Apple Lightning cable inspection finds an extra-smart connector, won’t make for cheap substitutes

Apple Lightning cable inspection finds an extrasmart connector, won't offer a cheap substitute

Apple made much ado of the Lightning connector it launched side-by-side with the iPhone 5, but what we’ve known about it has been limited outside of the presence of an authentication chip. Double Helix Cables’ Peter Bradstock has delved deeper and tells AppleInsider that there’s some clever wiring that clinches the reversible design. While Lightning’s power supply is truly symmetrical among the contact pins, the data isn’t — which suggests a chip inside is redirecting data to keep the plug working as intended. The technique helps explain why Apple would need any elaborate circuitry in the first place. No matter the wizardry inside, Bradstock doesn’t see any cut-rate Lightning alternatives being useful in the near future: as it’s unlikely that anyone outside of Cupertino knows how the authentication works at this stage, clone cables may amount to little more than heaps of metal and plastic.

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Apple Lightning cable inspection finds an extra-smart connector, won’t make for cheap substitutes originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Sep 2012 18:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Twelve South HiRise takes iMacs and Apple displays to new heights, tidies up in the process

Twelve South HiRise takes iMacs and Apple Displays to new heights, tidies up in the process

Many of those who buy iMacs and Apple-designed displays are eager to avoid clutter in the first place, which makes an organizer all the more logical for those who’d like Desk Zero almost as much as Inbox Zero. Accessory maker Twelve South’s newly available HiRise aims to clean it all up — and lift it up. The aluminum-and-steel frame elevates Apple’s modern all-in-ones and screens to any one of six points while conveniently leaving storage space that goes with the local computing decor, whether it’s to hold external hard drives or car keys. Although the HiRise is no trivial expense at $80, it’s better for propping up an iMac than an old college textbook, and arguably more useful as a whole.

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Twelve South HiRise takes iMacs and Apple displays to new heights, tidies up in the process originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Sep 2012 17:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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N-trig release teases that Fujitsu’s Stylistic Q702 will come with active pen support

Ntrig release teases that Fujitsus Stylistic Q702 will come with active pen

Stylus maven N-trig has revealed that Fujitsu’s Stylistic Q702 laptop/tablet hybrid will be the first to shop with the company’s new G4 DuoSense pen and multi-touch digitizer. As such, it’ll be able to use a new active pen stylus that the company, perhaps unsurprisingly, promises will provide a “pen-on-paper handwriting experience.” Of course, we won’t be able to judge that for ourselves until the units arrive on our doorstep some time after Windows 8 does next month, but rest assured, we’ll be checking.

Continue reading N-trig release teases that Fujitsu’s Stylistic Q702 will come with active pen support

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N-trig release teases that Fujitsu’s Stylistic Q702 will come with active pen support originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Sep 2012 14:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Slickdeals’ best in tech for September 24th: Dell UltraSharp display, 50-inch LG HDTV and a Canon Rebel T3 bundle

Looking to save some coin on your tech purchases? Of course you are! In this round-up, we’ll run down a list of the freshest frugal buys, hand-picked with the help of the folks at Slickdeals. You’ll want to act fast, though, as many of these offerings won’t stick around long.

Sometimes your gadget needs are a bit more diverse. For those who are in need of devices that do more than enhance your current computer, this round of links may be just what you’re looking for. From living room speakers to a 50-inch plasma HDTV, there’s a duo that could make football season more enjoyable. If you’re home entertainment setup is already covered, perhaps a new 24-inch display or a digital SLR kit could get some use in your arsenal. Enough with the chatter, though, head on past the break to take a look — but keep a careful eye on those discount codes and rebates.

Continue reading Slickdeals’ best in tech for September 24th: Dell UltraSharp display, 50-inch LG HDTV and a Canon Rebel T3 bundle

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Slickdeals’ best in tech for September 24th: Dell UltraSharp display, 50-inch LG HDTV and a Canon Rebel T3 bundle originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NES light gun gets a laser upgrade, fulfils countless childhood dreams (video)

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While it’s not the DL-44 heavy blaster we’ve been holding out for, this Nintendo Zapper is almost as cool. Using the classic Duck Hunt light gun from the original NES, the team at North Street Labs created their own laser pistol. Using a 445nm diode, some batteries, wiring and imagination, the light gun was painstakingly put together, complete with physical safety lock and custom aim-assisting heat sink. The end result is a bona fide laser shootin’ gun, capable of not only setting alight matches from a distance, but setting the curtains on fire too (probably). See it in action in the video after the break, where it also tops out their laser meter, rating it — at least — at an eyeball popping 2W. Then tap up the source to see how — for educational purposes — you could make your own.

Continue reading NES light gun gets a laser upgrade, fulfils countless childhood dreams (video)

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NES light gun gets a laser upgrade, fulfils countless childhood dreams (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Sep 2012 14:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo Game Show 2012 wrap-up: Sony’s new PS3, ‘Prototype-SR’ and assorted gaming peripherals

Tokyo Game Show 2012 wrapup Sony's new PS3, more PS Vita colors, a headmounted display prototype and a handful of peripherals

After a few humid and sweaty days in Tokyo, TGS 2012 is drawing to a close. While the public days continue through the weekend, us media types are headed back to our respective homelands until next September. The lasting impression from the week — aside from eating massive amounts of gyoza — will undoubtedly be the news Sony dropped the day before the show started at its own press event. A new, even slimmer PS3 is on the way and two new colors for the PS Vita were outed — at least for Japan. On the show floor, though, we encountered some peripherals well-suited for other gaming tech like Nintendo’s 3DS XL, Xbox 360 and PC rigs. You can peek at those for yourself in the Sony Tokyo Game Show gallery that follows and relive all the action in the wrap-up that lies just beyond the break. Also, don’t forget to check out our pals over at Joystiq for more coverage from this week’s happenings.

Continue reading Tokyo Game Show 2012 wrap-up: Sony’s new PS3, ‘Prototype-SR’ and assorted gaming peripherals

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Tokyo Game Show 2012 wrap-up: Sony’s new PS3, ‘Prototype-SR’ and assorted gaming peripherals originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Sep 2012 07:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony’s HMZ-T2 3D headset at TGS: gaming at close range (video)

Sony's HMZ-T2 3D headset at TGS: gaming at close range

Sony’s second generation 3D visor didn’t make a big splash back at IFA, but the HMZ-T2 certainly has a pigeonhole at Tokyo’s premier gaming event. In addition to the headset’s substitutional reality prototype, the standard model stakes claim to almost a fifth of PlayStation’s demo area. With all the local buzz, we decided to weigh in on how the $900 headgear shapes up as a gaming display. The answer? Heavily. Out of necessity, the HMZ-T2 crams the majority of its hardware in front of the users eyeballs, bearing most of its weight on the nose. Over extended gaming sessions, we could see this becoming uncomfortable — and indeed, in our short time with the device we found our neck relaxing, begging to give in to the weight of the device. As silly as hung-head gaming might appear, however, the visual effect certainly does the trick — creating the illusion of a large 3D television 4-6 feet in front of the user. It didn’t add anything to Hot Shots Golf 6 in terms of gameplay or experience, but it certainly comes in a more compact form than a full size television. The fancy headgear could surely be a boon for gamers living in a tight space, but folks with room (and cash) to spare are probably better off with a proper flat screen. On the other hand, visors are way more futuristic looking. Don’t believe us? See us get our Geordi La Forge on after the break.

Continue reading Sony’s HMZ-T2 3D headset at TGS: gaming at close range (video)

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Sony’s HMZ-T2 3D headset at TGS: gaming at close range (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Sep 2012 03:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Razer BlackShark gaming headset hands-on (video)

Razer BlackShark gaming headset hands-on

At the end of August, Razer outed a black and green-cloaked version of its BlackShark gaming headset. The original unit first broke from cover just ahead of E3, but on that particular show floor, the aviator-inspired set of cans was sporting the blue and orange hues consistent with its Battlefield 3 branding. Here at TGS, we were able to take a closer look at the version that lacks a game-specific allegiance. The hardware is identical with the lone exception being the new paint scheme. If you’re unfamiliar with the BlackShark, the headset does a stellar job of recalling classic pilot units complete with detachable boom mic for use with your PMP of choice. The $120 peripheral also features quite comfy heavily-padded, leather-esque earcups and the same material wraps the headband with a dash of bright green stitching — all held over from the BF3 model. We weren’t able to test the audio quality on the show floor, so until our review unit arrives, consult the gallery below and the video that just past the break for a closer look.

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Razer BlackShark gaming headset hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Sep 2012 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jarre Aeroskull speaker dock packs dual 15-watt woofers, recently departed Apple Dock Connector

Jarre Aeroskull speaker dock packs dual 15watt woofers, recently departed Apple Dock Connector

Just in time for Halloween, Jarre’s new Aeroskull dock embodies 70 watts of total power in a human-like cranium, complete with a pair of speaker-packing shades. Jarre is showing off the colorful chrome tune machine in black, white, blue, green, orange, pink, purple and yellow finishes, with a matching IR bone remote to boot. With a tinted lens appearance, the permanently affixed sunglasses actually contain two 15-watt speakers, with a 40-watt subwoofer occupying the skull’s rear. The lofty £349 (about $565) sticker price will net you some of the latest technologies, including Bluetooth audio support and a standard 3.5mm audio input, but Apple’s new Lightning port is notably absent, with a good-as-dead Dock Connector mounted up top, instead. With 70 watts of power and Jarre’s backing, this seemingly bizarre rig may actually offer decent performance. You’ll need to wait until its October ship date to see for yourself, but if a skeletal sound system is on your list of must-haves, you can rest in peace knowing that you have but weeks to live (with your current spirited setup).

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Jarre Aeroskull speaker dock packs dual 15-watt woofers, recently departed Apple Dock Connector originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 23:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Circle Pad Pro for 3DS XL spotted at TGS, we go hands-on (video)

Circle Pad Pro for 3DS XL spotted at TGS, we go handson video

Nintendo is starting to make a habit of quietly releasing products at trade-shows they don’t attend. Kyoto’s premiere gaming outfit still isn’t present on the TGS show floor, but Capcom has once again seen fit to trot out the firm’s latest kit: The Circle Pad Pro for 3DS XL. Just like last year’s model, this beefy cradle puts the already large 3DS XL outside the realm of pocket-ability, trading the handheld’s slim profile for a luxuriously thick grip. Indeed, the fatty accessory makes the console quite comfortable to hold, adding a smooth, slightly contoured back, larger shoulder buttons and, of course, that all important starboard analog pad.

The new Circle Pad’s bulk is slightly more forgivable for the size of its host device. Yes, the attachment makes the XL a bit more unwieldily, but its supersized form already made it a non-contender for most pants pockets. Sadly, the accessory still sports its predecessor’s greatest fault: it blocks the 3DS’ cartridge slot. Gamers will have to get used to undocking their console, or else make a habit of buying more downloadable titles. Mum’s still the word on pricing and availability, but the accessory was shown with a copy of Monster Hunter 4, which is due out in March of next year. We wouldn’t be surprised to see it show up in early spring. Hungry for more? Check out our gallery below for an eyeful, or peek past the break for quick video overview.

Continue reading Circle Pad Pro for 3DS XL spotted at TGS, we go hands-on (video)

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Circle Pad Pro for 3DS XL spotted at TGS, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 23:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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