Apr 15

Vista Ultimate Extras are Ultimate Disappointment

Posted in: Microsoft, Software, Today's Chili, Windows, Windows Vista

This article was written on September 24, 2007 by CyberNet.

For Windows Vista Ultimate users, the extras that were promised have turned into the Ultimate Disappointment. A premium price was paid to get these “extras”, yet only four have been released so far and the promise that they made to deliver the remaining 20 language packs by the end of Summer was just broken as Fall began yesterday. In July when the Ultimate Extras team finally spoke up after being silent for all too long, they said that over the next couple of years they intended to deliver more extras to their users and they were “confident [they] will delight our passionate Windows Vista Ultimate Users.” With the inability to deliver on their first promise, will they be able to deliver extras over the next few years?

After seeing the changes that Microsoft made to the Windows Ultimate Extras information in the control panel applet for the Vista SP1 Pre-Release compared to what it currently is in Vista, it’s obvious they’re trying to down-play these extras. Currently in Vista there’s all kinds of information talking about the programs that would be available only to Ultimate users, and services that “can help you tailor your computing experience to your digital lifestyle.” In Vista SP1 Pre-Release, they simply give a brief explanation of what Ultimate extras are. See for yourself:

Vista Ultimate Extras

I think it’s safe to say that Vista Ultimate is a bust. Microsoft had great intentions but have been unable to deliver. I’m also thinking that this will be the last time that Microsoft will sell something at a premium price and promise future extras to be delivered that justify the price.

Source: I Started Something

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Apr 15

Torrent’s SureConnect HDMI cables stay put with magnets, blink with madness

Posted in: Today's Chili

While we love the transmission capabilities of HDMI, we loath the fact that the HDMI standard doesn’t specify a locking mechanism. If you’ve ever wall mounted a flat screen TV or tried to stuff your receiver into too tight a rack then you’re probably familiar with HDMI’s weak-azz connector. Now we have what appears to be a first of its kind, magnetic HDMI connector from Torrent, Inc. — at least its the first to pass ATC compliance testing. Called MagLoc, the magnetic connector with sliding sleeve for optimal fit is said to be 5x stronger than your typical HDMI cable connector. Of course, anyone who’s familiar with the magnetic “locks” on some laptop power cords can assure you that the technology is nowhere near as strong as mechanical fasteners. Still, it’s a start.

Torrent’s higher spec’d SureConnect Advanced and Elite cables also feature the totally over-the-top “VeriFYI” (ugh) indicator lights to confirm the end-to-end connection. VeriFYI blinks to confirm the HDMI cable you just inserted is in fact inserted — something you should be able to confirm with the same pair of eyes looking at the jack. Insert the other side of the cable and VeriFYI will glow steady for one minute after testing the end-to-end connection. It then repeats this semi-useful (assuming your cables are easily visible) test each time you power up your system. While MagLoc sounds promising, it appears that the cables have yet to reach retail channels. We’ll let you know as soon as that changes.

[Via The Inquirer and HDMI.org]

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Torrent’s SureConnect HDMI cables stay put with magnets, blink with madness originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 04:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apr 15

Magic Cube all-in-one card reader rotates, impresses

Posted in: reader, Today's Chili
Multi-card readers? Sure, they’re usually kind of a snooze… but this one’s pretty cute. The so-called Magic Cube All-in-One reader — which looks not a little like a Rubik’s cube — is a 56-in-one jack of all trades (microSD, SDHC, SD, xD, you name it) which tranfers up to 480Mb per second, and comes with a USB to mini USB cable. You can own this puppy (for Windows and Linux) for $9.99.

Magic Cube all-in-one card reader rotates, impresses originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 04:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apr 15

Acer’s 13.3-inch Aspire 3935 now available for $899, 18.4-inch 8935G coming in June

Posted in: laptop, Today's Chili

Still can’t decide which of Acer’s ample number of shiny new netbooks / laptops has caught your eye specifically? Here’s some more details on two of those models, including availability, to help you out. First up, the 13.3-inch Aspire 3935 is available as now for just a smidgen under nine Benjamins. With that you’ll get a golden brown metal chassis, one inch thick and and weighing in at 4.18 pounds with a frameless, 16:9 CineCrystal LED backlit display showing a 1366 x 768 resolution. Other amenities include a full-size keyboard with touch-sensitive hotkeys, multi-gesture touchpad, webcam, three USB 2.0 ports, a bio-protection fingerprint reader, 802.11 a / g / draft-N, and a 4-cell Li-ion battery. Spec-wise, we’ve got a 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7350 with 4500MHD graphics, 8x DVD writer, 3GB RAM, 250GB HDD, and Vista Home Premium SP1. If you’re looking for something with a little more horsepower, the 18.4-inch Aspire 8935G Gemstone PC’s rocking an Intel Core 2 Duo, ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4670, 1080p resolution, 4x Blu-ray writer, a 500GB HDD upgradeable to 1TB, and most of the niceties from 3935’s spec sheet. Mum’s the word on price, but it’s due out in June. Full press release after the break.

Gallery: Acer’s 13.3-inch Aspire 3935 now available for $899, 18.4-inch 8935G coming in June

Continue reading Acer’s 13.3-inch Aspire 3935 now available for $899, 18.4-inch 8935G coming in June

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Acer’s 13.3-inch Aspire 3935 now available for $899, 18.4-inch 8935G coming in June originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 03:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apr 15

Object-based media project brings iPhone and RFID together

Posted in: diy, iPhone, Today's Chili, touch

RFID technology has turned up in plenty of surprising places, but there hasn’t exactly been the explosion of iPhone-related development that you may have expected. The lack of an easily accessible RFID reader may have something to do with that, but that doesn’t seem to have stopped the folks behind the Touch research project, who rigged up a not-so-discreet RFID reader and put it to some fairly inventive tasks. That includes assigning various media to different objects, like a Bob the Builder video clip that’s linked to a Bob the Builder toy, a clip of Chuck Norris kicking a car in the face that’s linked to a Chuck Norris action figure (which doesn’t even have an RFID chip), and a dynamically-updated MAKE podcast that’s linked to a slightly nerdy fellow. Of course, all of this is primarily a proof of concept, and the researchers behind the project see plenty of potential for other applications, including everything from gaming to marketing. Head on past the break to check it out in action.

