Lenovo launches 11.6-inch ThinkPad x121e for Europe, the Japanese market

It’s a curious thing about consumer electronics: they often disappear as fast as they hit shelves. That’s kind of what happened with Lenovo’s ThinkPad x120e: months after our glowing review, it vanished from the company’s online store, never to return. (You can still find it through Amazon and other retailers.) And though it remains MIA, Lenovo did just unveil the 11.6-inch ThinkPad x121e for Europe and the Japanese market — a clear preview of what’s on the horizon for us Yanks. This time around, it packs an Intel Core i3-2357 CPU, an AMD Fusion E-350 chip, or a Fusion C-50 APU. Other specs include a 1366 x 768 panel, up to 320GB in HDD storage (or a 128GB solid-state drive), HDMI and VGA out, three USB 2.0 ports (one of them powered), a 4-in-1 memory card reader, and, in some configurations, a WiMAX radio. Depending on the model, it comes with a three- or six-cell battery, the latter of which promises a max of eight-plus hours of battery life if you pair it with an Intel-based system. It’s on sale now for Japanese business customers with general availability coming at the end of this month, and it’s also listed on various European sites. Lenovo’s US division told us it doesn’t yet have a timetable to share, so for now you’ll just have hit the source links and settle for a vicarious thrill.

Lenovo launches 11.6-inch ThinkPad x121e for Europe, the Japanese market originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 17:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Netgear Powerline AV+ 500 review: Maybe size actually does matter

CNET editor Dong Ngo checks out Netgear’s new Powerline AV+ 500 adapter (XAV5501).

Apple TV gets its own ‘road’ case

WaterField Design has a new protective case–the Apple TV Pouch–for those who travel with their Apple TV.

Verizon Halts Unlimited Smartphone Data Plans July 7

A Verizon spokesperson confirmed the company will soon shift to tiered pricing data plans. Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com

Verizon confirmed Tuesday it will end its unlimited data pricing plan options for smartphone customers on July 7, continuing a broad shift to tiered-use plans amongst cellular carriers.

Instead of the existing $30 monthly fee Verizon currently charges for an unlimited data package, the company’s new structure mimics that of others in the industry. Verizon will charge $30 for 2 GB of monthly data, $50 for 5 GB, and $80 for 10 GB, according to mobile industry publication Fierce Wireless.

The elimination of unlimited data plan offerings confirms an earlier leaked report that the company would shift to a different pricing model before the end of the summer.

In doing away with unlimited data, Verizon follows the lead of the other major carriers. AT&T killed its unlimited data buffet last year. And just this May, T-Mobile rolled out a high-speed data access plan which throttles your connection speed to a lower rate after you hit your data limit. Verizon tried a similar data-throttling maneuver, although the company tried to sweep it under the rug by burying the change in an unpublicized memo.

As smartphones tied to data plans grow more commonplace, wireless carriers change data policies quickly to adjust to demand. Over half of all U.S. mobile phone purchases within the last three months were smartphones, according to Nielsen research findings, while data use has nearly doubled over the past year. Yet the cost per MB of data has dropped by nearly 46 percent. That’s a figure the carriers don’t want to see.

Sprint remains the sole holdout of the four big U.S. carriers, offering its unlimited 3G/4G unlimited data and minutes plan for $100/month, unlimited data and 450 minutes for $70 a month, and unlimited data and 900 minutes for $90 a month. In January, Sprint also tacked on a $10 “premium data fee” for any new smartphone subscribers requiring a data plan.

There’s some good news to Verizon’s announcement: If you’re an existing Verizon customer not on contract, you can upgrade your smartphone and still keep your unlimited data plan even after the July 7 deadline. The flip side to that, however, is you’ve got to sign a two-year contract.


Insert Coin: Triggertrap open source automatic camera release (video)

In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you’d like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with “Insert Coin” as the subject line.


