Oct 27

Nokia N97 firmware 2.0 hits the tubes, is ready for your attention

Posted in: available, download, firmware, nokia, now available, NowAvailable, Software, Today's Chili, update, upgrade

Got an N97? Yeah? Reckoned that Nokia has forgotten about your loyalty and moved all of its focus onto the N900? Fret not, dearest early adopter — the engineers in Espoo are making good on a promise to clear out lots of bugs in the aforesaid handset with firmware 2.0, and if we’re seeing this right, it’s available now to download all over the world. We know, you 5800 owners are clamoring for the same type of TLC, but for now it looks like the pricier sibling is getting its due. Hit the read link and get your download going, and make sure to report back on your kinetic scrolling experience, cool?

[Thanks, Daniel]

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Nokia N97 firmware 2.0 hits the tubes, is ready for your attention originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 27

Roku HD-XR Player and Roku SD Player announced (with hands-on!)

Posted in: netflix, Today's Chili

We had big hopes the Roku HD-XR streaming player would add local streaming when those leaked pics showed a USB port, but we just got the official launch materials and a review unit, and as of right now the only difference between the new $129 HD-XR Player and the existing model is an upgrade to 802.11n WiFi — the USB port is for “future use.” Now, we’re big proponents of 802.11n, so we’re not complaining, but we’ve never had a problem streaming HD Netflix or Amazon with our regular Roku HD Player on 802.11g, so we’re not too sure the HD-XR is worth the $30 premium right now. Roku is gearing up to launch a new Channel Store with additional content in the coming weeks, however, so there’s a chance this little box will need the extra bandwidth sometime soon — we’ll have to wait and see.

Roku’s also launching the SD-only Roku SD Player for $79, which might actually be the more interesting product here, as we know tons of people with old TVs in bedrooms and basements who would love some cheap movie streaming. It’ll be in the same enclosure as the HD Player and the HD-XR Player, but only have 802.11g WiFi and RCA audio / video outputs.

Gallery: Roku HD-XR Player unboxing and hands-on

Gallery: Roku HD-XR and SD Player press images

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Roku HD-XR Player and Roku SD Player announced (with hands-on!) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 27

Sky Player on Xbox 360 receives first eyes-on analysis

Posted in: Microsoft, Today's Chili, xbox, xbox 360, Xbox360

Sky TV has made its arrival on the Xbox 360 today in prompt fashion, with live streaming and on-demand video available, and the keen lads over at Electric Pig already have a preview of the service in action. Their immediate reaction was that the Sky Player interface was “ultra-speedy” and easily navigable using the 360 controller. Streaming at the high-quality setting (alas, there’s no HD on offer yet) was also no problem on a 4Mb broadband connection, though they reserve their highest praise for the on-demand content which was pumped through within a couple of seconds of selection and benefits from an “astonishingly well-designed interface.” For the full impressions of the subscription-based service, which starts out at £15 per month, hit up the read link below.

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Sky Player on Xbox 360 receives first eyes-on analysis originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 27

Ebooks making libraries popular again, can do nothing about your 80s scrunchie

Posted in: Books, e-book, e-books, ebooks, Today's Chili

A few forward-thinking libraries in the UK have started offering ebook downloads as an alternative to borrowing physical copies of books, and the local public’s reaction has been one of overwhelming enthusiasm. Seemingly attracted by the idea of being able to collect and return books without having to actually attend the library, Brits have been eagerly joining up to the new scheme. Free downloads that last for 14 days before self-deleting can be had either in the library or at home, and transitioned onto your Sony Reader, iRex iLiad, or that new hotness, B&N’s nook. Naturally, the proprietary-format Kindle isn’t invited to this party. We’ve already seen a similar initiative in the USA, and can only hope this kind of convenience becomes mainstream before too long.

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Ebooks making libraries popular again, can do nothing about your 80s scrunchie originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 27

Breaking: Non-Ugly USB Card Readers

Posted in: Accessories and Peripherals, Today's Chili

pink-reader

Elecom’s new everything-in-one memory card reader is exactly the same as every other cheap memory card reader you can buy, with on exception: it is good-looking enough that you won’t want to hide it away in a drawer when you’re done transferring files.

To this end, the Japanese company has put a magnet inside it so you can stow the reader proudly anywhere there is metal in your home. Like, for instance, erm… the refrigerator?

