Hasta La Gadget!

Teasing tablets ahead of the CES deluge is nothing new for manufacturers now, but we’ll at least give Vizio a few style points for its expensive approach to the tactic. That’s because what looks like a Vizio-branded tablet made a not-so-secret appearance during the Rose Bowl. Specifically, the device appeared about 15 seconds into the chairman’s message in the hands of Vizio chief sales officer Randy Waynick. Just in case a mere sighting was too subtle, Waynick was also kind enough to mention Vizio’s dedication to “entertainment freedom for all” and the ability to view content on “any of their great new products, from anywhere” — wink wink, nudge nudge. Details on the gadget are obviously unknown, but we’re confident the actual specs (if any) will emerge next week. We’re also pretty positive it’s not Vizio’s 7-inch razor portable TV. If you weren’t watching the game, check out a video of the device’s brief cameo on national television after the break.

Update: We originally speculated that this tablet was probably running Android based on the buttons. Some eagle-eyed readers have pointed out though that only three buttons are visible at the bottom of the Vizio screen — which means WP 7 could also be a possibility. It’s worth noting too that no traditional Android buttons were visible on the prototype Motorola Honeycomb Tablet. The bottom line is we can’t make a ruling on the OS based solely on the buttons.

Continue reading Vizio teases entry into the tablet fray with pizazz via Rose Bowl spot (video)

Vizio teases entry into the tablet fray with pizazz via Rose Bowl spot (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Jan 2011 01:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Well, that was fast. Not long after we saw Dell’s 7-inch tablet earn its WiFi certification, we happened upon a treatment for its in-production commercial — exhausted Android mascot and all. Of course the video’ll touting the gaming, social, and internet capabilities, but it’s also got Blio reader, Stage UI (same skin as the 5-inch Streak), the new campaign slogan (“You can tell [it’s] Dell”), and yes, even a name: Streak 7, as said by the voice over. Not the most original, but when you got a brand, might as well keep it going. Looks like we’ve got something else to keep an eye out for when CES rolls around in a few weeks. Peep the treatment for yourself below.

Exclusive: the Dell Streak 7 will be televised, here’s the ad treatment originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 15:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Okay, it’s not exactly the new webOS hardware we’ve been waiting for, but we just got this shot of a Palm Bluetooth keyboard from a trusted source — we’re told it’s an accessory for Palm’s upcoming tablet, which is codenamed “Topaz.” Interestingly, we’re told the keyboard features a Windows key in addition to some webOS-specific keys — we’d guess that HP will sell it for general use as well. As for the Topaz tablet, it’s said to be extremely slick, with no hard buttons on the front and a design that echoes the design of the keyboard — we’re told it’s due out in the first half of 2011, which matches up with what we’ve heard from Palm.

We’re also told Palm’s planning a low-end teen phone that’s something like a Pre with no keyboard — it’s codenamed “Castle,” (just like the original Pre and Pixi) and due to hit Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T. That seems like a likely followup to the Pixi, but what we’re really anxious for is some news on a new high-end phone and the Topaz tablet — we’ll keep digging and let you know.

Palm’s tablet is codenamed ‘Topaz,’ keyboard accessory leaks out originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 15:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Is Sigma announcing an EVIL (as in Electronic Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens, not malevolent) camera today? Digital Photography Review forum member Ryan Shine seems to think so, and says it’s “here” in China. As if to prove his point, we’ve got a trio of pictures for the mirrorless shooter. Hey, don’t say we didn’t warn you — and if it doesn’t become official soon, at least there’s pictures to enjoy.

Update: We tracked down the source and turns out this is just an enthusiast’s modded Sigma DP1, which has been given a Leica M mount. Quite a daring mod, if we may say so.

Sigma’s mirrorless camera spotted, announcement coming later today? (Update: just a mod) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Dec 2010 12:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Photo Rumors  |  Digital Photography Review  | Email this | Comments

Here’s what we know about the HTC Merge: it’s also been known as the Lexicon, it’s a dual-mode phone with GSM and CDMA heading to Verizon, it’s got a slide-out QWERTY, an 800MHz processor, Bing and Bing Maps (a popular trend these days), and now we know, too, that it has a Body Glove snap on cover available to protect its metallic exterior. Here’s what we don’t know: why no one’s yet to officially acknowledged this phone.

HTC Merge accessories in the wild — nope, still not official yet originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 17:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Android Central  |  Droid Forums  | Email this | Comments