Lenovo IdeaPad K1 up for Amazon pre-order, still toting $500 price tag

The IdeaPad K1 is really living up to its name these days, existing merely as an idea and a visualized concept, but not a real deal purchasable commodity. That’s changing ever so slowly, however, with an appearance among Amazon’s pre-order inventory, where the Tegra 2 Android slate is accompanied by the $499.99 price tag we saw just over a week ago. The major specs are as we’ve heard them before: a 10.1-inch screen with 1280 x 800 resolution and 300 nits of brightness, a microSD card reader, micro-HDMI out, and, interestingly, a SIM card slot. The latter doesn’t quite confirm that we’re looking at a 3G tablet, but comes close to it. Also close should be the K1’s release date, which isn’t spelled out by Amazon, but is expected to arrive any time now.

Lenovo IdeaPad K1 up for Amazon pre-order, still toting $500 price tag originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 04:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Netbook News  |  sourceAmazon  | Email this | Comments

iPad passes the 100,000 apps milestone, rest of the tablet world looks on in disbelief

A year and change after its launch, Apple’s iPad has established itself as both the progenitor and dominant entity in a new category of device: tablets. A large part of its success has undeniably been down to the enthusiasm shown by developers, who have recently crossed the notable marker of producing 100,000 applications compatible with the device. As is true of the vast app selection on the iPhone, quantity doesn’t guarantee quality, but the abundance of software available for the iPad at least offers a better chance of finding some wheat in amongst the chaff. And as to its competitors, here’s hoping Ice Cream Sandwich and Windows 8 get here before this Apple juggernaut crosses the million mark, eh?

iPad passes the 100,000 apps milestone, rest of the tablet world looks on in disbelief originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 03:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TUAW  |  sourceMacStories  | Email this | Comments

Google Takeout promises radical left wing-themed data extraction for Circles, more (video)

Google Takeout promises radical left wing-themed data extraction for Circles, more (video)

A team of khaki-clad Google engineers, calling itself the Data Liberation Front, has taken up the cause of freeing your data from the restrictive confines of El Goog’s servers. Google Takeout, as the program has been billed, rips your various stashes of data from Buzz, Circles, Picasa, Contacts, and your Google Profile, and quickly bundles them in a zip file for download. The resulting booty is yours to do with as you choose. Takeout was announced the same day Google’s latest social initiative sprung to life, offering an alternative to the notoriously hard to transfer data of its obvious competitor. But we’re sure that was just a coincidence. Right? A hilariously nerdy promo video awaits you after the break.

Continue reading Google Takeout promises radical left wing-themed data extraction for Circles, more (video)

Google Takeout promises radical left wing-themed data extraction for Circles, more (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 03:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Ricoh set to acquire Pentax camera brand and business, get serious about digital imaging

Reuters is reporting a bit of board room activity in Japan this morning, which could, by the end of today, result in Ricoh purchasing the Pentax brand and camera business from current owner and proprietor Hoya Corporation. The global news agency points out that Hoya’s initial acquisition of Pentax, back in 2007, was primarily motivated by its eagerness to acquire Pentax’s medical technology, and although the company’s had a slew of strong products since then, it probably makes sense for Hoya to pass the digicam work on to someone who might feel more invested in it. For its part, Ricoh also has a well respected line of digital compacts, but lacks the DSLR lineage and experience that Pentax brings. Provided this deal goes through as rumored, and Reuters has three sources who say it’s imminent, the only question we’ve got to ponder is whether the Pentax naming will take over for Ricoh’s slightly less recognizable branding or vice versa.

Update: That was quick! Hoya has confirmed the sale. Thanks, Ben! It is as reported earlier: Hoya will hang on to the rights to manufacture and develop products for the medical field, while Ricoh is gobbling up the Pentax Imaging Systems products with a view to expanding its presence in the consumer digital camera market.

Official: Ricoh set to acquire Pentax camera brand and business, get serious about digital imaging originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 02:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink 1001 Noisy Cameras  |  sourceReuters, Hoya Corporation [PDF]  | Email this | Comments