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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We’re still no closer to understanding if iriver’s P20 is destined for a US release, but at least the thing’s about to ship in one corner of the globe. The company has decided on a February 27th release date in the wonderfully brilliant nation of Japan, where eager PMP shoppers will be able to exchange ¥39,800 ($436) for an 80GB model. For those who’ve forgotten the details, it sports a 4.1-inch OLED touchscreen (480 x 272), a built-in FM tuner, USB 2.0 connectivity, support for a litany of file formats, an optional card reader for extra expansion and a rechargeable battery good for at least nine hours of playback. Look on the bright side — you’ve been itching for an excuse to visit Osaka, right?

[Via Slashgear]

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

iriver P20 PMP priced and dated in Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’d be highly skeptical of this one (in fact, we actually are highly skeptical), but we’ve seen a Dell rep or two speak the truth before. To that end, we figured it prudent to pass along Sir Paul Synnott’s recent chat with an online Dell UK representative. Upon asking for more details on the future release of the Mini 10 netbook — you know, that machine that was unveiled at CES and then promptly forgotten? — he was amazingly hit back with a definitive ship date: February 27th. He was also told that the power adapter would be a “smaller one, as with the Mini 9,” and that pricing was yet to be determined. We know, it reeks of fish, but the date itself doesn’t sound all that outlandish. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see, eh?

Filed under: Laptops

Dell’s Mini 10 launching on or around February 27th? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Feb 2009 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yep, the deed’s done. Er, it will be come March 11th, and there’s no avoiding it. Unless, of course, you lock in a lower rate now, but we suppose that’s the point of Sirius XM coming out with this information over a month in advance. As of now, both XM and Sirius’ separate websites have “lockin” pages hosted up, with XM’s noting that after March 11th, subscriptions will no longer include internet listening gratis. For those who renew their existing contract now, you’ll be grandfathered in and continue to listen for free; after that deadline, it’ll be $2.99 per month for the premium (and only) stream. Over at Sirius, we’re told that the SIRIUS Everything plan will rise from $6.99 per month to $8.99 per month unless you lock yourself in prior to the eleventh day of March. So, should you stay or should you go?

[Via The Wolf Web]

Read – XM’s page
Read – Sirius’ page

Filed under: Portable Audio

Sirius XM plans official rate hike for March 11th originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sirius XM hasn’t even been one for long, and yet we’re already staring an impending price increase in the face. According to Sirius Buzz, company support representatives are now confirming to the general public that a rate hike will go into effect starting March 11, 2009. They’re encouraging current subscribers to lock in their current rates for three years in order to be grandfathered in, but should you choose not to, you’ll likely be paying $2 more for additional subscriptions and a $2.99 fee for the online internet radio service. If there’s any good news here, it’s that the latter fee will give you access to that oh-so-amazing 128k “premium” feed, though we’re still left in the dark about any future channel expansions stemming from the increase.

Filed under: Portable Audio

Sirius XM reportedly seeing rate increase this March originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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