TomTom’s iPhone car kit and navigation software priced overseas

TomTom told us that its long-awaited iPhone navigation app and in-car mounting kit would be landing “this summer,” and at least on our watch, summertime is quickly drawing to a close. If a pre-order listing over at Handtec is to be believed, it looks as if the outfit is exceedingly close to finally having both the software and hardware ready for shipping. The £113.85 ($194) asking price includes a suction mount for your iPhone as well as the mapping software, though there’s no indication of exactly how much the app and hardware will run by themselves. Of course, until the iPhone supports multitasking, using it as a dedicated PND is still a risky move; one stray call during a pivotal moment in your travels and you can consider yourself lost. Oh, and then there’s the fact that this thing has a TomTom logo on it — if the iPhone app functions anything like the company’s high-end GO 740 LIVE, we’d say you’re better off asking Mr. Gas Station attendant (or buying a different brand).

[Via DaniWeb]

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TomTom’s iPhone car kit and navigation software priced overseas originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 04:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Logitech replaces G5 with Gaming Mouse G500, throws Gaming Headset G330 in for luck

It’s tough to think of a well-mannered Earthling who didn’t at least appreciate, if not adore Logitech‘s cutting-edge G5 laser mouse back in 2005, and at long last, said critter has a proper successor. Today, Logi’s introducing the Gaming Mouse G500, which is designed with an on-the-fly adjustable DPI system (up to 5,700 DPI), a battle-worn finish, a broader thumb rest than before and a “smoothed-out pinkie ledge” to really round things out. The 27 gram mouse also packs a dual-mode scroll wheel, a “gaming grade” laser engine and a small bag of bragging rights to boot. Moving on, we’ve got the Gaming Headset G330, a rather unsightly bugger that sports a behind-the-head design, a noise-canceling microphone, in-line audio controls and a USB adapter. If you’re interested in claiming either as your own, look for the G500 to ship in September for $69.99, while the G330 hits shelves this month for $49.99. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading Logitech replaces G5 with Gaming Mouse G500, throws Gaming Headset G330 in for luck

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Logitech replaces G5 with Gaming Mouse G500, throws Gaming Headset G330 in for luck originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony’s Party-shot dock snaps incriminating Facebook photos while you drink

As if your Facebook profile doesn’t have enough hard evidence that you’re completely unfit for any job you might strike up the courage to apply for, here’s a thoughtful accessory for producing even more regret-inducing snapshots. Launched tonight alongside Sony‘s DSC-WX1 and DSC-TX1 Cyber-shot digicams, the $150 IPT-DS1 Party-shot (ships in September) is a newfangled camera dock that pans 360 degrees and tilts 24 degrees, automatically detects faces, adjusts composition and takes photos for you. It’s like the GigaPan, sans the whole “useful panorama” aspect. The dock can churn for up to 11 hours on a pair of AA batteries (an optional AC adapter is also available), though at least for now, it only works with the aforesaid TX1 and WX1 models. Also of note, anyone with half an ounce of dignity will likely freak out and leave upon seeing this set up at your next shindig. Just sayin’.

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Sony’s Party-shot dock snaps incriminating Facebook photos while you drink originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kensington’s iPhone / iPod charging dock throws a mini battery into the mix

At this point, you’ve probably assumed that there’s simply no way any company can produce yet another iPhone or iPod dock that’s significantly different from the legions of alternatives already out. And you’re wrong. So wrong. In an effort to milk that Made for iPod / iPhone partnership for all it’s worth, Kensington has just introduced its Charging Dock with Mini Battery Pack, which not only charges your dock connecting iPod or iPhone, but also energizes an external battery pack through the same USB cable. When you leave, you’ll depart with a charged device as well as a charged battery pack in case you need to use 3G services for more than eight minutes. Brilliant, no? It’s up for pre-order now for $69.99.

[Via iPodNN]

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Kensington’s iPhone / iPod charging dock throws a mini battery into the mix originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 07:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Easy Piano title lets DS Lite users tickle the ivory

We know that DSi of yours is all the rage, but you did hang on to that DS / DS Lite, didn’t you? Phew. Starting this November in Europe and other PAL regions, you’ll have a remarkably good excuse to bust that unit back out, as this new peripheral looks to require that all-but-forgotten GBA slot. At any rate, the title (which goes by Easy Piano in case you glossed over the headline) will allow players to bang out masterpieces such as Bittersweet Symphony, Every Breath You Take and Pachelbel’s Canon on the 8-note, full-octave keyboard accessory. All told, 40 songs will be made available, and there’s even a “creation mode” that enables owners to record up to four 3-minute-long jams. Now, if only we had a North American price and release date to pencil in, we’d be all set.

