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British Grand Prix: A rare glimpse behind the McLaren-Mercedes F1 team (video)
Jealous much? Don't be. I had to sacrifice my ears to the roaring engines at Silverstone last Friday, just for you lovely people. While the Formula One teams were taking a break from the Grand Prix practice sessions, I was able to sneak into the pit area and get up close to Vodafone McLaren Mercedes' shiny stallions -- no touching allowed, naturally, but I did learn a thing or two about their pre-race preparation. And to top things off, legendary driver Jenson Button also popped by to share some thoughts on McLaren's F-duct system (a cunning and legal trickery that lets the driver's left leg redirect airflow over the rear wing in order to stall the flap, thus reducing drag when doing straights), as well as a few grumbles about the sharp corners on the recently renovated circuit. Video's after the break, and be sure to crank up your speakers for maximum sensation.%Gallery-97407%
Engadget HD Podcast 198 - 06.15.2010
The start of World Cup 2010 and launch of ESPN 3D gave us plenty to talk about, and that's before we got to Sony's 3DTV and Blu-ray 3D announcements, the 152-inch plasma shipping this fall from Panasonic, and ITV HD ruining the big game for an entire nation. there's plenty of sadness to go around however, with Boxee delays, DirecTV glitches and TiVo / DISH squabbling. Microsoft's new Xbox 360, along with ESPN3 access and an upgraded Netflix interface gave us plenty to talk about -- we'll see if it's actually whisper quiet. We wrap things up with the new TiVo remote and this week's Ask Engadget HD, HDTV or projector?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 (@bjdraw), Richard Lawler (@Rjcc)Producer: Trent WolbeProgram00:00:40 - Engadget HD Podcast 197 - 06.8.2010 - comments00:07:07 - ESPN 3D officially launches with FIFA World Cup coverage: live from Bristol00:12:57 - Exclusive: a look around ESPN's 3D Master Control room00:14:20 - Interview: Chuck Pagano talks ESPN 3D, mobile streaming00:19:00 - Looking for ESPN 3D on Comcast? Get an MPEG-4 cable box first00:23:38 - Sony has two 3D Blu-ray titles on deck for retail in 201000:24:08 - Sony 3DTVs go on pre-sale at Sony Style stores immediately, 'Cloudy' hits Blu-ray 3D June 2200:26:30 - US PlayStation 3 gets four 3D titles starting tomorrow00:27:42 - Panasonic's 152-inch 4K-resolution 3D plasma ships this fall00:29:00 - Panasonic announces 46-, 42-inch plasma 3DTVs for Japan00:31:04 - ITV HD fails to show England's first World Cup 2010 goal to the home fans (video)00:32:55 - F1 boss Ecclestone says no high definition feed until 201200:36:45 - DirecTV software update locks up HD DVRs nationwide -- Update: Fixed00:38:47 - Boxee Box delayed until November00:40:15 - USPTO rules against TiVo's "Time Warp" patent, but the fight vs. DISH rages on, again00:42:25 - PlayOn adds ESPN3 streaming for your World Cup viewing pleasure00:42:53 - ESPN3 comes exclusively to Xbox 36000:50:33 - Netflix for Xbox 360 adds search in November00:52:00 - New Xbox 360 gets official at $299, shipping today, looks angular and ominous (video hands-on!)01:06:37 - TiVo Slide QWERTY Bluetooth remote appears on the FCC test bench01:08:30 - Ask Engadget HD: HD projector or HDTV? 2010 editionLISTEN (MP3)LISTEN (AAC)LISTEN (OGG)
F1 boss Ecclestone says no high definition feed until 2012
Bad news for Formula One fans worldwide, as Bernie Ecclestone told the media we will likely have to wait until 2012 to get a glimpse of the racing series in high definition. Trailing every other autosport federation we can think of, and nearly every sport in existence, F1 spent the weekend during the Canadian GP testing HD and even 3D cameras and feeds, but according to Ecclestone there aren't enough viewers that want it. Andrew Barratt, vice president of F1 sponsor LG backed Ecclestone's assertions, calling F1 "the most technical sport in the world to shoot" and saying the differences in the varied locales make it tough to get right, in his comments to Autosport. From our perspective, it was shocking when we couldn't watch the US GP in F1 in 2007, that it could take five more years to make the jump is nothing short of ridiculous.
