Apr 14

Samsung’s Centrino 2-powered Q320 and R522 caught on display

Posted in: samsung, Today's Chili

Dutch-based portablegear has managed to get a close-up look at Samsung’s Intel Centrino 2-packing laptops, the 13.4-inch Q320 and 15.6-inch R522, and boy are they a beaut. The former’s sporting an NVIDIA GeForce G105M and three USB ports, while the latter uses an unknown graphics card, four USB ports, and an USB/eSata combo. Both feature Intel Windows Vista Home Premium and six-cell batteries. While UK site Register Hardware pegged the release date for sometime this month, pg says they’re due out sometime in May or June, and neither give any indication of a release window for US. We’ve also got a mention here of laptops R620 and R720, but unfortunately we’ve got no information on the models beyond that.

Read – On display
Read – Official specs

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Samsung’s Centrino 2-powered Q320 and R522 caught on display originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apr 14

Windows Vista Is Today’s Buzz Word

Posted in: General, Today's Chili, Windows

This article was written on May 24, 2006 by CyberNet.

Windows Vista Is Today's Buzz Word

With Windows Vista Beta 2 just being released yesterday the buzz word on the Web is Vista! Instead of writing a bunch of separate articles I thought I would talk about the hot topics right here.

First: Will Vista Be Unhackable?
I know, inside you kinda chuckled when you read that title but Microsoft has gotten a little wiser since XP as Bink.nu reports. I hadn’t thought about it before but since the Ultimate Edition of Vista is the “best” then that would make other editions like Vista Enterprise “worse”. The Ultimate Edition will not have the Volume Licensing keys like the Enterprise does, which means that the version of Vista that the pirates want (the Ultimate Edition) will require activation.

Microsoft must think that is a big deal or something? There are a ton of cracks out there to get around activating Windows XP, Server 2003, etc… and Vista won’t be an exception. It is like Microsoft is challenging the hackers to find a way to break into Vista.

Second: New Windows Vista Help/Support Site
For all of those people tinkering with Vista, then this is for you. There is a new Help and Support Site for Vista which may help you in your time of need. If you are having troubles then this should probably be the first place that you head to.

Third: Can Vista Get ReadyBoost In Time?
ReadyBoost sounds like a nifty feature that would be especially handy for those less tech savvy. ReadyBoost will allow users to use their USB drives or a networked computer as a source for memory. This may mean that people will have to perform internal upgrades less often and may be able to just slap a USB drive onto the back of their computer to upgrade their memory.

However, it looks like the ReadyBoost feature may not make the Vista release in time according to Microsoft Watch. Speaking of “in time”, let’s move on to my next topic.

Fourth: Vista Delayed…Again?
It may be possible that Vista will get delayed yet again. PC World reported on Tuesday that Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer expected Vista to get delayed again. What a bummer, but maybe there is still hope for an on time arrival. That same day Jim Allchin, the executive responsible of bringing Vista to market, said that Microsoft is confident that they can meet the January launch date of Vista. So who do you believe? I think I will lean towards another delay, after all, what is a few more weeks after a few years of delays?

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Apr 14

NYC cabbies could have cellphone use blocked while driving… but probably not

Posted in: cellphones, new-york, Today's Chili

The Taxi and Limousine Commission of New York City (also known as the TLC) is considering some changes to the way that taxis and their drivers will operate in the future as part of its “Taxicab Passenger Enhancement Program.” Among the wild ideas being floated is one that would “block” anyone in the front seat from using a cellphone — most notably, of course — the driver. Driving while using a handset is already illegal in New York, but this measure would apparently kill the ability to use a hands-free device as well. The TLC is trying to have an open discussion with New Yorkers on its website about other possible ways to make taxi rides more… enjoyable “in the future.” We’re betting this one will never happen but hey — you never know. Our suggestion? Stop acting like we asked you to cart us to the gates of hell when we tell you we need to go to Brooklyn.

[Via WCBS]

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NYC cabbies could have cellphone use blocked while driving… but probably not originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apr 14

OWC ships 4-bay Mercury Elite-AL Pro Qx2 RAID box

Posted in: external hard drive, ExternalHardDrive, storage, Today's Chili

You won’t find an Ethernet port here, but you will find everlasting peace, love and a grand total of four direct connection options alongside four hot swappable bays for up to 8TB of local storage. OWC‘s latest is the quad-interface Mercury Elite-AL Pro Qx2 RAID box, which sports FireWire 400, FireWire 800, eSATA and USB 2.0 sockets ’round back. Users are graced with a number of selectable RAID settings — 0, 1, 5, 10 or Span (NRAID) — and the front-panel LEDs keep you informed at a glance. The box is shipping right now in a variety of configurations ranging from $679.99 (500GB x 4) to $1,149.99 (1TB x 4), and despite the unmistakable cheesegrater design, these actually won’t zero out your data if plugged into a PC.

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OWC ships 4-bay Mercury Elite-AL Pro Qx2 RAID box originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apr 14

Let’s Start Over: Music to Reinstall an Operating System To

Posted in: audio, feature, Music, Software, Today's Chili, top

Reinstalling an operating system always feels like a herculean task, especially if your hard drive is as disorganized as mine. That’s why we’ve created a playlist to listen to as you go through the not-so-fun process.

There are always emotional phases to this kinda stuff.

The anger frustration comes from knowing you have to backup the important files from your hard drive and waste a night shuffling 0s and 1s back and forth, finding those obscure files you’ll know you won’t even think about for like 5 years. You hate your computer for making you do this. You might even kick it a few times. Although by the time you’re erasing the drive, you have already accepted the fact that you’ll have to set everything up again. And by the time you’ve started your install, you can see the ray of light at the end of the tunnel, although waiting for the install can test one’s patience as you watch the “pot of water” boil.

