Hasta La Gadget!

So, there may never be a Windows 7 Phone tablet, but that device above looks pretty darn close to what one may have looked like. In actuality that’s just the tablet that Microsoft has been using at Computex to demo its new Windows Embedded Compact 7 supporting Silverlight for Windows Embedded, Flash 10.1, and multitouch within the browser. We caught a few minutes with the NVIDIA Tegra 2-powered, 8.9-inch slate and found ourselves drooling over the Zune / Windows Phone 7-like interface that had been built by Microsoft. But before we tell you to jump past the break to check out the short demo, we want to break the news to you that this UI was created just to show off the capabilities of the new CE platform — there’s no plan to bring it to market as is on Microsoft’s end at the moment. Instead manufacturers, like ASUS and others, have to do their own engineering with the preview release and then the RTM build that will come later this year. But we certainly wouldn’t object to one of those companies creating something similar to what you are about to witness in the gallery and video below.

Continue reading Microsoft Windows Embedded Compact 7 tablet prototype preview

Microsoft Windows Embedded Compact 7 tablet prototype preview originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Jun 2010 02:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft isn’t kidding around about showing Apple it’s serious in regard to competing in the tablet space, and while most of the devices surrounding its Computex booth were locked down tight, we were able to spend a few exclusive minutes with a brand new LG that showed some serious promise. Boasting a 10.1-inch LED capacity touchscreen, the UX10 was one of the most solid tablets we’ve had the opportunity to touch. The prototype on the floor was equipped with an Intel Atom Z530 processor, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, Windows 7 Home Premium, a 1.3 megapixel front-facing webcam, an SD card slot, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, a 7200mAh battery and a micro-HDMI output. The entire front was smothered in glass, with an itty-bitty bezel and a striking pearlescent white paint job around back. Though, we couldn’t help but notice the similarities in the logo when thinking of a certain Streak. Microsoft representatives couldn’t comment on an estimated price, though they did affirm that the device will escape the prototype stage and ship to consumers at some point in the future. Hit up the gallery below for a closer look, and peek past the break if you’re a fan of videos.

Continue reading Exclusive: LG UX10 tablet preview at Computex

Exclusive: LG UX10 tablet preview at Computex originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 04:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you thought that Apple’s foray into the world of home entertainment died with the last iteration of the Apple TV, you’re quite wrong. A tip we’ve received — which has been confirmed by a source very close to Apple — details the outlook for the next version of the Apple TV, and it’s a doozy. According to our sources, this project has been in the works long before Google announced its TV solution, and it ties much more closely into Apple’s mobile offerings. The new architecture of the device will be based directly on the iPhone 4, meaning it will get the same internals, down to that A4 CPU and a limited amount of flash storage — 16GB to be exact — though it will be capable of full 1080p HD (!). The device is said to be quite small with a scarce amount of ports (only the power socket and video out), and has been described to some as “an iPhone without a screen.” Are you ready for the real shocker? According to our sources, the price-point for the device will be $99. One more time — a hundred bucks.

Not only will this be priced to sell (like hotcakes), it seems that Apple is moving away from the model of local storage, and will be focusing the new ATV on cloud-based storage (not unlike Amazon’s streaming scheme, though we’re talking instant-on 1080p, a la Microsoft). For those still interested in keeping their content close, there will be an option to utilize a Time Capsule as an external storage component, but the main course will be all about streaming. The new ATV will do away with its current OS X-lite variation as a operating system, and will instead adopt the iPhone OS for the underlying experience. There’s no word at this point on whether apps and the App Store will be coming along for the ride, but it makes sense given the shared platform. Of course, scaling iPhone apps to that 52-inch plasma in your living room isn’t exactly a no-brainer. Perhaps not surprisingly, Apple won’t deliver the ATV news at the upcoming WWDC — that event will be focused on the capabilities of the new iPhone — but development on the product is most definitely full steam ahead. Is your TV screen the next battleground in the platform wars? Survey says: hell yes.

The next Apple TV revealed: cloud storage and iPhone OS on tap… and a $99 price tag originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 May 2010 10:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When you’ve got the world’s most desired** handset, you don’t keep people waiting. As such, Sprint is recommending that its “preferred retailers” open extra early on June 4th. That should give you a bit of time to grab the new EVO 4G on the way to the office for some good ol’ fashioned bragging rights in the cubicle farm. At least until you remember that one-third of your life is spent working inside of a beige box. Oh and here’s a pro tip: according to the official EVO 4G Launch Guide we’re staring at, the mobile hotspot functionality that turns your EVO into a WiMax hotspot for up to 8 devices will initially work without paying the $29.99 monthly fee if you’re happy with using it on 4G only (no 3G). Sprint expects to correct this sometime in July after which the Sprint Mobile Hotspot add-on will require activation. Read the details for yourself after the break.

** assuming you have WiMax coverage

Continue reading Stores open early June 4th for EVO 4G with mobile hotspot loophole

Stores open early June 4th for EVO 4G with mobile hotspot loophole originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 May 2010 08:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Well this can’t be tremendously surprising. Apparently American Beauty director Sam Mendes is in the process of putting together a series of commercials for Apple’s next iPhone, which according to a tipster is being referred to internally as the Mammoth / N90. Besides that tip (with a handful of juicy details), a trusted source has confirmed to us that the ads will feature at least one spot where a mother and daughter are having a video chat conversation using the new front-facing camera that’s been spied on the face of that iPhone floating around Vietnam and Northern California. Adding weight to this story, a cursory search on Twitter revealed that there’s at least one actress who is up for a role in the “f***ing apple commercial” in New York, and another fellow who is auditioning for spots in California. We don’t know much more than that, but we’re fairly confident that this confirms video chat is coming to the next iPhone, and that that said iPhone isn’t very far from our grasp. Remember folks, June 7th is just a kiss away.

Continue reading Confirmed: Apple’s next iPhone will have video chat, feature to be shown in ads directed by Sam Mendes

Confirmed: Apple’s next iPhone will have video chat, feature to be shown in ads directed by Sam Mendes originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 May 2010 22:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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