Microsoft tells IE faithful on Windows XP to avoid F1 key
Still hanging around on Windows XP? Perfectly acceptable. Still using Internet Explorer to browse the world wide web? Just a wee bit less forgivable, but we understand that some of you simply can't get around it. If we just rung your bell, you might want to rip the F1 key right off of your keyboard (at least temporarily), as a recently discovered vulnerability in VBScript -- which can only bother Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 -- could allow malicious code to weasel its way right into your life with a single keystroke. As the story goes, some ill-willed web sites are encouraging users to smash the F1 key in order to access a Microsoft Help file, and when said key is depressed, "arbitrary code could be executed in the security context of the currently logged-on user." Microsoft has promised to fully investigate and resolve the issue in due time, but 'til then, we'd highly suggest avoiding your F1 key like the plague switching to Firefox.
Acer's '09 WinMo phones now members of neoTouch, beTouch lines
There are a number of ways to clearly convey that your products rely heavily on touch operation, perhaps none clearer than simply straight-up putting "touch" somewhere in the name (see TouchWiz, TouchFLO, Touch, TouchSmart, UltraTouch, the list goes on). Enter Acer, which has been preparing a number of new WinMo sets this year including the buzz-generating F1 backed by a speedy Snapdragon core -- except don't call it an F1 anymore, because it's taken on the far more trademarkable "neoTouch" name as it steamrolls toward an official release in coordination with Microsoft's global launch of WinMo 6.5 next week. Filling out the range will be three members of the "beTouch" line -- the E100, E101, and E200 -- all of which should give you that warm fuzzy feeling that you'll be able to use your finger to navigate around (if they'd been called "beKeyboard," for example, you'd have to be more skeptical). [Thanks, Daniel] Read - neoTouch (F1) Read - beTouch E100 Read - beTouch E101 Read - beTouch E200
Acer posts S200 user manual, looks like an F1 to us
Just because you can't buy Acer's mighty F1 yet doesn't mean you can't do a whole lot of learning about it now that the company has officially posted the beastly handset's user manual online. Actually, if you want to get technical about it, they've posted a manual for an "S200" -- but browsing it quickly reveals that they're talking about the F1 judging by the diagrams and specs, which leads us to wonder whether S200 is the official go-to-market name, a regional variant, or something even more sinister. No bother -- at any rate, the manual is a good opportunity to learn about Windows Mobile 6.5, which the F1 will be shipping with; you're also reminded of that totally bangin' Qualcomm 8250 (that's Snapdragon to the lay folk) running at 1GHz, the 3.8-inch WVGA display, the full HSPA, and the 5 megapixel autofocus camera. Americans will be bummed to see the lack of HSPA 850, though they should be able to cling to 1900MHz in many markets -- and it's not like North America has gotten a lot of mobile love from Acer in the past, so it certainly comes as no surprise. [Warning: PDF link] [Via MobileTechWorld and wmpoweruser.com]
Acer A1 Android and F1 WinMo Snapdragon smartphones in September?
Ah DigiTimes, what would a morning be without your rumors sourced from within Taiwan's component suppliers? Today's tattle has Acer launching its A1, C1/E1, F1, and L1 smartphones "at the end of September and in the fourth quarter" -- that a four-month spread. Of these, the F1 running WinMo 6.5 (pictured above) on Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform and A1 running Android are undoubtedly the most interesting. It's just rumor but it does corroborate the hushed September whispers already heard.
Acer's Snapdragon-equipped F1 in fast-paced WinMo action at Computex
We've already seen dormant F1s resting comfortably from the confines of display stands at MWC earlier this year, but Acer's now ready to flip the power switch and show off its WinMo 6.5 superphone's capabilities in the flesh at Computex this week. Our own Engadget Chinese spent some quality time shooting the Snapdragon-powered beast, running what could very well be the gold shipping build of 6.5 considering that it's now been released to manufacturers in final form for inclusion in their devices. As you might expect for the Tegra-fighting Snapdragon silicon, animations and transitions seems to be totally dead-on smooth and movement between applications is faster than anything this side of a Toshiba TG01, so we're excited to see this one find its way into retail later this year; in the meantime, though, follow the link for some glorious footage.
