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Palm kills the Foleo dead
We are seriously not going to take credit for this, but holy crap, Palm just cancelled the Foleo, just like we asked them to! Palm CEO Ed Colligan just posted a message to the company's official blog stating that they've decided to cancel the Foleo mobile companion "in its current configuration" in order to "focus all of our energies on delivering out next generation platform and the first smartphones that will bring this platform to market." In a way we're sort of disappointed that we'll never at least get to play with one and put it through its paces, but it's definitely the right move -- Palm needs to focus on one thing right now, and that's coming out with a category-killing smartphone. Not that they're giving up on the idea for good; Ed says that they'll do a "Foleo II" based on the new mobile platform they're already developing for their next generation of smartphones
MetroPCS makes $5.3B bid for Leap
Are we about to have another national carrier on our hands? MetroPCS has put together a $5.3 billion stock swap offer for Leap Wireless -- perhaps better known for its Cricket brand -- potentially pairing two regionals to create the nation's fifth-largest carrier, displacing Alltel in the process and combining regional licenses to create a rather generous coverage footprint. Of course, this is all based on the assumption that Leap's cool with the plan; at this point, all we know is that MetroPCS sent a nice little letter to Leap's board of directors. If everything goes according to plan, though, and the appropriate regulatory bodies approve, expect the two to close on the deal in spring of next year.
Sony Ericsson's president steps down, apparently on good terms
Leaving analysts just a little baffled, Sony Ericsson president Miles Flint has stepped down after three years of fairly successful leadership. The consensus among members of the financial community seems to be that there's absolutely no way Flint was forced out; under his command, Sony Ericsson has seen consistent profitability and a steady increase in its market share (North America excepted, we might passive-aggressively note). The ex-prez says that he's looking to expand his horizons after 17 years under the Sony and Sony Ericsson brands, while Sony Electronics USA chairman Hideki Komiyama has been tapped to fill the huge shoes left behind. Analysts seem pretty convinced that he'll have a tough time doing any better than his predecessor, noting that low-end handsets seem like the next logical step to market share dominance despite the segment's virtually nonexistent margins. Might we recommend more North American love, Komiyama-san?[Via mocoNews]
Dell XPS 420 slated for October 19th launch
Next up in our week o' Dell scoops, a bit more on the XPS 420. We don't have much more info on specs than before (really, what else could you possibly need know?), but recent Dell docs have the 420 set for release on October 19th. Granted, that shouldn't be considered a final date -- Dell (among other companies) miss their internal launch dates all the time -- so don't be surprise if it's later. Oh, one other new bit: not that it's any surprise, but the 420 will be ready to rumble with DCTs for CableCARD Vista Media Center. A few more shots of the 420 all splayed open after the break.
Sony: Rolly is an audio player (and more)
Sony's official Rolly blog has confirmed what we already thought: Rolly is in fact a digital audio player without a display. They also claim that it has only one button which controls the "play / stop" of audio and is "basically the only button you use." Although this picture shows what appears to be a cluster of three in addition to a glowing blue, elliptical button. Of course, as we've seen in the Walkman W910 phone, Sony offers other ways to control music without buttons. Namely, an accelerometer coupled with Sony's new Shake control software would allow you to flick the Rolly right or left to advance or jump-back tracks; shake it to shuffle-up the music. That would be particularly useful in Bluetooth-shy Japan where Rolly is being heavily marketed. Whatever the case, Rolly is surely more than just a DAP as we've seen in the video, but that's as much as Sony will own-up to for the time being.Update: Well what do you know, digital lifestyles spoke to some "senior" Sony sources who consider Rolly a "music-focused Wii on wheels." Seems like an integrated accelerometer with Shake control might be in the cards, indeed.
Dell SP2008WFP 20-incher brings the webcam
First up in our week o' Dell scoops: the fresh, well specced, webcam equipped SP2008WFP. Oh, and we should do the kind thing and dash your hopes right now instead of playing it -- the rest of our dell scoops are for systems, no phone, portable, or anything else is in the works (that we know of). Details: 20-inch display, 1680 x 1050 resolution 2ms, 300cd/m2 brightness, 2000:1 contrast ratio DVI with HDCP, VGA, (4) USB 2.0 2 megapixel still / VGA video webcam (fixed focus) with array microphone Optional soundbar September 12 release; sorry, we don't have a price More shots after the break.
