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[IBM exec says PC is 'going the way of the typewriter,' kills our birthday buzz]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/12/ibm-exec-says-pc-is-going-the-way-of-the-typewriter-kills-our/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/12/ibm-exec-says-pc-is-going-the-way-of-the-typewriter-kills-our/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/12/ibm-exec-says-pc-is-going-the-way-of-the-typewriter-kills-our/#comments Well, this is awkward. As the IBM PC celebrates its 30th birthday today, one of its original designers is already mulling the end of its reign. In a blog post penned this week, Mark Dean, IBM's CTO for the Middle East and Africa, reflected on the dawn of the desktop era and looked forward to its seemingly inevitable demise.

"When I helped design the PC, I didn't think I'd live long enough to witness its decline. But, while PCs will continue to be much-used devices, they're no longer at the leading edge of computing. They're going the way of the vacuum tube, typewriter, vinyl records, CRT and incandescent light bulbs."

Dean added that he's glad his company sold its PC business to Lenovo in 2005, as part of a move that, according to him, allowed IBM to position itself at the forefront of the "post-PC" era. No word yet on when the funeral rites will be held, but you can read the full post at the source link, below.

IBM exec says PC is 'going the way of the typewriter,' kills our birthday buzz originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversaryarchaicbirthdaycomputercomputingdesktopibmibm pcIbmPcincandescent light bulbIncandescentLightBulblenovomark deanMarkDeanmarketpcpc eraPcErapersonal computerPersonalComputerpost-pcquotetablettypewriterFri, 12 Aug 2011 13:31:00 EST<![CDATA[IBM Selectric Typewriter turns 50, yells at tablets to get off its lawn]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/27/ibm-selectric-typewriter-turns-50-yells-at-tablets-to-get-off-i/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/27/ibm-selectric-typewriter-turns-50-yells-at-tablets-to-get-off-i/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/27/ibm-selectric-typewriter-turns-50-yells-at-tablets-to-get-off-i/#comments Imagine all of the waiting rooms and typing classes it's seen in its half-century on earth. IBM this week is celebrating the 50th birthday of its best-selling Selectric line of office typewriters. First introduced in 1961, the line featured a rotating typeball that increased typing speed and could be changed for italics, symbols, and different fonts and languages. The typewriter also eschewed the traditional moving carriage, with the typeball and ribbon taking on the motion, reducing the unit's overall size and leaving more space on office desks for family photos and troll dolls. These innovations helped make the line nearly ubiquitous in offices spaces, and in 1964, the Selectric line offered up an early word processor capable of storing characters. IBM would go on to retire the line in 1986. Fittingly, the now defunct typewriter will be honored with its very own postage stamp.

Continue reading IBM Selectric Typewriter turns 50, yells at tablets to get off its lawn

IBM Selectric Typewriter turns 50, yells at tablets to get off its lawn originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 15:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversaryibmpostageselectricselectric typewriterSelectricTypewriterstamptypewritertypewritersvideoWed, 27 Jul 2011 15:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Olivetti launches OliPad tablet, second coming of the typewriter?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/06/olivetti-launches-olipad-tablet-second-coming-of-the-typewriter/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/06/olivetti-launches-olipad-tablet-second-coming-of-the-typewriter/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/06/olivetti-launches-olipad-tablet-second-coming-of-the-typewriter/#commentsIt's a sign of the times: a company originally known for typewriters, and struggling to find its place in a tech-driven market, turns to manufacturing tablets. This week, Olivetti announced the release of the OliPad, staking its claim to a slice of the slab pie, and repositioning itself on the enterprise PC market. Heralded (at least by Olivetti) as Italy's first tablet, the OliPad sports a 10-inch screen, 3G, WiFi, and Bluetooth connectivity, NVIDIA Tegra 2, Android 2.2.2, and a 1024 x 600 display. It also features USB and HDMI ports and a 1.3 megapixel camera, but perhaps most telling is the simultaneous launch of the Application Warehouse, "a virtual storehouse of configurable and customizable software applications designed by Olivetti specifically for business and government." Considering the vast and varied competition, we'd say sticking to what it knows -- and Olivetti knows business solutions -- is probably a safe bet. Now, if they could just make the thing look as good as the Olivetti Valentine... The OliPad goes on sale this Monday for €399. Full PR after the break.
[Thanks, Riccardo]

Continue reading Olivetti launches OliPad tablet, second coming of the typewriter?

