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Gaming products dominate top tech list [update 1]
PC World's list of top 100 tech products of the year praised our sister blog Engadget and gave Apple lots of love but the categorical winner of the list is undoubtedly gaming. The following products aren't all directly gaming related (you could use some of them to run spreadsheets) although there's a quite clear video gaming subtext underlying many of the choices. Lets just say that they're as close to being gaming technology as Uri Geller is to being locked up in an asylum. 1. Core Duo - the first chip to enable desktop level performance in games on laptop computers.2. Athlon 64 X2 - for that ultimate gaming rig you always wanted (but couldn't, and still can't, afford).10. Boot Camp - Apple's Mac gaming solution.16. GeForce 7600GT - hits that price/performance sweet spot.19. Guitar Hero - we think that this is some kind of video game.55. Raptor X - 10,000RPM Hard Drives were invented for gaming.58. X1900 XTX - ATI's biggest, baddest GPU. Stupid name though.63. A8N32 mobo - it's all about the SLI, baby.89. Xbox 360 - we've heard of this! Isn't it designed to hold your lunch?92. GeForce 7900 GTX - nVIDIA's biggest, baddest GPU. Stupid name though.I personally own several products identical or similar to products on this list (a MacBook with a Core Duo CPU running Windows via Boot Camp is being used to write this post - I'm off for some Eve Online in a sec). Do you agree with these choices? What's missing?P.S. If anyone from PC World is reading this, I apologize for desecrating your logo.[Update: "top tech," not "top ten tech". Thanks Ahms!]
5 Apple products make PCWorld's 100 Best Products of the Year
PCWorld just named a few Apple products in their '25 worst tech products of all time,' however, they have named more of them to the '100 Best Products of the Year.' Which Apple products made the cut? I'm glad you asked: iPod Nano (#4) Boot Camp (#10) Mac Mini (#35) iPod (#36) iTunes (#43) Congrats to Engadget, our sister blog, who clock in at lucky number 13 on the list (next year I am sure TUAW will be on there).
Xbox Live Vision camera coming mid September
Major Nelson has revealed that the Xbox Live Vision camera is all set for a simultaneous European and North American launch on the 19th of September. The forthcoming Xbox Live update will be adding support for the camera, so once this little gadget is released you should be able to plug it straight in and talk face-to-face with your gamer buddies or bet your life away in a virtual game of Texas Hold 'Em. There's still no official pricing but earlier rumors suggest that the cam will be priced from around $20-40 depending on whether or not you opt for a bundle that includes a headset, a month of Xbox Live and an XBLA game.[Via Engadget]
Engadget reader meetup in Merced, CA on for June 10th
Alright, Merced, we're on. We're going to have an informal (read: chill) Engadget reader meetup in my hometown of Merced, California on Saturday, June 10th. I'm still on the hunt for a location, so if anyone has access to a suitable space or any suggestions for where we could hold this, please let me know in the comments. Also, please post in the comments below if you're thinking about coming, I want to make sure we do this someplace big enough (and that I bring enough Engadget t-shirts for everyone). Thanks!
Solid state TDEL flat panel HDTVs -- still -- coming soon
Cheaper than LCDs and plasmas plus better picture quality in a 1-inch thick flat panel HDTV? That's what iFire has been promising for a while now and it may be one step closer to reality. Their parent company Westaim hopes to bring the thick-film dielectric electroluminescent technology (TDEL) screens to market in 2007 at a price point of less than $1000 for a 34-inch model. It involves no gases, liquids or vacuums and requires no backlighting. Instead the materials are layered directly onto the glass which they say provides better PQ and a wider viewing angle, with half the production cost of LCDs. Much like the fabled SEDs which we still haven't seen, we've been looking out for these since Engadget first mentioned them in 2004. If/when either technology debuts, it will be very interesting to see how it affects the existing high definition flat screen market.
