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Chumby 8 set to ship on April 5th for $199; pre-orders open today
Remember that newfangled widget display we peeked back at CES? Looks as if Chumby Industries is good and ready to get official with a ship date and price, which means that your disposable income account is fixing to shrink by two Benjamins. The outfit has just revealed an April 5th ship date and a $199 retail price for its latest and greatest display, with that sum netting you an 8-inch (800 x 600) touchscreen, access to over 1,500 free apps and a multifaceted personality that handles digital photos and music, too. Have a peek at our earlier hands-on with the device if you're still curious, and if you're eager to get in line, the source link's the place to be if you need to secure a pre-order.
Chumby 8 announced: like a Chumby, but more normal (hands-on with video!)
The original Chumby will always hold a special place in our hearts, but let's be real: the average human doesn't know what to do with a plush, huggable touchscreen that runs Flash Lite. The new Chumby 8 -- leaked not long ago -- is now official, featuring a revamped user interface that allows you to access music from the home screen, manage apps without using the web-based portal, and use internet radio stations as alarm sounds. Where does the "8" in the name come from, exactly? That'd be the 8-inch 800 x 600 resistive touchscreen, a heck of a lot bigger than the 3.5 inches on that Chumby One you've got kicking around. The core of the Chumby 8, of course, remains the Flash Lite-based apps, and those remain unchanged and totally compatible so that you've got access to the existing lineup of 1,500-plus options. You've got a pair of USB ports, a stereo headset jack, and both CF and SD slots for powering your little desk-dwelling sidekick with media of your choosing. No word on pricing or availability, but it looks like Chumby will be offering these to third parties looking to customize and deploy or resell them -- so our dream of an Engadget-branded photo frame might yet become a reality. Follow the break for our video hands-on! %Gallery-113087%
Chumby grows up, gains competitors' Dashing good looks?
There's not much to go on here -- just a picture of a small-screened device we've never seen before -- but if that six-fingered squid is the real deal, there's a brand-new Chumby on the way. Gizmodo says the T-shaped unit's working codename is "Chumby Opus," and we wonder if that might actually refer to song; If that grille on the left's also duplicated on the right, perhaps we'll get some stereo speakers this time around. Wouldn't that be nice? Either way, it looks like black, slightly leaning flat-panel displays are still in style.
Chumby releases Android app, not quite as plush as the original
Chumby isn't just taking its platform to dedicated devices from other manufacturers, it's also moving to software -- a strategy that right out of Amazon's playbook now that Kindle is available on just about every computer and handheld under the sun. The company's new Android app simply connects to your Chumby account and lets you view and use the same Flash-based apps that you would on any other Chumby device, a testament to the fact that pretty much every Android handset hitting the market these days comes Flash-capable out of the box. Chumby says that the app works best for tablets and docked devices -- which makes sense when you think of how you'd use a Sony Dash or Chumby One -- and conveniently, you can set it to automatically show up as a screen saver whenever your phone is docked. Look for it in the Market right now for $4.99; follow the break for the full press release.
Chumby sprouts legs, walks, fails at feline amusement (video)
By default Chumbys are cuddly but not exactly mobile. Then along came the Chumby One, not even cuddly and exactly zero percent more mobile. EMGRobotics is here to solve that issue with a Chumbified port of RobotSee, a robotics-specific language developed by Eric Gregori. The One here is paired with a Freescale accelerometer and manages to walk all by its lonesome without falling over. Mind you, it doesn't walk very quickly, but if it were any faster it'd run the risk of scaring away the cat, and we wouldn't want that. Oh, and make sure you skip ahead to the 1:45 mark in the video if you want to skip the PowerPoint and get straight to the staggering action.
Insignia's Infocast gains a web browser, a little dignity in the process
Nah, it's not an officially supported browser, but it's a browser nonetheless. Chumby founder Andrew Huang has recently posted up instructions (along with a prebuilt file for those stretched thin) on how to port a WebKit-based browser onto Best Buy's self-proclaimed Internet Media Device. Currently, the browser requires a USB keyboard for text input, though the touch panel still functions just fine when it comes to window management / navigation. Hit the links below if you're looking for good reason to dust your Infocast off and put it to better use. Or don't, and just become more bitter at the world around you for no good reason at all. Your choice.
Sony Dash update brings Shoutcast, app shortcuts and the true meaning of life
Got yourself a Sony Dash, did you? If so, right about now would be a beautiful time to unplug it and plug it back in, as that'll trigger a minty fresh update to download and apply. This newfangled software build will not only add Shoutcast as an available internet radio station, but it also brings app shortcuts and a hastened add / delete app process. It ain't much, but it ain't costly, either. Let us know in comments how it all works out for you, cool? [Thanks, Dave]
Open Source Hardware community finally gets its Constitution
They, the people of the open source hardware movement, in order to form a more peaceful community for sharing, establish bigger and cuddlier Chumbies, ensure continued Arduino creativity, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of hackery to ourselves and our posterity, have established the Open Source Hardware Draft. It's a sort of 11 commandments for those who would share or use an open source hardware design, indicating what documentation is required, how derived works must be allowed and, perhaps most importantly, that each use must include attribution to those founding engineers who came before. Its current version, 0.3, was ratified yesterday by a group of dignitaries including folks behind the Arduino, Adafruit, and Chumby, along with plenty of other underground industry big-wigs. Now that this bit of official business is out of the way, hopefully they can all get back to crafting homemade coilguns.