[Via Joystiq]

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Easy Piano title lets DS Lite users tickle the ivory originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joby’s Gorillamobile keeps your phone firmly affixed to whatever

Historically, the Gorillapod’s lease in life has been all about mounting cameras to tree branches, goalposts, and strangers’ limbs — but, you know, cameras aren’t the only things in the world that could use that kind of superhuman capability, are they? To that end, Joby has introduced Gorillamobile, a package of goodies that includes the company’s Gorillapod Original — its smallest flexible tripod — along with tripod, suction cup, and adhesive clips for attaching various smartphones and point-and-shoots. What’s it good for? Well, that’s entirely up to you and your overactive imagination — but Joby shows iPhones being securely stowed on desks, exercise bikes, and strollers, so we’re sure you’ll be able to figure out something. Look for it to ship on August 10 for $29.95.

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Joby’s Gorillamobile keeps your phone firmly affixed to whatever originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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THQ’s CEO joins the fun, says Natal is coming “late next year”

So, let’s recap. We’ve got Microsoft’s own Steve Ballmer on record saying that the company’s Project Natal is on track for a 2010 release, a redaction of said statement, and a slimy report from overseas noting that the motion-sensing accessory is slated for a 2H 2010 launch. Just in case you needed one more modicum of evidence that Natal is headed for Christmas trees far and wide next year, THQ CEO Brian Farrell has said as much on the company’s Q1 earnings call. To quote:

“With respect to the cycle itself, if you look at what’s happening in the industry, the fact that we have for example, Natal from Microsoft, a platform addition coming late next year.”

Of course, Mr. Farrell here may just be regurgitating news that he heard through the grapevine rather than inadvertently slipping the world a piece of insider knowledge, but hey, are you seriously going to question the insight of the guy who green-lit Bratz: Super Babyz? Exactly.

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THQ’s CEO joins the fun, says Natal is coming “late next year” originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 04:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Clarion’s MiND finds a home in LA-area Nissan Cubes

With the whole “direct to consumer” approach failing epically, Clarion has evidently resorted to pushing remaining inventory of its largely unwanted MiND mobile internet device onto Nissan dealers in Los Angeles. In all fairness, we do suspect that these are moving more briskly than, say, Celio’s REDFLY, but we can count the amount of MIDs we’ve seen in public on two or three hands. At any rate, Nissan has signed on to offer the multifaceted Atom-powered device as an optional accessory in its Cube, but at least initially, it’ll only be made available at select dealers in the LA area. For those opting to outfit their new whip with one of these, Nissan will include a dedicated docking kit harmonized to the vehicle’s instrument panel, and the user interface will also be tweaked for in-car usage. Look — this is absolutely better than those lackluster, overpriced NAV units shoved into most dashboards, but at $799 plus installation, it’s not like you’re getting the steal of the century here.

[Via Pocketables]

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Clarion’s MiND finds a home in LA-area Nissan Cubes originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Jul 2009 20:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Band Hero’s Nintendo DS Lite peripherals get pictured

Holding out for the family-friendly Band Hero on your Nintendo DS Lite? That wait just got a lot tougher. In a move obviously made to tease those already leaning towards purchasing the title when it hits shelves later this year, Activision has pushed out a smattering of renders that show a drum kit covering (ahem, Drum Grip[TM]), guitar fretboard and even a pick to strum the touchscreen. Not much to go on, sure, but it’s definitely good for keeping our attention while the dog days of summer drag on. The full, brief announcement is after the break.

[Via Joystiq]

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Band Hero’s Nintendo DS Lite peripherals get pictured originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Resistance 2 Marksman recreated in fine form by Calgary modder

If you’re a regular to the site, you’d know that we’ve a soft spot in our hearts for recreated video game weapons. Partly, we enjoy seeing skill lead to wares, but we also find inspiration in life’s littlest (and most dangerous) pleasures. Take Calgary’s own Izy Cheung (shown above) for example, who spent over 100 hours toiling over the masterpiece she’s wielding. Resistance 2 fanatics will no doubt recognize the gun as the Marksman, a long-range rifle that hardly leaves the side of a devout sniper. The official PlayStation Blog managed to sit down with Izy for a full-on interview, and we’d say the contents are fairly enlightening. If you’re interested in what she has to say on the matter (and don’t you pretend that you aren’t), that read link down there is where you want to be.

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Resistance 2 Marksman recreated in fine form by Calgary modder originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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