Engadget Podcast 080 - 05.15.06
The show's over and we've headed back to our respective homes across the globe, but before we fled LA, Ryan headed around the show floor to get final thoughts from members of the Joystiq crew, including former Editor-in-Chief, Ben Zackheim. Hear their thoughts on how the show went, whose booth was superior, why Sony kind of blew their chance, and even what the fairer sex thinks about this year's lack of booth babes. We'll be back with normal podcasts soon, but enjoy this final E3 edition, straight from the noisy floor of the Los Angeles Convention Center, recorded in earshot of Sony and Nintendo. Get the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). [RSS] Add the Engadget Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically (MP3). [MP3] Download the show (MP3). [OGG] Download the show (OGG). [Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley! Host Ryan Block Featuring Joystiq's Chris Grant, Ross Miller, Jennie Lees, and AOL Games' Ben Zackheim Producer Randall Bennett Music J J J - 'Suits' in Japan Format 1:02:43, 28.7 MB, MP3 Program 00:00 - Ross Miller 23:40 - Ben Zackheim 45:14 - Jennie Lees 50:00 - Chris Grant LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (OGG) Contact the podcast: 1-888-ENGADGET, Engadget (Gizmo Project) or podcast at engadget dawt com
10 things to do while waiting for the MacBook
Sure, you're bummed that the unconfirmed rumors of MacBooks this week didn't materialuze, we all are. Todd Ogasawara has compiled a list of (admittedly dumb) things you can do while waiting for Apple to release the iBook replacement. I don't know about you, but I really want an Apple Quicktake 2006 digital camera.Oh, and the image accompanying this post comes from Engadget's third WWJD contest, so don't faint (and don't send in the link to the Apple store seminars about the 'new iBooks').
Qosmio HD DVD-equipped laptop shipping this week
If you can't find an HD DVD player because they're all sold out you'll soon have another option. Toshiba is shipping the Qosmio G35 AV650 laptop this week. It also features a 2Ghz Core Duo processor, two 100GB hard drives in a RAID setup, 1 GB of RAM, NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 videocard and HDMI output. All that plus Windows Media Center Edition adds up to 10 lbs of weight and $3000 lighter in the pocket. [Via Engadget]
Nintendo's Wii event pre-game coverage!
11:05 am - We're live at the Kodak Theater in downtown Hollywood, it's the usual who's-who of the videogame journalism world. We actually just saw Miyamoto cruising around amongst the herd, but we heard he vanished down a warp pipe.11:25 am - The crowd's obviously getting a little anxious. We're just a few of minutes away now.11:29 am - We're shuffling in now, about to find our seats. Stay tuned as we get prepped and ready to liveblog.11:47 am - We're in, standing in holding. They've admitted us to the theater but they're not yet seating. More to come.12:05 pm - Still waiting ... no word yet when the delays will end and we can get seated but they have some video feeds in the hall and it looks like it shouldn't be long. Looks like Microsoft is going to have delays of their own, being that almost all of the press here is going to head over.
Engadget Podcast 077 - 05.02.06
It's our last pre-E3 podcast today, which means there's sure to be a little gaming news from Nintendo mixed in there for you to chew on, along with some Samsung Q1 UMPC goings on, our take on (and support of) Gary Shapiro and the CEA driving a stake in the ground for disenfranchised digital consumers everywhere, and some interesting news in the DVR space from TiVo and Yahoo. We'll take our usual cellphone related voicemails too (we can talk about other stuff -- promise), so listen up before the Engadget Podcast hits the mean streets of LA next week to play some games. Get the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). [RSS] Add the Engadget Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically (MP3). [MP3] Download the show (MP3). [AAC] Download the show (enhanced AAC). [OGG] Download the show (OGG). [Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley! Hosts Peter Rojas and Ryan Block Producer Randall Bennett Music J J J - 'Suits' in Japan Format 54:33, 24.7 MB, MP3 Program 00:37 - Nintendo Wii -- the Revolution gets a real name 10:53 - Nintendo to announce DS Lite pricing / release dates on Thursday? 12:52 - Samsung Q1 UMPC to go on sale May 7th for $1,100 14:31 - Eye-Fi embeds WiFi into your SD flash 18:09 - Gary Shapiro and the CEA take a stand 24:00 - Apple trying to include iPod video content on Blu-ray discs? 28:00 - Yahoo Go TV takes Meedio and does it for free 31:31 - TiVo's Series2 DT 80 and 180hour dual tuner boxes 36:13 - Listener Voicemail LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) LISTEN (OGG) Contact the podcast: 1-888-ENGADGET, Engadget (Gizmo Project) or podcast at engadget dawt com
SlingPlayer Mobile for Windows out of beta