World Touring Car Championship is the first FIA racing series in HD
The first FIA World Championship has scheduled its switch to high definition -- unfortunately, it isn't F1. Still, World Touring Car Championship fans can expect sweet sweet HD from track side and RF cameras (on board is still 16:9 SD) on nine of the season's twelve events, starting in the third week from Marrakech. No word on which broadcasters will air the races in HD other than that "several" plan to, but we hope this is just a test run before we get a clearer view from all the Formula One events soon -- c'mon Bernie, you're not going to let NASCAR and Indy stay ahead, are you?[Via F1SA]
Acer F1 coming in September, powered by Snapdragon?
Is one of Acer's mysterious smartphones packing a Qualcomm Snapdragon? According to the folks at All About Phones who reportedly attended an Acer event recently, the F1 will be running the 800MHz ARM chip, which is a tad slower than the 1000MHz equivalent in the TG01. The device will be Windows Mobile 6.5-based, but that's supposedly gonna be shrouded by a Flash-based Acer Suite 2.0 shell. The report also mentions a September release, which jibes with what we saw on that makeshift roadmap at Mobile World Congress, and a 560 Euro ($760) price tag. Nothing's confirmed, but between Acer, HTC, Samsung, and LG, surely someone's gearing up to join Toshiba in the Snapdragon bandwagon.[Via Unwired View]
Acer's four other phones in the flesh, not powered on
Acer made a lot of noise about launching "eight" handsets yesterday, but we only got hard details on the four Tempos -- which was probably the wrong way to go, because the prototypes of the F1, white C1, L1, and the E1 due to launch later this year are way hotter. Too bad Acer won't turn 'em on or tell us anything about them -- we can see the F1 has a five megapixel camera, but the lack of a Windows Mobile 6.5-required hardware Start button on any of these doesn't bode well. Check 'em all out in the gallery.%Gallery-45053%
BBC won't air Formula 1 in HD this season
So, here's the good news. Auntie Beeb will be covering the 2009 season of Formula 1 racing. The bad news? It won't be in HD, at least not at launch. According to a reply by Roger Mosey, the director of BBC Sport, the network will not be making F1 racing available in high-def, though he does confess to "wanting to." Yeah, we'd love to say his "I'll keep you posted" remark gives us overwhelming hope, but sadly, we can't. Prove us wrong, BBC -- we dare you.[Image courtesy of TheSun, via Digital Spy]
UMID F1 GPS-enabled, breathalyzin' UMPC available in Korea
Does a UMPC with a breathalyzer still raise eyebrows? In addition to making you face your demons (something several family-led interventions have failed to do) UMID's F1 is a GPS-enabled device aimed clearly at drivers. This 7-inch, 800 x 480 LCD touchscreen PC sports HSDPA and WiMAX connectivity, a VIA C7-M 1.2GHz processor, WiFi and Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity, a GPS receiver, DMB TV tuner, FM tuner, a remote control and Windows XP Home. Available with 512MB or 1GB memory and up to 60GB storage, this machine is currently on sale in Korea. No word yet on pricing.
Aigo "revs up" Formula One-themed PMP with 720p output
Unlike certain other Chinese devices, the Aigo Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP5 personal media player is actually a working, fully-featured PMP with support for FM radio, eBooks, and an adequate variety of audio and video formats -- it even outputs 720p content, though its own display is limited to 480 x 272. While Aigo's sponsorship of the McLaren Mercedes Formula One car is this thing's excuse for existence, it's technically also under the company's Patriot name (it's called the Patriot MP5-MK3510) but we're guessing the F1 theme will be more attractive to the Y chromosome than Winnie the Pooh. [Via PMP Today]
Formula 1 superstar finishes first in race to nab BlackBerry Storm
There are, shall we say, certain "advantages" to driving a race car sponsored by global wireless behemoth Vodafone. Fame, fortune, and a free account (seriously, all the minutes and kilobytes you can eat!) definitely rank high on that list, but it all pales in comparison to this. It seems that Formula 1 wizard Lewis Hamilton has been gifted with a Voda-branded Storm, a great publicity play for the carrier -- particularly as he's sitting in front of a camera describing how "wicked" it is. Clearly, the video is little more than a PR stunt, but the phone genuinely seems to be his, and at least we can get a clear look at how fast, fluid, and pretty the interface appears to be. So, anyone know where he leaves that thing when he's out racing? Check the full action after the break.