Olivetti launches OliPad tablet, second coming of the typewriter? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 04:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>android 2.2.2Android2.2.2app storeapplication warehouseApplicationWarehouseAppStorebusinessenterprisefroyoItalyitalys first tabletItalysFirstTabletnvidia tegra 2NvidiaTegra2OlipadOlivettiOlivetti OliPadOlivettiOlipadslabslateSlatePcsoftwaretablettabletstypewriterSun, 06 Mar 2011 04:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Interactive fiction meets interactive typewriter, pilfers the kingdoms of Zork (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/31/interactive-fiction-meets-interactive-typewriter-pilfers-the-ki/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/31/interactive-fiction-meets-interactive-typewriter-pilfers-the-ki/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/31/interactive-fiction-meets-interactive-typewriter-pilfers-the-ki/#comments You are standing in an open field as usual, or perhaps you're in the darkness, likely to be eaten by a grue, but the words aren't etching their way into your soul from the familiar computer terminal -- they're on freshly printed paper. Like a player piano, the Automatypewriter lets you play games like Zork by automatically keying in letters via a series of solenoids and fishing line to tell you where you are, and it records your input, too; every time you type "XYZZY" in vain, it's an Arduino board that sends signals to the text parser, which directs a hollow voice to pity your foolish word. Forget the iPad typewriter -- this is old-school. See it in action after the break, or hit the source link for the schematics to build one yourself. Just be sure to install Planetfall, too.

Continue reading Interactive fiction meets interactive typewriter, pilfers the kingdoms of Zork (video)

Interactive fiction meets interactive typewriter, pilfers the kingdoms of Zork (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 31 Oct 2010 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Arduinoartautomatypewriterautonomousdiydo it yourselfDoItYourselfhackhacksinfocominteractive fictionInteractiveFictionjonathan gubermanJonathanGubermanmodmodsText AdventureText AdventuresTextAdventureTextAdventurestypewritervideoZorkSun, 31 Oct 2010 18:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Typewriter parts used to construct model deer, give small children nightmares]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/27/typewriter-parts-used-to-construct-model-deer-give-small-childr/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/27/typewriter-parts-used-to-construct-model-deer-give-small-childr/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/27/typewriter-parts-used-to-construct-model-deer-give-small-childr/#comments It's a deer. Made out of typewriter parts. And for whatever reason, it's downright terrifying. Jeremy Mayer's creation (yeah, that Jeremy Mayer) was recently shown at the Device Gallery in San Diego, measuring an intimidating 20- x 36- x 38-inches. It's apparently dubbed the Deer III, which means that at least two others could be roaming an unlit street near you. Something tells us your insurance company will never believe the story should you be unlucky enough to collide with one.

Typewriter parts used to construct model deer, give small children nightmares originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 20:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animalartdeerdesignjeremy mayerJeremyMayerkeyboardkeysrecyclestrangetypewriterweirdMon, 27 Sep 2010 20:09:00 EST<![CDATA[USB typewriter goes 'clackity clackity clack DING' (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/14/usb-typewriter-goes-clackity-clackity-clack-ding-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/14/usb-typewriter-goes-clackity-clackity-clack-ding-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/14/usb-typewriter-goes-clackity-clackity-clack-ding-video/#commentsUSB typewriter goes 'clackity clackity clack *DING*' You can keep your Optimus and Das Keyboard clickers: nothing compares to the pure, physical, carpal tunnel-inducing feel of a manual typewriter. If you want to bring that feel to your new-age gadget, Jack Zylkin can deliver it, able to convert your Royal Standard to USB standard, and plenty of other brands too. The system works by having the keys strike a board and create a circuit which is then piped out of a ubiquitous A-Type connector. A DIY kit will set you back $75 and at least a couple hours of your time (maybe more), while a ready-to-click pre-assembled model costs between $400 and $500. Given the intricate nature of the install we'd say that's probably the better bet -- unless you're particularly attached to your old manual. Video demonstration after the break.

Continue reading USB typewriter goes 'clackity clackity clack DING' (video)

USB typewriter goes 'clackity clackity clack DING' (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 06:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>etsyJack ZylkinJackZylkinkeyboardmanual typewriterManualTypewritertypewriterusb keyboardusb typewriterUsbKeyboardUsbTypewritervideoMon, 14 Jun 2010 06:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Cacophonic typewriter doubles as piano]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/18/video-cacophonic-typewriter-doubles-as-paino/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/18/video-cacophonic-typewriter-doubles-as-paino/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/18/video-cacophonic-typewriter-doubles-as-paino/#comments See, we knew those check writers in NYC had something brilliant in mind when dropping a cool million on typewriters this week! As the tale goes, they've contracted one Fabien Cappello to modify each and every one into a 'Typing The Sound' concept, which bangs away at letters whilst making all sorts of racket. Unfortunately, there aren't any how-to details to be found (nor any real proof that a pianist isn't behind this guy fooling us all... nor any truth to the aforesaid tale), but the video past the break is still worth a gander. Honest.