The honeymoon is over, folks, so if you aren't already among the proud army of Slingbox owners you're gonna need to shell out $30 for the mobile client software if/when you decide to become a Sling Media customer. As of today, the company's SlingPlayer Mobile app has officially transformed from a beta into a commercial product, although this means little to customers who purchased their 'box prior to April 26th, as they are entitled to a free copy of the current Windows Mobile version, the upcoming Windows Smartphone version, and, according to Sling's website, versions for "additional mobile platforms and operating systems" when they become available. In case you're not a semi-frequent reader of this site, or another excellent destination called Engadget, SlingPlayer Mobile is a bit of software that allows Slingbox owners to watch and listen to both live and recorded content from their home theaters on any broadband-enabled, Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition- or WM5-powered device.[Via Zatz Not Funny]
Engadget Podcast 076 - 04.25.06
Just because we had to take a week off to perform certain civic duties doesn't mean the news stops,. So we're back this week with the latest on Motorolas new Canary phone (which could well be the followup to the RAZR), the Sidekick III showing up on the FCC, Apple's new spensivo 17-inch MacBook Pro, whatever it is AT&T is doing to fight their own battle for the digital living room, and the Venzero One portable audio player. Enjoy! Get the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). [RSS] Add the Engadget Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically (MP3). [MP3] Download the show (MP3). [AAC] Download the show (enhanced AAC). [OGG] Download the show (OGG). [Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley! Hosts Peter Rojas and Ryan Block Producer Randall Bennett Music J J J - 'Suits' in Japan Format 43:24, 19.8 MB, MP3 Program 01:54 - Motorola RAZR 2 / Canary? 04:40 - Sidekick III hits the FCC 08:11 - Apple unveils the 17-inch MacBook Pro 11:30 - Venzero announces the Venzero One 18:14 - AT&T to launch Homezone TV service 22:47 - Listener voicemail / e-mail LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) LISTEN (OGG) Contact the podcast: 1-888-ENGADGET, Engadget (Gizmo Project) or podcast at engadget dawt com
CustomFlix burns HD-DVD, Blu-ray on demand
So you're a small content producer who wants to release high definition video, but can't pick a format for fear of alienating half your customers? No problem. CustomFlix (who also just announced deals to provide DVDs of niche TV shows) will store a digital copy of your content, and burn it onto Blu-ray, HD DVD or WMV-HD disc whenever a customer wants to buy one. They also provide services for customers who choose their own set of clips from the database, and burn a DVD with whatever you want on it.You can already buy some HDNet programs from Amazon via this service, with the other two formats to be added "soon". Hopefully this type of service can alleviate the situation detailed in The Clicker, where smaller providers are locked out because they can't afford to support HDTVs.
Play against your pets in virtual reality
If you've ever wanted to play something more meaningful than "Fetch!" with your pets, this research project might prove just the thing. A collaboration between the Emerging Art and Architecture Research Group and the Mixed Reality Lab, Singapore, Mice Arena allows your hamster to chase you -- in a virtual reality.By using a tank with an elastic floor, which is manipulated to reflect the digital terrain, pets can experience the virtual world first-hand. It's an interesting idea, though we're hard pressed to see a practical side to it. Still, the researchers are hoping for "unexpected results", so you never know -- we just may learn something after all.[Via Engadget]
Engadget around the world
We know you've been watching closely all week, but there's more going on out there in the world of Engadget than just what we're writing about here in the States. Check it out, this is Engadget around the world.Engadget Japanese DELL to supply 56,000 PCs to Japan's "leaky" Defense Agency Sharp/Vodafone 904SH VGA handset released "Ring-Exhaust" for your mobile Engadget Spanish Solaris in an iMac OSCar - The Open Source car NTT DoCoMo's Music Porter X Links' V-Gear USB TV tuner Wireless Dynamics' RIF miniSD card SDiD 2010 Engadget Chinese CTK introduce 3369 cellphone BenQ-Siemens' CL71 and AL21 Google unveils Chinese brand name: GuGe Averatec's 3715-EH1 notebook Modeo's Smartphone Municator $149 PC made in China
The Engadget store
So Engadget finally has a store. Aren't you stoked? Too bad it's absolutely not affiliated with Engadget or its parent companies (if it is, in fact, real, and not a photoshop or hoax). That, and apparently it's located in the Midvalley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. So, next time someone's in Malaysia, would you do us a favor and check up on 'em, make sure they're doing the Engadget name good? And since we can only assume the Engadget store's proprietors are reading this, we'd like to shout 'em out and say hey, what's up, were you planning on telling us about this at some point? Yeah, we can understand why not.Update: Uh, yeah, we can with some amount of certainty confirm that this isn't a photoshop job (see pics here, here, here, here, here, here, and here). Thanks to David, Sunil, and SCH! So, anyone talk to these guys yet?
