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Sanyo Eneloop batteries good for 1,500 recharges, maintain 70% charge even after 3 years in storage
We've got a thing for Sanyo's Eneloops. Had it ever since Sanyo released us from the clutches of underperforming NiCad and NiMH batteries about five years ago. Its latest AA and AAA batteries can be recharged about 1,500 times, that's about 3 years of continuous service and 500 more cycles than competing rechargeables, according to Sanyo. The batteries also feature a low self-discharge rate so they remain usable even after they've been charged and stored in a drawer. In fact, an Eneloop will maintain about 75% of its charged power even after three years. Impressive, we know, and the reason they come pre-charged from the factory for immediate use of out the box. And compared to disposables, they're as good for the environment as they are for your wallet over the long run.
NorhTec shows off sub-$300, AA-powered Info Pad tablet
Upstart NorhTec has already manged to pull off a pretty impressive feat by actually getting its $200 Gecko EduBook out the door, but it looks like it's now setting its sights a bit higher, and has taken to the intertubes once again to show off its now-in-development Info Pad tablet PC. As you might expect, this one is more or less just a tablet version of the EduBook, right down to the same 1GHz Xcore86 processor and rechargeable AA NiMH batteries for a power supply. Of course, it does also get a new 8.9-inch resistive touchscreen to make up for that whole lack of a keyboard part, which will apparently only bump the price up to $295.95 (making it the least expensive x86-based tablet, according to the company). Head on past the break for the video overview, and look for the tablet itself to be available in November or December.[Thanks, Jesse]
Norhtec's $199 Gecko EduBook, and its AA batteries, now available
You thought it wouldn't happen; you thought it couldn't be true. A $199 netbook that runs on the same batteries your fully-motorized LEGO AT-AT eats for breakfast? That's right, the updated Gecko EduBook we showed you last month is now available for purchase -- on two conditions. First: that you don't mind giving your credit card number to someone in Thailand. Second: that you don't do a spit-take when you're quoted a shipping fee. The laptop is indeed selling to individuals for a nickle less than $200, but if you're looking to outfit the entire class of 2017 with a fleet of these you can get that price way down to $160. A bargain, for sure, but just how well is that Xcore86 system on a chip going to cope with Windows XP, and who's the brave soul willing to risk a couple Benjamins (plus s&h) to find out?[Via Digital Home Thoughts]
Programmer Jason Weimann discusses his work on Vanguard
Further to their chat with Lead Designer Salim "Silius" Grant last week, Allakhazam has posted an interview with another Vanguard staffer. This time it's Jason "Ikik" Weimann, a programmer that joined the team in April of 2007, long after what we'll tactfully refer to as a very unfortunate launch period. Fans of Vanguard will happily tell you how much better things are nowadays, and Weimann has had a part to play in these improvements, both in things that the players can see, and in behind-the-scenes refinements that have helped other members of the development team in performing their roles.One of Weimann's most noticeable contributions to the game is the current iteration of the riftway teleportation system, which he had found to be unsatisfactory before he flew in and tidied things up. Some of the things he's working on right now were in fact mentioned by Salim Grant in his interview, such as the alternate advancement and item enhancement systems that will go live in the coming months. His dream project for Vanguard would be a little different though; he'd love to design and code a brand new class for the game. May we put in a request for some kind of pirate/ninja/zombie combination? No? Why not?
Anti-Aliased: You've been Auto-Assaulted, part deux
I'm one of those people that likes to think that NCsoft has enough money to get by on. It's just my gut reaction that if you have a few successful games then you probably have some spending money in your wallet. So, I like to think that NCsoft, even though they certainly took a pretty huge hit when they invested in Tabula Rasa, could have easily kept the development process going. Perhaps it would have been much slower than it currently was, but there was no reason it couldn't keep going on some type level.They have, at least, provided some compensation for players who are currently subscribed to the game; the chance to try out games like City of Heroes and Lineage 2 are offered in the stead of TR gameplay time.