Sony Dash is ready to travel the globe if you're ready to pay the import duties
International readers, your day has come: the Dash will finally work for you. Sony has lifted restrictions on the device that prevented it from being used outside the US of A, meaning you can wake up with that company's most advanced alarm clock ever regardless whether your bedding down in Belarus or shacking up in Shanghai. However, the company warns that "many providers automatically geo-filter their content so your experience with your Dash may vary depending on your location." And, this not-so-cuddly Chumby is still being sold exclusively in the States, so it's up to you to figure out how to import yours.
Ask Engadget: best media display / internet viewer for bedside?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Jon, who just needs something to give him loads of glanceable information moments before he drifts off into the land of fairies, unicorns and deep-friend cotton candy. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "I've been trying to buy a new alarm clock lately and am completely appalled at the selection available online or elsewhere. Most are basically docks for your iPod / PMP and have a pre-turn of the century LCD digital clock display and some shoddy speakers. They also range in price from $40 to $200. After seeing things like the Sony Dash and the new Insignia Infocast, I could see those as viable alarm clock solutions (with weather, music, maybe an RSS feed). Are there other items out there that have a great display that you can dim and would be able to serve this purpose? Or or either of those the one to get?" So, sweet-dreamers, what'll it be? Do you have a Chumby-infused widget display on your own night stand? Go on, don't be shy -- help a brother out in comments below.
Insignia's Infocast Internet Media Display, the Dash-aping Chumby frame, now available
A week back we got word that Best Buy house brand Insignia was moving in on Dash territory with the eight-inch, 800 x 600 Infocast Internet Media Display, and that it'd be releasing on June 20. Sure enough it's now available online, and is also sitting on a shelf at every local store we checked, meaning this is perhaps the quickest and easiest way to get your cuddle-free Chumby on. At $169 it's $30 less than the Dash, meaning it makes a little more sense than Sony's option, but whether or not it's actually good value depends on just how smart you need your alarm clock to be. [Thanks, Josh L.]
How would you change Sony's Dash?
The verdict is still out on whether or not Sony's Dash is a world changer, but while we patiently await the first mod to shove a battery into this thing and make it a bona fide tablet, we're going to flick through your suggestions on tweaking what we've got. Were your hopes dashed (ahem) when Sony revealed that this thing was meant to be used inside? Are you happy with the widget software loaded on? Is this thing superior to your existing Chumby device? Feel free to really let loose here -- we get the feeling that Insignia's Infocast is just waiting around the corner to take your advice before Sony can pop out a revised edition.
Insignia reveals 8-inch Infocast Internet Media Display, Sony Dash is like 'brother?'
Maybe we're just seeing things, but darn if Insignia's new Infocast Internet Media Display isn't a dead ringer for the Sony Dash. Out of seemingly nowhere, Best Buy's own in-house electronics brand has outed an 8-inch connected display meant to bring glanceable information as well as a slew of web-based widgets to your bedroom / office / den / underground cavern. Boasting inbuilt 802.11b/g WiFi, an integrated microphone, SRS audio and an 800 x 600 resolution touchpanel, the Infocast is equipped with 2GB of internal storage as well as a media card reader, and in case you couldn't guess, the software is provided by none other than Chumby Industries. Users should have no issues displaying photos, video and music, and the $169.99 asking price is a full $30 less than the Dash's MSRP. According to Best Buy's website, this here gizmo is simply "coming soon," but according to our man on the inside, it'll be ready for purchase on June 20th. So, who's down for squeezing a battery into this thing for some makeshift tablet action? [Thanks, Anonymous] %Gallery-95028%
Sony Dash software update adds USB playback by month's end
Looks like Sony will be dishing out a new software update to Dash owners shortly. The first over-the-air update for Sony's Personal Internet Viewer is expected to arrive at the end of the month carrying a number of usability and feature enhancements according to a Sony email sent to Dash owners. These include MP3 playback and picture viewing off USB, a full-screen app theme, and enhanced alarm functionality like adjustable snooze duration and one-touch alarm dismissal. Sony's also promising new themes and additional internet radio options in a June update. Too bad Sony can't deliver the device a battery and faster processor OTA but hey, free software is free. See the full contents of the Sony email after the break. [Thanks Doug S.]
