iRobot unveils super-compact Scooba 230, new Roomba 700 series

Our friends at iRobot have shrunken its hardwood cleaning child — not Roomba, the other one — to about half the diameter of its predecessors (6.5 inches). The Scooba 230 is maintains the same 3.5-inch height and, more importantly, is just as programmable as every other model (in an unfortunate twist of irony, it’s now thinner than a Kinect sensor). Speaking of Roomba, the company’s also unveiling the new 700 series with a number of cleaning and detection improvements. All autonomous cleaning discs will be available in the Sprint from iRobot’s online store with the prices ranging from a penny under $300 for Scooba 230 and $450 / $500 / $550 for the Roomba 760, 770, and 780. More shots / hands-on below; full details in the press release after the break.

Continue reading iRobot unveils super-compact Scooba 230, new Roomba 700 series

iRobot unveils super-compact Scooba 230, new Roomba 700 series originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 06:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toshiba announces unnamed Tegra 2-powered Android tablet, waits only for Honeycomb

Let the Tegra 2-powered, Android Honeycomb tablet announcements begin! Apparently (and understandably) staying away from a Folio 2 moniker, Toshiba is kicking off CES with its new unnamed 10.1-inch Android tablet, and we have to say from our brief look at a non-working unit a few weeks ago, it may just have what it takes to stick out from the rest.. at least on the spec and manufacturing quality front. The tablet has a capacitive, high 1280 x 800-resolution display along with an accelerometer and ambient light sensor (or what Toshiba has dubbed as Adaptive Display technology). It also has a 5 megapixel rear camera as well as a 2 megapixel front-facing one. Yep, this one is well stocked and just a quick look at the pictures below will show that the slab has got full sized USB and HDMI jacks, a single mini-USB socket, and an SD card slot.

While we couldn’t turn on the dual-core Tegra 2-powered tablet, which will eventually run “the next version of Android designed for tablets” aka Honeycomb, we have to say the EasyGrip, spill-resistant, rubberized back felt really solid in hand and the 1.7-pound, .6-inch thick tablet felt comparable to the iPad in terms of portability. Oh, and did we mention that the aforementioned rear cover is swappable, so not only can you change its color but you can replace the battery? We told you it had some of the ingredients to make it go far, but we’re obviously lacking quite a bit of information here to make any further decisions. Toshiba’s maintaining that the tablet will be released in the first half of 2011 (it obviously has to wait until Honeycomb has been made official) and the pricing will be competitive, but we’ll be digging for more when we get to Vegas and hopefully reporting back with some impressions of a working unit.

Toshiba announces unnamed Tegra 2-powered Android tablet, waits only for Honeycomb originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 03:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E220s and E420s unleashed, glossy lids and outdated processors left behind

It was just a year ago that Lenovo debuted its more casual ThinkPad Edge brand at CES, so naturally it means that the stars have aligned for an annual refresh. However, Lenovo’s not just updating the new 12.5-inch E220s and 14-inch E420s with those just announced second generation Intel Core CPUs, though it’s doing that as well — it has totally revamped the line with a fresh coat of soft-matte lids, edge-to-edge glass displays, and HD webcams. We can attest that the metal-accented exterior is certainly a big improvement over the previous plasticy models, but even better is that both systems aren’t as chunky as the former Edge 13 and 14 — the inch-thick E220s weighs less than 3.5 pounds and the E420s, which still makes room for a slot-loading optical drive, tips the scales at 4.1 pounds. Internally, the new Edges are just as ripe — both will be available with Intel’s latest Core i5 and i7 processors, choices of 5400RPM and 7200RPM hard drives, and the E420s will have AMD’s newest Radeon HD 6630M switchable graphics option.

So, what do these suckers cost and when can you get ’em? Maintaining that they are still aimed at small businesses strapped for cash — we’re of the mind these are for anyone looking for a classy looking laptop with a great keyboard — the E220s will start at $899 and the E420s at $749, and will be available in April. For those looking for slightly cheaper versions, Lenovo’s also crafted the $599 E420 and E220, but as you’d expect, you’ll have to give up the thinner cases and the “infinity displays.” We’re planning on catching some more intimate time with these when we touch down in the city of sin, though we did get to check out some very early, non-working versions of the E420s a few months ago. Until we can bring you those impressions, hit the gallery below for some of those hands-on pictures and then the press release after the break.

