ClamCase for iPad 2 is a little lighter, suited for picture taking and $149

Just in case you bought an iPad 2 but really needed a netbook, ClamCase is back with a redesigned version of its case / battery powered Bluetooth QWERTY keyboard combo. This one is a hair thinner and a little lighter than the previous version (reviewed here), with cutouts for the back camera and speaker grille plus integrated magnets to awaken and sleep your tablet when the case is opened or closed. The keyboard has also reportedly been refreshed for an improved feel, but even though the black version is on sale now for $149 (white ships next month) there’s still a 4-5 week wait for shipping to get a hands-on and find out for yourself. Logitech’s Keyboard Case for iPad 2 is another option for $100, but it will only protect your precious slab on one side — something to consider while you’re checking out specs.

Continue reading ClamCase for iPad 2 is a little lighter, suited for picture taking and $149

ClamCase for iPad 2 is a little lighter, suited for picture taking and $149 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Jun 2011 06:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PFU outs faster, quieter Type-S Happy Hacking Keyboard for overachieving typists

It goes without saying that you have to be a pretty accomplished typist to use one of PFU’s letterless Happy Hacking Keyboards. But for the laser-focused overachievers out there, PFU just started selling the S-Type for “speed” and “silence.” This retooled version promises to keep up with faster typists — a mighty vague claim indeed — and pledges to make 30 percent less noise. Of course, as with other HHKBs, mere mortals prone to spelling errors can nab one with letters printed on the keys. It’s on sale now for ¥30,000 ($371.61) — a veritable steal compared to some other keyboards we’ve seen.

PFU outs faster, quieter Type-S Happy Hacking Keyboard for overachieving typists originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft’s ergonomically alliterative Comfort Curve Keyboard makes a contoured comeback

Like a vinyl record left out in the sun too long, Microsoft’s Comfort Curve Keyboard has returned, albeit slightly more warped than before. The ergonomic peripheral is an attempt to improve the comfort and posture of users who just don’t go in for the split variety. The 3000 features uniformly-sized QWERTY keys, offering up a similar layout to traditional straight keyboards. You’ll be able to get your fingers on the input device in August for $20, to see if the comfort does indeed match the curves.

Microsoft’s ergonomically alliterative Comfort Curve Keyboard makes a contoured comeback originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 08:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Swype 3.0 gets Honeycomb support, intense promo video (video)

Swype: Get to da choppa

The folks at Swype sure know how to get our attention. The Android keyboard app has always inspired us to get a bit dramatic, but we had no idea that predictive text and moveable QWERTY pads were this intense. To celebrate the beta release of Swype 3.0 it appears the company hired Doug Liman (or at least some one who has studied the Bourne Identity very closely) to whip up a promo video. Enjoy the thrills of a resizable input area! Be wowed by the Honeycomb support! Get stunned by the auto-correct! Oh, and don’t forget to head after the break to watch the clip.

Continue reading Swype 3.0 gets Honeycomb support, intense promo video (video)

Swype 3.0 gets Honeycomb support, intense promo video (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HP rolls out the YouTube carpet for TouchPad slate, prices accessories (video)

Now that HP’s TouchPad has a confirmed July 1st release date, the company’s going to do its darnedest to make sure you’re excited for the slate, and the company’s starting off rather well if you ask us — instead of attempting to find a new anthem, it’s simply showing off what the dual-core tablet actually does. The nine YouTube videos after the break may not be the most exciting things you’ll watch all day, but they certainly do show off the multitasking magic of HP’s card-based operating system. If that’s not nearly enough TouchPad information, though, Geekazine also taped a 37-minute conversation with HP product manager Tim Pettitt, where he reveals that the final TouchPad won’t have a traditional gesture area, but it will recognize the traditional swipe up for opening and closing apps. By the by, all the TouchPad’s accessories have now been priced: you’ll drop $30 for a charger, $50 for the official folding case, $70 for the Bluetooth keyboard, and $80 for the new Touchstone dock. Pricey.

Continue reading HP rolls out the YouTube carpet for TouchPad slate, prices accessories (video)

HP rolls out the YouTube carpet for TouchPad slate, prices accessories (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 02:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink EverythingPre, PreCentral (1), (2)  |  sourcehpcomputers (YouTube), Geekazine, HP  | Email this | Comments

Star Wars: The Old Republic scores Razer promotional peripherals (update: eyes-on)

A long time ago, in a boardroom far, far away… a designer (flanked by marketing execs) pitched an idea for a set of Star Wars: The Old Republic branded peripherals, and the CEO of Razer told his troopers to “make it so.” Or, at least that’s how we imagine it happened. In addition to mixing up his sci-fi references, whoever approved this gaming keyboard, mouse, and headset also abandoned any notion of subtlety. All three are slathered in interchangeable Sith or Jedi insignias, bright LEDs, and a texture not unlike the exterior of a Star Destroyer. The most ostentatious is easily the keyboard, which sports both a multitouch screen and two rows of adaptive buttons over an LCD (à la the Switchblade handheld). The keyboard will run you $200, while the mouse or headset will cost $130 when they launch alongside The Old Republic later this year. Check out the gallery below and the PR after the break.

