Hasta La Gadget!

Motorola has axed development of its Webtop system, claiming underwhelming sales means further investment in the idea of using a smartphone as the core of a desktop-replacement hub was unfeasible. Webtop, a custom feature of several recent Motorola Android smartphones, worked with desktop docks and notebook-like Lapdock clamshells to offer a full version of Firefox among other features; however, Motorola confirmed to CNET, the expectation is that core Android functionality itself will make its own Webtop work redundant.

“Motorola’s Webtop app helps users extend their smartphone experience to larger screens. While consumers around the world have adopted Webtop and the concept spurred a lot of innovation in the industry, the adoption has not been strong enough to justify continued resources being allocated to developing Webtop on future devices” the company said in a statement. “We have also seen development of the Android operating system focus on the inclusion of more desktoplike features. Beginning with Photon Q and Droid Razr M/Droid Razr HD/Droid Razr Maxx HD, we will no longer be including Webtop on our products moving forward.”

Although by no means essential to using any of Motorola’s devices, Webtop allowed road warriors to dock their phone – such as the Atrix 2 – into a laptop chassis and rely on the increasingly potent mobile processor performance to remotely access work files, visit full websites, and more. A smaller media dock could be used with a TV and wireless peripherals, ideal for setting up an impromptu office in a hotel room.

However, while Webtop’s software functionality was included in the cost of the device itself, the companion hardware did not come cheap. The Atrix 2, in a bundle with the laptop dock, was priced at $500 by AT&T and Motorola, potentially more than a cheaper smartphone and a full notebook bought separately.

Motorola’s decision will leave the company – now owned by Google – to focus on core smartphone performance, though it would be a surprise if the lessons learned from the Webtop experiments didn’t percolate through Android as a whole. Google has also been pushing its Chrome OS platform, again focusing on lower-powered local devices that tap into the potential of the cloud, and a closer link between that and Android has been rumored for some time.

Motorola kills Android Webtop is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

There seems to be no shortage of odd gadgets and computer peripherals that come out of Japan. We have seen a number of peripherals over the years that you can plug into USB ports to keep you warm or cool. A new computer accessory has surfaced from Japan called the Massage Mouse from a company called Art Factory.

The mouse does exactly what its name implies; it vibrates to massage your hand or your body when you need a break from working. The mouse promises a comfortable and stylish design that appears to be ambidextrous. The mouse has a touch-sensitive surface for buttons and scrolling. It also has integrated LED lights along the edge of the mouse to make it look like it’s glowing.

The mouse itself is wireless and ships with a charging stand that connects to your computer via USB. The mouse has three different massage modes indicated by buttons on the side for A, B, C. There are 10 different vibration levels that can be accessed with button A. Button B allows the user to choose continuous vibration or pulsating vibration patterns.

Button C reduces the vibration level and when the vibration stops the mouse automatically goes back into mouse mode. It also goes back into the mouse mode within 30 seconds of massage mode being activated if the mouse isn’t picked up and used. The mouse uses optical tracking technology and will be on display at CES in January of 2013. Pricing and availability are unannounced.

Bizarre Massage Mouse debuts is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

MakerBot Industries has unveiled a brand-new desktop 3-D printer that the company claims is the easiest, fastest, and most affordable tool yet for constructing 3-D models. The new printer is called the MakerBot Replicator 2 and is aimed at engineers, researchers, creative professionals, and anyone else who likes to make 3-D models.

The Replicator 2 has a 100-micron layer resolution, which the manufacturer says is a new standard in professional looking models and accurate, lifelike replicas. The printer is also capable of making large objects up to 410 cubic inches in volume. That works means items as large as 11.2-inches long by 6-inches wide by 6.1-inches high can be made.

The new 3-D printer also ships with updated software enabling faster and more consistent printing. The printer is optimized to work with MakerBot PLA filament. This filament is a renewable bioplastic that is the most popular build material used in 3-D printing. The material is popular thanks to its strength and the ability to make large products without the material cracking or warping.

One interesting feature of the Replicator 2 is that you can make multiple models at one time thanks the large build volume. The slicing engine is also up to 20 times faster than previous technology to allow for quicker printing. The Replicator 2 Desktop Printer sells for $2199.

MakerBot Replicator 2 desktop 3-D printer debuts is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

A new open-source Bluetooth gaming controller with full QWERTY, from the team that delivered the iControlPad for iPhone and iPod touch, has hit Kickstarter in search of $150,000. iControlPad 2 will run open-source firmware and include dual-analog controls and support not only for Apple’s mobile devices, but Android phones and tablets, Google TV set-top boxes, and other hardware.

It’s fair bristling with buttons and sticks, too, keeping even the most frantic gaming fingers occupied. As well as the analog sticks there’s a D-pad and the usual cluster of four buttons, a 5-row keyboard – with the sticks sandwiched in-between rows one and two – start/select, and two shoulder buttons, though the iControlPad 2 team says the layout isn’t quite final and could still be changed base on gamer feedback.

Attaching to whatever mobile device you want to use the iControlPad 2 with uses a swivel-holder, that can flip around the back of the phone in case you need to suddenly take a call. Inside there’s a battery good for 12-14 hours of runtime.

It’ll work with your PC or Mac, too, and the firmware is open-source so that you can hack it about if you don’t have support for a specific device. Pledging is open from today, with a minimum pledge of $69 getting you a unit when it begins shipping; that’s expected to happen in time for the holidays.

iControlPad 2 takes iPhone & Android game control open-source is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Those who live and die by color coordination can breathe a bit easier today, as Logitech has introduced its Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for the iPad in white. Like the black model, the accessory operates via Bluetooth and features a battery that’s said to provide up to six months worth of go time — a statistic that’s based on two hours of usage per day. You can expect to coat your very own white keyboard with a layer of grime in short order: it’s currently available for pre-order on Logitech’s website for $100 and is said to hit Apple retail stores later this month. For the curious, you’ll find a teaser video after the break.

Continue reading Logitech debuts white Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad, arriving before month’s end for $100

Filed under: Peripherals, Tablets

Logitech debuts white Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad, arriving before month’s end for $100 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 04:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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