Jun 25

Get Three Months of SIRIUS Free With a Used VW

Posted in: satellite, Today's Chili

Volkswagen_Passat_CC_Interior.jpg

SIRIUS XM Radio and Volkswagen have announced that buyers of SIRIUS-equipped, “Certified Pre-Loved” (no joke) VWs will receive a complementary three-month subscription to the satellite radio service.

Beginning with the 2007 model year, SIRIUS is standard on the GTI, GLI, Eos, New Beetle and New Beetle Convertible, Passat and Passat Wagon, and Touareg SUV. It’s part of certain trim levels on the Jetta, Rabbit, and Tiguan SUV.

Just last week, SIRIUS XM Radio and Toyota announced that the service would appear as standard equipment on 2010 Toyota Camrys with the premium audio system.

No Comments | Tags:
Jun 24

Toshiba’s still not done, rolls out new Satellite L Series laptops

Posted in: satellite, Today's Chili, Toshiba

Not sold on Toshiba’s new NB205 netbook or one of its many new Satellite laptops announced earlier this week? Don’t worry, ’cause Toshiba’s just announced four more Satellite models, all of which fall under its budget-minded L Series line. Those include the 14-inch Satellite L510/L515, the 15.6- and 16-inch Satellite L500/L505, and the heavyweight 17.3-inch Satellite L550/L555, each of which pack either AMD Athlon or Turion, or Intel Pentium or Core 2 Duo processors depending on the configuration, along with integrated graphics or ATI’s discrete Radeon 3100, a 10-key numeric keypad on the 15.6-inch and larger models, a minimum 2GB of RAM and 250GB hard drive, and Toshiba’s trademark “Fusion” finish on the whole lot of ’em. Best of all, starting prices range from a reasonable $550 to $650, and all are apparently available to order right now.

Filed under:

Toshiba’s still not done, rolls out new Satellite L Series laptops originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

No Comments
Jun 24

TechSaver: Toshiba Satellite Notebook, Refurbished iPods, Navigon GPS

Posted in: gps, notebook, satellite, Today's Chili, Toshiba

ToshibaSatelliteL305.jpg

Somewhere between tech-savvy and penny saver, there is TechSaver.

1. There’s no point in getting your notebook repaired anymore. With deals this great, just get another one. NewEgg.com has the Toshiba Satellite L305-S5921 notebook for $379.99, and that includes free shipping. The laptop is loaded with a 2.16-GHz Intel Pentium dual-core processor, a 15.4-inch screen, 2GB of DDR2 800 memory, and a 160GB hard drive. You’ll even get 802.11b/g wireless connectivity and a DVD drive. It’s everything you need in one extremely affordable package.

2. It’s hard to find a good deal on an iPod, but Apple has just released a bunch of refurbished models. Get a 1GB Shuffle for $39 or a 2GB for $59. An 8GB Nano is just $99, while a 16GB Nano is $149. You can also pick up a 8GB current generation 8GB iPod Touch for $179 or a 16GB Touch for $259. Check the site for other refurbished deals, including Apple TVs. To make the deal sweeter, everything includes free shipping and is covered by a one-year warranty.

3. Navigon leaving the U.S. market was bad for GPS competition, but for the moment, anyway, it’s good for you. That’s because the company is selling off its remaining inventory at low, low prices. Head over to Geeks.com where you can get the excellent Navigon 2200T navigator for $109.99 with free shipping. This model has a 3.5-inch display, text-to-speech, and lane assistance.

No Comments
Jun 24

AT&T to go live with TerreStar sat phone services this year

Posted in: att, satellite, Today's Chili

We’ve known that TerreStar Networks and AT&T Mobility were in bed together for quite some time, but evidently the honeymoon phase is finally reaching its logical end. Reportedly, the carrier is gearing up to go live with an extension of service that’ll involve satellites and a pinch of luck, giving select customers the ability to roam between its GSM network and TerreStar’s satellite network. If all goes to plan (we’re not holding our breath, for the record), AT&T will begin to resell satellite service and phones soon after the bird is launched some 22,000 miles above North America on July 1st. Once perched, it’ll provide coverage across Canada and the US, including the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. There’s no definitive word on pricing, but we’re hearing that sat phone service will run around $1 per minute while hybrid handsets will go for around $700 (unsubsidized). Pricey, sure, but how else do you plan to phone home on your next visit to the Pitcairn Islands?

Filed under:

AT&T to go live with TerreStar sat phone services this year originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

No Comments | Tags: ,
Jun 23

New Toshiba Satellite laptops now available Stateside

Posted in: laptop, satellite, Today's Chili, Toshiba

Remember those new Satellite’s Toshiba that dropped in Europe a week or two ago? Seems like they’re making the scene Stateside starting today, alongside several of their siblings. As previously noted, the A500 is a 16-inch multimedia machine (starting at $749.99), while the U500 ($849.99) is a 13.3-inch guy more suited to on-the-go computing. Newly announced are the M500/M505 (with 14-inch high-def LED display, starting at $699.99) and the P500/P505 (an 18.4-inch desktop replacement with slot-loading DVD drive, starting at $799.99). All the new Satellites include multimedia command keys, webcam, face recognition software, harmon/kardon speakers and, of course, the world renowned eSATA/USB combo port. And if you’re good, we have a couple pics for you. After the break, of course.

