The Apple Tablet is Real–Only its Being Developed by Microsoft

mscourier.jpg

Microsoft isn’t going to let the multimedia tablet space pass them by the way the did the MP3 player. The company has been steadily–and secretly–working on a stunning device of its own called The Courier. It’s not quite the Apple tablet–in fact, in may actually be better. One thing’s for sure, all of the sudden it’s a lot more real than the long-rumored iPad.

The Courier has two 7-inch touchscreens connected by a hinge for a book-like design. Microsoft isn’t commenting on the device at the moment, and different sources are conflicted on whether this is a “late prototype,” or one of several different prototypes being kicked around by Zune/Xbox guru J. Allard and his team.

Whatever the case may be, it’s a cool looking device, and despite Microsoft’s lack of comment, I imagine the company is more than a little appreciative of the buzz it’s currently creating for the company, which has been seen as playing catch up with Apple in various spaces.

Lucid HYDRA multi-GPU technology bears fruit, could bring peace to the GPU wars

Lucid HYDRA multi-GPU technology bears fruit, could bring peace to the GPU wars

Lucid came along last year and promised to let any motherboard chipset work with any combination of GPUs; to enable you to pair an ATI Radeon HD 5870 with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295 and get 100 percent the performance out of both — assuming you have a suitably gluttonous power supply. We were naturally a bit skeptical and so when the company largely disappeared for a year we figured they’d pulled a Steorn, biting off more than the laws of physics allowed. We’re happy to say we were wrong. The company has unveiled its HYDRA 200 Parallel Graphics Chip, a tiny 65nm processor that, when installed on a motherboard or expansion card, enables the utilization of two disparate graphics cards. No more proprietary bridge cables or worries about who plays well with who. MSI is the first company to sign up, demonstrating its Intel P55-based Big Bang Gaming Motherboard, offering a HYDRA 200 and three PCIe slots for some sweet GPU potpourri. No price is announced yet, but it’s expected to release in time to make an appearance inside your holiday system build.

Read – Lucid Announces HYDRA 200
Read – HYDRA-Powered MSI Big Bang Gaming Motherboard

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Lucid HYDRA multi-GPU technology bears fruit, could bring peace to the GPU wars originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Drug raid turns into 9 hour Wii bowl-a-thon

Know what’s more alluring to the five-O than glazed confectionary goods? Nintendo’s Wii, apparently. Or at least the lure of bowling without all the heavy lifting. See, a team of undercover cops raiding the home of a convicted Florida drug dealer was smitten enough by the console to quit their search and fire up Wii Sports for a bit of taxpayer fun over a period of, oh… about nine hours — unaware that the home security system was recording the whole thing. Your dose of self-righteous indignation can be found after the break.

[Thanks, Maurice]

Continue reading Video: Drug raid turns into 9 hour Wii bowl-a-thon

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Video: Drug raid turns into 9 hour Wii bowl-a-thon originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: WODE module allows disc-free, wide-open, heavy metal Wii gaming

Video: WODE module allows disc-free, wide-open, heavy metal Wii gaming

What you see above is not a Tibetan sky burial for a dearly departed console, nor an attempt at extremely modern art. It’s a Wii that has been… augmented with a Linux-running module called the Wii Optical Disc Emulator, or WODE. It clips onto the system board where the machine’s optical drive should go and allows it to read Wii and GameCube ISOs directly from USB storage devices. It sports a small LCD and four-way joystick for setting options and scrolling through your assuredly legally acquired game images, while a future iteration is said to allow for direct-to-device torrent downloads — a feature that we won’t even bother to say could be used for anything other than piracy. There’s no mention of availability or price for the thing, but we’re guessing it won’t be showing up in retail storefronts. Oh, and while the Sisters of Mercy track accompanying the video after the break is totally awesome, it is rather unsafe for work. So, put on those headphones before clicking through.

