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Qualcomm invites us to see its new Wear OS chip on September 10th
Even as wearable devices have become more popular, the hardware backing many Wear OS (formerly known as Android Wear) devices hasn't seen an update since Qualcomm's 2100 SOC arrived in 2016. Now, as promised, a new chip will be unveiled later this year, and this afternoon Qualcomm invited journalists to a reveal event scheduled for September 10th. The invite only had a small smartwatch diagram and the words "It's Time," but Wareable's interview with exec Pankaj Kedia already gave us some ideas about what to expect. The new hardware will be built from the ground up for a wearable device, instead of trying to shrink smartphone technology, and should improve battery life. Plus, it will allow for smaller devices so that everyone can enjoy more stylish options. The big question, of course, is if we'll see the first smartwatches packing Qualcomm's new hardware at the event, like perhaps a Pixel Watch from Google?
Did LG's Optimus L5 handset sneak through the FCC?
Remember LG's Android L-style series of smartphones from back at Mobile World Conference? While we can't be totally certain this is the case, it appears that the Optimus L5 handset recently passed through the FCC's subterranean lair. Buried within the testing report is the diagram pictured, displaying measurements that fit in nicely with the mid-tier device's 4-inch screen size. For cellular connectivity, you'll find GSM (850/900/1800/1900) and WCDMA (850/2100) radios, alongside the requisite GPS, Bluetooth and WLAN. Mum's still the word on when we might start seeing this device and its siblings up for sale on US shores, but feel free to parse the FCC testing report at the source link below in the meantime.
Via debuts M'Serv 2100 server with 64-bit Nano CPU
If you're a small business customer or very serious about your reality TV habit, you just might want to take a look at Via's newest. The M'Serv S2100 mini server is the first to rock Via's new 64-bit Nano CPU (in this case the 1.3+GHz at 1.6GHz) -- but that ain't all! The case measures only 10.2- by 4.7-inches but includes two 3.5-inch SATA II drive bays (for up to 4TB storage), an integrated and bootable CF card slot, two gigabit Ethernet ports, three USB 2.0 ports, VGA output, and VT virtualization support for network video recording and virtual server applications. OS support includes Windows 7, XP, Vista, Server 2008 Foundation, and various Linux distributions (such as Ubuntu, SuSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 Service Pack 2, and FreeBSD). Sales are reserved for OEMs and sysadmins for the time being, but who knows? Maybe if you turn up the charm you can get in on the ground floor here. Hit the source link to get started.
Dell's Latitude 2100 reviewed: smart, but a bit heavy for afterschool use
We won't deny it -- a stroke of envy took us by storm when Dell introduced its durable, colorful new line of Latitude netbooks for the education market. Not only were we stuck with aged textbooks and school machines that were chained to a desk, but we never even had the chance to read up on the latest tech news while glossing over a summary of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. Reminiscing aside, Laptop Mag has evidently found the 2100 to be a solid rig for the segment for which it is intended, though its bulk may turn some GED-toting consumers off. 'Course, the thin layer of armor is perfect for those who tend to bump and bang their machines around, and with internals much the same as in the Inspiron Mini, well -- you can pretty much imagine the performance. Hit up the read link for the full writeup and a bevy of hands-on shots; just keep Junior far, far away unless you're fine with nagging and pleading.
