Dec 03
In the “Netbook” category, we looked at three off-the-shelf models that all retail for $399. While you can get a similar set of components for around $100 less if you shop around, these models all offered some kind of step-up feature.
Dec 03
CNET examines why editors and users are at odds over Samsung Blu-ray players, and some of the methods inherent in CNET’s review process that might cause that.
Dec 03
Huge stash of HTC Android codenames found within 2.1 ROM
Posted in: Android, hero, HTC, htc sense, HtcSense, leak, rom, sense, Today's Chili
You know that leaked HTC Sense ROM with Android 2.1 underneath? Well, somebody did some digging and found a wild stack of HTC Android handset codenames buried within. It starts in the realm of the familiar, with mentions of Dragon, Passion, Dream and Hero, but then it starts to get a little wild. Here’s the full list: Bahamas, Bravo, DesireC, Dragon, Dream, Espresso, Halo, HeroCT, HeroC, Hero, Huangshan, Incredible, Legend, Liberty, Memphis, Paradise, PassionC, Passion, Sapphire and Supersonic. Pretty wild, right? There’s no telling what exactly this list implies, other than the fact that Passion and Dragon are indeed on the books, and that HTC’s naming department can really let the superlatives fly, but we’re sure all will be made clear over the next year or two.
Huge stash of HTC Android codenames found within 2.1 ROM originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Dec 03
Canon patent application points to touchscreen DSLRs
Posted in: dslr, patent, patent application, PatentApplication, Today's Chili, touchscreen
Touchscreens are still something of a novelty on regular point-and-shoot cameras, but it looks like they may now already be starting to make their trek to DSLRs — at least if a recently published patent application from Canon is any indication. Of course, a “touchscreen for a DSLR” is a bit tricky to patent on its own, so Canon is taking a slightly more unique approach: attempting to patent a touchscreen that prevents you from accidentally touching things when you hold the camera up to your face. That includes letting you register your dominant eye when you set up the camera, which will in turn automatically disable the portion of the screen more likely to be touched when you go to take a shot using the viewfinder. The patent application also covers what could be controlled using the touchscreen, including settings like the focus detection area, flash adjustment, ISO, white balance, and exposure correction, to name a few — all of which will surely be welcome to some, but we just hope the touchscreens will be accompanied by at least a few buttons and knobs for us old curmudgeons.
Canon patent application points to touchscreen DSLRs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Dec 03
Movie-rental outfit has done a fine job improving its sales by expanding its offering of $1-per-day films. But a new report suggests games aren’t that far away for Redbox. pOriginally posted at a href=”http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10408513-17.html” class=”origPostedBlog”The Digital Home/a/p
Dec 03
NEC’s first LED monitor looks a lot like its non-LED monitor.
Dec 03
Nokia E72 now in stock in the New World — the US, to be specific
Posted in: breaking news, BreakingNews, nokia, qwerty, Today's Chili
It’s been a long, long journey, but Nokia’s E72 — the hotly-anticipated successor to the wildly popular E71 — is finally available as an unlocked phone directly from Nokia USA following a November release elsewhere. The privilege of upgrading to what could very well be the finest S60 3.2 handset ever made won’t be cheap, though: they’re charging $469 before tax and shipping, but in exchange, you’re getting a 5 megapixel cam, optical d-pad (“Navi Key” in Nokia parlance), and full-on HSPA with up to 10.2Mbps down and 2Mbps up. Of course, you won’t get anything close to those speeds in the States — but hey, you can’t drive a Lambo 180 miles per hour on a public street, either.
[Thanks, Pankil]
Nokia E72 now in stock in the New World — the US, to be specific originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Dec 03
It feels good to let the poison out every once in a while, so today’s episode of CNET’s The 404 Podcast is all about human vices, starting with a story about a controversial secret love scene in Dragon Age: Origins between two gay elves. While conservatives are up in arms about the cut scene, Wilson and Jeff stand by the Mature rating and hold parents responsible for making the final buying decision, but I have to play devil’s advocate and ask why it’s necessary to have sex scenes in video games in the first place; are there really gamers out there actually getting a kick out of seeing it, or is it just creating more trouble than it’s worth?
While we’re on the subject of nerds, World of Warcraft players are rejoicing at Blizzard’s “ever-expanding line of merchandise” that now includes customized posters featuring your in-game WoW character. It’s called Print Warcraft, and it’s already so popular that the Web site is apologizing for its overloaded servers. We have a few problems with the idea of the service, so be sure to listen to the whole episode for our breakdown.
The last vice of the day might change the way you party on the weekends: a researcher in Russia has found a way to solidify your favorite liquors into pill form. Evgeny Moskalev of the Saint Petersburg Technological University has figured out how to turn alcohol into powder and pack the concentration into a “dry pill.” We seriously doubt party animals in Russia will be able to measure out the exact vodka dosage needed to get blotto, but we’ll raise our pill box to it anyway.
(Credit:
Otterbox)
We’ve also got two new user submitted theme songs thanks to PA Stubbs and David, and DON’T FORGET! It’s not to late to enter for a chance to win one of ten Otterbox cases for your iPhone 3G or 3GS. All you have to do is leave a comment on yesterday’s episode and wait to see if you win! The contest runs until noon tomorrow, December 4, so don’t forget!
EPISODE 479
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Originally posted at The 404 Podcast
Dec 03
WowWee Cinemin Swivel iPod and iPhone pico projector review
Posted in: Apple, Features, hands-on, iPhone, ipod, pico projector, PicoProjector, review, Today's Chili
The first time we saw a pico projector some of us thought: “Err… What’s the point?” Slide show presentations from your phone? Doubt it — not powerful enough for practical use. Cinematic experience in the toilet? Maybe, but you’d want a built-in projector on your PMP instead of a separate brick. Funky dance? Only in Japan. Finally, WowWee took a break from robotics to give us the answer with its foldable Cinemin Swivel pico projector: for watching videos on the ceiling while lying in bed, obviously. Still, we have our doubts about image quality, portability and practicality — especially for $299. Read on to find out if this little guy is worth it.
Continue reading WowWee Cinemin Swivel iPod and iPhone pico projector review
WowWee Cinemin Swivel iPod and iPhone pico projector review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Dec 03
Cool use of a Facebook fan page: A hub for photographs taken by an ape with a digital camera. pOriginally posted at a href=”http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10408626-36.html” class=”origPostedBlog”The Social/a/p
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