Details about DirecTV's new HDTV channels continue to emerge
Ahh, the anticipation of new HDTV channels. You know, It's one thing when you're waiting for new channels to launch, but when there are so many expected all at once from your provider, well, it's more than most of us can handle. We don't know about anyone else, but we're ready; we got our MPEG4 hardware, our 5 LNB dish and even our B-Band converter, all there is to do now is wait. No one seems to know, exactly which day is the day, but our best guess is about Sept 15th. The other thing that still seems to be up in the air, is exactly how many channels will be available. DirecTV only says there will be 100 this year, and while some networks seem to be ready whenever they are, others have yet to make an announcement. Satellite guys has received a list, also without dates. CSRs have also been telling customers what they can expect at launch -- we know how reliable they can be. While the list of 57 channels is certainly impressive and will make them the new HD leader -- assuming DISH doesn't add the same channels, it is still a far cry from the 100 promised.Here is the list DirecTV customer service reps have reported, the full list from DirecTV after the jump. A&E HD Big Ten Network HD Cartoon Network CNN HD Food Network HD Versus HD\Golf HD HGTV-HD History Channel HD NFL Network HD National Geographic HD Smithsonian (channel 267) TBS in HD
iPhoneSIMfree begins fulfilling bulk orders, apparently will not unlock end users' phones
Are you ready for it? Looks like iPhoneSIMfree is. A number of tipsters have sent us emails that they've received announcing the availability of the elusive software unlock -- delivery on Tuesday, 4th of September. Good news right? Maybe, but here's the tell:"Iphonesimfree.com is a wholesale only company. Although we could, we do not and will not sell directly to end users, because we want to work together with our valuable resellers as a team and not interfere in their business."Hmpf, and cover their collective legal asses too. Once resellers have provided their purchase details and made payment, they will receive an application to install on their iPhones. They must then log into the iPhoneSIMfree "back office" via WiFi connection where the iPhone will be registered and unlocked. Pricing starts at $36 each for 50 licenses or $25 each for 5000+.Why should it matter if you have to get your iPhone unlocked by a reseller? Well, first off that greatly increases the chances of your having to buy a fresh iPhone from a 3rd party; while we're sure some resellers will offer unlock service for the iPhone you currently own, that means you'll still have to send or take it in (instead of quickly unlocking from the comfort of your own home), and if a future update should break the iPhoneSIMfree unlock, at BEST you'll have to take it in again. (At worst you'll be stuck hounding the middleman -- not iPhoneSIMfree -- for a fix, and when that comes out you'll still have to take it back in. Ugh.) We're still awaiting word back from the iPhoneSIMfree team to verify that they won't be working with end users after all. Full email posted after the break.[Thanks, The African Nerd, trash, Geoff, and everyone who sent this in]
NBC hits back at Apple, claims it didn't want more money
NBC, not content to let Apple have the last word, issued a counter-statement late yesterday clarifying that its departure from iTunes wasn't so much pricing related as, apparently, focused on an unwavering "request for flexibility in wholesale pricing, including the ability to package shows together in ways that could make our content even more attractive for consumers." That and tighter anti-piracy measures on Apple's part, "since it is estimated that the typical iPod contains a significant amount of illegally downloaded material." Right. This has exactly WHAT to do with legitimately selling shows to paying customers, NBC? We think this is the telling quote: "It is clear that Apple's retail pricing strategy for its iTunes service is designed to drive sales of Apple devices, at the expense of those who create the content that make these devices worth buying." Yeah, pretty clear it's still about the money for those guys.If there's any good news, it's that NBC insists that its content, despite Apple's claims to the contrary, will still be available on iTunes through the end of its contract, which is up in December. In the mean time, you can rest assured that if NBC didn't actually want you to pay more for their shows, at very least they think you're a dirty crook who shouldn't have the privilege anyway.In order:Read - NBC and Apple break upRead - Apple insists, "No, we broke up with NBC."Read - NBC insists "No, WE broke up with Apple. But not because of money."
