Hasta La Gadget!

But this time, you don’t have to head over to your favorite torrent tracker to get it. Microsoft just began its Windows 7 Beta Customer Preview Program, which means you can head on over to your favorite internet, download the ISO, burn a DVD and start living the ultra-fantastic lifestyle of a Windows 7 user. The Beta expires August 1, 2009, and Microsoft is of course pilling on the caveats in case this destroys your computer with fire — and limiting this first run of downloads to 2.5 million users. We’re hearing reports of sluggish downloads at the moment, but we’re sure with a bit of patience you can be rocking this OS — or, you know… find it on the torrents.

Update: Oops. Microsoft’s Windows 7 download servers have crashed under the strain as has the Microsoft blog reporting the crash. We’ll let you know when the servers (and Windows 7 beta) return.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Windows 7 Beta goes public originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’re live at the Dell presser and the Adamo (pronounced uh-dahm-o) is official. The laptop was briefly presented and then whisked off stage without specs or prices. All we know is that it’s crazy thin and represents the new luxury design franchise within Dell’s laptop lineup. More as we get it.

Continue reading Dell’s ultra-thin Adamo laptop set free

Filed under: CES, Laptops

Dell’s ultra-thin Adamo laptop set free originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Here in an atypically small press conference in the desert, Dell has just served up its Mini 10 netbook, complete with an “edge-to-edge” 720p 10-inch display, a built-in TV tuner (!), integrated 3G WWAN / GPS, multitouch support and an Atom Z530 CPU. Moreover, you’ll find an “edge-to-edge” keyboard (no wasted space, we guess), a gesture-sensing touchapd and expanded design studio choices. Check another image after the break, but don’t expect any pricing or release information, ’cause Dell ain’t squealing.

Continue reading Dell launches Inspiron Mini 10

Filed under: CES, Laptops

Dell launches Inspiron Mini 10 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The new version of Ford Sync, introduced this week at CES, isn’t just better Bluetooth and audio. It also represents a cheaper way to get navigation and driving information in your car. And most of all, it’s part of the car technology revolution where electronics trumps mechanical components.

Ford CEO Alan Mulally introduced Sync 3.0 with Traffic, Directions and Information in a keynote speech at the Consumer Electronics Show yesterday. Sync will include an offboard navigation system that connects to your car via your Sync-connected Bluetooth cellphone and voice (or dashboard) inputs. You request trip directions from a Sync server, it downloads turn-by-turn information, and you navigate via text prompts (no moving map) on the radio display.

There’s also traffic information sent to your cellphone as text messages that can be read aloud by Sync, and the ability to get business information, weather, and sports scores. All this comes free for the first three years of ownership, after which there’s a monthly service charge that Ford says it hasn’t determined yet, or more likely just doesn’t want to discuss. Figure $10-$15 a month.

Your options are pretty wide open when it comes to personal GPS trackers, but Xact Technology is hoping to catch your heart by promising no monthly fees for its XACT | TRAX. Hailed as an ideal solution for keeping tabs on pets, loved ones, movable property, etc., the GPS tracking module relies on a proprietary, web based portal in order to see where your subject is and to set “geo-fences.” Location requests can be sent via the web or SMS, and readouts are provided on an easy-to-read map along with physical address, date and time. Sadly, we’ve no price to share, but at least you can rest assured that the cost of entry is it.

Filed under: CES, GPS

XACT | TRAX personal tracking device requires no monthly subscription originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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