[Via MAKE]

Continue reading Video: Cacophonic typewriter doubles as piano

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Video: Cacophonic typewriter doubles as piano originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Jul 2009 01:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artconceptdesignFabien CappelloFabienCappellohackhacksMIDImodmodsmusicTypewritertyping the soundTypingTheSoundyamahaSat, 18 Jul 2009 01:22:00 EST<![CDATA[NYC keeps ahead of the curve, invests $1 million into typewriters]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/14/nyc-keeps-ahead-of-the-curve-invests-1-million-into-typewriter/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/14/nyc-keeps-ahead-of-the-curve-invests-1-million-into-typewriter/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/14/nyc-keeps-ahead-of-the-curve-invests-1-million-into-typewriter/#comments When we look upon the typewriter, we tend to think of it as a somewhat romantic, antiquated technology for the English major in us to write that great mystery novel we've been toying with -- not something we'd imagine anyone would still be using in a professional setting. Unfortunately for New York's boys in blue, that's exactly the situation they find themselves in. According to NY Post, the city has plunked down $982,269 in a contract with New Jersey-based Swintec to provide thousands of new manual electric typewriters bound for NYPD offices over the next three years, with another $99,570 going to a company for maintaining the current lineup. While arrest reports have thankfully gone the way of computers, property and evidence vouchers continue to be written up out the old fashioned way, with officers complaining about having to seek out ribbons when they (often) run dry. In some way, it's kind of funny... but mostly, it's just sad.

[Via Yahoo! Tech]

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NYC keeps ahead of the curve, invests $1 million into typewriters originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>new yorknew york citynew york policenew york police departmentnew york postNewYorkNewYorkCityNewYorkPoliceNewYorkPoliceDepartmentNewYorkPostny postnycnypdNyPostpolicepolice departmentPoliceDepartmentswintectype writertype writersTypeWriterTypeWritersTue, 14 Jul 2009 23:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Movie Gadget Friday: Brazil]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/20/movie-gadget-friday-brazil/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/20/movie-gadget-friday-brazil/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/20/movie-gadget-friday-brazil/#commentsAriel Waldman contributes Movie Gadget Friday, where she highlights the lovable and lame gadgets from the world of cinema.

We last left off Movie Gadget Friday on board the Icarus II in the near-futuristic film of Sunshine. This week we transition from space travel to a totalitarian, 20th century, terrorist-ridden society in Terry Gilliam's Brazil. A hybrid between the sexy saxophone solos and gender role reversals of the 1980's with the "Keep Calm and Carry On" culture of the 1940's and 50's, this film dabbles between reality and a dream-like state.


Cyborg Typewriter

This "handhold" device clamps around your hand and five fingers for allowing typing speeds upwards of 150 wpm. Wired between stereo headphones and a flat touch-sensor keyboard, the brace around the hand augments the user's typing accuracy and pace. The exposed wires act as inputs from any user-received audio and mechanically command via electric impulses exact transcripts to be typed out. The system is spoken-language friendly and can determine onomatopoeias, thus eliminating Google-like "did you mean...?" behavior. While it may make a secretary job more efficient, we have to wonder if the inevitable constant hand cramps are worth it. More after the break.

Continue reading Movie Gadget Friday: Brazil

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Movie Gadget Friday: Brazil originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Feb 2009 23:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brazilcomputercyborgfeatureshouse of the futureHouseOfTheFuturekeyboardmovie gadget fridayMovieGadgetFridayrobotterry gilliamTerryGilliamtypewriterFri, 20 Feb 2009 23:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Choi Jung Hyun assembles non-venomous viper with recycled keyboards]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/04/choi-jung-hyun-assembles-non-venomous-viper-with-recycled-keyboa/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/04/choi-jung-hyun-assembles-non-venomous-viper-with-recycled-keyboa/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/04/choi-jung-hyun-assembles-non-venomous-viper-with-recycled-keyboa/#comments
Yeah, this one's been slithering around the alleyways of the web for a tick, but it's just too hard to ignore a vicious looking viper created entirely from unwanted keyboards (okay, so glue and a faux tongue were involved, too). Still, the best part isn't the unquestionably amazing use of the dreaded Caps Lock key, it's the crowd of mice this thing is getting ready to feast on. Better check yo'self before you wreck yo'self, kids.

[Via MAKE]

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Choi Jung Hyun assembles non-venomous viper with recycled keyboards originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artChoi Jung HyunChoiJungHyundesignkeyboardsnaketypewriterviperFri, 04 Apr 2008 11:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Jeremy Mayer turns inoperative typewriters into art]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/23/jeremy-mayer-turns-inoperative-typewriters-into-art/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/23/jeremy-mayer-turns-inoperative-typewriters-into-art/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/23/jeremy-mayer-turns-inoperative-typewriters-into-art/#comments
Nah, Jeremy Mayer's typewriter-based creations aren't anything new for him, but he's used his years of practice to get a few installations on display at the Nevada Museum of Art. Most notable is the human-like creature above, which was assembled head to toe with now-defunct typewriter parts. So if you just so happen to be in the area, why not stop on by (before December 2nd) and see if you can hack it to send out an email or something.

[Via MAKE]

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Jeremy Mayer turns inoperative typewriters into art originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Nov 2007 05:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artdesignJeremy MayerJeremyMayertypewriterFri, 23 Nov 2007 05:47:00 EST