Continue reading Video: WODE module allows disc-free, wide-open, heavy metal Wii gaming

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Video: WODE module allows disc-free, wide-open, heavy metal Wii gaming originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Alienware slaps 2GHz Core i7 920XM in M15x, new designs on Area-51 / Aurora desktops

It’s a wild day in the land of Dell, so it makes sense that said meshugaas is carrying over to the company’s Alienware portfolio. We knew that five new rigs were slated to launch today, and now we’ve finally got the details you’ve been craving (in official fashion, no less). Up first is the revamped Area-51 M15x laptop, which boasts a streamlined chassis and the entirely overused “most powerful 15-inch gaming laptop in the universe” tagline. Those with deep pockets can get this pup outfitted with a 2.0GHz Core i7 920XM (yes, that’s the new Clarksfield mobile Core i7!) and a 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M, both of which should work wonders on your most demanding NES ROMs. You’ll also find up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM, a 500GB HDD or 256GB SSD, slot-loading Blu-ray drive, FireWire, gigabit Ethernet, a trio of USB 2.0 sockets, VGA and DisplayPort video outputs, an ExpressCard slot and an 8-in-1 card reader. There’s no mention of a starting price, but before you even look, you should decide whether or not you’re kosher with toting around a 1.92-inch thick machine weighing 9 pounds.

Moving on, there’s the all-new Area-51 and Area-51 ALX desktops, both of which usher in yet another case change along with ridiculously fast / pricey innards. The standard Area-51 is a liquid cooled beast with factory overclocked Core i7 CPUs (as high as 3.6GHz), an array of multi-GPU options from ATI and NVIDIA, internal lighting effects and a handy door to quickly access the HDD compartment. All of the hard drives are loaded via a cable-free dock, and there’s enough room for six SATA II HDDs. The rig also holds up to 12GB of 1,333MHz DDR3 memory, twin Blu-ray drives and a pair of gigabit Ethernet jacks. The ALX edition, on the other hand, is the “most powerful desktop” the company has ever created, as it packs an optional 3.86GHz Core i7 975, twin 1.8GB GeForce GTX 295 GPUs and a power supply large enough to trip most household breakers.

Closing things out is the Aurora and Aurora ALX, the latter of which is the most potent microATX rig Alienware has ever called its own. The liquid cooled ALX can be equipped with a 3.6GHz Core i7 975, dual 1GB ATI Radeon HD 5870 GPUs and up to 12GB of DDR3 RAM, while the slightly more affordable Aurora — which goes down as the smallest mid-sized desktop ever crafted by the outfit — can be upgraded nearly as much itself. Pricing on these rigs still remains open, but we’ve a feeling that’ll be cleared up just as soon as the new product pages go live.

Show full PR text

DELL FEEDS GAMERS’ PASSIONS WITH FIVE NEW ‘ALL POWERFUL’ ALIENWARE GAMING RIGS

  • All-New Alienware Gaming Systems Include the M15x Laptop and Aurora and Area-51 Desktops
  • Alienware M15x Features the New Intel(R) Mobile Core[TM] i7 Processor
  • Alienware M17x Laptop Receives Up To 145 Percent Graphics Performance Boost with Addition of Dual 1GB ATI Radeon Mobility[TM] HD 4870
  • Alienware Peripherals, Including the New Alienware TactX Keyboard and Mouse, Offer Gamers a Fully-Integrated PC Gaming Ecosystem

ROUND ROCK, Texas, Sept. 23, 2009 – PC Gamers now have five new ways to level up with a fleet of high-performance gaming rigs from Alienware, including four overclocked* liquid-cooled desktop systems and the most powerful 15-inch gaming laptop in the universe.

Jointly developed by the Dell and Alienware teams, and featuring the latest technologies for maximum performance, aggressive designs and unmatched customization and personalization through Alienware’s exclusive Command Center software suite, these systems represent a new era in PC gaming.

The All powerful Alienware Aurora, Aurora ALX, Area-51 and Area-51 ALX desktops and the Alienware M15x laptop join the M17x, launched in June, to expand the Alienware arsenal and reaffirm Dell’s position as visionary and designer of the industry’s most coveted gaming systems.

The News:

  • Alienware M15x – The most powerful 15-inch gaming laptop in the universe. Sporting Alienware’s acclaimed new mobile ID which debuted with the M17x laptop, the M15x offers Alienware performance in a compact package guaranteed to appeal to mobile enthusiasts and hardcore gamers on the go. The first Alienware laptop to feature a mobile Core i7 processor, the M15x also offers a 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M GPU* and up to 8GB DDR3 1333MHz memory* to take on, and dominate, even the most intense game titles. Prices start at $1,499 and additional technical specifications are here.
  • Alienware Aurora and Aurora ALX – The Aurora is most upgradeable and the Aurora ALX is the most powerful MicroATX desktops Alienware has ever created. Featuring the latest Intel(R) Core[TM] i7 processors, including an optional Extreme Edition overclocked** to 3.6GHz, the Aurora line of desktops are designed to deliver the power needed for hardcore gaming, pro-level HD audio and video editing, 3D animation and more. To crank up your gaming performance, Aurora and Aurora ALX have options for dual 1GB ATI Radeon HD 5870 graphics cards, up to 24GB DDR3 1333MHz memory[asterisk] or 12GB DDR3 1600MHz memory, respectively, and up to 2TB of hard drive storage – all in a compact, MicroATX chassis for taking up less desk space. Prices start at $1,299 and additional technical specs are here.
  • Alienware Area-51 and Area-51 ALX designed for extreme gamers and tech enthusiasts who demand only the latest, most advanced equipment, the Area-51 line of desktops features Intel Core i7 processors factory overclocked* to an intense 3.86GHz for peak performance. To max out your graphics benchmarks, these systems offer the quad-GPU power of dual NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) GTX 295 graphics cards. Other featured specs include up to 12GB DDR3* memory clocked at 1333MHz or 1600MHz, respectively, and six easy-access, cable-free hard drive bays that support both 7,200RPM and 10,000RPM drives, solid state drives and RAID 0, RAID 1 and RAID 10 configurations. Prices begin at $1,999.

The ALX brand denotes a distinguished class of Alienware systems that deliver both unique designs and peak performance. Both Aurora ALX and Area-51 ALX offer technology options beyond their respective standard editions, allowing for higher benchmarks, extended future-proofing and all-around increased bragging rights. Aurora ALX features design elements not available on Aurora such as the Active Venting louver system, internal theater lighting and cable-free hard drive bays. Area-51 ALX ups the ante with an anodized aluminum body and motorized front panel. All Alienware desktops also offer CPU liquid cooling right out of the box which allows the ease of overclocking that deliver extreme computing.

Also announced today, Alienware customers can now configure the M17x laptop with the intense power of the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4870 in both single and ATI CrossFireX configurations for up to a 145 percent graphics performance increase1. The result is an immersive, cinematic experience when playing the latest HD games and movies.

Alienware users can build out a complete, high-performance gaming ecosystem with the recently announced Alienware TactX Mouse and Keyboard, and the Alienware OptX[TM] AW2210 Monitor which features a 21.5-inch full HD screen for experiencing the latest generation games and HD movies in glorious 1080p resolution.

The Aurora and Aurora ALX start at $1,299, and are available for order immediately at www.alienware.com
The Area 51 and Area 51 ALX start at $1,999, and will be available to order in the coming weeks.
The Alienware M15x starts at $1,499 and is available for order immediately at www.alienware.com
The branded peripherals can be ordered immediately at: www.alienware.com

Alienware is one of two brand pillars within Dell’s broader consumer portfolio. Dell’s Alienware gaming brand delivers high-performance computing for enthusiasts and tech lovers alike, and complements the Adamo by Dell brand, which offers unmatched style, design and craftsmanship. Alienware and Adamo are the standard-bearers of Dell’s personalization efforts, which extend to the entire consumer portfolio, including Inspiron and Studio and Dell Design Studio, which reinvents the way people can customize their laptops as extensions of self-expression.

Quotes:

“These newest additions to the Alienware lineup represent the culmination of months of hard work, bringing together two world-class teams to create a family of world-class products targeting PC gamers,” said Arthur Lewis, general manager of Dell’s Gaming Group. “Our current offering of desktops, notebooks and peripheral products signals our commitment to providing the best PC gaming experience possible and to being the global industry leader for PC gaming products.”

“Alienware systems are, and always have been, our benchmark for PC gaming performance,” said Michael Tatelman, vice president of sales and marketing for Dell’s consumer business. “Through the Alienware brand, Dell is committed to offering gamers the richest possible PC gaming experience with the latest technology and coolest designs.”

“The new Intel(R) Core[TM] i7 mobile processor redefines expectations for performance, flexibility and extreme gaming on mobile platforms,” said Mooly Eden, vice president and general manager of the PC Client Group at Intel. “We are pleased that Alienware has designed the Intel(R) Core[TM] i7 920Xm processor into their latest mobile gaming laptop.”

“As the first-ever DirectX(R) 11-capable graphics card, the ATI Radeon[TM] HD 5870 is the pinnacle of PC graphics performance,” said Matt Skynner, Vice President & General Manager, GPU Division, AMD. “By pairing the awesome power of this card with Alienware’s reputation for industry-leading technology, gamers can expect an unmatched gaming experience.”