Now that you've turned your Mac into a PC, turn it into a Mac again
So you've done the formerly impossible and unnecessary: installed Winders on a Mac. Cool, best of both worlds. But there you are, staring at that awful primary color, jumbo crayon, sickly plasticky XP theme. Yeah, you could use one of the many mods featured on Download Squad (please, feel free). Or you could turn your XP rig back into a Mac. At least, you can make XP look a lot more like a Mac. Engadget did this nearly 2 years ago, although Aqua-Soft is still updating their content. Or why not go old school with an OS 9 flavor? Ah, that's better.
Engadget Podcast 074 - 04.04.06
We pumped out a quick podcast for you while we're out at CTIA -- so if you're trying to steer clear of all the cellphone news that's about to hit, you'll be cool with what we've got going on in the show this week. We're taking on Movielink's and CinemaNow's big online distribution announcement from Monday, initial UMPC pricing, Intel's community PC, the South Korean robot invasion, and, of course, Naomi Campbell -- back on Engadget for once again bludgeoning an assistant with a cellphone. We'll also do our usual call-ins and occasional on-air gadget review; up this week is the Moto Q. Care to see how Verizon's long delayed QWERTY handheld stands up to the Engadget test? Better listen up. Get the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). [RSS] Add the Engadget Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically (MP3). [MP3] Download the show (MP3). [AAC] Download the show (enhanced AAC). [OGG] Download the show (OGG). [Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley! Hosts Peter Rojas and Ryan Block Producer Randall Bennett Music J J J - 'Suits' in Japan Format 52:41, 24.1 MB, MP3 Program 00:19 - Seven major studios line up to sell movies online 06:11 - TabletKiosk And Samsung reveal UMPC pricing 11:54 - Intel proposes "Community PC" for rural India 18:44 - South Korea wants 100% robot market penetration by 2020 22:01 - Naomi Campbell back in court for throwing another phone at assistant 24:01 - Hands on with Motorola Q 29:34 - Listener Voicemail 47:15 - CTIA and the week ahead LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) LISTEN (OGG) Contact the podcast: 1-888-ENGADGET, Engadget (Gizmo Project) or podcast at engadget dawt com
More Apple 30th Anniversary Rumors
We're all aware that there have been fake Apple Special Event invites in the past. This image was posted on Flickr by a Swedish Technology blog. Why they would be invited and not other journalists is a mystery. So take it as you will--either this is a fake image, or they're just the first to post the invite. In any event, we'll know soon if other journalists start to announce the invite.The image above is a resized version of the original. If you're inspecting it for photoshoppery, please inspect the original on the Flickr page.Update: That didn't last very long. The image has been deleted on Flickr. I'm inclined to believe it's just another fake.Update 2: Heh..."San Fransisco" is misspelled. Moscone Center is booked all week. Pretty clear--this is fake.In other rumor news, a user claims to have snapped a screenshot on the Belgian Apple website for a listing of an iMac 30, whatever that might be.Again, I've modified this image to highlight the interesting detail. Please inspect the original for photoshoppery.
Engadget Podcast 073 - 03.28.06
The Podcast is back! We've been out of the action for a couple of weeks but we aren't going anywhere -- except to Vegas next week for CTIA. But we're catching up this week on all the video game news and rumors surrounding the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Revolution (or should we say Go?), the first new TiVo we've seen in, well, a while, and Microsoft's latest delay for Vista, which puts us squarely back to January 2007. We also decided to snag a couple of those emails you've been sending in and give 'em some air time, so listen in to the latest ep, we'll do our best to make sure it's worth your wait. Get the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). [RSS] Add the Engadget Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically (MP3). [MP3] Download the show (MP3). [AAC] Download the show (enhanced AAC). [OGG] Download the show (OGG). [Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley! Hosts Peter Rojas and Ryan Block Producer Randall Bennett Music J J J - 'Suits' in Japan Format 45:45, 20.9 MB, MP3 Program 01:50 - Vista delayed (for consumers) till early 2007 08:42 - Dell buying Alienware for undisclosed price 13:35 - Nintendo Revolution = Nintendo GO? 18:30 - Sony confirms PS3 controller redesign 22:32 - Dual tuner TiVo pic spotted? 25:27 - Cablevision to rollout remote-storge DVR service 31:58 - Palm's 10th anniversary 35:30 - Listener email LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) LISTEN (OGG) Contact the podcast: 1-888-ENGADGET, Engadget (Gizmo Project) or podcast at engadget dawt com
