Hasta La Gadget!

We know, we know — it’s just the natural evolution of technology, right? With Intel just recently slashing the MSRP on its 80GB SSD, not to mention to scads of others ratcheting things down as well, it’s not shocking to hear that SSD-equipped netbooks are becoming all the more affordable. DigiTimes has it that demand for SSD-based 8.9-inch netbooks in particular are clogging up sales channels, which is forcing companies to move them (at least in Taiwan) for lower-than-advertised amounts. Of course, we’re still betting it takes a month or so before these elusive price drops make their way to America, but keep a close eye out for sudden discounts if you’re in the market.

[Via GadgetMix]

Filed under: Laptops, Storage

SSD-equipped netbooks getting cheaper? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 22:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s been a slow, painful death, but it’s about time to just pull the white sheet over ultra-wideband and let the wireless standard rest in peace. After Intel pulled its support for UWB and proponent WiQuest shut down late last year, all that the format really had left was TZero. After successfully surviving some legal issues, we thought the company was good to go in fighting a hopeless battle against wireless HD upstart AMIMON. Now, it seems that WHDI (that’s AMIMON’s magic) is free to take the market by storm, but only time will tell if wireless HD is even remotely close to mainstream. In one sense, we’re sad to see competition die, but on the other hand, it’s always good to see fruitless format wars fade away. Don’t be too down on yourself, TZero — it’s not like anyone really had high expectations for you or anything.

Filed under: Wireless

TZero closes up shop, UWB all but dead originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’ve certainly seen mixed reviews for VIZIO plasmas, but it seems that those very reviews will be the last of their breed. According to the New York Times, VIZIO co-founder Laynie Newsome has confirmed that its existing PDPs will be the last the company sells. Looking back, you’ll notice that only LCDs were introduced by the outfit at CES, and while Pioneer may or may not completely abandon its TV initiatives, Americans can now definitively count on just three major players to provide for their plasma desires: LG, Samsung and Panasonic. Newsome stated that the decision was made for a number of reasons. First, PDP sets simply “don’t show as well in big box stores,” and VIZIO wanted to “devote all of its available shelf space to the technology that moves off the shelves fastest.” We’re a tad torn as to whether we should weep here, but regardless, a fond farewell is in order.

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

VIZIO kicks plasma to the curb, will focus on LCD TVs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You’ve had a nice run, 2G, but the time has come to start looking beyond to bigger, better and (most importantly) faster things. With LTE just over the horizon, NTT DoCoMo is proactively announcing the phase out of its mova and DoPa 2G services. The 2G mova services encompass car phone and Pre-Call prepaid — which got their roots in March of 1993 — while the 2G DoPa packet communication service sprouted up four years after that. Both of these longtime favorites will be disconnected at the close of 2012, with the company noting that “associated services and related billing plans will also be terminated at the same time.” Anyone still relying on this stuff will be contacted sometime over the next three years to ensure that they aren’t shocked and surprised when December 2012 arrives, and they’ll be encouraged to make the not-at-all-painful shift to FOMA 3G services. It’s better in the fast lane, we promise.

Filed under: Cellphones

NTT DoCoMo announces farewell to mova and DoPa 2G services originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Analysts were already anticipating a killer Q4 for Netflix, and unlike practically every other company on the face of the planet, it delivered. The movie rental firm somehow managed to see net income rise to $22.7 million in the quarter, up from $15.7 million in Q4 2007. Revenue was also up by 19 percent, and subscriber growth was pegged at an amazing 26 percent. All told, the firm ended the quarter with 9.4 million subscribers, decimating its own forecast of ending Q4 with 9.15 million customers. Of course, some (Netflix included) are quick to assert that the recession has actually boosted business, with many consumers opting to stay home and rent versus taking the family out for a pricey night at the cinema. Netflix is now projecting to end 2009 with anywhere between 10.6 million to 11.3 million customers, and given all the hardware deals it keeps landing, we don’t see a reason why it won’t get there. Way to buck the trend, Netflix — we needed some bright news today.

[Via AP]

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Netflix profit up 45% in Q4, nears 10 million total subscribers originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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