CNN re-confirms iPhoneSIMfree's iPhone SIM unlock hack
Independent verification of seemingly dubious claims makes the world go 'round, which is why we're a little thankful the iPhoneSIMfree crew has deigned CNN worthy of having the second shot at verifying their iPhone SIM unlock software. We know it won't quiet all the conspiracy theorists out there, but their news wire reads as follows: Los Angeles software consultant Brett Schulte, who is not affiliated with the developers, demonstrated the software for CNN Friday evening. An iPhone that had the new software appeared to work on the T-Mobile system just seconds after Schulte replaced the AT&T SIM card with a T-Mobile SIM card. We followed up with Brett, a consultant with CNN, and he confirmed the iPhoneSIMfree unlocked his iPhone as well -- we also really wanted to ask about getting in touch with Ted Turner for a summer internship, but we got the vibe that it'd be a no-go. Now, if only iPhoneSIMfree would release that product of theirs to the public -- perhaps that might land along side the CNN story they're gunning for? Read - CNN re-confirms hack Read - Our original hack confirmation
Apple cancels NBC shows on iTunes with near-immediate effect
Apple has announced that it is to stop selling NBC's TV shows on the iTunes Store, effective from the start of the new TV season this September (read: tomorrow). The New York Times was on the money when it said the reason for the cancellation revolved around NBC charging more for its shows: it turns out NBC wanted twice as much, with Apple saying it "would have resulted in the retail price to consumers increasing to $4.99 per episode from the current $1.99." The press release from Apple almost sounds bitter, with the company stating that it decided to end the contract early, since NBC was happy enough with withdrawing "their shows in the middle of the television season." Boo hiss NBC and Apple, don't you see that the only people that get hurt in all this are the consumers?
HP Blackbird 002 coming on Monday?
We, along with a number of other publications, just got tipped off to HP's plans to launch a new desktop called the HP Blackbird 002 next week. (Sorry, no, we think it's separate from the HP Virtus we already saw.) The email's after the break, but the long and short of it is Voodoo seems to be marrying its high performance PC line with HP branding. The short list of what you need to know: BIOS-based overclocks Heat-optimized aluminum chassis and foot Liquid cooling system for CPUs and GPUs Tool-free upgrades for CPU, GPU, drives Pricing between $2500 and $6500, ouch! More after the break.
Sony's Rolly, revealed
It's weird and it's hot and we likey... a lot.Here it is, Sony's Rolly which looks (and appears to act) just like a mini robotic Miuro. You'll know as much as we do about it once you disco on through to the video.[Thanks, diogo]
Loewe's BluTech Vision Blu-ray player also lands
Not to be left out of this year's HD device love-fest at IFA, German firm Loewe has a sexy yet silly named Blu-ray player surely only slightly more likely to gather respect than the American actor Rob of the same name. The BluTech Vision Blu-ray player features HDMI, 24p, TrueHD, DTS HD, 7.1 surround, although not much else is known -- like where the hell you put the discs, or where the front display is. Guess Loewe's home audience of Germany will find out when it's released in October. One more shot after the break.[Thanks, AG23]
The 2008 iPhone display? Sharp's next gen multi-touch LCD revealed
Want to see the glass behind the iPhone's multi-touch panel? Well this ain't it, it's better. Sharp -- one of Apple's iPhone panel providers -- just unveiled their newest 3.5-inch, 320 x 480 pixel resolution multi-touch panel which does what its predecessor did in just half the thickness. The new 1-mm depth was achieved by integrating the optical sensor into each pixel while incorporating scanning functionality for fingerprint authentication or barcode and business card scanning. Right, with the appropriate underlying software of course. Sharp expects to adapt the new technology to multi-touch, glass panels as large as 12.1-inches. Sample LCDs will be made available in September before mass production beings in the Spring of 2008.Update: Whoa, reader Tony C just reminded us of this Apple patent application. Sure, the jump from scanning business cards to having your screen become the webcam is pretty big. Still, it's not as crazy as it once sounded, eh?%Gallery-6635%[Via Impress]
