Tilt -- Engadget

Keepin' it real fake, part CXVI: Tilt gets shamelessly aped

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 7th 2008 at 5:57AM

As the bar for really, truly ripping another product off gets ratcheted up, leave it to Awang to make sure it keeps pace. The A9000 handset makes no attempt to veil itself from being seen as the impostor that it truly is, featuring the same QWERTY keypad, general design and tilt-ability as the long-established AT&T Tilt. Judging by the looks of things, those not ashamed with carrying around a Class-A wannabe will find Windows Mobile ("or similar") under the hood, a T-Flash expansion slot, built-in camera and a lovely stylus for good measure. We've seen creativity get slapped in the face before, but this is a bona fide low blow.

[Thanks, Steve]

Gallery: TV mobile AwangA9000

Poll: Did HTC mishandle the video driver controversy?

by Evan Blass, posted Jan 23rd 2008 at 9:45AM

In case you haven't been following all the drama over at Engadget Mobile, Taiwanese smartphone kingpin HTC is seeing a rather unexpected customer backlash over sub-par video playback in recent devices employing Qualcomm's MSM7xxx chipsets -- apparently, handsets like the popular TyTN II and Touch Cruise were purposely shipped without drivers that would take advantage of the embedded ATI Imageon acceleration hardware. And now, instead of issuing a mea culpa or at least providing the drivers for a small fee, HTC has basically suggested in a recent statement that consumers will need to upgrade to future products if they want "high-resolution video support." Obviously customers are outraged, with the statement only fueling further talk of a class action lawsuit.

We think it's time for the Engadget community at large to weigh in on this snowballing controversy: what (if anything) should HTC have done differently in order to maintain the proactive, customer-friendly image that it has up to this point been known for?

Engadget Mobile checks out the AT&T Tilt

by Chris Ziegler, posted Oct 4th 2007 at 3:00AM

Shifting eyes, sweaty palms, restless legs -- yep, you're about at wit's end waiting to find a Tilt show up on your local AT&T shop's shelves. Shuffle up next to your countless brethren in the same boat, have a seat, and take a gander at our quick take over on Engadget Mobile, why don't you? Should go a long way toward holding you over 'til the Tilt's Friday launch!

The AT&T Tilt, October 5 for $299.99

by Chris Ziegler, posted Oct 4th 2007 at 12:15AM

Bringing all of the HTC Kaiser's joy to AT&T, the Tilt has finally been set for an October 5 launch. Besides the obvious feature of a tilting display -- hence the name -- the spec sheet reveals a 3 megapixel autofocus camera, HSDPA, stereo Bluetooth, Windows Mobile 6 Professional (the first AT&T device to officially rock it -- can ya believe it?), microSDHC slot for cards up to 32GB, WiFi, an integrated GPS receiver, and BlackBerry Connect support. Last time we checked, that pretty much covers the "superphone" checklist. Grab it starting Friday for $299.99 on contract after the full suite of rebates has been applied. Follow the break for a bonus shot of the Tilt in its upright and locked position!

Continue reading The AT&T Tilt, October 5 for $299.99

Internal AT&T site foretells Tilt launch

by Chris Ziegler, posted Oct 1st 2007 at 5:17PM

We figure this website wasn't intended for public consumption -- either that, or we're all invited to the "2007 National Launch Tour" for the imminently available AT&T Tilt, and we should be speaking to our regional sales managers immediately to confirm our eligibility. The picture here looks pretty much like what we'd seen of the HTC Kaiser variant in the wild, confirming that the front cam is gone (no surprise), though it's a little chubbier looking than we thought, yeah? Or is it just us? Anyway, the site gives nary a clue about when we might actually be able to get a Tilt in our hands simply by walking into a store, but happily, everything we've heard still points to an October launch. Now if you'll excuse us, we're going to go track down our regional sales manager.

[Thanks, regenC]

AT&T's "Tilt" Kaiser variation spotted in the wild

by Donald Melanson, posted Sep 28th 2007 at 10:51AM

It looks like that purported first pic of AT&T's version of the HTC Kaiser, dubbed the "Tilt," wasn't entirely on the mark but, as you can see from the shot of the real deal above, it wasn't too far off either. One of the most noticeable changes is a new silver dialpad of questionable taste, which sorta matches the seemingly shinier than usual navigation keys on the face of the device. Also, if you squint hard enough you'll see that there's an option to "Get TeleNav," which means that you won't be getting TomTom, and also likely means that you'll need a data connection to use it. Hit up the read link below for a few more pics courtesy of HowardForums member "jlczl."

Update: It looks like that delay we'd heard about might be for real, at least if retailer Negri Electronics is to be believed. It's now listing the Tilt with an expected in stock date of October 23rd, which is a fair bit later than the September 30th date it was quoting earlier.

AT&T Tilt delayed a few weeks?

by Chris Ziegler, posted Sep 21st 2007 at 5:25PM

Unlocked Kaisers are already available from your friendly local importer (and yes, it rocks, by the way), but if on-contract AT&T pricing is more to your liking, the wait may have just gotten a little longer. We're hearing unconfirmed reports that the 8925 Tilt -- AT&T's branded version of the Kaiser -- has been pushed back a few weeks from its September 25 release window thanks to some pesky network certification issues. You know, those tests that cause a phone mentioned in December of one year to be released late the following year (pardon if we sound bitter). Anyway, the phones have apparently been shipped back to HTC for some last-minute rejiggering; with any luck, we'll still see 'em before October's out if the rumor's true. If this ends up being nothing more than a case of a few misinformed AT&T reps, though, make sure to bring enough cash on your shopping trip next Tuesday for both the Tilt and Halo 3, k?