Continue reading New Toshiba Satellite laptops now available Stateside

Filed under:

New Toshiba Satellite laptops now available Stateside originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

No Comments
Jun 17

Toyota Camry Gets XM Satellite Radio Option

Posted in: MP3 Digital Audio, satellite, Today's Chili, Toyota
2010_Toyota_Camry.jpg
Sirius XM Radio has announced that its service is now standard on 2010 Toyota Camry vehicles with the premium audio option. The service will continue to be available as a dealer-installed option on Camrys with standard audio.
In addition, Toyota plans to launch XM satellite radio as a factory option on other 2009 Toyotas, leading the two companies to predict that over one million Toyotas with XM satellite radio will be prowling the roads of America by the end of this year.
XM also announced that its NavTraffic service, which offers up-to-the-minute traffic updates for 80 major cities, will be standard on all Camrys with the navigation system option. That adds the Camry to the Corolla, Matrix, and Venza, along with the Lexus LS 460 and LS 600h L, the LX 570, the 2010 RX 350, and the upcoming RX 450h, as all having NavTraffic capability.
All XM-equipped Toyota and Lexus cars come with a minimum of three-month trial subscriptions; after that, a paid subscription is required to continue using the service–which remains the biggest obstacle to satellite radio option to date, given the plethora of HD radio and streaming Internet radio options that are beginning to hit the car scene in earnest.
No Comments | Tags:
Jun 09

New Toshiba Satellite laptops land in Europe

Posted in: europe, satellite, Today's Chili

Toshiba’s added a couple new Satellite laptops into the mix, with options for both the road warrior and the stay-at-home multimedia user. First, the A500: this guy sports a 16-inch, 16:9 format display (1366 x 768), a TV-tuner for both analog and digital DVB-T programming, Harman Kardon speakers and HDMI ports with REGZA LINK technology. Under the hood, this guy packs an Intel Core 2 Duo, 8GB memory, an ATI Mobility Radeon HD GPU (up to 1GB DDR3 VRAM), and either a 500GB HDD or 64GB SSD. For those of you on the ultra-portable tip, the U500 is a 13.3-inch (16:10 format, 1280 x 800) ultraportable that weighs in at just under 4.5 pounds. With an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 8 GB memory, a hard disk capacity of up to 500GB, and an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570 GPU, this bad boy is available in Brown Luxe, with either chrome or silver accents. Claimed battery life is over 3.5 hours. Both lappies feature a DVD Super Multi drive, wide format HD webcam, multi-touch trackpad, and the usual host of connectivity options (WLAN, Bluetooth 2.1, 5-in-1 media card slot). Both will be available in Europe sometime this July for €699 (approx. $975).

Read – Toshiba Satellite U500 with ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570
Read – Toshiba Satellite A500 by 16 inches

Filed under:

New Toshiba Satellite laptops land in Europe originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

No Comments
Jun 02

AT&T CruiseCast in-car TV finally launches nationwide

Posted in: att, content, official, satellite, Television, Today's Chili, TV

Look, we know all about desperate — those youngsters are cute and all, but any self-respecting parent starts having some seriously evil thoughts about three hours in to any road trip. In a presumed effort to keep you off of the evening news and in good standing with your relatives, AT&T is launching its CruiseCast in-car TV service today. If you’ll recall, we knew the in-car satellite TV solution was being tested in various spots, but today marks the first day that the proverbial beta badge has been ripped off. Of course, such a unique offering ain’t running anyone cheap, with the initial hardware package totaling $1,299 and the monthly fee ringing up at $28. If those numbers have yet to faze you, hop on past the break for a look at the channel lineup.

Continue reading AT&T CruiseCast in-car TV finally launches nationwide

Filed under: , ,

AT&T CruiseCast in-car TV finally launches nationwide originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

No Comments | Tags: ,
May 27

ATT CruiseCast Means In-Car TV (For Better or Worse)

Posted in: satellite, Today's Chili, TV

ATT_CruiseCast.jpg

AT&T has begun to test its upcoming CruiseCast satellite-based in-car TV system with small groups of customers, according to Autoblog. The idea–we hope–is to offer live television channels (along with radio) to passengers on long trips while the driver keeps his or her eyes on the road.

The report said that AT&T is employing some new RaySat technology that overcomes line-of-sight obstacles and underpasses while on the road. The system will cost $1,299 with installation–expensive by Gearlog gadget standards, but in the ballpark for custom car entertainment options. Monthly service will cost $28, according to the report.
The system will launch in June with 22 television channels–19 more than what Sirius offers with its Backseat TV option–with more to follow soon after. As we reported in January, the CruiseCast system broadcasts 320×240, H.264 video at a 500 Kbits/sec data rate–twice that of the ICO mim or Qualcomm’s MediaFLO for cell phones. The move comes as both GM and Chrysler roll out options for in-car wireless Internet access.
No Comments | Tags:
May 21

AT&T slowly begins rollout of CruiseCast in-car satellite TV service

Posted in: att, satellite, Today's Chili

It’s a bit off its target pace, but it looks like AT&T is now finally starting to roll out its CruiseCast in-car satellite TV / radio service, however slowly. According to OrbitCast, AT&T is now working with “small groups” of car audio specialists and distributors to get the service into the hands of a “few dozen customers” in order to test the service in advance of the full roll-out, which is now somewhat ambitiously promised for early June. In case you missed the announcement back at CES, the service itself consists of 22 live TV channels and 20 radio stations, plus all the necessary, non-user-installable hardware, which will set you back $1,299 up front and $28 a month thereafter. That obviously doesn’t pose much of a threat to basic satellite radio just yet although, as OrbitCast points out, it is actually more affordable than some of the current in-car satellite TV options out there, like KVH’s $3,000 DirecTV-based system

Filed under: ,

AT&T slowly begins rollout of CruiseCast in-car satellite TV service originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 May 2009 17:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

No Comments | Tags: