Hasta La Gadget!

We’re not going to call it official yet, but a bunch of very real-looking Kindle 2 press images just hit the tubes, and we’ve got to say we’re pretty convinced. Although the device itself looks basically the same as in those previously-leaked shots we saw back in October, there are some surprises in store: it’s way thinner, the back is apparently made of metal and there are stereo speakers at the bottom. We’ll admit to missing the polarizing ultra-80s look of the original, but this thing looks pretty sweet — too bad it’s still going to set you back $359 when it arrives on February 24. We’ll find out what’s what for sure on Monday — in the meantime check couple more shots after the break and way more at the read link.

[Thanks, Alex]

Continue reading Official-looking Kindle 2 pictures and pricing leak out

Official-looking Kindle 2 pictures and pricing leak out originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 19:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We knew good and well that Roku‘s movie set-top-box would be supporting Amazon Video On Demand in the not-too-terribly-distant future, and apparently the private beta has begun. Over at the Roku forums, an official has made clear that demand was exceptional and the pool of private beta testers has now been chosen. Sadly, there’s no mention of when Roku plans on sharing the love with the public at large, but Dave Zatz has appropriately pointed out that YouTube could be following close behind. Still, we have to concur that the most pressing question has yet to be answered: will this Amazon VOD be offered up in glorious high-def? Pretty please?

[Via ZatzNotFunny]

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Roku takes Amazon Video On Demand into private beta originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 06:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If the early snaps are any indication, FujiFilm’s FinePix F200EXR might just be the kick in the ass the relentlessly boring compact cam market needs, but revolution won’t come cheap — Amazon just listed the 12 megapixel camera for $399. Considering you can buy any number of $200-$250 compacts that have superficially similar spec sheets, we’ll see if consumers can be persuaded to shell out extra for pure image quality — a tough sell even during happier economic times, but we’re eternal optimists.

[Thanks, Craig R.]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

FujiFilm FinePix F200EXR gets priced originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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That’s right folks, the Engadget Podcast is back for more. Once again, you’re treated to the smooth tones of pure gadget goodness, though this week, our compatriot Paul Miller has been felled with a totally minor illness. Taking the controls in Paul’s battle pod this round is Engadget Mobile editor Chris Ziegler. Hear Josh, Nilay, and Chris pontificate on the finer points of the week’s big stories, including (but not limited to): RIM’s new BlackBerry Curve 8900, Obama’s old BlackBerry, Windows Mobile 6.5, a possible new Kindle, and Josh’s inner-most feelings about childcare. Enjoy!

Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel
Special guest host: Chris Ziegler
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Song: Blitzkrieg Bop

00:02:22 – Apple vs. Palm: the in-depth analysis
00:10:23 – Obama BlackBerry alert: it’s a BlackBerry
00:16:00 – T-Mobile BlackBerry Curve 8900 review
00:38:10 – Seemingly real Windows Mobile 6.5 screenshots trickle out of leaky internet faucet
00:54:24 – Amazon to host press event at library, innocently whistling when asked about the Kindle 2
01:02:48 – Verizon Hub hands-on and impressions

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Filed under: Podcasts

Engadget Podcast 131 – 01.30.2009 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We thought we’d seen all that Palm intended to reveal about the magical company-saving Pre at CES a few weeks back, but quality footage continues to roll in — and it just gets even better when it’s being shown off by an exec instead of your standard-issue PR type. Peter Skillman, Palm’s design VP, does the honors here with a 4-plus minute overview of some of the cooler things the Pre has to offer, including a demo of the Touchstone inductive charger at about 2:26 in (curious fact: it apparently uses the “same technology that are in gecko feet” to stick to the table). At the 2:06 mark, he puts down the Nokia N95 for looking like a post-apocalyptic industrial design nightmare of exposed hardware and mechanisms (our words, not his), which is kinda funny since we’d never really considered the N95 as a Pre competitor. Finally, he wraps up with a quick look at the Amazon music store starting around 3:19 — and at a first glance, it looks a heck of a lot prettier than the one we get on the G1. Not to say we’re going to let the prettiness of the store affect how much DRM-free music we buy. Wait, yes we are. See the full video after the break.

[Via PreCentral]

Continue reading Palm’s VP of design shows off Pre features, scoffs at N95

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Palm’s VP of design shows off Pre features, scoffs at N95 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 22:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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