Hasta La Gadget!

CNET editors bring you a closer look at the hottest handsets from CTIA 2010 with hands-on videos. Check out the collection of videos here. pOriginally posted at a href=”http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12261_7-20001228-10356022.html” class=”origPostedBlog”CTIA 2010/a/p

What could possibly come after the iPhone 3GS? The iPhone 3GSS, of course! Joking aside, turns out Apple‘s already dropped the 4G bomb on one of its job postings in May 2009 while seeking for a “Cellular Technology Software Manager” with “expert knowledge of… WCDMA/UMTS, HSPA, HSPA+, LTE etc.” That’s right, LTE. Now, we’re not saying this means a 4G-powered iPhone is next in line in the annual product cycle, nor does this listing confirm Apple’s favored 4G radio (be it a decoy or an eventual change of heart), but given AT&T’s interest in LTE plus its prolonged love affair with Cupertino, it’s pretty hard to not consider LTE as a realistic option on future Apple portables. Frankly, it won’t be the end of the world if a 4G iPhone fails to turn up this summer — most of us here would rather have something with improved battery life, real multitasking, and 720p camera over those insane data speeds. No, really.

[Thanks, Bryan]

Apple job posting hints at LTE for a future iPhone? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 23:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Herbert, who would “blow up the [PC accessory] market if he had millions of dollars.” Right. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“Look, where are all the amazing Bluetooth gamepads at? There are plenty of great options when it comes to Bluetooth mice, Bluetooth keyboards and Bluetooth headsets, but so few gamepads are out there for PC gamers. I don’t want some other form of wireless, and I don’t want a gamepad for the PS3 or Xbox 360 — I want PC! Help!”

PC gamers are a tight-knit bunch, and we’ve heard that they never, ever let each other down. We suppose we’ll see just how true that is based on the replies down in comments below.

Ask Engadget: Best Bluetooth gamepad for the PC? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 22:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Try as manufacturers might, attempts at autostereoscopic (glasses-free) TV have been subpar; existing tech typically makes for messy images due to ghosting, only provides a 3D effect if you’re standing in one of a very few predetermined spots (usually 8-10 viewing angles, though we’ve heard of 64), and reduces display resolution — all because only some pixels can be seen from each spot. With the occasional exception, it’s not terribly impressive. Scientists at the National Chiao Tung University in Taiwan are looking to change that. Rather than block light with a parallax barrier, their screen uses a matrix of specially cut prisms to reflect it, reducing ghosting to nil and maintaining display resolution by sending the same image to each viewer. Though there are still a fixed number of viewing zones, the prisms are so tiny that manufacturers can simply add more prisms to each pixel to increase that number — with 11 prisms per pixel, researchers say such a system could support 100 simultaneous 3D moviegoers. We’ve no word on whether the tech is affordable or when we’ll see it, but we expect it to handily beat cyborg eyeballs to market.

New glasses-free 3D tech uses per pixel prisms for zero crosstalk, audience flexibility originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 22:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The secret behind MSG’s surprise 3D broadcast of last night’s Rangers/Islanders hockey game? It came together in a two week turnaround which repurposed equipment laying around between stops at a recent Black Eyed Peas concert and next month’s NAB show in Las Vegas. Judging by the reviews it was worth the effort with more than a few indicating an interest in buying 3DTVs to check things out at home next time — while it aired on Cablevision, all the reports we found were based on the screens located at the arena itself. Not everyone agreed on the best aspects of the new production: Christopher Botta of Fanhouse preferred a lack of “reaching through the screen” gimmicks while the New York Times report asked for more opportunities to feel like the players are popping out at the viewer, even though they found the standard HDTV feed “flat, underlit and distant” in comparison. We couldn’t find any complaints regarding those ever-present 3D glasses, though issues like someone walking in front of the camera or on screen graphics appearing to leap off the screen revealed there’s still a few kinks to work out (camera placement may be further adjusted during an upcoming renovation.) The appeal of 3D sports for fans has already been established, we’re wondering if playing in a more 3D-ready arena might be used to convince Lebron or other stars to play home games at MSG, in the meantime, check out all the reviews and a few behind the scenes videos embedded after the break.

Continue reading 3D hockey nets positive reviews, biggest surprise of the night was a Rangers win

3D hockey nets positive reviews, biggest surprise of the night was a Rangers win originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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