Casio brings world's fastest 60fps, 6 megapixel camera/camcorder to IFA
Ok, here we go. Casio has a world's first prototype shooter at IFA sporting what must be Sony's 60fps 1/1.8-inch CMOS sensor. Right, bursting sixty 6 megapixel frames per second for what should be a resolution in the ballpark of 2921 x 2184. It'll even go 300fps if you want to scale things back to VGA video. The prototype features a 12x optical zoom and 2.8-inch LCD in a beefy piece of kit measuring in at 127.5 x 79.5 x 130.0-mm / 650-grams. What's also notable is what's missing from the specs: the storage utilized by this cam. A pretty serious omission when you think about the transfer speeds required to move (and store) that much data.%Gallery-6634%[Via Impress]
NBC cancels iTunes contract
Ouch. Another in a long line of disagreements with Apple about the pricing of content on iTunes, another somewhat unexpected blow to the internet's largest digital media etailer. NBC Universal, iTunes's number one seller, apparently backed out of renewing its contract with Apple after failing to get Cupertino to come around to its point of view on pricing, bundling content together, and -- get this -- more restrictive DRM. We weren't present for the discussions, but here's how we expect it went:NBC: Ok. So. We'd like to re-negotiate our contract -- top priority is, well, basically we want more money.Apple: No.NBC: No what? No re-negotiation? Or no more money?Apple: No.NBC: Why don't you guys just charge more money for our shows? That's fine by us.Apple: Are you new around here?We don't yet know if NBC has in place the same kind of at-will sales agreement that Universal has, but apparently sales will continue through December. Then we guess everyone jumps ship for NewCo, er, what's it called now? Hulu? Whatever.[Thanks, LordFarkward]
Philips BDP7100 Blu-ray player lands at IFA
Not a ton of new specs to behold on this new Blu-ray player, but Philips's BDP7100 does everything it should (1080p output, HDMI CEC, 24p, True HD, and DTS HD support). No word if it's got HDMI v1.3 or Blu-ray 1.1, and Philips also neglected to mention the price and availability of this new Blu-ray player of theirs, but we still dutifully thank them for their morsels of information and sheepishly ask for a second helping of porridge, kind sirs. One more image after the break.
'Speed' in a grocery store? FBI investigates telecommuting robbers
High-tech foreign criminals may have hacked into retail security systems in order to remotely monitor customers and employees in the course of at least 12 bold robberies in as many states during the past week, officials say. FBI agents are seeking an individual or group of conspirators who have been calling stores and banks from Texas to Kansas to Rhode Island on pre-paid, overseas cellphones and informing whomever picks up that a bomb will be detonated at the location if funds are not wired to a specific offshore account. What's more, the caller claims to have visual surveillance of the premises and proceeds to give certain accurate details about the environment -- in one case attempting to get a hostage to cut off another's fingers, and in another forcing everyone in the store to strip naked. CNN is reporting that at least $13,000 has been extorted so far -- though the total is likely much higher -- and that investigators are now pursuing a suspect in Portugal "who appears to be linked to the account number" that the money is being transferred to.Read- CNNRead- KPHO[Via Slashdot]
Sony launches BDP-S500 Blu-ray player
In addition to announcing its "low-end" BDP-S300 will be pond-skipping to Europe, at IFA today Sony also announced its latest Blu-ray player, the BDP-S500. Before we start in, and it's neither here or there, but didn't Sony notice that "S500" is the most common consumer electronics model name around? It's the John Smith of tech, if you will. (See: Sony's other S500 and S500, Nikon's S500, Samsung's S500, Canon's S500, Casio's S500, etc.). That aside, we can find little about this new player that differs from the BDP-S300: both feature HDMI (duh), 24p, and x.v.Color, and Dolby Digital Plus -- only the S500 has Dolby True HD and DTS-HD1, and HDMI 1.3. Is that worth £200 (about $400) more to you? If so, both will be out overseas by the end of October and run you £400 and £600 ($800 and $1200 US), and even come bundled with the Spider-man trilogy in the UK.