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Alienware slaps 2GHz Core i7 920XM in M15x, new designs on Area-51 / Aurora desktops originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft: Over 30 Windows Mobile 6.5 smartphones launching before year-end

Does WinMo butter your biscuit? Do you chuckle, not cringe, at the antics of Microsoft’s CEO? Then lean in close, we’ve got something that’s going to make your day. Benjamin Tan, senior director of Microsoft’s GCR Mobile Team Unit in China, says that more than 30 Windows Mobile 6.5 smartphones from over 15 handset vendors will launch before the end of 2009. And you thought 15 to 20 Android phones were a lot.

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Microsoft: Over 30 Windows Mobile 6.5 smartphones launching before year-end originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Department of Energy lends Fisker $528.7 million for Karma and Project Nina

Well, it seems like that sex-on-wheels advert has done its job. Fisker’s development of the oh so desirable Karma PHEV and its lower-cost sibling, now known as Project Nina (inspired by Christopher Columbus’ escape from the Old World, no less), has been given a significant boost by the US government. Henrik Fisker himself has been quoted as saying that once the conditional loan is in, “it wouldn’t take long to get the lower-cost plug-in hybrid on the road.” If the company carries over the aggressive styling from the luxury model, it might have a real winner on its hands, though — we know — it’s got to be cheap enough first. While waiting for that $528.7 million to work its magic, you can gawk at the solar paneled roof on the Karma, to be found after the break.

Continue reading Department of Energy lends Fisker $528.7 million for Karma and Project Nina

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Department of Energy lends Fisker $528.7 million for Karma and Project Nina originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Griffin iTrip, Now With Added iPhone App

itrip_1

For those folks who hate wires enough to put up with bad, hissy FM quality from their in-car iPod listening, we have good news. While it still won’t make the sound better than it would be if piped through a cable, Griffin’s new hardware/software iTrip combo at least makes FM transmitting to your car-stereo a whole lot easier. And prettier.

The iPhone application is free, but you’ll need the new $50 iTrip to use it. The new iTrip itself has a backlit LCD display on which you can see the tuned frequency, and it will actually send track information to be shown on your car’s head unit if it supports RDS.

The application will auto-tune the iPhone to a fairly unused frequency, and you can store three presets for fast access. The nicest UI feature is the Big Ol’ Dial, which gives an onscreen wheel that you can twist and tune manually.

One other handy hardware touch is the mini-USB port on the bottom of the iTrip. This will take any USB cable and, when hooked into the iPhone’s dock connector, allow you to charge it with any old charger. Available now.

Product page [Griffin]

Product page [iTunes]


iPod touch with “built-in video recorder” not for sale at Dabs

At this point, it’s pretty clear that something went horribly wrong in the development of the iPod touch causing Apple to remove the camera somewhere late in its lifecycle. But if you really need more evidence, take a look at the latest circular from dabs.com, a well-known UK retailer and official Apple reseller. This flyer was recently mailed to subscribers and still lists a “built-in video recorder” as a feature. Of course, clicking through reveals the same ol’ iPod touch launched sans camera. While the error could be explained as a simple editing mistake in the creation of the advert, we doubt that’s the case — not with all the case leaks, rumors, and that mysterious internal gap just big enough for a camera sensor. Honestly, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Apple sneak out a camera-enabled iPod touch replacement during one of its infamous “The Apple Store is down!” Tuesdays.

[Thanks, Peter M.]

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iPod touch with “built-in video recorder” not for sale at Dabs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NorhTec shows off sub-$300, AA-powered Info Pad tablet

Upstart NorhTec has already manged to pull off a pretty impressive feat by actually getting its $200 Gecko EduBook out the door, but it looks like it’s now setting its sights a bit higher, and has taken to the intertubes once again to show off its now-in-development Info Pad tablet PC. As you might expect, this one is more or less just a tablet version of the EduBook, right down to the same 1GHz Xcore86 processor and rechargeable AA NiMH batteries for a power supply. Of course, it does also get a new 8.9-inch resistive touchscreen to make up for that whole lack of a keyboard part, which will apparently only bump the price up to $295.95 (making it the least expensive x86-based tablet, according to the company). Head on past the break for the video overview, and look for the tablet itself to be available in November or December.

[Thanks, Jesse]

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NorhTec shows off sub-$300, AA-powered Info Pad tablet originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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