Continue reading Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E220s and E420s unleashed, glossy lids and outdated processors left behind

Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E220s and E420s unleashed, glossy lids and outdated processors left behind originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 00:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Skype video calling for iPhone is official, available now (update: hands-on)

All signs have been pointing to this release for a few days now, but we’ll admit: we expected Skype to wait until CES next week to pull the covers off what could become its crown jewel service over the coming months. Skype’s official iOS client has finally sprouted the ability to make video calls, allowing iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and fourth-generation iPod touch users to share real-time video amongst each other and users of Skype’s Windows, Mac, and Linux clients along with the ASUS Videophone (obviously, 3GS users won’t have the convenience of a front-facing camera, but they’ll still be able to broadcast video from the rear-facing one). Additionally, you’ll be able to receive video from others if you’re using an iPad or a third-generation iPod touch. The service is free and works over both WiFi and 3G — and considering Skype’s existing PC footprint, we’d argue this stands a very real chance of putting the hurt on FaceTime usage. No word on when Skype will be making video-capable clients available for Android or other mobile platforms, but Skype says that there’ll be “plenty more” announcements in Vegas next week, so we wouldn’t be surprised.

Update: So we just gave 3.0 a spin, calling iPhone-to-iPhone (both WiFi), iPhone-to-desktop (both WiFi), and again iPhone-to-iPhone (both 3G). The first two worked great, although the desktop camera produced better quality. As for the worst-case scenario, 3G-to-3G video calling, well… we wouldn’t recommend it unless absolutely necessary. Video after the break, and be sure to note the battery life — after about 10 minutes of use, we dropped from 66 percent to 61.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Skype video calling for iPhone is official, available now (update: hands-on)

Skype video calling for iPhone is official, available now (update: hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 00:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jawbone Jambox vs. Soundmatters foxL v2… fight!

Two portable speakers clamber into the ring, each boasting big, beautiful sound for their diminutive size. Both cost $200. Both have the same technology inside. The Jawbone Jambox and the Soundmatters foxL v2 with Bluetooth each want to be your wireless audio wunderkind, blasting music and taking Bluetooth calls. At best, you’re only going to buy one. Which speaker should you choose? Following our Jambox review, we got our hands on a foxL and put the two head to head, and after the break you’ll see which one came out on top — both literally and figuratively.

Continue reading Jawbone Jambox vs. Soundmatters foxL v2… fight!

Jawbone Jambox vs. Soundmatters foxL v2… fight! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 19:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lenovo LePad and U1 Hybrid early hands-on

Believe it or not, it’s been almost a year since we caught a look at Lenovo’s IdeaPad U1 Hybrid, and while we’ve heard numerous times that the device and a new tablet part — the LePad — were still kicking, we’ve got some rock solid evidence this time around. Okay, we got some of the best evidence out there — pictures and early impressions of the China-bound 10.1-inch LePad tablet and its U1 dock / shell. Now, we don’t want to get your hopes up too much — we didn’t get to spend all that much time with either of the units and they were in very early form, but that didn’t stop us from playing around with both of them and taking some notes. Interested? We thought so. Hit the break for a short rundown and don’t forget to peruse the gallery below on your way.

Continue reading Lenovo LePad and U1 Hybrid early hands-on

Lenovo LePad and U1 Hybrid early hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell Venue launched in Hong Kong, we go hands-on

Isn’t it fun when you hit the right place at the right time? We just happened to be chillaxing in Hong Kong when Dell chose the city for the Venue’s global launch (and it’s actually hitting the shops slightly ahead of South Korea), so a quick hands-on is inevitable. As we’ve seen previously, this HK$3,999 (US$514) handset is essentially the Venue Pro’s Android 2.2 cousin, sporting the same curved (or “Shear Design”) vibrant AMOLED display at 4.1 inches and 800 x 480, but missing the slide-out keyboard. Under the hood lies a 1GHz Snapdragon with 1GB ROM and 512MB RAM, along with the usual microSD expansion, 1400mAh battery, 8 megapixel AF camera with LED flash, Bluetooth 2.3 EDR, WiFi and AGPS.