It might sound frivolous, but it’s a fair complaint about many computer accessories: they’re just too ugly. Elecom’s new widgets might not last much longer than the usual junk card-readers we all buy, but at least we won’t be ashamed to use them during their short lives. Available now in black and white, along with what my mother would call “hot pink” and “lime green”. ¥2,520 or $27.

Product page [Elecom via Akihabara News]


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Oct 27

Roku introduces two new set-tops, teases additional content channels coming next month

Posted in: Today's Chili
The Roku HD Player and Roku HD XR Player
(Credit:
Sarah Tew/CNET)

Roku is prepping its set-top box line for the holiday season by adding two new models and new content “channels” due within the coming weeks.

The step-up Roku HD XR Player ($130) adds faster 802.11n. Wi-Fi and a USB port “for future use.” The step-down …

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Oct 27

Nissan and AIST partner up to make foot-sized Segway shoes, enable first tracks all year

Posted in: Japan, Today's Chili

For the northern half of the world it’s almost ski season, and thus a curious time to debut a pair of devices that allow skiing in the summertime. Nevertheless Nissan and Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology are introducing this pair of two-wheeled, self-balancing devices. Lace up your fresh New Balance kicks, grab onto the handlebars, then hop on to go for a ride. Each one detects weight shifts and motors itself in the direction you want to go — or at least the direction you’re leaning. They don’t look particularly stable nor safe, but they could enable some sweet concrete hot doggin’ in the summertime — and some sick splits if you don’t have your snowplow perfected.

[Via Plastic Pals]

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Nissan and AIST partner up to make foot-sized Segway shoes, enable first tracks all year originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 27

Phil Schiller: No More Apple Products This Year [Update: Apple Called]

Posted in: Apple, Today's Chili, top

People are mumbling about incoming this and that “coming soon” from Apple. Normally, we don’t have a clue about what really goes one at Cupertino. Sometimes, however, we hit gold, lurking in the dark. Others, we get The Word. Updated.

This time we got official word in the last one-on-one media briefing from Apple, in which they told Brian about the new iMac 27, the new Unibody MacBook, and new Magic Mouse. We were talking casually about about it, and he mentioned something that Phil Schiller told him: There are not going to be any new Apple products this year. Yes, that’s what my favorite Apple VP said. No más cosas de la manzana, ¿comprende?

It’s something obvious, sure, but since some people keep rumor mongering about some imminent products from Cupertino, I thought it would be a good idea to post that nugget of information here. In other words: Don’t hold your breath or credit card. That magic MacBook with the new Intel CPU and chipset? Not gonna happen until 2010. Carry on.

Update: Interesting, after reading this, Apple called and said that the actual quote is “The holiday lineup is set.” Weird. As far as I know, if “the holiday lineup is set,” then there would not be any new products in 2009, right?

So what does this exactly mean? Maybe that there won’t be any new hardware products, but they may announce non-consumer software before the year ends? Or does this mean that there may have an event between now and December 24, but no other new products would be available in stores this year? Does this mean that there may be new products after the 24? Would an Apple Busty Ninja Cyborg be included in a consumer holiday lineup or is that considered a professional product? I think definitely professional.

Cupertino moves in mysterious ways.

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Oct 27

Football Hero mod takes Arduino to the Kasabian-approved big leagues (video)

Posted in: arduino, diy, hack, hacking, mod, modding, Today's Chili

Some folks say less is more, but we’ll bet they never saw Guitar Hero being played by kicking footballs against a giant wall. This epic undertaking will give your plastic axe a major inadequacy complex with its huge wall-mounted piezo vibration sensors and absurdly large fretboard projection. An Arduino acts as the conduit between the contact sensors and a PC running the freeware Frets on Fire. The outcome from such a relatively simple setup is pretty astounding, and you can check it out in the videos past the break, including some behind the scenes footage.

Continue reading Football Hero mod takes Arduino to the Kasabian-approved big leagues (video)

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Football Hero mod takes Arduino to the Kasabian-approved big leagues (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 27

Apple set to raise curtain on 4th Manhattan store

Posted in: Today's Chili

The image of a red curtain hides the construction of Apple’s latest store.

(Credit:
David Carnoy/CNET)

While it was confirmed several months ago that Apple would open a fourth Manhattan retail store on the Upper West Side, the company appears to be just days away from taking the …

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