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Acer has a gnarly gaming phone with a deca-core processor
Acer's at IFA in force this year, showing off a wide array of gaming PCs, laptops, tablets and now, a phone. The Predator 6 looks a lot like the company's new gaming tablet, with some super-gnarly black-and-red styling and four front-facing speakers. Details are thin on the ground at the moment, but inside is an unspecified (but probably this) MediaTek deca-core processor with 4GB of RAM and dual haptic feedback motors for rumbles. It has a 6-inch HD display; it runs Android; and around the back there's a 21-megapixel camera. We don't have pricing or a release date on this just yet, but rest assured we'll keep on poking Acer until someone gives us more info.
Solowheel unicycles are now cheaper and lighter, but still hard to tame
I'm not going to lie: Various parts of my body are still in agony as I'm typing up this article. Yesterday, I attended Inventist's Beijing event where it launched four new Solowheel electric unicycles, as well as the two-wheeled Hovertrax. And in case you didn't get my hint, yes, I had the fortune of test riding some of these human transporters afterwards. For those who aren't familiar with the Solowheel, imagine this: it's like a Segway but sans handle and only with one wheel between your legs, so you'd have to work harder to tame the self-balancing mechanism. If you're already a unicyclist then this shouldn't be a problem at all.
G-Form drops an iPod touch in a case from 100,000 feet, rivals Felix's antics (video)
Just because Felix Baumgartner set records by jumping from 128,000 feet doesn't mean he has a lock on stratospheric freefall stunts: see G-Form's latest video (after the break) as proof. In keeping with the tradition of launching a case line and then subjecting it to abuse on camera, the company dropped a new Xtreme iPhone 5 case from a balloon that reached 100,000 feet before it and its payload -- which actually happened to be a 5th gen iPod touch -- fell to the Nevada desert. Not surprisingly, that we're hearing about the story means the drop went as planned -- apart from needing some time to warm up after a plunge through -60F skies, the MP3 player emerged in fine shape. Is the freefall a publicity play that won't affect how anyone uses an Xtreme in real life? You bet. Still, it's one of the more dramatic drop tests we'll witness, and evidence the case can take some exceptional abuse; after all, it's not every day that our mobile devices reach terminal velocity.
Three zBoost signal amplifiers to be unveiled at CES: SOHO Xtreme for home, zForce for car and 4G-V for Verizon LTE
If you live in or commute through so-called "dead zones" for mobile service, then let us introduce you to the latest swath of signal boosters from Wi-Ex, each which are set to be unveiled at CES 2012. The first two -- compatible with the 800MHz and 1900MHz frequency bands -- include the zBoost zForce, an in-car amplification rig that'll retail for $99 (or $149 with the gooseneck adapter), and the zBoost SOHO Xtreme, which covers up to 5500 square feet and will set you back $549. Both products are ready for immediate availability. Finally, set for release in Q2 2012 is the zBoost 4G-V, which is designed specifically for Verizon's LTE network -- although, its price has yet to be announced. If you need a little boost in your life, be sure to check the gallery below and full PR after the break.
Motorola Droid X review
The original Droid made a powerful statement. Actually, make that statements, plural: for Motorola, it was the largest single affirmation that it was going all-in with Android (after having already released the far less memorable midrange CLIQ on T-Mobile) and that it could play in the very highest rungs of the smartphone elite. For Verizon, the Droid was the carrier's very first Android device, period -- announced to great fanfare in collaboration with Eric Schmidt and crew -- serving as a pretty spectacular exit from the Windows Mobile / BlackBerry doldrums that the carrier's smartphone lineup had historically suffered. By almost any measure, the phone went on to serve its purpose; it let customers (and potential customers) know that Verizon could release a "cool" phone, and they responded. The Droid's an unqualified success. Today, Verizon's involvement in Android has never been greater, and Motorola -- by all appearances, anyway -- seems to be on its way back from the brink. Time stops for no phone, though, and we're now halfway through 2010. Motorola's success as a competitive phone manufacturer is ultimately going to depend not on its ability to produce a single hit, but to produce a never-ending string of hits, each better than the one before it. It's a tall order -- and that's exactly where the Droid X comes into play. Featuring a 4.3-inch WVGA display, 8 megapixel camera with 720p video capture, a reworked user interface, and a significantly improved processor, this phone apes the first Droid in at least one critical aspect: its ability to immediately steal the spotlight from anything else in Verizon's lineup. Specs don't tell the whole story, though, so let's dig in and see what this beast is all about.%Gallery-96643%
Exclusive: Motorola Droid X preview
Not interested in waiting until the 23rd for Verizon's big announcement? Don't worry, we've got you covered right now! The Motorola Droid X has probably been one of the worst kept smartphone secrets in recent memory, but after spending two hours with the phone we sort of see why. In short, it's pretty awesome. Call it a superphone or a mega-smartphone, but the 4.3-inch handset is absolutely Verizon / Motorola's answer to the HTC EVO 4G, and makes the Droid Incredible look like a bench warmer. What do we mean? We'll let you see for yourself just after the break in a breakdown of exactly what this phone is all about -- and in a video or three of it in action. Oh, and on your way down, make sure to feast your eyes on the gallery, too. %Gallery-95261%
Motorola Droid X stars in its clearest off-the-cuff preview yet (update: comparison shots!)