[Thanks, Thorleif]

Continue reading Object-based media project brings iPhone and RFID together

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Object-based media project brings iPhone and RFID together originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 02:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apr 15

Teclast’s M66 PMP features UI, display, buttons

Posted in: PMP, Today's Chili

If we were being sarcastic, we’d probably characterize Teclast as an exciting and dynamic outfit whose gear we always look forward to getting our hands on. Still, we were pretty surprised when the initial product renders for the M66 portrayed the device as little more than a glorified digiframe — a Rockchip RK2806-packing digiframe, but still not very charming. All that said, we’re relieved to report that in its current state the bad boy is a bit more palatable, sporting a 5-inch display, 720p decoding support, and support for H.264 MKV, RM / RMVB, and AVI video. And buttons. Still no word on release date or availability. Peep the original pic after the break.

Gallery: Teclast’s M66 PMP sports UI, display, buttons

[Via PMP Today]

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Teclast’s M66 PMP features UI, display, buttons originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apr 14

Always Innovating’s half-finished online store lists Touch Book tablet in stock, $99 keyboard sold separately

Posted in: laptop, netbook, tablet, tablet pc, TabletPc, Today's Chili

Remember Always Innovative’s Touch Book? Looks like the company’s gearing up to start selling the rather unique netbook / removable tablet hybrid, as noted by its under construction X-Cart powered online store. Four entries are currently listed — two for the Touch Book tablet and two for the keyboard, both available in grey and red and with 100 units in stock for each. Prices were $299 for the tablet and $99 for keyboard and, yeah, we get the feeling you’ll want to buy both for the full experience. No indication of an actual ship date. Try as we might, we couldn’t manage to check out with our order, but perhaps we’ll get some news shortly.

Update: We’ve been contacted by Always Innovating, who confirmed that the store was viewable by way of an error, and that the Touch Book can still be pre-ordered for summer shipping. The company also confirmed that the keyboard will be available separately for $99, the tablet for $299, with the whole deal going for $399.

[Thanks, Jeff]

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Always Innovating’s half-finished online store lists Touch Book tablet in stock, $99 keyboard sold separately originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apr 14

Pandora-lovin’ Livio Radio sports ‘thumbs up / down’ controls

Posted in: radio, Today's Chili, wifi

Much like digital photo frames, the whole internet radio sector is getting really, really tired. Thankfully, a little known company by the name of Livio is breaking in to spice things up. The simply titled (and classically styled) Livio Radio is the first and only dedicated device to offer Pandora’s signature “thumbs up, thumbs down” controls on both the front panel and a remote, and while we suppose Pandora will be plenty for most of the targeted customers, it can also tune into a comprehensive list of other validated internet radio stations from around the world through Reciva. Outside of that, functionality is indeed limited, but Livio designed this thing to be a simple WiFi mix tape of sorts, not a bona fide home audio player. Naturally, all that’s required to get tunes streaming is an AC outlet and an internet connection, so you can feel free to leave your PC / laptop at home. It’s shipping now directly from Livio for $150, and the full release is after the break.

Gallery: Pandora-lovin’ Livio Radio sports ‘thumbs up / down’ controls

Continue reading Pandora-lovin’ Livio Radio sports ‘thumbs up / down’ controls

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Pandora-lovin’ Livio Radio sports ‘thumbs up / down’ controls originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apr 14

Livio Unveils Pandora-Compatible Radio

Posted in: MP3, MP3 Digital Audio, Today's Chili

Livio_Radio.jpg
Pandora over Wi-Fi is nothing new, but dedicated gadgets are few and far between. Livio aims to change that with the Livio Radio, which the company calls “the first and only dedicated device to offer Pandora’s signature ‘thumbs up, thumbs down’ controls on both the front panel and a remote.”

The Livio Radio lets Pandora users customize the programming they receive across any genre without having to pay a monthly fee. “Pandora’s listeners are increasingly using Pandora off of the PC, so we’re always looking for new products that make that easy to do, and have wide appeal for listeners,” said Jessica Steel, Pandora’s senior vice president of business development. “The Livio Radio is a great way to bring Pandora into the home.”

The Livio Radio features a detailed LCD with a signal strength meter, a large knob that controls volume as well as menu navigation, and a headphone jack for private listening. The unit costs $150 and is available direct from the manufacturer’s Web site. It will also look great next to that other tabletop radio you already bought.

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Apr 14

Microsoft ushers in spring with new Zune Originals designs

Posted in: Microsoft, Today's Chili, zune

How much Zune can you handle? It’s a question few have asked, and even fewer have answered. Microsoft seems to be unafraid of such conundrums, however, and it has now fearlessly introduced a new collection of Zune Originals designs in a day filled with Zune rumors. Each of the new designs, appropriately, feature a spring theme from artists APAK, Carolina Melis, and Linn Olofsdotter, and include options like a “tree-like design,” a “tapestry-like design,” and a giant Queen Bee for those that really want to stand out. Best of all, as with other similar Zune Originals collections, each of these are available at no extra charge, and are ready to be etched into your future Zune right now.

[Thanks, Mitchell]

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Microsoft ushers in spring with new Zune Originals designs originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 23:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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