Ces2010
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Interead expands COOL-ER e-reader line-up, announces additional content
Interead already let out some early word about its COOL-ER 3G e-book reader with a little help from AT&T, but it's now made things doubly official, and also take the opportunity to announce a new WiFi-equipped COOL-ER Connect model. While details on it are still a bit light, the reader will apparently boast a touchscreen of some sort, weigh just 5.8 ounces, and be available sometime this Spring (the COOL-ER 3G will follow in "mid-2010"). What's more, Interead has also now announced a new range of content offerings for its e-book readers, including the Coolermatic application, which will give users access to more than 1,400 newspapers, along with "select websites," and even Twitter feeds (no posting though, it seems). Still nothing in the way of pricing, but we're hoping Interead will have more to say about that once CES fully gets underway.
Meridian fires up its CES party with Sooloos whole-home audio
It's been about a year since Meridian picked up Sooloos, and the fruits of the acquisition are coming at you, whole-home style. The new ID40 Sooloos Card can be dropped into select Meridian 800-series components to open up network audio streaming and play queue control. The new 808.3 Signature Reference CD player gets an ID40 bundled, and it's an option on the 861 Reference Digital Surround Controller (now in its sixth version and ready to gobble up 8-channels of audio from a HD621 HDMI Audio Processor). Just in case a $9,900 $5,000 Control 10 qualifies as a handy remote to you, there's also an iPhone / iPod touch app as well. Full details in the press releases, but those with mortal budgets might feel more at home with something like Sonos or Logitech. EDIT: The $9,900 Control 10 package includes an Ensemble server unit.
ZOMM uses Bluetooth to tether you to your phone, your phone to you
Missing cellphones are a fact of life for forgetful folks, and while the 'ol "call yourself and hunt the feeble ringtone" technique works most of the time, some need a little bit more. There are plenty of software solutions out there, but ZOMM could be the perfect hardware option for any handset that supports Bluetooth. It's a keyring that tethers wirelessly to your celly like a headset, starting to buzz, blink, and chime whenever you leave the phone -- or the ZOMM -- behind. It will also alert you to incoming calls and even let you take them, acting like a disconnected speakerphone. Appropriately, the poker chip-sized device will be on display at CES this week, where there will surely be no shortage of misplaced handsets of all shapes and sizes kicking around.
Horizon's Hydrofill converts water to hydrogen, hydrogen into juice for your gadgets
Could 2010 finally be the year of the fuel cell? Horizon thinks it will be. The company has been teasing us with products for years, and while this latest one is also just a promise at this point, Horizon says it will be for sale by the end of the year. Hydrofill is a "personal hydrogen station" capable of converting water into hydrogen gas, which then gets stored in small cartridges called Hydrostik -- apparently in a crystalline structure to prevent your fanny pack doing a Hindenburg. Those cartridges will be usable in rechargers, like the Minipak, which provides USB output to recharge smaller gadgets on the go. It'll surely be a little more powerful than the toy kit Horizon released back in 2008, but we're bummed this one won't run on vodka like that one did. We tend to have plenty of that lying around this time of the year.
MSI planning to a show dual-screen e-reader, 3D laptop at CES
We don't have too many details here, but we sure are itching to get to Vegas to see if MSI really does have a dual-screen, Tegra-powered e-reader up its sleeve. Let's have it MSI: are you stealing another page from your Taiwanese arch-nemesis ASUS and its dual-screen Eee Reader? Regardless, Digitimes reports that not only will it show a dual-screen gadget of sorts, but also one with a slate form factor. More believable is the 3D laptop that the Taiwanese company is said to be prepping. Let's just hope they have gone with NVIDIA's 3D Vision technology there. It's only a matter of hours now until we find out about it all.
