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HP Firebird with Voodoo DNA hands-on
We just hit up HP's booth to check out the new Firebird gaming rig, and it's pretty slick looking, although it's a lot bigger than we expected / hoped. The side panels are actually a cool translucent smoke finish, and the blue LED lighting might be the first classy gaming PC light kit we've ever seen. HP was demoing the Firebird with Left 4 Dead and Crysis, and the gamers on hand seemed pretty pleased -- we'll have see how the $1,799 machine's 2.83GHz Core 2 Quad and dual NVIDIA GeForce 9800S graphics cards benchmark out when it's released on February 1st. Check it all in the gallery!%Gallery-41117%
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 launches: world's first WiFi camera with web browser
No clue why Sony didn't unleash this pretty boy with its litany of items yesterday, but maybe it just saw fit to give it some special attention. Thanks to the all-admitting FCC, we already had a good idea that this was coming, but now that it's finally here, we're still pretty jazzed. Set to rival Panny's Lumix DMC-TZ50, the DLNA-certified Cyber-shot DSC-G3 is the planet's first WiFi camera with a built-in web browser, enabling users to upload images and video directly to popular sharing sites wherever a WiFi connection is available. Of note, the camera comes with complimentary access to Sony's Easy Upload Home Page via AT&T WiFi, which provides easy entrance into Shutterfly, Picasa, YouTube, Photobucket and Dailymotion. Other specs include a 10 megapixel sensor, 4x optical zoom and Face Detection. It's yours to grab right now for around $500.%Gallery-41112%
Kodak Zx1 pocket HD cam and Z980 zoomer hands-on
Kodak came to CES with the new Zx1 rugged pocket HD cam and Z980 24x zoomer, and we spent some quality time with both. The Zx1 is an interesting repackaging of the Zi6 -- it loses the pop-out USB connector in favor of a sealed waterproof casing, but it gains HDMI out and some fabulous colors. The Z980 is pretty large, but it's super-light, almost surprisingly so. The unit we got to play with here is actually a pre-pro model, so that silver ring will be black on the final model, but otherwise it's the same thing. Pics in the gallery! %Gallery-41035%
Qualcomm tries to distract from Snapdragon fail with Android
At this point we're pretty close to calling Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform vaporware -- sure, we've seen a lot of clunky prototypes, but the company's been promising a commercial launch forever, going so far as to say that it had lined up 30 reference designs by the likes of HTC, LG, Samsung, and ASUS. Sure, ok -- but all it's got at CES are the same old gigantor testing devices and lonely Linux convertible. Oh, but now there's Android. Very impressive, guys -- too bad Android was also running on the actually-interesting GiiNii Movit Mini parked next door. At least the whole thing wasn't faked liked last year, we suppose. Shots in the gallery, of course. %Gallery-41011%
RealView unveils three 3D desktop scanners
We don't see too many 3D scanners 'round these parts, so we'll be excited to hit RealView 3D's booth at CES and see what all the fuss is about. The RealView 360? 3D Desktop Scanner is being billed as the world's first desktop scanner capable of capturing objects in their full 360? topographic glory, suitable for scanning mugs, model space ships, D&D figurines, and whatever else fits on its base. There are three models available: RealView 360 3D (the plain ol' VGA scanner), RealView 360 3D HD (for that hi-def resolution you crave) and RealView 360 HD Commercial (for large format scans and kiosks). Beyond that, we'll just have to wait for CES 2009 to open its doors. Soon.