Western Hemisphere getting behind AWS for 3G
There isn't necessarily any single morsel of news here, but 3G Americas -- the group responsible for keeping GSM on the up and up this side of the pond -- just wants everyone to know that it likes AWS' chances for gaining ground in this part of the world for new HSPA (and eventually, LTE) deployments. Yanks may know AWS better as the weird flavor of bandwidth T-Mobile has gotten stuck with for deploying its desperately overdue 3G services; it utilizes spectrum in both the 1700 and 2100MHz spaces to push bits around, and while it hasn't yet been commercially deployed on a wide scale, the consortium points out that AWS spectrum auctions are in the pipe for Canada, Chile, and Mexico, among others. Naturally, that's very good news for anyone who finds themselves shopping for an AWS handset down the road, seeing how broader support across borders leads to broader manufacturer support -- a fact that 3G Americas is also quick to note. European and Asian buy-in is another matter altogether, but we'll take what we can get.[Via Phone Scoop]
Hands-on with the Navigon 2100 at IFA
Engadget hit the GPS section of IFA in a major way today, scoring some serious face time with Navigon's new bargain-basement 2100 GPS. Our thoughts? For the price, this is a pretty tight little package. While the screen isn't quite as big as some of the competition, the interface and build quality put this in a class that you would think would break slightly more bank... but no. Check the gallery for a vast and varied selection of photos.%Gallery-6748%
Navigon 2100: 3.5-inches of 3D navigation for the cheap seats
Navigon is really speaking our language, and the language of our pocketbook, with the new Navigon 2100 navigation device. Not only is it a real charmer with curvy looks, 3D maps and 3.5-inches of touchscreen, but the device is hitting North America for the neighborly price of $249, and it looks like Europe will be getting a crack at it as well. Navigon of course isn't leaving in all the bells and whistles of the 5100 and 7100 -- like Bluetooth or real time traffic -- but there's at least some text-to-speech for reading you street names, and speed warnings to let you know when you're breaking 55. If you'd like you can even get in on real time traffic info for $99, and toss on some ZAGAT reviews for another $39. The 2100 will be out this fall.
Rig of the Week: The wireless Newt
Rig of the Week is back (again). Why? Because Rig of the Day was overkill.This week we take one more stab at the Newton's being named Apple's number one flop with this shot of a 2100 wirelessly browsing TUAW. No images, of course, but it's our words that are important, right?Wireless Surfing by YazdgerdIf you'd like to see your own rig featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr pool. Each Sunday we'll comb through the most recent entries and declare a "Rig of the Week!"
T-Mobile details 3G plans
As expected, T-Mobile has provided full disclosure today on exactly what it plans to do with all that juicy spectrum picked up in this summer's FCC auctions. Having been left out of the 3G race put on by its fellow national carriers, it comes as no surprise that T-Mobile has officially committed to rolling out UMTS / HSDPA on the 1700 and 2100MHz bands at a cost of some $2.1 billion. Unfortunately, the specrum is a few megahertz off from the UMTS 2100 used elsewhere, meaning existing 3G handsets designed to operate in Europe will be relegated to doing their 2.5G thing when roaming stateside; that being said, beggars can't be choosers, and we're sure T-Mobile is ecstatic to simply have somewhere to drop some next-gen data. Perhaps understanding that the wireless customer base at large can be both fickle and impatient, the nation's fourth-largest carrier is wasting no time getting its 3G equipment set up -- the rollout begins, like, now (they claim half of NYC's hardware is already in place) and will continue through the next several years, with compatible handsets and peripherals hitting retail sometime in mid 2007. Seeing how we're writing this very article from a 3G connection ourselves, all we can say is that it can't come a moment too soon.[Thanks, Hrag S.]
Share internet between Mac and Newton via Bluetooth
Earlier today I was checking out the new messages in my NewtonTalk mailing list when I came across a very cool how-to penned by Panic's own Steven Frank. Specifically, he described the method he has used to get his Mac (running OS 10.4) to share its internet connection with his Newton message pad over Bluetooth (Newton Bluetooth drivers and specifics here). So, whenever the Newt is within 30 feet or so of the Mac, it's surfing the web, checking email, streaming internet radio, all wirelessly over Bluetooth. Awesome. With his permission, we're able to reprint the tutorial here. Please note, as Steven states, that the tutorial assumes you have several things already in place (like a functioning Bluetooth setup), as getting it to work isn't for the faint-hearted, and if your Newton and/or Mac explode after trying this, well, neither Steven nor TUAW is responsible. That said, on to the goods after the jump.Thanks again, Steven!
HTC typo leaves MTeoR customers fuming
Unsuspecting American buyers of the MTeoR, HTC's self-branded cut of the 3G-capable Breeze candybar, might be a bit surprised to find that they're not having much luck with reception. Some versions of HTC's own marketing materials for the device list it as sporting quad-band GSM and tri-band UMTS, but alas, it's actually a tri-band GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 unit with support for UMTS only on the European 2100 band. Of course, had this really been a tri-band UMTS phone, we'd have been throwing parties, launching fireworks, and generally making merry here at Engadget HQ, but for the few folks who've imported one of these pieces stateside, our hearts go out to you.[Thanks, Rick V.]