Scrybe from Synaptics brings new life to your tired touchpad
Did your laptop maker not see fit to include any jazzy gesture support into your touchpad? Did you buy early and miss out on the multitouch revolution? Synaptics wants to fill the gap for those portables (and suitably-equipped desktops) with its Scrybe software. It augments Windows' existing touch functionality to add context-specific gestures and motions, and while jog-dial control for media has us most excited, you'll also be able to edit photos, look up word definitions, and plenty more -- even if you don't have a 10-finger capable device. The plan is for the company to make partnerships with various manufacturers so that this software becomes standard issue stuff, but you can get a taste of it today thanks to a roughly 10MB beta preview downloadable now at the read link. Do let us know what you think.
QNAP gets serious with Turbo NAS line, packing Pineview, iSCSI, and VMWare certification
QNAP is generally known around these parts for its ever shrinking line of NAS devices that pack plenty of goods in a small space. The company's latest series sets a new bar for functionality, but does so in a device you probably won't be wedging in on a bookshelf between your well-worn (but never finished) copy of Ulysses and your leaning tower of software boxes. The latest Turbo NAS series is intended for small businesses, available in sizes ranging from one to the eight bay monster you see above, each packing an Intel D510 processor with enough oomph to fuel virtualized environments, so VMware vSphere4 certification and Windows Server 2008's Hyper-V are on-tap. iSCSI is also supported, as is IPv6 and, in one small nod toward consumers, Apple Time Machine backups have been enabled. We're expecting to see the full suite of devices at CES just a few days hence, while they're all slated for retail release in the coming weeks at prices ranging from $599 for the two-bay TS-259 Pro all the way up to $1,499 for that eight-bay TS-859 Pro flavor. You didn't think all this professionalism would come cheap, did you?
HSTi Wireless Media Stick nixes the need for dedicated storage drives
The banners aren't even officially up in Vegas yet, and already we're catching a drift of what all will be unveiled in the days to come. Take this Wireless Media Stick for example, which is HSTi's way of telling you that a dedicated storage drive beside your Blu-ray player or media player is completely unnecessary. Put simply, this device (and the accompanying software, we presume) plugs directly into any USB-enabled disc player or media streamer that's connected to your television; from there, you can easily stream media that's already shacked up within your main PC to your TV-connected device(s), which cures the problem of having your media fragmented between varying drives. We're still waiting to hear exactly what kind of technology this thing relies on (we're guessing 2.4GHz), but hopefully we'll find out more (along with a price and ship date) real soon.
Popbox is Popcorn Hour evolved, with 1080p streaming and Netflix support
Love your Popcorn Hour? Ask creator Syabas Technology, and it's just a prelude to the real deal, which it's just announced as the Popbox. The evolution includes a revamped UI, "infoapps" showing weather and Twitter feeds whenever the viewer pauses, and expanded Popapps support to allow for Java, Flash, and Qt (why hello there, Netflix). Video processing now supports 100Mbps bitrate 1080p video. The box mockup is barebones and includes only the necessary inputs, and storage is relegated to SD cards and external USB drives. Price and release date? Electronista is saying it "should" be out in March to the tune of $129.
Freescale reveals 7-inch smartbook reference design, hopes to see it ship for $200
Freescale Semiconductor is helping to kick this year's CES off with a bang, as its latest reference smartbook design actually has somewhat of a sexy flair to it. Currently, the model is little more than a great idea, but the company is hoping to have it available for partner evaluation starting next month. In theory, at least, this "smartbook tablet" would boast an ultrathin form factor, weigh around 0.8 pounds and get powered by a 1GHz i.MX515 processor. Other specs would include 512MB of DDR2 RAM, a 1,024 x 600 touch panel, 4GB to 64GB of internal storage, a microSD expansion slot, optional 3G WWAN module, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, GPS, a USB 2.0 socket, audio in / out, 3 megapixel camera, inbuilt 3-axis accelerometer, an ambient light sensor and a 1,900mAh battery. We aren't quite sure what kind of bulk discounts Freescale is counting on, but it's hoping that this design will "enable a second generation of smartbook products with prices less than $200." We dig the ambition and all, but we're guessing OEMs will actually want to turn a profit should they sign on to sell something like this. %Gallery-81144%
Samsung hops on Atom N450 bandwagon with N210, N220, N150 and NB30 netbooks
Keeping the news flowing fast and furious, Samsung has come out with a quartet of new netbooks, distinguishable primarily by their battery life. The N210 and 220 take the lead with a purported 12 hours of "connected mobility," while the NB30 (11 hours) and N150 (8.5 hours) are none too shabby either. The N150 differentiates itself with an "integrated hinge," while the NB30 focuses on durability with a HDD protection sensor and a water-tight seal that protects the netbook from up to 50cc of water. Still, the machines do share a lot, including an Atom N450 at their heart, and a 10.1-inch anti-reflective screen, plus -- you'd be better sit down for this -- mark- and scratch-resistant casing. Does this mean the end of the fingerprint-loving netbook? We can only hope so. Full PR blurb after the break.
Dell, Toshiba and Gateway Core i3 laptops get revealed early, joined by Pine Trail netbooks
And just like that, the CES 2010 on-switch has been well and truly pressed. After HP, Sony and Lenovo all exposed their hardware to the world prematurely, it was inevitable that other companies would "accidentally" follow suit. Thanks to CNET's snooping, we're now staring at a trio of new Core i3 models from Dell, Toshiba and Gateway -- highlighted by an unannounced ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470 powering a 1600 x 900 15-inch display on the Gateway, which also squeezes 500GB of storage under a shockingly low $692 price tag. On the Atom front, the Mini 210 is joined by a Toshiba NB305 -- sporting the N450, 250GB HDD, up to 11 hours' claimed battery life, and a $438 sticker -- as well as Gateway's effort with a smaller 160GB HDD but also suitably reduced $285 asking price. Hit the links below to get freshened up on all the juicy details. Read - FutureShop.ca (Gateway NV5905H) Read - FutureShop.ca (Toshiba Satellite L500-00F) Read - Costco (Dell Inspiron 15) Read - FutureShop.ca (Gateway LT2102H) Read - FutureShop.ca (Toshiba NB305-00F)
Samsung NX10 made official -- APS-C sensor and AMOLED screen crammed into hybrid DSLR body
Samsung has just announced its NX10 "hybrid DSLR," which aims to give you all the uncompromising image quality of a full digital SLR within a somewhat more pocketable body. A 14.6 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor is a good start on that road, while "fast and decisive" contrast AF and a snazzy 3-inch AMOLED display keep the momentum going. There's 720p H.264-encoded video recording as well, but naturally you do have to make some tradeoffs for the reduced size. The mirror box is gone -- leaving you with only an electronic viewfinder -- and the brand new NX lens mounting system means you'll have to purchase your favorite lenses all over again. We'll wait and see whether the NX10 shows any appreciable advantages (such as price!) over the slightly smaller Micro Four Thirds shooters out there, but with a spring 2010 release date and a CES appearance on the cards, that wait shouldn't be too long. Go past the break for the full PR and spec sheet. Update: DPReview has an in-depth breakdown and a hands-on preview of the new shooter with a few sample shots posted from a pre-production unit. %Gallery-81296%
Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 13 review