Perhaps the simplest function on any camera, the shutter release is typically triggered using a dedicated button, or — most often in the case of a professional rig — using a wired or wireless remote. The Triggertrap falls into that latter category, completing the circuit necessary to capture an image after receiving commands from a virtually limitless array of sources. After pairing with your DSLR or ILC using a universal connector, you’ll be able to trigger the device to snap a photo using a laser beam (thanks to the built-in photo transistor), sound (a hand clap, for example), or a timer — typically most applicable to time-lapse photography. An auxiliary port will enable you to get even more creative — you could release the shutter using a remote control, pressure trigger, or even a cell phone call, for example.

The Triggertrap is well on its way to a Kickstarter campaign goal of $25,000, but there’s still time to pre-order a DIY kit for $70, or a turn-key version for five bucks more. As always, Kickstarter will issue a refund if the project isn’t funded before the July 31st deadline. Both devices are Arduino based and open source, so you’re free to make modifications as you wish — assuming you don’t mind getting your hands dirty with a bit of programming. Jump past the break for a quick demo video, and keep an eye out for the creator’s Pringles can DIY macro lens, just past the 13 second mark.

Continue reading Insert Coin: Triggertrap open source automatic camera release (video)

Insert Coin: Triggertrap open source automatic camera release (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 16:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Act Now to Keep Gorging Yourself With Unlimited Data Forever (Well, Close Enough)

In two days, the unlimited data tap at Verizon is officially going to run dry, essentially ending the all-too-brief era of all-you-can-eat data at the nation’s two largest carriers. More »

Qbo, the open-source robot, interacts with people, makes adorable mistakes (video)

A while back we got a detailed look at the innards of Qbo, TheCorpora’s open-source robot. But we haven’t gotten to see the little guy in action — until now. His handlers recently let him loose to run autonomously, guided by a pair of webcam eyes and voice recognition courtesy of Willow Garage’s ROS software. The team soon noticed some unexpected behavior, though. Despite being programmed to follow humans at a specific distance, Qbo trailed uncomfortably near with taller people — probably the first example of a robotic “close walker.” Poring over the log files revealed why: proximity was calculated based on faces. The faces of taller people were farther away from the ground-hugging robot, which adjusted accordingly. Roll your way down the page to see more of our cute mechanized friend, and over to the source link for more musings on programming him.

Continue reading Qbo, the open-source robot, interacts with people, makes adorable mistakes (video)

Qbo, the open-source robot, interacts with people, makes adorable mistakes (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 16:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fly the friendly RC skies in RC Plane 2

Friendly, and rather lovely as well. If you’re into flight sims and/or radio-controlled planes, you’ll find a lot of fun here for just 99 cents.

Originally posted at iPhone Atlas

GoAtlantis iOS app spots space shuttle in real time

App helps space watchers pick out Atlantis and the ISS from all the other shiny objects in the sky. Friday’s scheduled shuttle launch marks the last chance to see the shuttle in orbit.

Microsoft and Wistron come to terms in royalty agreement, Android and Chrome OS now targeted

We’re seeing a heavy surge in Microsoft’s relentless pursuit of licensing deals in light of recent patent-infringement claims. Wistron Corp, a spinoff of Acer, is the latest company to make an agreement with Microsoft in a string of lawsuits and royalty clashes that’s spanned the course of two months. While we’ve seen Android suppliers such as Itronix and Velocity Micro come to agreements with the folks in Redmond, as well as others like Motorola and Barnes & Noble becoming courtroom fodder, this is the first time Chrome OS has been targeted. Wistron’s an ODM (original design manufacturer) that supplies other companies with computers, tablets and e-readers using either Google OS, so it’s not necessarily a surprise that it signed up for the Microsoft lawsuit prevention plan. Scant details are available aside from the fact that royalties will be collected as a result. Now that Chrome is involved, it not only shows that Team Ballmer isn’t backing down, it appears to have even more companies in its crosshairs — we just wonder who’s next on the list. Full (albeit brief) PR after the break.

Continue reading Microsoft and Wistron come to terms in royalty agreement, Android and Chrome OS now targeted

Microsoft and Wistron come to terms in royalty agreement, Android and Chrome OS now targeted originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 15:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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