Hasta La Gadget!

We already confirmed that RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook was deadly fast in use, but up until now, we’ve still been left to wonder what kind of silicon was powering it. According to a RIM representative that spoke to us just now on the CES show floor, a dual-core OMAP chip from Texas Instruments is doing the honors — more specifically, it’s the blisteringly fast 1GHz OMAP 4430. And now, you know.

RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook using a 1GHz OMAP 4430 processor originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 18:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yes, it’s another app from another auto manufacturer. This time it’s Chrysler and Mopar working together to release information apps for Android, BlackBerry, and iOS — though only Android is coming soon, sometime before the end of January. You won’t get any fancy remote climate-change like with the Leaf or door unlocking like you can do with OnStar or the upcoming MyFord Mobile. In fact, you can’t really do much of anything with the car, taking the Hyundai Equus route by simply aggregating information and videos about the owner’s car, plus also giving the ability to check warranty info and the number of your local garage. Initial availability is for this year’s Chrysler 200, Town & Country, and the Chrysler 300. Really, it doesn’t get much more exciting than that.

Continue reading Chrysler and Mopar get in on the smartphone app game, do it for free this Month

Chrysler and Mopar get in on the smartphone app game, do it for free this Month originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 19:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As if we weren’t excited enough about MiLi’s HDMI iPhone dock, the battery powerhouse has announced yet another multifunctional device for re-juicing your smartphone. The MiFlip foldable smartphone charger — compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch, and BlackBerry — functions as a charger, battery backup, and viewing stand, and it’s small enough to keep your mobile phone, well, mobile. This skinny battery booster provides eight hours of talk, 15 hours of video, or 80 hours of music, and uses a mini-USB connector to sync with iTunes. MiFlip will be available for $49.99 on MiLi’s website, and we’ll look for it at CES this week.

Mili Power MiFlip re-ups your smartphone battery without the extra baggage originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 23:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We just played with a wonderful tablet, and it wasn’t running Android, webOS, iOS, or even Windows. It was running a funky realtime operating system called QNX that RIM bought in April, combined with WebKit and a heaping helping of Flash, and plans on releasing to the world in Q1 of this year. The BlackBerry PlayBook is surprisingly polished and responsive at this stage, even though RIM says it has a lot of work to still left to do. In fact, the only thing frustrating about our roughly 30 minutes with the tablet (under the caring gaze of Mike Lazaridis) was the fact that you can’t buy an actual BlackBerry phone right now that’s anywhere near this enjoyable to use. Follow after the break as we talk through the product, along with a video walkthrough and stress test of that dual-core proc’s multitasking chops.

Continue reading BlackBerry PlayBook preview

BlackBerry PlayBook preview originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s true, the BlackBerry PlayBook is weird in some ways. You have to tether to your BlackBerry to get your calendar or email. But it’s also pretty great. More »