app. The whole package is neatly packed in to a tiny 3D printed replica of the original Atari 810 disk drive, and is available for sale never -- but don't let that stop you: Rossum's schematics are free for the taking. The word's biggest little Atari drive is just a DIY away.

[Thanks, Francesco F.]

Modder miniaturizes 5.25-inch disk drive, brings microSD support to Atari 400 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 May 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d printing3dPrintingAtariAtari 400Atari 810Atari400Atari810disk driveDiskDriveDIYemulationfloppy diskFloppyDiskgaminghackhackedmicrocontrollermicrosdmodmodsnostalgiaretroZorkSat, 07 May 2011 16:01:00 EST<![CDATA[World's smallest Donkey Kong cabinet delivers authentic arcade experience for tiny fingers (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/04/worlds-smallest-donkey-kong-cabinet-delivers-authentic-arcade-e/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/04/worlds-smallest-donkey-kong-cabinet-delivers-authentic-arcade-e/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/04/worlds-smallest-donkey-kong-cabinet-delivers-authentic-arcade-e/#commentsTiny Donkey Kong Cab This, friends, is a work of art. Above is a stunning, fully-functional recreation of the original Donkey Kong arcade cabinet -- and it's only 8.25 inches tall. The accomplished modder Bender posted his handiwork on the Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum and it's sure to wow even the most cynical of folks. At the heart of this build is a hacked up GamePark GP2X Wiz running MAME, but it's the attention to detail, including the printed vinyl decals and light-up marquee, that really pull this (supposedly world's smallest) 1/8 scale project together. Check out the gallery below and the pair of lengthy demo videos after the break. En garde Mr. Heck!

Gallery: World's Smallest Donkey Kong Cabinet


[Thanks, Brian]

Continue reading World's smallest Donkey Kong cabinet delivers authentic arcade experience for tiny fingers (video)

World's smallest Donkey Kong cabinet delivers authentic arcade experience for tiny fingers (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 May 2011 15:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadearcade cabinetArcadeCabinetBenderDIYdo-it-yourselfDonkey KongDonkeyKongGameParkGamePark WizGameparkWizGP2XGP2X WizGp2xWizhackhacksMAMEModmoddingmodsretrosmalltinyvideoworlds smallestWorldsSmallestWed, 04 May 2011 15:37:00 EST<![CDATA[SLG 3000 scanline generator brings grimy gaming to modern displays (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/23/slg-3000-scanline-generator-brings-grimy-gaming-to-modern-displa/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/23/slg-3000-scanline-generator-brings-grimy-gaming-to-modern-displa/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/23/slg-3000-scanline-generator-brings-grimy-gaming-to-modern-displa/#comments
 As diligent as we are about keeping you abreast of absolutely every awesome new gadget that hits the market, every once in a while even we miss a real gem. Case in point: Arcade Forge's SLG 3000 scanline generator, which gives your seemingly flawless HD display a throwback makeover. As the name suggests, the rather diminutive board acts as a middle man between your VGA compatible device and your TV, bringing back the sweet imperfections that marked early console gaming. The thing enlists a series of DIP switches and a potentiometer for setting scanlines and resolution to your specifications. You can land one of your own at the source link for €50. In the meantime, though, we suggest you check out the video after the break to see why we couldn't bear to let this one get away -- even if it is a few months old.

Continue reading SLG 3000 scanline generator brings grimy gaming to modern displays (video)

SLG 3000 scanline generator brings grimy gaming to modern displays (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Apr 2011 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consoleconsolesgamesgamingretroretro gamesretro gamingRetroGamesRetroGamingScanline GeneratorScanlineGeneratorSGL 3000SGL 3000 Scanline GeneratorSgl3000Sgl3000ScanlineGeneratorVGAvideovideo gamesVideoGamesSat, 23 Apr 2011 08:27:00 EST