SpaceX slated to transport cargo and crew on Falcon 9
If that homebrew rocket you've been building in your backyard isn't working out, maybe SpaceX will have some room for you on one of its many upcoming Falcon 9 missions. Now that the F1 has successfully achieved orbit, the F9 is slated for launch in Q1 2009. As you may recall, the aptly named Falcon 9 has nine engines rather than one, as with the F1. These redundancies were inspired by the Apollo's Saturn V and Saturn I rockets, noted for their flawless flight records despite engine failures. If all goes well, the launch will be followed by three more, including one with a crew and an F9 "Heavy" -- handy if you've got 25,300 lbs of marbles or whatever to haul up to the International Space Station. If you plan on hitching a ride, get your job applications in now -- only valued employees are scheduled to be passengers at this time. Got a more exotic destination in mind? Next up Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX, has his sights set on building a "Mars lander of some kind."[Via Wired]
Odeon cinemas to play F1 races in HD
Not everyone has an incredible home cinema, but in the UK at least that won't get in the way of a premium high definition experience while watching Lewis Hamilton tear up the F1 circuit. After a test run showing the British Grand Prix last year, Odeon Cinemas is working with Formula One Management to show ten races this season in 25 locations, live and without commercial breaks. The international HD feed and Dolby Surround 5.1 audio will be in full effect, no word on how many quid, pence or pounds this costs but at least it's one way to avoid seeing Sex & the City for the 5th time this weekend.
F1 Ferrari phone is red, lacks speed and grace
This prancing red handset brings a dash of faux-Ferrari styling to the dreamers amongst us. This Chinese made phone features the typical touchscreen found on Chinese sets, dual-band GSM, 1.3 megapixel shooter, memory card expansion -- we're not sure on the type -- all packaged in a shifty looking red car housing. The handset also comes pre-installed with three games,Jet Plane, Intelligent Puzzle, and Hand & Boot Dance -- yeah, where is the racing game? Price is set at $190 though we suspect this novelty phone won't have the tifosi yammering and cheering like they did for their F1 hero, Michael.
If FOX really got HD, the US GP would be in HD today
While some networks seem to lead the way in HD, -- like CBS producing the very first NFL game in HD almost 10 years ago -- other networks just can't stop dragging their feet. Sure FOX shows up sometimes, -- like producing 6 NFL games a week in HD, even if they don't look that great -- but they still confuse consumers with their "FOX Widescreen" and there are still many events that deserve the HD treatment, but don't get it. Sure F1 racing isn't very popular in the US, but it is just a kick in the head to every US F1 fan when FOX down-grades the signal here, because they aren't willing to pay a dime extra to F1 to upgrade the signal. So while the rest of the world at least gets widescreen coverage, US fans will have to settle for 4x3 SD. The economics of a single event aside, the overall image of the network is diminished when they fail to deliver on a major worldwide event like the US GP. **UPDATE** FOX did step up and at least present the race in EDTV, which we are grateful for, but it still isn't HD -- lucky for us, the US Open is.
Vodafone launches trio of McLaren handsets from Sharp / Samsung
While we caught wind of Vodafone's plans to release a Mercedes McLaren-edition of Sharp's 770SH during our stint at CES, it seems that the carrier has now gone official with its plans, and tossed in two more special edition handsets for good measure. Partnering with the McLaren Formula 1 racing team, the duo has slapped that silver and red branding on the Sharp GX29 clamshell and the Samsung SGH-Z520M slider, and although we doubt the specs will change on any of these three mobiles, owners are sure to get a few glances from the updated aesthetics, and racing aficionados will appreciate the specialized Formula 1 news that will be delivered through Vodafone Live! throughout the season. Currently, details are scant with regard to pricing, specs, and availability, but we're sure it won't be too long before Vodafone offers its newfangled trio up to get a few motors running. Click on through for a few more glamor shots.[Via BenzInsider, thanks to everyone who sent this in]