Update: We just got our first glimpse of the new peripherals, and it sounds like Razer actually put some thought into the keyboard and headphones here — while the mouse is just a jagged, Imperial-flavored wireless Naga MMO rodent, the headsets look fairly sweet, and Razer tells us their garish LED lighting apparently syncs with The Old Republic to throw signals on your shoulders to warn you of approaching enemies. Razer also has grand plans for that LCD-equipped keyboard, telling us those adaptive keys will automatically switch function based on signals from the game itself, and that multitouch LCD trackpad can display a variety of things and be used to program macros. Last but not least, you’ll get some serious geek cred when you switch the keyboard’s backlight off, because the only thing physically printed on each key are the letters of Star Wars’ Aurebesh alphabet.

Continue reading Star Wars: The Old Republic scores Razer promotional peripherals (update: eyes-on)

Star Wars: The Old Republic scores Razer promotional peripherals (update: eyes-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Wars: The Old Republic scores gaudy promotional peripherals from Razer

Star Wars: The Old Republic Keyboard

A long time ago, in a boardroom far, far away… a designer (flanked by marketing execs) pitched an idea for a set of Star Wars: The Old Republic branded peripherals, and the CEO of Razer told his troopers to “make it so.” Or, at least that’s how we imagine it happened. In addition to mixing up his sci-fi references, whoever approved this gaming keyboard, mouse, and headset also abandoned any notion of subtlety. All three are slathered in interchangeable Sith or Jedi insignias, bright LEDs, and a texture not unlike the exterior of a Star Destroyer. The most ostentatious is easily the keyboard, which sports both a multitouch screen and two rows of adaptive buttons over an LCD (à la Switchblade). The keyboard will run you $200, while the mouse or headset will cost $130 when they launch alongside The Old Republic later this year. Check out the gallery below and the PR after the break.

Continue reading Star Wars: The Old Republic scores gaudy promotional peripherals from Razer

Star Wars: The Old Republic scores gaudy promotional peripherals from Razer originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer unveils two new Aspire Ethos laptops for multimedia enthusiasts, street fighters

It’s been more than a year since Acer first launched its Aspire Ethos line of laptops — a family that got a bit bigger today, with the announcement of the 8951G and 5951G. These rambunctious little extroverts are powered by the latest generation of Intel’s Core i processors, offering Turbo Boost speeds of up to 3.4GHz. Big bro 8951G boasts a 18.4-inch display that transmits images in Full HD, 1920 x 1080 resolution and 220-nit brightness, while spunky little 5951G struts around with a 15.6-inch HD 1366 x 768 screen of its own. They also support NVIDIA GeForce GT500 and DirectX 11 graphics and sport Dolby-approved surround sound, aluminum-magnesium alloy shells, glossy matte finishes and back-lit chiclet keyboards. Acer plans to unleash the pair sometime in mid-June, though they won’t come for cheap, with prices starting at £1,000 (about $1,643). Aspiring owners can find more information in the full PR, after the break.

Continue reading Acer unveils two new Aspire Ethos laptops for multimedia enthusiasts, street fighters

Acer unveils two new Aspire Ethos laptops for multimedia enthusiasts, street fighters originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 21:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Japan scores official Bluetooth PS3 keyboard for ¥5,000

Official PS3 Keyboard

Yesterday, Sony took the wraps off a PlayStation-branded 3D TV and gave us our first serious look at the Vita, but our friends across that big wet thing we call the Pacific scored an extra little hardware goody — an official PS3 keyboard. If you’ve ever seen a Bluetooth keyboard there isn’t much surprising here, though it does feature a PS button for powering the console on and off. Instead of a touchpad Sony went with a Thinkpad-style nub which will be loved by some, but loathed by others. And don’t worry, pairing this thin one-pounder with other devices should be quite simple. Folks in the Land of the Rising Sun can pick one up on June 30th for ¥5,000 (about $62), but there’s no word on a stateside release. Treat yourself to the machine translated PR and another pic after the break.

Continue reading Japan scores official Bluetooth PS3 keyboard for ¥5,000

Japan scores official Bluetooth PS3 keyboard for ¥5,000 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft Wireless Desktop 2000 protects that sensitive area between your peripherals

Microsoft’s new wireless keyboard-and-mouse duo aims to thwart keystroke spies with full AES 128-bit encryption on over-the-air data — an improvement on older wireless models that have proven to be easy pickings for hacker-types. You can pick up the Wireless Desktop 2000 now for $40, but that won’t buy you protection from more common threats like Shandong phishmongers, nor will it make up for security loopholes in your other peripherals. Speaking of which, are you still using that seemingly innocent USB coffee-cup warmer?

Microsoft Wireless Desktop 2000 protects that sensitive area between your peripherals originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Jun 2011 19:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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