Sony Dash review
When we first saw the Sony Dash at CES, we thought Sony was making a play into the tablet game -- the promo video showed people using the angular device all over the house, with nary a power cord in sight. And hey, it was called the Dash -- a word which usually implies movement of some kind. So obviously we were a little put off when we found out the Dash was strictly a stationary experience -- an amped-up alarm clock running a Sony-tweaked version of the Chumby widget OS that lets you look at photos from Facebook, browse headlines on Engadget, and check Twitter from the Dash's seven-inch capacitive touchscreen. But hold up: the Dash also adds in Sony's Bravia Internet Video platform to support streaming media services like Netflix, Pandora, and Slacker. That's not bad for $200, at least on paper, but does the Dash deserve to be the most expensive alarm clock you've ever purchased? And does it really deserve Justin Bieber's attention? Read on to find out. %Gallery-92133%
Secrets of the Chumby One: it can be turned into a 3G router
Need another reason to plop down a hundred bucks for a Chumby One? How about the fact that it can be turned into a 3G router without so much as a few minor tweaks? Of course, you'll also need a 3G USB modem, but the only other modifications required are a few changes to the Network Config settings, and a quick command in the drop-down console to configure the Chumby One as an access point. Add in a rechargeable battery and you've got a genuine MiFi alternative -- albeit perhaps the bulkiest one ever, which may or may not last for more than an hour. Hit up the link below for the complete details.
Caption Contest: Justin Bieber is an eenie meenie miney mo lova... of the Sony Dash
Here's a little inside baseball on why yours truly typically works alone at night: when in control, I give writers some, erm, creative mandates. Such as watching an entire Justin Bieber / Sean Kingston music video to contribute to this caption contest... but not telling them when exactly the Sony Dash and Sony Ericsson X10 make their respective cameos. Blatant abuse of authority? Probably, but as we sow, so shall you reap. The unfortunately US-only music video (and a picture of Kingston totally geeking out on subpar smartphone technology) after the break. Nilay: "Is there a widget that alerts me when I'm not a trending topic?" Ross: "You don't need to roll the dice... there's already a widget for that." Chris: "It's small, fits in any decor, and makes a great gift for mom. The Sony Dash also appears in the video." Joanna: "The stars, err, prepubescent boys are just like us: they'd rather play with tech than party." Richard Lai: "This Sony Dash should make.believe I've reached puberty." Sean H: "Not trying to rewind... I've just got to turn down the color temperature, it's ruining my tan." Sam: "Meh, by the time I reach puberty this thing is going to be obsolete." Tim: "I'm glad you're not a real Chumby. This way I'm still the cuddliest thing in the room." Thomas: "Who the hell is Justin Bieber?" Paul: "And I was like baby, baby, baby ohhh, baby, baby... oh, were we supposed to come up with something funny here? [Thanks, Kristopher Piersiak]
Sony's Dash goes on sale, officially this time
Yeah, we spotted the Dash at Best Buy a few days ago, accidentally eating up shelf space, but we've finally hit that April 29th launch date and Sony has unleashed the non-tablet touchscreen device into the wild. The $199 unit, which is somewhat of a branded Chumby, sports a 7-inch screen, best-alarm-clock-you-ever-owned good looks, and access to streaming media from CBS, Netflix, Pandora, and more. If you can bottle your enthusiasm for just a bit longer we'll have our own impressions of the device posted soon enough, but nobody's stopping you from snapping this up from Sony's website, your local Sony Style store, or whatever other retailer you might have in mind. PR is after the break.
The surprisingly seedy side of microSD production
That little memory chip serving tunes to your smartphone, the one that's just a sneeze or twitch away from going where the socks go whenever you take it out, has a far more interesting history than you think. Andrew "Bunnie" Huang, co-creator of the Chumby, explored the surprisingly interesting underside of microSD production in China after being given a batch of questionable memory cards direct from Kingston itself. Huang's conclusion is that the chips were created during a "ghost shift," when a rogue employee runs the manufacturing lines after hours to produce authentic looking but decidedly sub-par memory chips using materials of inadequate quality. Huang bought numerous questionable examples on the gray market and watched as vendors took bogus cards and threw them into authentic retail packaging, complete with serial numbers and holograms. If you're as fascinated by the world of KIRF as we are, it's a very interesting read.
Switched On: Sony's forward Dash
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. In its introductory press release, here's what Sony has to say about the Dash, a "personal Internet viewer" that it announced at CES: "Featuring a vivid 7-inch color touch screen... Dash utilizes an existing home wireless connection to continuously deliver Internet content to its viewers." And according to its SonyStyle.com site, here's what that Dash has to say about itself: "I use over 1,500 free apps and your Wi-Fi connection to deliver the information and entertainment you crave... right to your bedroom, kitchen or office." But Dash also has something to say about Sony, and for the most part, it's an encouraging message. Dash was one of the more distinct category-blurring products to emerge from Las Vegas in January. Its hardware is a hybrid between an alarm clock and digital picture frame and its content is a content mashup between Chumby widgets and Sony's Bravia Internet Video Link offering. Dash was introduced just a few months after HP introduced its DreamScreen, another product that provides "glanceable" information from the cloud.
