Hasta La Gadget!

Man, that first edition VAIO P was not the one to buy. Just a month after we saw the thing unveiled at CES, we’ve already learned that a Gobi-equipped version is on the way. Furthermore, Corel has just proclaimed that all future VAIO Ps will ship with its own InstantON technology to alleviate slow boot times associated with running Windows Vista on an Atom CPU. As with most alternatives, Corel’s version of the software enables users to surf the web, check email, chat online and play back photos, videos and music in seconds after turning on their machine, and it sounds like Corel has crafted a customized interface specifically for this pocket-friendly(ish) PC. If this just made your decision to run out and snag a VAIO P, you can find the Corel-equipped version now in Japan and elsewhere later this month.

[Via GadgetMix]

Filed under: Laptops

Corel brings InstantON technology to Sony’s VAIO P originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 10:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There’s no two ways about it — Microsoft has moved a truckload of Windows Vista licenses. That said, just 10 percent of all PCs within enterprises in North America and Europe use Vista, with the vast majority sticking to what has worked for years: Windows XP. Company CEO Steve Ballmer had quite the zinger on this topic during a recent interview at an NYC interview to mark the extension of Microsoft’s collaboration with EMC, and we’re certain you’ll love it. Here goes: “If you deploy a four or five-year old operating system today [Windows XP], most people will ask their boss why the heck they don’t have the stuff [Vista / Windows 7] they have at home.” Of course, a one-off remark from some chap that’s not at all pertinent to the day-to-day operations of a company isn’t apt to make a business owner rethink their approach to running their own show, but we’re sure it’s fun for Steve to think that only a handful of consumers out there are still relying on WinXP.

[Via PCWorld]

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Ballmer to businesses: deploy WinXP now and face concerns from employees originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s been nearly a year since we were first confused about what this whole Moblin thing was going to be, but now here it is released to the wild, roaming about in alpha form and looking to find a home for itself in your netbook. If you haven’t been following along, Moblin is a custom flavor of Linux that Intel has been whipping up for installation on devices using its chips, particularly the Atom but Core 2 processors as well. It’s based on Fedora and, as of this release, is confirmed to work on Acer’s Aspire One and Dell’s Mini, though Eee peeps can check it out too — so long as they don’t mind living without WiFi. Mind you, this is still a very early version and there’s a ways to go before a final release, so feel free to sit this round out if you’re not into the whole bleeding edge thing.

[Via Ars Technica]

Filed under: Handhelds, Laptops

Alpha version of Intel’s Moblin OS released for brave netbookers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 08:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As you know, a new beta OS for the Storm has made its way into the wild. Although we haven’t had a chance to give OS 4.7.0.90 the what-for ourselves, those of you who have certainly have a lot to say. The big news for both 9500 and 9530 users is that there is now a QWERTY keyboard in portrait mode — no more flipping the phone around just for an ill-advised late night tweet! Besides that, users have noted an increase in overall stability (unless you’re trying to listen to music — more on that in a moment) and some visual enhancements (including the older-look application folder and fonts that are slightly larger). Additionally, when the device is locked, the screen doesn’t light up every time you bump it — good for battery life. And as one user noted, the charging issue “which plagued OS version 88” has been resolved. Unfortunately, there has also been plenty of chatter about buggy multimedia players — at least on the Storm 9500. Users have complained about music and video playback crashing the phone, fast forward not working, and an overall video performance decrease. Brave Blackberry fans can hit the read link to browse the forums and maybe even download the new OS for themselves. More images after the break.

Continue reading New Storm OS 4.7.0.90 leaked, includes QWERTY keyboard in portrait mode

Filed under: Cellphones

New Storm OS 4.7.0.90 leaked, includes QWERTY keyboard in portrait mode originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 11:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft has pushed out its first patch for the Windows 7 public beta. The update saves your MP3s from a rather nasty bug that trims seconds off any song that’s been edited, either by you or via automatic updates from Windows Media Player. If you’ve got afflicted files, there’s a chance they’re salvageable via properties window, according to the patch notes — and if not, then here’s hoping you backed up your library. Additionally, a new update has gone out to Windows 2000, XP, Vista, and Server 2003 / 2008 that fixes some vulnerabilities in the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol. Beta users won’t get their fix until the next public release, explains Microsoft Security Response Team’s Christopher Budd, since it’s only considered a “moderate” risk for the new OS.

Read – Microsoft issues first Windows 7 beta patch
Read – Patch notes / how to fix afflicted MP3s
Read – Security update

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Windows 7 beta update saves your MP3s, all other versions get security patch originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 07:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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