Samsung Series 7 Slate now up for pre-orders, shipping date still MIA (update: coming November 1st)


If you like making purchases without any sense of when your products will arrive, allow us to brighten your day. The Microsoft Store just started taking pre-orders for the Samsung Series 7 Slate — you remember, the Windows 7 machine sporting Intel’s 1.6GHz Core i5 2467M CPU with integrated graphics and 4GB of RAM, all beneath a 11.6-inch capacitive panel? Sure, you remember. MS is selling it for $1,299 with a 128GB SSD. And the mystery of wondering when it’ll actually ship? That they’ll throw in for free.

[Thanks, pradeep]

Update: Pre-orders now show a ship date of November 1st. Mystery dispelled. Thanks, Fahd.

Samsung Series 7 Slate now up for pre-orders, shipping date still MIA (update: coming November 1st) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 01:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T goes meta: your iPhone 4S upgrade is just an app away (update)

If you’re all hot and bothered by today’s announcement from Apple, there’ll be a new way for AT&T customers to snatch up the iPhone 4S. Later this evening, Ma Bell expects to introduce a gem into the App Store that lets users check their upgrade eligibility, and beginning Friday, October 7th, customers will be able to pre-order the A5-wielding beauty from the comfort of their current iPhone. Of course, we’ll be sure to provide an update as the final details become available. Who’d have thought your current handset would play such an active role in its own demise?

Update: As expected, AT&T’s Upgrader app is now live in the App Store. Just take a peek at the source link to get your download on.

Update 2: Apple giveth, and Apple taketh away — in other words, the download has been pulled. Better luck next time? In the meantime, all AT&T customers may check their upgrade eligibility at the carrier’s website.

AT&T goes meta: your iPhone 4S upgrade is just an app away (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 22:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kindle Fire pre-orders heat up, reportedly reach 95,000

The Kindle Fire won’t be out til November, but it’s already giving off some strong pre-order smoke signals. According to digital marketing firm eDataSource, Amazon’s first tablet has generated enough buzz to pick up just under 100,000 orders — an estimate based on a sample of 800,000 e-mail users. Even with these rosy estimates, however, Amazon still has a long way to go before it catches up with Apple, which sold 300,000 iPads on its debut. But we’re guessing that the Fire’s $199 price tag probably won’t hurt its chances.

Kindle Fire pre-orders heat up, reportedly reach 95,000 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Plantronics intros Marque M155, its lightest Bluetooth headset for smartphone users

Along with providing hands-free convenience for mobile users on-the-go, Bluetooth headsets serve a fine purpose for crazies, giving them something to point to when they’re rambling incoherently to themselves. Now, the latest offering from Plantronics brings greater comfort and style to both types of users. The Marque M155 heralds the company’s smallest and lightest headset to date, which weighs in at just 7 grams — approximately the weight of a ballpoint pen. Designed specifically for Android and iOS phones (though widely compatible with more), the M155 offers voice-guided pairing assistance, customized apps and the ability to answer or ignore calls with verbal commands. What’s more, all purchasers will receive a one-year subscription to the company’s Vocalyst service, which offers the ability to send email, update Twitter, check the weather, listen to news feeds and more — all hands free. Available in jet black or arctic white, the Marque M155 will retail for approximately $60 and is available for pre-order beginning today.

Continue reading Plantronics intros Marque M155, its lightest Bluetooth headset for smartphone users

Plantronics intros Marque M155, its lightest Bluetooth headset for smartphone users originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Galaxy Tab 8.9 hits pre-order, ships October 2nd in US; Galaxy Player 5.0 and 4.0 shipping October 16th

Hot on the heels of a UK release, Samsung has just announced that its long-awaited (and long-delayed) Galaxy Player 4.0 ($229) and 5.0 ($269) will be available for pre-order starting September 27th, with US availability pegged for October 16th. Oddly enough, Samsung gave no reason behind the once-spring, now-autumn pushback, but at least we can finally stop wondering and instead start enjoying the spoils of an (almost) Galaxy Note-sans-phone. (Not like we haven’t heard a similar tune before). All that aside, the Player 5.0 and 4.0 weigh in at 6.4 and 4.2 ounces, respectively, and both are powered by Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread); other specs include 802.11b/g/n, WVGA Super Clear LCDs (800 x 480), Bluetooth 3.0, 8GB of onboard storage, a microSD expansion slot, 3.5mm headphone jack, voice recorder, mini-USB connectivity, front and rear cameras and support for Sammy’s Media Hub content service. The big fellow gets a 2,500mAh battery, whereas its little(r) brother is equipped with a 1,200mAh cell. (Psst… you can catch our hands-on with these here and here.)

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Tab 8.9 is available for pre-sale right now, with shipments to hit retail on October 2nd. You’ll be laying down $469 for the 16GB model, while a doubling of capacity will run you $100 more. Need a refresher on this one, too? How’s about a WXGA (1,280 x 800) touchpanel, dual-core T250S processor, 6,100mAh battery, sub-one pound weight, DLNA compatibility, a 3 megapixel rear camera, 2 megapixel front-facing camera, integrated Swype / Polaris Office and even a few amenities for those in the enterprise — things like full support for Exchange ActiveSync (v14), on-device encryption, Cisco VPN, Sybase MDM and WebEx support. Best of all, the inbuilt FindMyMobile service allows users to track their lost / stolen Tab 8.9 down on a map as it moves, remotely lock the device to prevent unauthorized access and delete personal information stored on the device. Head on past the break for the full release.

Continue reading Galaxy Tab 8.9 hits pre-order, ships October 2nd in US; Galaxy Player 5.0 and 4.0 shipping October 16th

Galaxy Tab 8.9 hits pre-order, ships October 2nd in US; Galaxy Player 5.0 and 4.0 shipping October 16th originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Evoz Baby Monitor lets you spy on your kid from anywhere your iPhone gets a signal

Worried that your bundle of joy might get up to no good during your weekly Hatha class? Not with this monolith by his bedside, he won’t. It’s called the Evoz Baby Monitor and it takes its job very seriously. All you have to do is place this WiFi-enabled device next to Junior’s crib, download Evoz’ app on your iPhone and the monitor will automatically provide you with alerts (via text, e-mail or phone call) whenever your kid cries. Once you sync this watchdog with your phone, you can even use it to remotely listen in on your prince, just in case he utters his first words while you’re out on the links. Best of all, the system isn’t restricted to a fixed range and promises to work in any area where you’ve got cellular coverage — whether that be in the backyard, at the gym, or at Child Protective Services. Evoz won’t start shipping the Baby Monitor until October 4th, but gravely concerned parents can pre-order one now for $120, at the source link below. Otherwise, just crawl past the break for more information, in the full PR.

Continue reading Evoz Baby Monitor lets you spy on your kid from anywhere your iPhone gets a signal

Evoz Baby Monitor lets you spy on your kid from anywhere your iPhone gets a signal originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Huawei gives October shipping date for MediaPad in Malaysia, US and China by year’s end

Huawei MediaPad

Been wondering when you were gonna get a chance to smear fingerprints all over 7-inches of Android 3.2, courtesy of Huawei’s MediaPad? Well, if you happen to live in Malaysia, it should be by the middle of October. The rest of you shouldn’t fret though — the company plans to have it on shelves in the US, China, Hong Kong and Thailand before the end of the year. Meanwhile, folks in Singapore can already place pre-orders for $598 SGD, roughly $473 USD. It’s a bit later than the Q3 ship date we were originally told but, as they say, better late than never. Though, we’re more apt to cry “gimme, gimme, gimme.”

Huawei gives October shipping date for MediaPad in Malaysia, US and China by year’s end originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shogun Bros. updates Chameleon X-1 mouse / gamepad, tosses it up for pre-order

Perfection is an undeniably lofty goal, but that’s exactly what Shogun Bros. is striving for, with a freshly announced update to its Chameleon X-1 gaming mouse. Available in three different colors, the company’s “Perfect Version” of its gamepad / mouse boasts an enhanced rubberized coating for better grip, a new layout for remote control operation and, perhaps best of all, extended battery life. Other than that, it’s essentially the same device we saw way back in December, with a 5-stage adjustable 1600dpi optical sensor, a full slate of 16 buttons and force feedback support. Shogun Bros. won’t be releasing this perfected peripheral until October 1st, but you can pre-order one now at Amazon, for $60. Hit up the source link to make the purchase, or slice past the break for a very succinct press release.

Continue reading Shogun Bros. updates Chameleon X-1 mouse / gamepad, tosses it up for pre-order

Shogun Bros. updates Chameleon X-1 mouse / gamepad, tosses it up for pre-order originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Electree: finally, a bonsai tree that uses solar power to charge your gadgets

So you’re tres green chic with your solar-charging jacket, and that Ralph Lauren backpack keeps your gadgets energized even off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard. But what about stylish photovoltaics for your home, dear earth-friendly aesthete? We humbly submit the Electree, by French designer Vivian Muller. Shaped like a bonsai tree, each of its 27 leaves is a solar panel that helps charge a 13,500mAh battery. A concealed USB connector and A/C outlet will feed your gadgets while minimizing unsightly wires, and rotatable branches let you customize the look. Muller’s looking for 400 presales to make the Electree a reality: for early birds, the price is €269 (about $370). If this sounds like the sort of thing you’d put on your windowsill, hit the source link to commence with the purchasing.

Continue reading The Electree: finally, a bonsai tree that uses solar power to charge your gadgets

The Electree: finally, a bonsai tree that uses solar power to charge your gadgets originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG Marquee for Sprint hands-on (video)

Sprint shone some light on the latest mystery handset from LG earlier today — and what a bright light it is indeed. The Marquee’s four-inch NOVA display is one of the brightest on the market — it’s a sort “we can’t technically say it’s the brightest, but it’s certainly up there” situation. Screen aside, this is a slick and skinny Gingerbread handset. It’s got a large display, but it feels nice in the hand. There’s a 1GHz processor inside, so it’s certainly not the most powerful phone we seen, but it felt quite zippy during our time with it. The carrier will be offering the phone up for pre-sale on September 20th — those who get in early will start receiving their phones on September 29th. Everyone else will have to wait for October 2nd. The handset will run $100 with a two-year contract. Check out a hands-on video after the jump.

Continue reading LG Marquee for Sprint hands-on (video)

LG Marquee for Sprint hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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