How would you change Apple’s Magic Trackpad?

Magical? Maybe. But there’s no doubt that Apple’s Magic Trackpad was a shot out of left field when it debuted earlier this summer. Offering loads of multitouch gestures to desktop users who are sick and tired of using the same ‘ole mouse for the past score, the pad received little attention from Apple itself. Rather than launching the new hardware at a press event, the company simply slid it into its webstore, just hoping and praying that you’d put your optical bias aside for a moment and try it out. We’ve already given you our take, and now we’re interested in hearing your own thoughts. Has the Magic Trackpad revolutionized the way you control your cursor? Caused more frustration than it’s worth? Did you forget you even owned this thing? How would you tweak it if allowed into Cupertino’s design labs? Tell all in comments below.

How would you change Apple’s Magic Trackpad? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 22:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A grand tour of nanotechnology at Nokia Research Center, Cambridge

We’ve all seen what a bumpy ride Nokia’s had over the last few months — disappointing profits, the departure of a couple of old friends, and the slight delay of the forthcoming N8. Despite all that, Espoo seems to have at least one stronghold that remained unshaken throughout the storm: its research center in Cambridge, UK. Yep, we’re talking about the magical place where Nokia and University of Cambridge co-develop the core technologies for the futuristic Morph concept. Actually, “futuristic” might be too strong a word here, as we were fortunate enough to see some of Nokia’s latest research at the heart of Morph — namely flexible circuitry and nanowire sensing — demonstrated live yesterday. Curious as to how well the demos went? Then read on — you know you want to.

Continue reading A grand tour of nanotechnology at Nokia Research Center, Cambridge

A grand tour of nanotechnology at Nokia Research Center, Cambridge originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 08:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How would you change Dell’s Streak?

Oh, sure — our international contemporaries have been toying with the Dell Streak for the better part of 2010, but Americans have just recently had their equal opportunity to indulge. It’s a mini tablet, or a huge phone. Or both. And sometimes neither. But whatever the case may be on any given Sunday, the 5-inch Streak has caused more of a stir for the folks in Round Rock than any product since the Adamo. For those who eagerly pre-ordered and then not-so-eagerly paid the credit bill upon receipt, we’re interested in knowing exactly how things are going so far. Are you still stoked about having a 5-inch phone? Would you have made it any larger / smaller? Changed the casing? Made it available on another carrier? Thrown in a slide-out QWERTY keyboard? Let us know in comments below, capiche?

How would you change Dell’s Streak? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Sep 2010 01:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How would you change Pixel Qi’s 3Qi display?

Yeah, Pixel Qi’s 3Qi display is a wee bit more niche than your average superphone, but we just know a handful of you DIYers out there took the plunge on this one. Mary Lou Jepsen’s pride and joy went on sale back in July, offering crafty modders the chance to swap their lackluster netbook panel for an E Ink slayer. We were personally thrilled with the results, but we still saw a few things that could’ve been ironed out given the time, money and technical insight. If you’ve also taken the leap, we’re oh-so-curious to know how you would redesign the dual-mode 3Qi. Make it sharper? A higher resolution? A different size? Something else entirely? No walls allowed here — get creative down in comments below.

How would you change Pixel Qi’s 3Qi display? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 22:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pictures of Sony’s new technicolor PSPs, and Monster Hunter 3 Special Edition preview

Pictures of Sony's new technicolor PSPs, and Monster Hunter 3 PSP preview

Nothing spices up waning interest in an aging console like a special edition, and while one could say that announcing three special editions is something of a stretch for the word “special,” these certainly are some… vibrant color schemes. At its press event yesterday, Sony announced a couple of new, pupil-assaulting two-tone color schemes for the PSP, along with a Monster Hunter edition that left many an otaku fainting in the aisles thanks to its gold highlights and redesigned analog nub. Read on for our impressions of all three noble beasts.

Continue reading Pictures of Sony’s new technicolor PSPs, and Monster Hunter 3 Special Edition preview

Pictures of Sony’s new technicolor PSPs, and Monster Hunter 3 Special Edition preview originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 14:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PS3 holds breath waiting for Gran Turismo 5 release, turns blue at TGS

PS3 holds breath waiting for Gran Turismo 5 release, turns blue at TGS

We knew it was coming, and now here it is: Sony‘s special edition PS3. To commemorate the impending release of GT5 the console is turning blue, and while the rather vibrant version we saw in the official press photos from August didn’t do much for us, seeing the thing in the flesh (admittedly behind glass) gave us quite a different impression. It has the same matte finish as the current PS3 slim, but the rich blue gives it almost a metallic effect. It’s really quite a looker, and while we wouldn’t normally splurge for such “special” editions, how often does a new Gran Turismo come around? Once a decade at most. This Gran Turismo 5 Racing Pack hits Japan on November 3 for 35,980 yen. That’s about $420 of those dollars you’ve been saving for oh so long.

PS3 holds breath waiting for Gran Turismo 5 release, turns blue at TGS originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 10:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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3D Blu-ray on the PS3: it works! (video)

3D Blu-ray on the PS3: it works! (video)

We’ve been waiting for 3D Blu-ray support to hit the PS3 for a good long while now, and Sony‘s been promising it would happen for, well, exactly that same amount of time. Yesterday the company confirmed that the 3D-enabling 3.50 firmware update is less than a week away, dropping on September 21, and here’s proof that it works: a demonstration unit up and running at TGS. Fully animated evidence after the break.

Continue reading 3D Blu-ray on the PS3: it works! (video)

3D Blu-ray on the PS3: it works! (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 09:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: simplest, cheapest way to stream movies from PC to TV?

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Willem, who may actually land the love of his life if you’ll lend a hand here. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“I have a computer that houses an entire collection of digital movies. In another room I have a TV. I want to stream a selection of MKV and AVI videos to the TV. I can also put all the movies on an external hard drive if that makes it easier. What would be the cheapest way to display the movies on my TV? Solving this problem would let me finally watch a nice movie in my apartment with this cute girl I like!”

If we’ve ever seen an important Ask question, this is it. Stop whatever you’re doing and help Bro Montana here. You don’t overlook this kind of thing… at least not if you believe in karma.

Ask Engadget: simplest, cheapest way to stream movies from PC to TV? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 02:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft announces five new exclusive Kinect games from Japanese developers

From what we’re feeling, consumer sentiment on the Kinect seems rather divided, and frankly the opinions of those within the Engadget team is similarly split. Ultimately, though, it won’t be the hardware itself that decides the fate of this peripheral, it’ll be the games. At E3 this year Microsoft didn’t really wow us with any Kinect titles that turned the thing into a must-buy, but the five games announced today are at least showing some creativity and a lot of potential. Read on for all the details.

Continue reading Microsoft announces five new exclusive Kinect games from Japanese developers

Microsoft announces five new exclusive Kinect games from Japanese developers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 02:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Live from Microsoft’s TGS 2010 press event

It’s a stormy, miserable day in Tokyo. The rain is falling sideways and the wind is whistling its way through the sea of vending machines, but inside the Makuhari Messe convention center it’s warm and dry. That’s good, because that’s where the games are, and that’s where we are, hanging out with Major Nelson and the crew from Joystiq. Microsoft is about to kick off the 2010 Tokyo Game Show and we have the blow-by-blow waiting for you just a click away.

Continue reading Live from Microsoft’s TGS 2010 press event

Live from Microsoft’s TGS 2010 press event originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 21:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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