Hasta La Gadget!

We know, we know — you’re probably still waiting for the Apple tablet that’ll never come, but how’s about a prototype alternative from said outfit’s arch enemy to tide you over? Gizmodo has just let slip details surrounding what was previously a top secret project deep within the lairs of Redmond, but given that this is more of an advanced proof of concept than anything else, we’re doing our best to curb our inner enthusiasm about a near-term release. We’re told that the folding device could eventually ship with dual 7-inch displays, both of which support multitouch gestures and can also be controlled via a stylus. It should too boast a camera and possibly an inductive charging pad on the rear, though we can’t help but be a wee bit frightened by hearing that the user interface is “complex.” Essentially, the Courier is a touch-friendly, two-screen tablet that can’t let go of the tried-and-true pen input method, and your guess is as good as ours when it comes to purpose. Though, something tells us ASUS might just have the answer. Video’s after the break.

Continue reading Microsoft’s dual-screen Courier booklet emerges, isn’t near production

Filed under: Handhelds, Tablet PCs

Microsoft’s dual-screen Courier booklet emerges, isn’t near production originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Carl Archambeault: you sir, are a champion. We’re not exactly sure if you’re on a first-class seat to Redmond or not, but the boys and girls in Washington could probably stand to learn a thing or two from the Xbox 1080. ‘Course, that’s probably just the fanboy in us talking — after all, who wouldn’t want the powers of an Xbox 360 and a Zune HD merged into one beautiful handheld? — but could you imagine the market shakeup if this thing became real? Paging Mr. Benjamin J. Heckendorn!

[Via Coolest-Gadgets]

Filed under: Handhelds

Conceptual Xbox 1080 handheld beautifully merges Xbox and Zune originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft’s hardware division has always pushed the envelope, and its latest prototype is no exception: this pressure-sensitive keyboard looks exactly like a normal ‘board, but each key can register up to eight levels of pressure, opening up all kinds of interesting possibilities. Sure, there’s a gaming demo, where pushing buttons harder makes you run faster or jump higher, but that’s sort of old hat — we’re super intrigued by the typing corrector, which uses the pressure difference between keys you mean to type and keys you accidentally graze to fix your mistakes. Definitely interesting stuff, and we’re sure to see more novel uses in October when Microsoft opens its first Student Innovation Contest by showcasing student projects made using keyboard prototypes. Videos after the break!

Continue reading Pressure-sensitive keyboard lets you express fury, tenderness

Filed under: Peripherals

Pressure-sensitive keyboard lets you express fury, tenderness originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan’s started showing off its latest prototype electric car, based on the Versa. This one will house a 108 horsepower / 206 pound-feet electric motor to drive the front wheels, and a 24 kWh, lithium ion battery pack will be fitted under the floor for storing electricity, with an expected range of 100 miles. To top things of nerd-style, the newest prototype will have a navigation system which will show the current life of the battery, and the mile range its current amount of juice will support, and will boast the ability to download info about nearby charging station locations. And need we say, “there’s an app for that?” That’s right, Nissan also has a working prototype of an iPhone app making the rounds in Japan which would allow users to communicate with their car remotely and find out the state of the battery’s charge. Can this get any cooler?

Read – Nissan shows off new Versa-based electric vehicle protoype
Read – Nissan dials iPhone for car remote control

Filed under: Transportation

Nissan shows off latest electric car prototype with battery monitoring system, iPhone app originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reports have circulated the internet that a 25-year old worker at Chinese manufacturer Foxconn, which produces all the iPhone models for Apple, committed suicide last week following revelation that a fourth-generation iPhone prototype, one of the 16 iPhones he was responsible for, had gone missing. Some stories circulating have described illegal searches of the man’s apartment and interrogation involving physical abuse by other Foxconn employees. While not confirming the case being a suicide or the cause being the disappearing device, a spokesperson for the Cupertino-based company did release a statement corroborating the news of his death, saying that it is “saddened by the tragic loss of this young employee, and we are awaiting results of the investigations into his death. We require our suppliers to treat all workers with dignity and respect.” The status of the missing iPhone prototype, which may or may not have been one that earlier this month found itself on eBay given the timeframe (although a 3GS model and not “fourth generation”) remains unknown. Our hearts go out to all involved.

Read – Statement form Apple
Read – iPhone prototype goes missing; Chinese worker investigated, commits suicide

Filed under: Cellphones

Apple confirms and expresses sadness over death of Chinese iPhone prototype handler originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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