Let's be honest, we've seen more Droid X / Xtreme / Shadow spy shots than we can keep track of at this point, but for the latest batch, Mr. Blurrycam must've forgot his trademark blur filter and delivered us the cleanest images yet -- for shame, we know. Here's what the current owners of the super-secret phone, Gadget University, are claiming: 4.3-inch screen (it seems to jump between 4.3 and 4.1, depending on whom you ask), 1GHz Snapdragon processor, HDMI out, HD video recording, Android 2.1 with a "new version of Motoblur" (Ninjablur, you say?), and hardware navigation buttons. The Verizon logo is again unmistakably clear, and according to the site's "inside information," the Droid X (as the Model number says) is coming next month, with training beginning at the end of this month. [Thanks, Sean] Update: And here it is alongside some of its contemporaries. Thanks, Jeremey!
Mysterious Motorola Droid X coming to Verizon?
The gang at Phandroid have got their hands on pics alleging to be Verizon internal documentation that details an up-and-coming handset called the Droid X. Honestly, this sounds like it could still be an internal name to us, although there has been some speculation that the handset is, in fact, the launch name of the Motorola Shadow / Xtreme that would be accompanying the Droid 2 for a Summer launch. Moving on down the line, this thing purportedly has a 4.3-inch display and Safari 4.0 for the browser. While Android's browser is also WebKit-based, we're calling shenanigans on any info that says this phone (if it exists) is shipping with Safari. More info to fuel your rich fantasy life after the break.
Motorola Droid Xtreme pictured yet again, still not announced
Quickly becoming the most well-leaked handsets since the next iPhone, Motorola's fine little piece of kit informally known so far as the Droid Shadow / Xtreme has shown up yet again -- and this time, we're getting a great view of that bulbous posterior. The 8 megapixel cam, HD video capture, and dual LED flash are all confirmed, which takes just a little edge off the EVO 4G's reign, we'd say. Competition is grand, ain't it?
Motorola Droid Shadow / Xtreme pictured again, powered by Ninjablur?
Because we can't seem to get enough Motorola Droid Shadow / Xtreme teasers in our lives, here's a few more with which to tide you over. First on the docket is a pair of pics from Droid Life, with the screen-saving film intact (and a still-visible Verizon logo underneath) and a cleaner side shot of its bulbous derriere. If that wasn't enough, the clue-dropper wnrussell of HowardForums -- who gave us the vast majority of the previous leaks -- is back showing off a 1500mAh battery and claiming a name for that monochrome Motoblur-esque skin we saw earlier. In his words, "Ninja Blur is Blur running without the user knowing. For those who don't like Blur." Translation: it's an Android skin that does very little but make aesthetic differentiators and probably slows down the processing speed a bit. Any chance the ninja can go into hiding in lieu of a vanilla robot experience?
Motorola 'Xtreme' coming to Verizon?
We wish we had more detail to give you, but we've gotten reliable word that Verizon will begin testing a new Android-powered device from Motorola next week called the "Xtreme." We don't have specs handy, but considering that Big Red's got the Devour and the Droid is well on its way to middle age, it would make sense for a new phone from Moto (particularly one with such an Xtreme-ly awesome name) to be more toward the high end of the spectrum -- possibly something along the lines of the rumored Shadow (pictured). Will give you more details just as soon as we have them. [Thanks, HTC Kid]
Tritton showing off gaming soundbar, headsets at CES 2009
Those Xtreme-loving audiophiles at Tritton are heading to CES next week and bringing with them a wireless 5.1 surround sound bar / subwoofer combo designed specifically with gamers in mind. Their presser touts how easily it connects to the Wii, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in addition to an iPod, MP3 player, PC, and that's unfortunately all the information we've got for now -- no pics, release date or price in sight. Additionally, they're also showcasing new Bluetooth accessories and Dolby 5.1-equipped gaming headsets. Hopefully we'll be able to fill in the missing details in just a few days.
