Apr 23
For this week’s giveaway, we’re serving up a slick stand for the iPad, the Joule iPad stand from Element Case.
Apr 23
AlessiTAB Android touchscreen for fancy European kitchens announced for fall
Posted in: Android, desktop, europe, household, PC, Today's Chili, video
Alessi, the Italian firm responsible for bringing the high-minded designs of folks like Philippe Starck to the kitchens of yuppies the world o’er, has recently announced the AlessiTAB, an all-in-one touchscreen device sportin’ WiFi, a digital TV tuner, base station, up to six hours battery life, and of course that world famous Android OS. Designed by Stefano Giovannoni (you know the guy), this is made by Promelit, a prominent Italian device manufacturer. Of course, we live like hobos, blogging from crowded bus stations and beer halls, but maybe you live in an actual house — in Europe? In that case, keep an eye out: it should make the scene this September for about €300 ($400). Video after the break.
Continue reading AlessiTAB Android touchscreen for fancy European kitchens announced for fall
AlessiTAB Android touchscreen for fancy European kitchens announced for fall originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 05:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Apr 23
Apple’s plastic MagSafe power adapter is certainly a big improvement on the old bullet-tipped model, but it is still prone to breakage. Exhibit A: My own power-adapter, which frayed internally and eventually stopped passing precious electrons to my MacBook a few weeks back.
Apple has hopefully fixed this with updated MagSafe tips for the 85 Watt adapters which come with the 15 and 17-inch MacBooks, and the 65 Watt versions for the 13-inch MacBook and MacBook Pro. The tip is aluminum and puts the plug in parallel with the cable instead of at right-angles, just like that of the MacBook Air, only with this new design the aluminum extends past the rectangular tip and into a cable-coddling tube. This tube alone should fix a major failing point of the adapters.
It’s just a shame (for me at least) that these didn’t come out a little earlier, so I didn’t have to drop my $80 on yet another piece of plastic junk. Than again, maybe Apple’s adapters just seem to fail more often because the computers themselves last so long?
Apple 85W MagSafe Power Adapter [Apple]
See Also:
- DIY Magsafe Connector for Any Notebook
- Lawyer Bait: Replug Invents MagSafe for Jackplugs
- Apple: Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply
- Powercurl Cord-Winder Makes Magsafe Heatsafe
Apr 23
Former News Corp president wants Xbox TV channel?
Posted in: Microsoft, Today's Chili, xbox, xbox 360, xbox live, Xbox360, XboxLive
From its humble HD-DVD-playing beginnings, the Xbox 360 has grown into a full-fledged set-top box that pulls down HD content from Netflix, the Zune Store and Sky TV (for Ireland and the UK). Now, rumors indicate an Xbox TV channel might be next in line. Bloomberg writes that former News Corp. president Peter Chernin discussed the possibility of adding regular exclusive programming to the console at an April 12th meeting with Microsoft, and reportedly suggested a $1 to $2 increase in Xbox LIVE monthly fees to cover the additional cost. However, since Microsoft apparently hasn’t formally responded to the proposal, this may just be another pipe dream — from the man who thought we’d pay $30 per movie for on-demand HD, no less. ‘Course, with all this talk of Hulu going paid, we suppose just about anything is possible.
Former News Corp president wants Xbox TV channel? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 04:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Apr 23
Cypress touchscreens track hovering fingers, make devices even more ‘magical’ (video)
Posted in: Apple, legal, multitouch, screen, Today's Chili, touchscreen, video
If you’re reading this from a Samsung i8910 or Palm Pre, you’re already holding a Cypress-powered touchscreen, but chances are you’ve never given it a thought. That’s going to change, because this week the company demoed a killer app: TrueTouch screens that can detect fingers hovering over glass, not merely on it, allowing compatible software to finally register mouseover input. In other words, you won’t actually need to touch new touchscreens to zoom in on text or perform certain commands. Cypress expects to have the tech ready in Q2, but first it might have some explaining to do — we’re pretty sure Apple successfully patented this very idea in January. Plus, KIRF iPhone? See it in action after the break.
Cypress touchscreens track hovering fingers, make devices even more ‘magical’ (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 03:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Apr 23
They look like cosmetics…but they’re not. Recently several “fake cosmetics” products have emerged that blend style with discretion into a great lifestyle accessory for female consumers.
First up is the Pocket Doltz from Panasonic (below, right). Coming in a series of slick, metallic colors, this, in spite of appearances, is not a mascara but a sonic toothbrush. It’s small and light, slipping easily into your handbag or purse — and you won’t have to feel embarrassed by your oral hygiene habits when someone happens to see what’s inside your bag.
