Hasta La Gadget!

Cords suck. They tangle, they get lost, they’re never long enough, and you never have the kind you need. Indeed, wireless displays are nothing new — but when you hear “wireless display,” you typically think that they’ve managed to cut the video cable alone. Well, Fujitsu’s taken it one step further here at CeBIT this week, throwing together what it claims to be the world’s first totally wireless desktop display — no video, no power. The imagery is handled via wireless USB and can connect to any appropriately-equipped PC, while the juice is sucked in using a newly-minted proposed standard for wireless power delivery called SUPA (developed with the likes of Fraunhofer) that can function over wide surface areas — in this case, an entire desk. Right now it’s just the display, but it’s easy to imagine how phones, laptops, tablets, and anything else that requires continuous power or a quick, convenient recharge could benefit from this arrangement rather than needing a special mat (which is, of course, corded) lying around. Fujitsu tells us that SUPA can deliver about 25 watts in its current incarnation, which isn’t going to keep your gaming PC going — but it’ll certainly handle your typical handheld device (or, in this case, a 22-inch monitor).

The demo we saw was a little glitchy; the first time we visited the booth, Fujitsu was having a hard time getting the WUSB connection to light up, but it was up and running the second time we dropped by. We got the impression there wasn’t quite enough bandwidth to deliver smooth video at this color depth and resolution, but it was good enough for data entry tasks. Likewise, the monitor appeared to flicker from time to time, suggesting that it was either right on the edge of that 25W maximum or just experiencing typical prototype hiccups. On a couple occasions, they lifted the monitor to reset it, and it only required 2-3 inches of lift before power was lost — so this isn’t the kind of thing where you can get up and wander around with a device and expect it to magically continue to charge (we’d be awfully concerned about being turned into beef jerky at those energy levels, anyway).

All told, we’re excited about this technology, assuming SUPA can gain enough critical mass in the marketplace to be relevant. They’re expecting the first commercial applications next year… so in the meantime, enjoy our pictures and videos while you plan how you’re going to rearrange your workspace once you don’t have to worry about power cords.

Continue reading Fujitsu and partners show off cord-free display using SUPA wireless power (video)

Fujitsu and partners show off cord-free display using SUPA wireless power (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 11:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Freedom Mount will stick an iPad (and soon the Galaxy Tab) to almost anything

The Freedom Mount tablet holder from MountMe will let you mount your iPad (and soon your Galaxy Tab) on almost anything. Its seeminglly ridiculous levels of practicality are only matched by its aesthetic shortcomings.

The rather suggestively named Freedom Mount is a plastic case with a large appendage on the back. When not getting in the way and making it hard to put in a bag, this appendage can be used as a prop or multi-angle kickstand to prop the iPad up on table, leg or couch-arm. But It’s the range of included accessories which really make it flexible. First, there’s a strap which hooks into this rear assembly and wraps around your leg, or the headrest of a car or airplane (or bus or train) seat.

Second are the four suction cups, which hook into the keyhole-shaped cutouts on the Freedom Mount and let you secure the iPad onto mirrors, windows, bathroom tiles and other unsuitable places. Finally, you can opt to screw the mount direct to the wall for a more permanent solution. The mount will tilt and spin in place, so you still have some movement.

Almost every part of this willfully utilitarian design makes me want to ignore it, but it’s the plain bulkiness which seems to be the worst aspect. Right now I can slide my iPad into any bag and not notice it. Adding the MountMe to the setup makes it more like taking a baby out for a trip, which apparently can’t be done without a couple of holdalls worth of “baby stuff.”

The Freedom Mount costs $50 and comes in red, silver and black.

Freedom product page [MountMe. Thanks, Jennifer!]

See Also:

• Fast Work: In-Car, Dash-Mounted iPad
• Gadget Lab Reader Makes iPad Kitchen Stand, Starts Business …
• Photo: iPad Powers BMX Bike-Stereo

Continue reading Xperia Play goes back to the FCC, this time with GSM (update)

Xperia Play goes back to the FCC, this time with GSM (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 10:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo has been a longtime favorite for gamers ever since Nintendo released the NES. However, since more video game console manufactures have gained popularity, the stakes are as high as ever for Nintendo. The company is now saying that all hope is on the new Nintendo 3DS console.

Shigeru Miyamoto, who is considered to be one of Nintendo’s best (created Mario, Donkey Kong, and The Legend of Zelda, to name a few), is excited about 3D gaming. Miyamoto believes that Nintendo can take 3D to the next level by planning to release games that could boost the declining profits for the gaming giant. The 3DS is the first console to ever support 3D games. Miyomoto also believes that Nintendo could change the face of gaming, just like the Wii did with motion gaming.

While Miyamoto does believe that it could change gaming, he also admits that 3D is nothing new to the world. However, we can all agree that it is new to gaming. He also stressed that Nintendo, unlike other gaming manufactures, design games for the hardware that Nintendo builds. According to Miyamoto, that gives Nintendo a better edge against the others.

Via BBC

Hey guys! Guys! I don’t want to sound all conspiratorial here, but I think Apple may be working on a new iPad. It’s crazy, I know, but hear me out. Production on the first generation iPad has apparently been halted. Could this possibly mean that the company is looking to replace the device with an update? It’s certainly a cycle we’ve seen played out with past Apple releases.

We heard reports last week that the wildly popular tablet has been out of stock at number of retail outlets in Europe. Now it seems that stores everywhere are finding it impossible to get their hands on the device. The inventory sheets look like this,

MB292LL/A – iPad 16GB WiFi – Constrained – No ETA

MB293LL/A – iPad 32GB WiFi – Constrained – No ETA

MB294LL/A – iPad 64GB WiFi – Constrained – No ETA

MC349LL/A – iPad 16GB 3G – Constrained – No ETA

MC496LL/A – iPad 32GB 3G – Constrained – No ETA

MC497LL/A – iPad 64GB 3G – Constrained – No ETA

Sensing a trend here?

Perhaps tomorrow’s Apple event in California will shine some light on this matter…