Lenovo has always had a certain knack for producing some of the most reliable, ergonomic and slender ultraportables on the market (see ThinkPad X301 and ThinkPad X200). But they've always had one issue: prices that ring up at well over a grand. Where's the killer ThinkPad ultraportable for the rest of us been? Well hello, ThinkPad Edge 13 – a thin, light Intel ULV powered laptop with an entirely new design that starts at $549. Yes, $549. But at that price point and with some serious changes to some traditional elements can it live up to the ThinkPad quality that we've been accustomed to for years? And can it stand out in the overpopulated CULV-based laptop market? We spent a couple days putting a spec'd-up $899 model through our daily grind -- read on for our full review. %Gallery-81335%
Lenovo intros ThinkPad Edge, X100e ultraportable and other ThinkPad refreshes
It just wouldn't be a CES without a gaggle of new introductions from Lenovo, and while we knew good and well that most everything here was on the way thanks to a slip-up at Lenovo's site, it's always nice to get the official word. Kicking things off is the altogether sexy ThinkPad Edge, which will ship in 13-, 14- and 15-inch versions in order to suit the small business users in the crowd. It'll include a choice of AMD processors (Turion X2 or Athlon X2), optional 3G / 4G WWAN modules, a full suite of Lenovo's own ThinkVantage technologies and preloaded Skype. This machine also marks the first ever ThinkPad to arrive with a choice of color -- it'll ship in matte black, glossy black and heat-wave red. Moving on, there's the previously rumored X100e, which goes down as the company's first "entry-level ultraportable." Starting at under $500, the AMD-based (Athlon Neo or Turion) rig gets outfitted with Windows 7 Professional, an 11.6-inch display, full-size keyboard, multitouch trackpad, WiFi and optional Bluetooth / 3G. Rounding things off are four new introductions in the classic range: the T410s, T410, T510 and W510. The foursome will become the first in the ThinkPad family to offer the upcoming Intel dual-core CPUs and mobile Core i7, and if you're thirsty for the full specs lists on the bunch (along with videos of the X100e and Edge), head on past the break and open wide. %Gallery-80871%
Engadget HD Podcast 169 - CES 2010 expectations
The most wonderful week of the year for gadget lovers is upon us so we decided what better way to tame our anticipation then to dream a little and discuss our expectations for CES 2010. While some are obvious like 3D and mobile DTV, others like TiVo, MoCA and bigger, cheaper HDTVs aren't as certain. And of course nothing is as much fun as making fun of our dashed dreams by talking up vapor ware of year's past. So if you can't wait to hear what's new in 2010, tune in and be sure to let us know what we missed. Get the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). [RSS - AAC] Enhanced feed, subscribe to this with iTunes. [RSS - MP3] Add the Engadget HD Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator [Zune]Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace [MP3] Download the show (MP3). Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Richard Lawler Producer: Trent Wolbe Program 00:02:13 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 168 00:12:07 - Lots and lots of 3D TVs and Blu-ray Player, heck 3D everything 00:15:48 - Mobile DTV 00:20:25 - tru2way set-back boxes 00:23:15 - New stuff from TiVo 00:28:20 - RuVu alliance Demo and maybe even real product announcements/new members 00:31:35 - Lots of MoCA devices 00:35:30 - WHS Veil with more MC integration 00:41:36 - Maybe a new extender platform 00:44:21 - Maybe a new biggest TV ever 00:46:15 - More consumer priced 65+ direct view HDTVs 00:50:00 - Panasonic Kuro? 00:51:52 - OLED HDTVs over 20-inches 00:53:36 - Ultra-widescreen HDTVs 00:54:57 - 2009 Vapor ware watch list 00:55:20 - Toshiba extender 00:55:48 - Dish VIP 912 & Sling TV 00:56:53 - DirecTV TiVo 00:58:30 - XstreamHD 01:02:11 - tru2way HDTVs 01:03:02 - Ceton PC CableCARD tuner LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) LISTEN (OGG)
ProVision's AXAR to wirelessly stream HD content to just about anything
The world needs another wireless HD system like it needs another thousand gallons of goop spinning in the middle of the Pacific, but regardless of the facts, ProVision is set to introduce one such system at CES this week. According to details scrounged up by Pocket-lint, the AXAR technology will function much like WHDI does currently. The difference? Increased range and a knack for distributing to more than just an HDTV. It's expected that AXAR will find its way into TVs, set-top boxes and a range of network devices in time for Christmas 2010, where it will allow any AXAR-enabled device (a laptop, phone, PMP, HDTV, PC, etc.) to receive 1080p content from a media player, Blu-ray player or similar. Better still, it can also distribute those signals to WiFi-enabled products if your network can handle it. Currently, the tech can support two separate HD streams at the same time, and it can broadcast 'em to a living space that's three times that of the Buckingham Palace. We'll be sure to poke our nose around for more at CES, but in the meanwhile, feel free to catch a few first impressions down in the source link.