GiiNii's Movit Mini WiFi Android tablet hands-on
We just spent some quality time playing with GiiNii's Movit Mini WiFi Android tablet, which might be one of the best things we've seen at CES so far -- think of it as the Android version of the iPod touch and you'll get why we're so stoked. The unit features a 4.3-inch, 480 x 272 resistive touchscreen (sigh), and it's got a soft keyboard for text entry -- they couldn't tell us if it's running Cupcake or not, but the keyboard worked just fine as we were playing with it. A built-in mic and front-facing camera lend themselves to out-of-the-box Skype support, there's also Bluetooth and a built-in speaker. Sadly, there's only 256MB of internal storage, but there's an microSD slot for expansion. All we got for pricing was "less than the iPod touch" -- we'll see how close GiiNii gets when this guy and the planned 7-inch Movit Maxx hit sometime in the middle of the year.%Gallery-40963%
T-Mobile gets official with Shadow -- yep, just Shadow
T-Mobile doesn't seem too concerned about the fact that there already is a Shadow -- it's the very phone they're trying to replace here, actually -- but whatever, it's Windows Mobile, it's HTC, and it's finally here. The new model thankfully features WiFi and full support for T-Mobile's UMA-based HotSpot calling service, but spec-wise, it's kinda the same as the outgoing piece (which possibly explains the carried-over name). On-board you'll find a 2 megapixel cam with video capture, microSD support up to 8GB, spin wheel navigation, Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard (read: no touch), a QVGA display, and all the myFaves you can handle. It'll be available in Black Burgundy and White Mint in "the coming weeks."
Microsoft CES ninja booth tour: hello Windows 7
It was already a fair bet that Steve Ballmer will be talking about Windows 7 during his CES keynote tonight, especially after the beta keys leaked but we'd say the odds just got better: we just hit up the Microsoft booth a little early and spotted a prominent 7 display. We were hustled out before we got a chance to dig further, but we were certainly intrigued by the black cloth covering up the Windows Mobile display -- we doubt it means anything, but maybe Ballms has some WinMo 7 action to show off as well. Check it in the gallery!%Gallery-40945%
Microsoft announces availability of Windows 7 Beta and Windows Live
The wait is over, folks. Sir Steve Ballmer has announced the availability of Windows 7 Beta and Windows Live here at his CES keynote. The official word is this: "The beta version of Windows 7, Microsoft's next-generation PC operating system, can be downloaded today by MSDN, TechBeta and TechNet customers. Consumers who want to test-drive the beta will be able to download it beginning January 9 at http://www.microsoft.com/windows7." Moreover, Windows Live -- described as "a free suite of communications and sharing applications that make it easy for people to communicate, share and keep their online lives in sync and in one place with one login -- is now globally available. Oh, and did we mention that January 9th is this Friday? Huzzah!
Sony Webbie HD cams hands-on
We couldn't help but notice Sony's cute little Webbie MHS-CM1 and MHS-PM1 HD cams hiding in the corner while we were scoping out the VAIO P and the Walkman NWZ-X1000, so we snuck a few shots. They look and feel really nice, and while we didn't get a chance to check the video quality, the PM1's swiveling screen certainly brings something new to the Flip-esque form-factor. Check 'em out in the gallery!%Gallery-40937%
Eyes on with LG's near-production 15-inch OLED TV: come on summer
While Sony's OLED TV is little more than a beautiful, 11-inch novelty, LG is swaggering dangerously close to a respectable kitchen TV with this 15-inch AMOLED TV prototype. On display here at CES and planned for a production run sometime this summer, the image is absolutely stunning -- every bit as impressive as the Sony's XEL-1. Nothing else compares to the incredible contrast achieved by these OLED displays. Have a look in the gallery -- we've got the prototype pictured with and without its chubby TV bezel. It's credit-card thin (0.8-mm) and only on Engadget.%Gallery-40931%
Sony VAIO P hands-on
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/hardware/VAIO_P_hands_on'; We just grabbed a first look at Sony's new VAIO P. At first glance, the screen is bright and ultrasharp -- certainly stretching the limits of our eyesight. We'd say the keys are a little bit light and shallow for our taste, but good as far as most "netbooks" go, and the "nipple," like all like pointers, will take getting used to and careful calibration, though it's definitely sensitive. It's certainly not hefty, but we'd say there's the standard amount of Sony build quality, and while high for a netbook, $900 doesn't "feel" too far off. We love lightweight, but this netbook almost feels like it lacks innards, the real deal seems almost like it's a mock-up device. Videos of all its best sides after the break.%Gallery-40928%