Willcom concept phone powered by single AA battery
Japanese carrier Willcom has hooked up with Sanyo to show off a back-to-basics handset powered by a single AA battery -- one of Sanyo's own Eneloop rechargeables, naturally -- that still manages to serve up 5 hours of talk time and 250 hours of standby. Just how back-to-basics are we talking, exactly? For starters, the phone lacks a display, pretty much ending any hopes of using this thing for gaming, video playback, or seeing who the heck is calling. In exchange, though, you get power versatility that's pretty much unmatched by any other phone on the market and an array of nodules that gently massage the side of your face while you're trying to hold a conversation. Between the perfectly round shell (looks like an AA battery, get it?) and the fact that it'll only get down with PHS networks, we hope this sucker goes through a few revisions before it sees production -- but we like where Sanyo's head's at.
USBCELL batteries reviewed
It's not too often that you see a review of AA batteries here on Engadget. But then again, the USBCELL AA batteries aren't just your garden-variety portable cells, either. Our compadres over at TrustedReviews have just taken a set of these fine USB-chargeable batteries for a spin, and have given them a pretty favorable review. After charging a set of 'em for use with a Fuji FinePix cam, TrustedReviews found that it took over 500 snapshots for the batteries to give up. By comparison, a set of Duracell Alkaline batteries only lasted for "a few pictures." The review concludes: "For a combination of convenience and eco-friendliness then the USB Cells get the thumbs up. Once a wider range becomes available and if the price [$24 for a pair] can drop a little, then they'll could well do for batteries what USB memory sticks did for floppy discs and virtually kill them off." We can't wait to try 'em ourselves.
Energizer's Energi To Go charges gadgets with AAs
We'll sheepishly admit to being among the reported 20 percent of cellphone users whose phones conk out at least once a week (in fact, it just happened today), so you can bet we'll be first in line to pick up one of Energizer's new AA-based cellphone chargers when they hit stores on September 1st. Eschewing proper spelling for catchy branding, the Energi To Go line will come in numerous configurations to support a claimed 100 handsets covering most major manufacturers, with each package containing a special tip for individual models. Energizer promises that its e2 batteries will enable most dead phones to make a call in just 30 seconds (you can use regular alkalines, but of course Energizer recommends its own pricey products), with smartphones requiring several minutes to suck up enough juice for calling. Along with the $20 cellphone version, Energizer will also be releasing a $30, four-battery model to charge DAPs and portable gaming devices, with iGo-developed tips available for iPods, PSPs, Nintendo DSes, and other small gadgets you see mentioned with regularity on these pages.[Via Mobiledia, thanks Ryan]
Air Oxyride 100-AA glider takes wing
Panasonic's Oxyride-powered glider took to the air for the first time this weekend, with Panny's blogger declaring only that "it flew temporarily." While this publicity stunt/college engineering project isn't going to revolutionize transportation or aviation (despite Panasonic's tagline that the project is the work of "21st Century Wright Brothers"), we still have to give props to Panny -- and especially the team at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. The idea of building a manned glider powered by 100 AAs may have sounded impossible, but they managed to pull it off.
Air Oxyride: 100 batteries included
Panasonic has bumped up the power of its Oxyride batteries, claiming the new version is 120% more efficient than the original model. And to prove it, Panny has decided to launch an airplane powered by 100 AA Oxyride batteries (you might recall that the original Oxyride was heralded by a battery-powered ultralight vehicle). No word on how far the plane will be able to go powered on those AAs -- or whether Panny's actually managed to recruit anyone to fly the thing (though we hear Richard Branson is game). We assume that, after this stunt, Panny will roll out next year's upgrade with an Oxyride-powered space shuttle, and follow that one with a battery-powered lunar colony. Maybe after that, they'll consider something really dramatic, like beating disposable lithiums or rechargeable NiMHs in a digicam.