The Crystal Lipstick Mouse (above, left) is pretty self-explanatory — a mouse that looks like lipstick. Ultra light and charging via your laptop’s USB port, this is an ideal accessory for OLs who are often out of the office. The Swarovski Elements Crystallized decoration adds an edge of brand luxury so you also look good in the cafe catching up on work between meetings.
Finally, the Sweet Lip from Ameya Eitaro may not be electronics but the product’s resemblance to lip gloss fits with the trend. The tubes do function as lip gloss but are in fact confectionery, ideal to be spread on bread or even put into tea and beverages.
With six flavors like honey and raspberry to choose, young female consumers can enjoy their coffee break at work even more now.
Finally, one of the latest in KDDI’s great range of mobile phone accessories is “macal”. A winner at the recent iida Award 2010, this cellphone cleaner kit made by Yukiko Yano is shaped like a macaron but opens up like a compact makeup mirror.
[Image via ITMedia.]
You can get the Pocket Doltz and the Crystal Lipstick Mouse from the Japan Trend Shop.
Apr 23
HTC decides against bidding for Palm, kills our buzz
Posted in: breaking news, BreakingNews, HTC, lenovo, merger, palm, Today's Chili
Don’t tell us we didn’t try. In spite of all our pleading for HTC to acquire the troubled Palm, Inc. and produce a sparkling union of awesome, Reuters is this morning reporting that the Taiwanese hardware manufacturer has decided against the idea. According to an internal source, there “just weren’t enough synergies to take the deal forward.” Then again, this conclusion was reached after HTC reviewed Palm’s numbers, so maybe that’s just a nice way of saying that Palm’s financials are worse than we might think. We’re also told that now only Lenovo remains as a serious contender out of Asia, following the stalling of talks between Huawei and Rubinstein’s crew. Such a deal would make plenty of sense given Lenovo’s cash reserves and mobile aspirations, but it’d be nowhere near as exciting for our geeky imaginations.
[Thanks, ninellec]
HTC decides against bidding for Palm, kills our buzz originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 02:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Apr 23
Google Maps Navigation could come to iPhone, other platforms soon
Posted in: Apple, Google, gps, iPhone, nav, navigation, Software, Today's Chili
Ooh, goodie! Try as we may, we’ve yet to really find a (good) free alternative to Google Maps Navigation on the iPhone, and while Navigon’s MobileNavigator gets our highest recommendations in the paid GPS department, Google’s own turn-by-turn option is just about enough to make any iPhone-toting traveler jump ship and snag an Android handset. Thankfully for us all, it seems as if this predicament won’t be nearly as trying in the near future, with the company’s own Steve Lee confirming to TechRadar that Google Maps Navigation would be coming to “other platforms” in due time. MacUser specifically mentions the solution coming to iPhone OS, and frankly, we couldn’t think of a better app to ship alongside version 4.0 than this. You’re good at taking hints, right Goog?
Google Maps Navigation could come to iPhone, other platforms soon originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 02:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Apr 22
Ask Engadget: best HTPC for under $500?
Posted in: AskEngadget, blu-ray, feature, Features, film, HTPC, PC, Today's Chili
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 Justin, who can’t afford both a high-end HTPC and textbooks for next semester. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.
“I am a college student looking for a cheap way to hook up to my standard-def TV. It’s not HD capable but has an HDMI input. What do you think would be the best sub $500 HTPC for my home use?”
We served up a similar question a few years back for the high-end crowd, and we taught you how to build your own Blu-ray-capable HTPC last year for a solid grand, but this sub-$500 territory is all new. Anyone have any decent HTPC options that won’t break the bank? Any tips on constructing your own from an older desktop? Go on and share in comments below — it’s good for the soul, we tell ya.
Ask Engadget: best HTPC for under $500? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Apr 22
Sharp’s four-color HDTV, Samsung’s cheapest 3DTV now on sale
Posted in: BestBuy, hdtv, LCD, samsung, Sharp, Today's Chili
This shot courtesy of Mr. Blurrycam might not give the “Oh my.” reaction we were expecting from the ads but it appears Sharp’s latest and greatest LCDs are showing up at retail, including this 40-inch Quattron model for $1,599. Our man spotted 46- and 55-inch versions as well but if that’s not your speed, we also have word that Amazon is shipping the 240Hz Samsung LN46C750 a few weeks ahead of its anticipated May ship date. Sure, it’s not a super slim LED model like the rest of the 3D lineup, but at $1,450 (no glasses) it is the cheapest 3DTV we’re likely to see anytime soon. Choose wisely.
[Thanks, kalistyles11]
Sharp’s four-color HDTV, Samsung’s cheapest 3DTV now on sale originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 23:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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