There aren’t any surprises in terms of software — the Venue shares the same snappy Stage UI and Swype keyboard with the Streak, except for the lack of landscape orientation for the homescreen (and that’s with orientation enabled in system settings). As for hardware, the killer feature here is the screen, and we found its curved Gorilla Glass to be surprisingly nice for our thumbs while swiping across it. The AMOLED panel underneath is also vibrant with great viewing angles. Elsewhere, build quality is almost solid bar the squeaky battery door, but at least it provides some grip. That’s all we got for now — we’ll delve into more details in our forthcoming review, so stay tuned.

Continue reading Dell Venue launched in Hong Kong, we go hands-on

Dell Venue launched in Hong Kong, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 07:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Skyfire for iPad hands-on (video)

What’s better than using Skyfire on a 3.5-inch screen? Using it on a 9.7-inch one, of course! After tinkering with the new iPad browser, we’ve noticed that it has the same feel as its iOS brother and Android cousin, with a modified look to it. Features like private browsing, mobile or desktop view and bookmarks remain present — and rest assured, the ability to watch Flash videos is still as easy as tapping a button. What’s perhaps the most salient addition in this rendition is the social network integration. When the app is opened, you’ll notice right away that it’s got eight buttons along the bottom, four of which are Facebook related. These buttons, referred to as “quick view” by the peeps at Skyfire, give you, well, a quick view of the button you’ve tapped. For example, when the Facebook button is pushed, you’re presented with a trimmed down the mobile version of the social network. The same goes with Twitter and Google Reader. The app also features Fireplace, which allows you to view specifically the links your Facebook friends have shared, and ‘Popular’, which shows all the related links your friends have shared based on what website the browser parked on, and of course a dedicated ‘Like’ button. The Share function lends you an easy way to share links via various popular networks.

As for the browsing experience itself, the devs at Skyfire did a great job ironing out the kinks that we stumbled upon in the iPhone version. Pages render nicely and quickly, pinch-to-zoom works as well as it does on Safari, scrolling is buttery smooth and Flash videos play noticeably quicker in comparison to what we experienced on the iPhone. The app is sadly not available in the App Store just yet, but hang tight, it’s been submitted for approval and should hit virtual shelves soon.

Update: Video’s now after the break!

Update 2: We just got word that it’s been approved by Apple. It’ll be available tonight at around 8PM EST and cost $4.99.

Continue reading Skyfire for iPad hands-on (video)

Skyfire for iPad hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engadget Chinese gets hands-on with the Meizu M9

We harbored our doubts as to whether the Meizu M9 would ever be more than unicorn, prancing around the grey matter of CEO Jack Wong, but lo and behold, a honest-to-goodness handset just arrived at our Chinese counterparts’ door. Our brothers-from-other-mothers at Engadget Chinese have yet to put that Retina Display-alike through the wringer, but their cameras have been popping nonstop, and if you’re curious about the literal shape of things to come — or just about any facet of Meizu’s customized Android 2.2 UI — you’ll find it in pictures below.

Engadget Chinese gets hands-on with the Meizu M9 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Dec 2010 12:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eLocity A7 tablet finally shipping, $399 still buys you Froyo and Tegra 2

Looking for a bargain bin tablet without the bargain bin stigma? We told you around three months ago to look Stream TV’s way, but it seems that the same message could be applied today. For whatever reason, the 7-inch eLocity A7 tablet actually didn’t ship in September, but according to a fresh piece of PR, that’s being remedied today. The A7 — complete with Android 2.2 and NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 silicon — has started shipping today to those who placed a pre-order, and it’s also found a safe and secure spot on Amazon’s website. ‘Course, it’s listed as “out of stock” for the time being, but as soon as the factory lines start cranking at a decent clip, the $399 slate should make an appearance at Walmart, NewEgg, BJs, Tiger Direct and Micro Center (among other places). Emphasis on should.

Continue reading eLocity A7 tablet finally shipping, $399 still buys you Froyo and Tegra 2

eLocity A7 tablet finally shipping, $399 still buys you Froyo and Tegra 2 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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