Hasta La Gadget!

Teased since Microsoft’s launch event for Windows Phone 7 back in October of last year and recently launched in Europe as the 7 Pro, HTC’s Arrive today becomes the very first CDMA device for the platform to be announced with a date and a price. Sprint picks up the QWERTY tilt-o-matic this coming March 20th for $199.99 on a two-year contract after $100 mail-in rebate, featuring a 3.6-inch WVGA display, 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 5 megapixel camera with flash and 720p video capture, 16GB of internal storage, and 802.11b/g/n WiFi — oh, and Sprint is quick to remind us that the phone will be launching with Microsoft’s anticipated copy and paste update, too. In-store pre-orders begin today with the purchase of a $50 Sprint gift card; follow the break for the full press release.

Continue reading HTC Arrive is Sprint’s first Windows Phone 7 device, launches March 20th for $200

HTC Arrive is Sprint’s first Windows Phone 7 device, launches March 20th for $200 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodocase’s Bookback skin for the iPad

On of my biggest complaints in yesterday’s iPad 2 wish-list was that the back of the current iPad is just too slippery. It never feels secure in the hand, and if you tuck it under your arm or prop it on the arm of a couch, you’re looking at imminent disaster.

And as if by magic, today I got a pitch from the Dodo people, behind the famous Moleskine-like Dodocase for the iPad. The new product is a simple rear skin for the iPad, and also the iPhone, which is made from the exact same leather-like material that covers the Dodocase itself.

The skins are called Bookbacks, and come as self adhesive, reusable skins, debossed with a name and logo in black or red. They only offer scratch protection for the aluminum rear panel — you’ll need a proper case if you plan to sling your iPad in a bag — but for improving the feel and grippiness of the iPad, the Bookbacks look ideal.

They’re not too pricy, either. The iPad version is $20, and the little iPhone model is just $9.

Bookback product page [Dodocase. Thanks, Abby!]

See Also:

• iPad Case Smackdown: Dodocase Vs. Pad & Quill
• Dodobag, a Murse to Hold Your Dodocase
• iPad-Case Maker Preserves a Dying Craft

After a lengthy four-month beta trial, Apple’s decided that it’s about time to make FaceTime for Mac available to the masses, meaning any Mac user can finally do video chat with other Mac or iOS users. Unlike the app’s free iOS counterpart, though, you’ll have to chip in $0.99 on the Mac App Store for some enlarged video chat sessions. But hey, it’s totally worth it, especially if you have a 27-inch screen to play with.

[Thanks, kariminal]

Apple FaceTime for Mac finally out of beta, available on the Mac App Store for $0.99 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 08:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Solowheel is yet another take on electric-powered personal transport. It is also just about the simplest possible design you could possibly imagine: a wheel and nothing more.

The wheel contains a 1,000 watt electric motor and gyroscopic controls, making it a kind of minimalist Segway. To drive it, you put it on the road (it has a carrying handle up-top), flip down the foot platforms and step on. Lean forwards to go, and lean back to slow down. Turning is done by leaning from side to side: As there is only one wheel, no steering mechanism is needed.

It certainly looks like fun, right up to the inevitable face-plant that will happen as soon as you try to bump up a too-high curbstone.

The Solowheel, which is not yet for sale, is certainly small and somewhat portable, but suffers the same disadvantage as any electric mode of transport. It is heavy, at 20 pounds, and while it folds up small, it’s not much smaller than a fully-collapsed Brompton, which weighs just about the same, doesn’t need recharging, and won’t send you face-first into the street.

Solowheel product page [Inventist via Core77]

See Also:

• Yike Bike Electric 'Mini-Farthing', Just $3600
• 'The Beast' Electric Bike: 50mph, $33500
• Powered Front Wheel For Any Bike
• Self-Balancing Unicycle Only Half as Dorky as Segway

We reported on Ossur’s robotic prosthetic back in 2009, and now amputees in Europe and the United States have become the first official recipients of the Power Knee. According to the company, “the world’s first and only motor-powered prosthetic knee” was recently approved for reimbursement by the German National Health System, covered by private insurance in France and the UK, and picked up by select healthcare providers in the US. Power Knee combines “artificial intelligence,” motion sensors, and wireless communication to learn and adjust to the walking style of its users — that’s one small step for real-life cyborgs and one giant leap for prosthetic technology.

Continue reading Power Knee motorized prosthetic officially available in US, Europe — race of cyborgs still in infancy

Power Knee motorized prosthetic officially available in US, Europe — race of cyborgs still in infancy originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 07:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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