Hasta La Gadget!

Steve Guggenheimer, Microsoft’s OEM vice pres, has pulled no punches in responding to a query about the threat posed by Android OS in the burgeoning tablet sector. Describing the early enthusiasm for Android from big hitters like Acer and Dell as a stage of experimentation, the Redmond man tells us he expects “Microsoft’s support for Windows 7 will be seen as more valuable over time.” In aid of this assertion, he cites the netbook market’s development, which started off almost exclusively with Linux installations, yet “three years later it is 95% on Windows.” That’s quite an incontrovertible track record, but we can’t help feeling the Guggenmeister is somewhat underestimating his competition here. He argues the continuous support of Windows 7 will keep OEMs in line, but we’ve seen Android iterating at a breakneck pace almost since its inception, and it’ll be interesting to see if manufacturers opt for new features with Google’s wares or cozy security with Microsoft. Either way, as the desktop OS leader, Microsoft is entitled to use such strong words — we just hope Steve won’t have to eat them.

Microsoft’s Guggenheimer dismisses Android on tablets as ‘an experiment’ originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 12:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chinese e-reader vendor Hanwang joins forces with chipmaker Marvell to introduce a new mass market device for its homeland and beyond.

Corsair isn’t just about memory, it also offers build-it-yourself PCs with some great looking cases. The company just launched the 600T, a mid-tower case in sleek black. This case is part of Corsair’s Obsidian Graphite [corrected] Series and follows the 700D and 800D, both of which are full-tower cases.

The 600T should keep you going for years to come, with its USB 3.0 front panel, as well as heavy duty latches and panels. The 600T borrows many of the features of the successful 700D and 800D cases, including advanced cable management and a large backplate cutout for easy CPU cooler installation. The case will be available later this summer and will come with a two-year warranty.

Zoom is better known for its guitar and effects equipment than handheld audio recorders, but the Zoom H1 Handy Recorder brings professional audio recording to a package small enough to fit in one hand. There are a number of companies with audio recorders at the same size and price point, but the Zoom H1 features twin microphones at the top of the device configured in a crisscross pattern to obtain full depth and clarity of surround sound while recording.

The H1 records and stores audio as WAV files in 96, 48, and 44.1 kHz in both 16 and 24-bit audio, and in MP3 at your choice from 48 to 320kbps depending on how much recording you plan to do. If you decrease the quality or increase the audio compression, you can fit more audio on the device, which will ship with a 2GB microSD memory card. If you need more storage, you can swap the included 2GB card for any microSD card up to 32GB.

The Zoom H1 also has a mounting joint so you can use it to record panels or meetings, and has a mic input so you can connect an external microphone as well. It also has an audio output so you can connect the H1 to external speakers. The H1 will cost $99 USD when Zoom starts shipping them to major electronics retailers and music stores on July 30th.

Believe it or not, this isn’t the first hockey stick accessory for the Wiimote — the folks from CTA naturally have you covered there as well — but it is the first to be bundled with a game, and garner the glowing recommendation of Wayne Gretzky himself. The game in question here is EA’s forthcoming NHL Slapshot, which comes with the pint-sized hockey stick pictured above (just one, it seems) that holds both the Wiimote and nunchuck — it also thankfully has a foam blade that should prevent any TV disasters. Just a gimmick, you say? Not according to Gretzky, who says that it’s actually “very realistic” and “almost like playing in the NHL” — yes, really. Interestingly, the game’s creator also seems to have hinted at future versions for Natal and PlayStation Move, saying that the Wii version is “going to be a really good test.” Look for it to be available on September 7th.

EA’s ‘NHL Slapshot’ packs Gretzky-approved Wiimote hockey stick originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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