Hasta La Gadget!

We can’t really knock the folks at APSI for trying to make the M480 into a product it’s not, but in all seriousness, this thing is just two curved edges away from KIRFing the Archos 5. That said, there’s no doubt this piece is trying to get all up in Archos’ grille, with an expansive 4.8-inch 800 x 480 touchscreen, 30GB / 60GB of internal storage, a TV output, dual-core 400MHz OMAP2530 processor and a battery good for six to seven hours (with audio) / four to five hours (with video). There’s even support for a multitude of file formats, but the lackluster Windows CE 5.0 operating system essentially murders any chance it had at being successful. Sorry, buddy — better luck next time.

[Via PMPToday]

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

APSI’s WinCE-based M480 can’t quite reach Archos’ level originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 04:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s Monday, which apparently means time for yet another Blu-ray fighting Chinese high definition disc format, this time NVD. With China Blue HD barely out the door and EVD conspicuous only in its absence, HD NVD players apparently went on sale today in Wuhan, featuring 12GB of storage on a red laser disc format that — unlike the Toshiba technology backed CBHD / HD DVD variant — is not only Made in China, but Created in China, with the hope that owning their own IP can net 4-5 times the profit for its manufacturers. 80% of the world’s DVDs and players are reportedly produced in China, so now production lines can switch to NVD HD cheaply — stop us if you’ve heard this before. It’s clear that these companies are chafing under the royalties of foreign tech, but until we hear something about content support in any major way, it’s hard to believe this format war is even worth fighting. Us? We’re still holding out for VCDHD.

Read – NVD: independent innovation to safeguard national economic security
Read – China’s proprietary red-ray NVD makes its debut

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

HD NVD is China’s home grown answer to Blu-ray, but does it have a chance? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ok, it’s just a scale model, but what you’re looking at is the first module from China’s budding Tiangong (meaning “Heavenly Place”) space station program. It was just revealed to the surprise and delight of Engadget Chinese during a TV special celebrating the Chinese New Year. The 8 ton module is scheduled to launch by 2010 with two more modules (Tiangong 2 and Tiangong 3) to follow by 2015 after which Taikonauts will begin to stay in orbit. For now, the endeavor is meant to prepare for automated docking trials and to establish a presence in space — a move that will undoubtedly scare the hell out of hawkish members of western governments.

Continue reading China’s Tiangong 1 space station unveiled for tiny Taikonauts

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

China’s Tiangong 1 space station unveiled for tiny Taikonauts originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 07:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Seriously, you just can’t find a PMP that’s any manlier than this. For starters, the phrase “man” is used three times in the product name (Newman ManMan A1), and secondly, it’s fluorescent pink in color. Clearly, Newman is aiming at those with a soft spot in their hearts for the previous generation iPod nano, and the SmartTouch UI even gives users that CoverFlow feel without all the paperwork involved in buying a legitimate device. On the plus side, this thing can handle the more exotic audio formats like OGG and FLAC, and those repulsed by the pink can opt for a blue version when it hits Chinese street vendors later this month.

[Via PMP Today]

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Newman ManMan A1 is way too manly for us originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ready for more iPhone nano rumors? Good, because apparently the Chinese trade paper Economic Daily News is now reporting that Taiwan Semiconductor Company (TSMC) will be handling chip manufacturing for a low-cost device being referred to as… you guessed it: the iPhone nano. While the paper has a fairly good reputation, it is filtered through the lens of DigiTimes on our end, so as usual, take it with the required grain of salt. Still, the source is calling a June launch of the handset on the heels of an order for the components in March. The time frame is reasonable enough, and if history is any lesson here, Apple loves to intro iPhones in the Summer. Given that China has yet to see a deal for the iPhone proper, and a lower-cost entry may be perfectly tuned for vast Asian markets, the nano could gather in a whole new fold of users (and the smaller screen would be less of an issue given the need for character recognition). That theory falls in line with statements from analysts, though as always, putting too much stock in any of this speculation could be hazardous to your health. Just ask Steve Jobs.

[Via AppleInsider]

Filed under: Cellphones

iPhone nano now rumored for June, Unicorn delayed again until September originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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