Sony gets official with VAIO P: world's lightest 8-inch netbook
Not that we really needed Sony to tell us something we already knew, but we certainly appreciate the gesture. The hotly anticipated VAIO P is for real, and it's coming in as the world's lightest 8-inch netbook at just 1.4 pounds. The Vista-based device packs an almost unbelievable 1,600 x 768 resolution LED-backlit XBRITE-ECO LCD display, 802.11n WiFi, 3G WWAN, Bluetooth, a battery good for four hours (eight hours with the optional high-capacity cell) and a GPS module for good measure. You'll also find an instant-on mode that launches directly into Sony's Xross Media Bar interface, and the inbuilt webcam will keep the video chats going well into the morning. It'll start shipping in early February (in garnet red, emerald green, onyx black, crystal white and classic black hues) for $900 and up, and you can peek the full release just after the break.%Gallery-40923%
Panasonic's CES 2009 wrap-up
Panasonic just shocked us good fashion with some pretty incredibly HD-related releases at its CES 2009 press conference, and we figured we'd round 'em all up so you don't miss anything. Have a look below at the shots -- we'll be working to get more details (price, availability, that sort of stuff) as soon as it's ready.Read - Hands-on with Panasonic's 0.33-inch thick Neo PDP Eco plasmaRead - Hands-on with Panasonic's DMP-B15 portable Blu-ray player at CES 2009Read - Panasonic introduces wireless, 1-inch thick TC-P54Z1 VIERA plasmaRead - Three new Blu-ray players from Panasonic: BD60, BD80 and BD70V
Three new Blu-ray players from Panasonic: BD60, BD80 and BD70V
Panasonic didn't spend much time on its new trio of Blu-ray players, but we caught a quick snap just to give you a heads-up of what's coming down the pike. The BD60 will support YouTube / Amazon Video on Demand content, while the BD80 will include BD-Live (Profile 2.0) support and the BD70V will simply go down as the "ultimate multi-format player." Or something like that.
Sony trots out 12 megapixel Cyber-shot DSC-W220
Sony's busting out a plethora of wares today in Vegas, and included among them is a new entry-level W-Series Cyber-shot. The DSC-W220 features both Intelligent Scene Recognition and Dynamic Range Optimizer, both of which were previously reserved for higher-end offerings. Specs wise, it's touting a 2.7-inch LCD monitor, Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 4X optical zoom lens, HD output, Optical SteadyShot stabilization, 15MB of internal memory and a Memory Stick card slot. It'll hit this April in silver, black, pink and blue for about $190.%Gallery-40925%
Sony touchscreen Walkman NWZ-X1000 OLED player hands-on!
Sony's press event is just about to start, but we managed to sneak away and grab some snaps of the heavily-guarded new OLED touchscreen Walkman NWZ-X1000. It's under some major glass and lights and we were working fast, so we apologize for any blurriness, but that's the price of exclusives, kids. Check back soon for the official shots during the presser -- and don't worry, we're on the hunt for the VAIO P.%Gallery-40911%
Hands-on with Panasonic's 0.33-inch thick Neo PDP Eco plasma
Panasonic ended its press conference today with a bang as it debuted the 0.33-inch thick Neo PDP Eco plasma display. We're still scrambling to find out how close this thing is to production, but good heavens, it's sexy. Have a look below.%Gallery-40908%
Hands-on with Panasonic's DMP-B15 portable Blu-ray player at CES 2009
We didn't have high hopes going into Panny's press conference today, but the company still managed to unveil a few surprises here in Vegas. One of those shockers was the world's first portable Blu-ray player, the DMP-. Said device supposedly includes the ability to pump out 1080p content, and while we're not terribly enthused about the design, we suppose we'll give it a pass being that's a world first.%Gallery-40916%
Panasonic introduces wireless, 1-inch thick TC-P54Z1 VIERA plasma
Here at the Panasonic press conference at CES 2009, the company finally woke us up with a stunningly thin 1-inch thick plasma: the all new Z1, or the TC-P54Z1 VIERA, in particular. Little is being said about the panel for now, though we are told that it'll be wireless (via an undisclosed standard) right out of the box. In related news, we're also told that VIERA Cast-enabled sets will soon be able to suck down Amazon on Demand content, so it's good to see Panny keeping up with the Jones family in that regard as well.%Gallery-40912%