Rock rolls on, unveils four new Centrino 2-based gaming laptops
It's hard to stop a rolling stone, don't you know? Just months after you figured you'd never hear of Rock again, the recently rescued outfit has introduced a few Centrino 2-based lappies of its own. At a high level (tenth time you've heard that today, office dwellers?), we've got the Xtreme 780 with a Core 2 Duo Extreme X9100 and GeForce 9800M GTX, the Xtreme 620 with a Core 2 Extreme T9500 and 512MB GeForce 9800M GT, the Pegasus 520 and the Pegasus 320. As for pricing, you can expect a mild level of sticker shock when the crew goes up for pre-order later today. Check the read link for the full rundown of specs -- try not to get lost in there.[Via Pocket-lint]
Today's hottest game video: Christie's pole dance from DOA Xtreme 2
Since the number one and two slots for today's hottest game video are occupied by the World of Warcraft/Office Space commercial, we're dropping down to number three which is -- the PlayStation Portable being used as a remote for the PlayStation 3. However, the video is so extremely craptastic and out of focus (really, people ... learn where your macro focus button is before we all go blind or think we have glaucoma) that we're going to jump down to the number four spot. Don't get us wrong, we love the PSP as a PS3 remote, but that video drives us mental.So that makes today's hottest game video (by our fuzzy math skills) Christie's pole dance from DOA Xtreme 2. Apparently you have to hit the jackpot on her slot machine nine times to activate this video, so play at your own risk. The song sounds like something out of the intro to a James Bond movie, and features more jiggle than someone learning to use the Wii-mote for the first time.Check the video out after the jump, enjoy, and have a Happy Thanksgiving!
The easiest homebrew solution yet
We've reported on the surprisingly well-established homebrew community on the DS; there's a whole wealth of wonderful applications you can coerce your DS into performing. To most, however, the prospect of "hacking" the DS is "scary", and despite some of the easier methods out there, it still seemed a little much.Well, we no longer think it could get any easier. The newest device to come out of haX0r-land, the sillily named DS-Xtreme, is nothing more than a DS cartridge. It works as a simple mass-storage device ... simply move the applications or files to the cartridge using a USB connection, and poof, instant homebrew. It comes with a built in MP3-playback app, and it has two bitchin' LEDs for good measure (check out the embedded videos after the jump). The downside? It only contains 512 MB of memory, and it can't run anything built for the Game Boy Advance. Still, for the fence-sitters out there, this might be enough to push you over the edge. Check it out.[Sillily is so a word.][Thanks, Gordon!]
MTV hosts awkward contest
Most of us are hip to the whole "Xtreme" thing. I mean, we drink a lot of Mountain Dew and like to jump huge gaps and ride sharks on our way into school or the office. Sure, we get it, it's not so much the insanely-dangerous life choices we get the thrill out of so much as the incredible amount of babes it gets us. Chicks dig bear claw marks, dont'cha know...So MTV, who has their finger on the pulse of "Xtreme" individuals everywhere, wants to give you, the bear-fighting, Bawls-brand-drink-chugging gamer a chance to rock your DS in zero gravity. That's right, you could be totally weightless and free to play your DS in the most interesting of positions, contorting your body as you desperately attempt to launch that 5 block string off of the planet Meteo forever.In all honesty, however, we are reporting on this because we want you all to enter. We want you, the very physically attractive reader digesting this post right now, to enter this contest so that you may play Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney in a zero gravity environment. All you have to do is send in a picture to them, using the entry form, of yourself playing your DS in the "most bizarre, exotic or otherwise foolish place" you can find. Upon winning, we only ask that you plug our website and URL you enjoy yourself and send us your pictures and/or videos.
Xbox 360 firmware hack enables "backups," older discs
We're not suggesting you try this, since, in addition to voiding your warranty, you run a real chance of bricking your Xbox 360, but we just thought we'd mention it: a new firmware hack for the 360, known affectionately as "Xtreme firmware for TS-H943 Xbox 360" by its creators, can apparently mod your 360's DVD drive so that it'll work with just about anything you can put in it, including "backup" discs made for both the original Xbox and the 360. According to about seven pages of posts on an Xbox forum, the hack does indeed seem to work, but only with 360s that have a Toshiba/Samsung DVD drive, and only if you're willing to take the time to follow the instructions very carefully. We'll pass -- at least until there's a version that lets the 360's HD DVD drive output 1080p video from protected discs over component cables. Make that work, and we'll happily risk bricking our 'box.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