[Thanks, John L.]

iPhone's tilt sensor hacked

by Chris Ziegler, posted Aug 28th 2007 at 10:42PM

Considering how much amusement can be had by using the MacBook Pro's accelerometers for completely unintended purposes, it stands to reason that hacking into the iPhone's sensors would be a virtually endless font of entertainment. It also stood to reason that it was just a matter of time before the ever-persistent hacking community broke its determined way into said sensors, and sure enough, here we have it. Like the successful coder says, the power of the iPhone's 3-axis accelerometer is largely untapped in the OS itself, so it'll be great fun to see what sorts of crazy business the homebrew folks can dream up. Get to work, everyone! Check the full video after the break.

[Thanks, bharvey]

Continue reading iPhone's tilt sensor hacked

Talismoon ready to ship the Tiltboard 360 controller mod next week

by Nilay Patel, posted Jun 19th 2007 at 4:05PM

Xbox 360 owners feeling left out of all the motion-sensitive fun PS3 and Wii owners are currently having can finally breathe easy... and then break out their wallets. Talismoon's Tiltboard mod is due to ship next week for an estimated $39.99 -- a number that doesn't include a controller or the soldering iron you'll need to install it. The board features adjustments for tilt sensitivity, y-axis orientation, and zero level, but unless there's a setting that ports WarioWare to the 360, we're missing the point.

[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]

Talismoon unveils second generation tiltBoard 360

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 9th 2007 at 9:34PM

It's honestly not too often that these homegrown DIY efforts actually end up going big, but just as it was predicted, the tiltBoard 360 is legit. Talismoon has officially released the second generation of the tilt sensitivity add-in for the Xbox 360 controller, which is supposedly "easier to use" than Sony's SIXAXIS. The board comes pre-loaded with tiltTune technology, which purportedly allows gamers to adjust the tilt sensitivity, tweak the 0-degree point, invert the Y-axis, and even deactivate the tilt feature if you should desire. Unfortunately, this iteration is still not a simple drop-in mod, as you'll be busting out the soldering iron for no fewer than seven wires. Still, for those not afraid to their hands dirty, the next-gen tiltBoard 360 will be shipping later this month.

Team Xtender's XCM BestTilt Xbox 360 mod caught on tape

by Darren Murph, posted May 9th 2007 at 6:28PM

The same folks who brought us the unfortunately less-than-impressive XFPS module have apparently busted out their own rendition of the ever-popular tilt sensitive mod for the Xbox 360's controller. Apparently, these folks tend to get their points across best via video, and Xbox-Scene has a brief clip of the XCM BestTilt mod fully installed and operational. The company claims that its tilt solution can morph your mundane controller to a motion sensing one in "five simple solders," and also mentions that its product ups the ante over the other guys by including a tilt controller chip and a replacement shell, too. Additionally, the "plug 'n play" term is thrown out there without much care, but we'd definitely take that one with a healthy dose of salt. Nevertheless, feel free to click on through to catch the currently unpriced XCM BestTilt in action.

[Via Xbox360Fanboy]

Continue reading Team Xtender's XCM BestTilt Xbox 360 mod caught on tape

USB BB gun sports barrel-mounted webcam, ensures home security

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 23rd 2007 at 12:25PM

While there's certainly a variety of options to keep watch and protect your property from curious intruders, the latest branch of vCrib gives a new meaning to being on guard. Crafted by the designer of the Virtual Crib home automation software, the USB BB gun sports automatic firing, manual reloading, and the ability to fire based on commands given remotely on a PC. Moreover, the weapon actually packs a webcam on the barrel, allowing users to login via computer, tilt / swivel the gun with simple mouse flicks, and fire away if you spot any intruders within its broad line of sight. It shouldn't need mentioning that we'd make absolutely sure our landlord was cool with mounting a remotely-controlled weapon in the window, but if you need to take home security into your own hands (without actually being at home), be sure to click on through to see this controversial creation spittin' hot fury.

Continue reading USB BB gun sports barrel-mounted webcam, ensures home security

Hand painted tilt-a-mouse

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 22nd 2007 at 8:08AM

Seriously, we Americans could learn a thing or two from the Russians, Chinese, and Japanese, as they all know exactly how to ugly up a mouse better than anyone. As expected, the "hand painted" Daruma tilt-a-mouse proves no different, as its vivid color scheme and less-than-ergonomic grip make for a critter that only a mother (or indebted manufacturer) could love to point with. Of course, you could make a case that the tilting interface that intelligently moves your cursor about the screen is worth a few marks, but considering the entirely more sexy innovations we've seen in mice of late, we're not sure this is going to lift off as anything but technochotchke. But hey, who are we to judge the beauty of your next spherical mouse? It's all yours for a steep ¥9,700 ($82).

[Via Spluch]

Lexon's new On-Off alarm clock literally rocks

by Paul Miller, posted Apr 24th 2006 at 9:54PM

If all of those new fangled "buttons" that they put on them thar alarm clocks these day are getting you down, you might be interested in the new On-Off clock from Lexon. Designed by Nina Tolstrup, the On-Off LCD alarm clock can have its alarm activated by tilting it into the on position, and the alarm can be turned off by (you guessed it) tilting the clock to the off position. While we're sure this will result in some exciting and violent early morning clock tilting action, we're not so sure how snooze functionality factors in. In any case, the clock should be available May 15th in numerous colors, and for the quite reasonable price of $36.50.

[Via Gear Live]