Lenovo leaks ThinkPad Edge, X100e, T410s, W510, T510 and more ahead of CES
Hey Lenovo, your cards are showing. Just weeks after the FCC tipped us off on a new pair of netbooks that are all but definitely slated for a CES unveiling, Lenovo has no one but its web administrator(s) to blame for this one. A "New product showcase" portal over on the outfit's site has just revealed a half dozen new lappies that are slated to go on sale starting January 5th - 7th, with the ultra-sleek 13.3-inch ThinkPad Edge (pictured above) leading the way. Said rig boasts up to 7.8 hours of battery life, a dual-core CPU, Windows 7, Bluetooth and WiMAX options, integrated WWAN / GPS, WiFi, a spill-resistant keyboard, three USB ports, a 5-in-1 media card reader and an option for a red paint job. There's also a sub-3 pound ThinkPad X100e ultraportable with an 11.6-inch display, AMD processor and an only-available-overseas Arctic White color option. The T410, T410s, T510 and W510 are bringing up the rear, with their (admittedly brief) specification lists spelled out in the source links below. %Gallery-81326% [Thanks, Jake and Daniel]
Liquid Image outs Summit Series Snow Camera goggles ahead of CES
Liquid Image has just announced new camera-equipped ski masks, swimming goggles and scuba masks, just in time for them to be unveiled at CES 2010. The Summit Series Snow Camera Goggle 335 boasts a 5MP still camera capable of shooting D1 720 x 480 resolution video at 30 frames per second with audio. It's got 16MB of built-in flash memory, expandable to 16GB via its microSD / SDHC slot. Other features include large buttons on the side of the goggles which are easy to press while wearing gloves and a light inside the goggles which indicates when recording. The goggles are estimated to get about 2,200 still images or over 2 hours of video per charge on their lithium ion battery. Liquid Image expects to ship the Summit Series goggles in the summer of 2010, with a price of $149. Full press release is after the break
Plethora of new HP laptops, desktops leak ahead of CES
Holy smokes! A ton of unannounced HP laptops and desktops just came across our desk, in addition to those Envy models we saw just a few days back. Ahead of what we presume will be their formal announcement next week right around CES, we've got some details on 14 new models -- some more interesting than others. Now, before you get too excited, we don't have full specs on any of these, but we do have pricing information, and here are some highlights: the 14-inch HP Pavilion dv4i, a Windows 7 laptop with a flush display and fingerprint reader that should run about $785. Up next is the 10-inch Mini 210 HD Edition, which will come in red, black, silver and blue, boast Intel's brand new Pine Trail platform (a 1.66GHz N450 CPU), plus GMA 3150 graphics. Another goodie here is that this one is expected to ship with Broadcom's Crystal HD video playback chip. The Mini 210 HD is expected to cost around $330. Logic Buy (the point of origin for all this info) is reporting that these models should ship on or around January 7th, though keep in mind that all of this information is extremely unofficial, so don't blame us if it all changes. If you simply can't get enough, hit the gallery for a look at a few of the systems, and check the rest of the story after the break. %Gallery-81288% Read - HP Pavilion dv4i Read - Mini 210 HD Read - Mini 210 Read - Compaq Mini CQ10 Read - HP Pavilion Elite HPE-110t Read - HP Pavilion Elite HPE-150t Read - HP Pavilion Elite HPE-170t Read - HP Pavilion Elite HPE-180t