But when it’s all done, you’re left with a pristine system, free of corruption (and 5pcs Cialis). You have a sense of new beginning: now that your computer is clean, you’re free to take on the world. Everything that you haven’t accomplished will be ten times easier now…at least, until next week, when your computer desktop looks as disheveled as ever.

Here’s a soundtrack to get you through the ordeal.

Backing Up Your Data, Formatting
Save Me, Nina Simone


Or the Aretha Franklin cover, which I prefer.

Where Is My Mind? by the Pixies, via Michael Yap

Melt! by Flying Lotus

*The last minute of this youtube clip is Melt!

Ride of the Valkyries

Search and Destroy by Iggy Pop and the Stooges, via Kat Hannaford

Installing
Ghostwriter by RJD2

Computer Love by Kraftwerk.

Computer Camp Love (Villains Remix) by Datarock, via hiredg3Ek
*this is not the remix video

La Guitaristic House Organization by rinôçérôse, Installation Sonore.

Fingerstips, Stevie Wonder.

Bits and Pieces by Junior Boys


Listening Test: It’s music tech week at Gizmodo.

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Apr 14

Finally, a dual SIM card cell phone

Posted in: Today's Chili

The Duet D888 takes two SIM cards.

(Credit: Beyond E-Tech)

Though dual SIM card cell phones have been around for a while, I’ve only seen them while traveling abroad and at trade show booths. The premise is simple and very attractive: with slots for two SIM cards, a single phone can have two phone numbers. You can receive and make calls on both lines and the SIM cards can even be from separate carriers.

It’s a great option for anyone who wants to combine their work and personal phone and it’s perfect for frequent international travelers who want a local number while retaining their U.S. number.

With such advantages, it’s no surprise that a lot of CNET readers have asked how they can get such a phone. But outside of a handful of unlocked models, and a few crude adapters for regular handsets, dual SIM card phones remain relatively scarce in the United States. No U.S. carrier sells them and you can bet that no carrier would give up that kind of control.

But leave it to National Geographic to come up with another option. The organization has partnered with Cellular Abroad to offer the Duet D888. Made by Beyond E-Tech, the unlocked Duet accommodates two SIM cards: one for the Cellular Abroad intentional SIM card and one for another card of your choice. You could use your own SIM card for a GSM carrier like AT&T or T-Mobile or you could buy a prepaid card during your travels.

…

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Apr 14

LaCie’s rugged external hard drive gets bigger

Posted in: Today's Chili

If you own a compact Rugged All-Terrain external hard drive from LaCie, you know how tough the device is. It has a rubber bumper, and the scratch-protected aluminum case can take a serious beating.

Lacie Rugged LX–photos

View the full gallery

Now the same drive has evolved to a bigger physical size with larger storage capacity.

LaCie …

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Apr 14

Engadget’s 5th birthday giveaway, part 2: win one of two mystery Xbox 360 packages!

Posted in: contest, engadget, Microsoft, Today's Chili, xbox 360, Xbox360
Like the Optimus Maximus, the Xbox 360 is a gadget that’s been around on Engadget almost as long as… well, the site itself. Remember that exciting live launch coverage we did back in 2005? Now that was good, clean fun. Anyhow, without further ado, we’re happy to present part 2 of Engadget’s birthday giveaway session: a mystery Xbox 360 package. We can’t tell you what’s in the box here, but we can tell you that it’s totally awesome. The best part? We’ve got not one, but two separate prizes to give away! Don’t miss out — you’ll kick yourself if you do.
All you’ve got to do is let us know what your favorite post from the last five years has been in the comments below.

Note: We’ve bolded the above statement for a reason. Do it.

The rules:

  • Leave a comment below. We want to hear what your favorite Engadget post has been from the last five years — and feel free to be descriptive!
  • You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you’ll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.)
  • If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you’ll be fine.
  • Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don’t make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
  • Winners will be chosen randomly. Two (2) winners will receive one (1) mystery Xbox 360 package each. Approximate retail value is incalcuable.
  • If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.
  • Entries can be submitted until Friday, April 17th, at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!
  • Full rules can be found here.

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Engadget’s 5th birthday giveaway, part 2: win one of two mystery Xbox 360 packages! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apr 14

MP3 Insider 141: What’s a Zune HD?

Posted in: Today's Chili

Jasmine and Donald try their best to analyze the leaked image of what may be Microsoft’s new Zune MP3 player (aka the Zune HD). Then a rant on tiered music pricing gets Jasmine and Donald on a tangent about why they despise paying for cable, but justify paying for music subscription services. Plus, wooden earbuds, the Zoom H4n, and buying refurbs.



Listen now:
Download today’s podcast



…

Originally posted at MP3 Insider

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Apr 14

iPhone OS 3.0 beta 3 goes live

Posted in: Apple, iPhone, Today's Chili

No details on what’s new just yet, but iPhone OS 3.0 beta 3 has just hit Apple’s servers for registered, card-carrying members of the Dev Center — a nice release cadence since the new platform was first announced. More as we flesh it out!

[Via Boy Genius Report]

Update: Alright, well, we’ve played with it — as many of you have — and the update seems cosmetically identical to beta 2. We’d argue that things generally feel smoother and snappier, but the difference is almost imperceptible; go ahead and upgrade if you’re chilling on beta 2, but don’t expect sunshine and moonbeams with this release.

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iPhone OS 3.0 beta 3 goes live originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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