Hasta La Gadget!

Less close, further away — take your pick. The bottom line is that the UMID M1 mbook that we’ve been secretly swooning over for weeks now may be further away from a US release than any of us Yanks would like. According to new intel gathered by Pocketables, a Stateside release of the MID is still planned, but it’s apt to ship later than previously expected. Furthermore, the units already prancing about in other corners of the globe aren’t likely at all to support US 3G bands, so importing one won’t fill that hole in your soul the way a WWAN-enabled MID should. Better hurry up and deliver the goods UMID, else we’ll be forced to buy a rivaling unit and hack it up to suit our needs. Don’t say we won’t.

[Image courtesy of UMPCPortal]

Filed under: Handhelds

UMID M1 mbook now less close to US release originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 06:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’ve already seen Samsung’s borderline netbook unboxed and on sale across the pond, but up until now, us Yanks have had to sit and ponder whether waiting for this to come Stateside was a worthwhile use of time. For those that held off, kudos. Laptop has received word from Sammy itself that an Americanized version of the 12.1-inch, VIA-powered NC20 will ship here in the United States starting on March 6th. At least initially, the computer will be offered up exclusively through NewEgg.com, and we’re told that the US version will be black in color and equipped with a 5900mAh battery. The only detail that wasn’t disclosed was the price, so it seems we’ve a few hours yet to wait before that becomes clear. Check the read link for an unboxing of the white Korean model should you so desire.

Filed under: Laptops

Samsung’s NC20 gets hands-on treatment, US availability date originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 07:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Given that the memories of that classified DAP fiasco are still fresh on our brains, this one’s a bit less shocking than it might otherwise be. Sure, we’ve heard of scatterbrained MI6 agents selling confidential digital cameras on eBay, but it’s another thing entirely to see multiple US Army laptops making their way out to unsanctioned trading posts in Pakistan. A new report over at Military and GlobalPost explains that some high-tech gadgets are being confiscated on supply routes and from within vehicles, and from there, the wares are making their way to black market shops for anyone to buy. Anything from ruggedized computers to stabilized binoculars to night vision mounts have been spotted, and there’s plenty of pictures to prove it. We must say, we’re a bit worried about detailed war schematics slipping so easily into the hands of the enemy, but who knows, maybe they’re just looking for a little Minesweeper action to take their minds away from it all.

[Thanks, Jamie]

Read – Gear on black market
Read – Pictures to prove it

Filed under: Laptops

US military laptops, other gear filtering out to black market originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Feb 2009 03:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The 10.1-inch Acer Aspire One D150 has found its way onto Amazon and J&R’s websites and is now available for pre-order in blue and black color options, respectively. This version’s got the 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor and 6-cell battery, with no word on the 3-cell or 1.66GHz N280 variants. Asking price is three Benjamins and an Ulysses S. Grant, or $350 if you’re not into presidential pricing nomenclature. Additionally, the fine folks at netbooknews.de that gave us unboxing photos this week have a video hands-on of the laptop. High expectations from the market leader apparently turned into low marks for the glossy display, small trackpad, and a keyboard that’s “separated by universes” — and not in a good way — when compared to the Samsung NC10. Further testing is expected later this week, check out the video after the break.

[Via iTech News]

Read – Amazon product page
Read – J&R product page
Read – Netbooknews.de video hands-on

Continue reading Acer Aspire One D150 with N270 previewed, now available for US pre-order

Filed under: Laptops

Acer Aspire One D150 with N270 previewed, now available for US pre-order originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 08 Feb 2009 08:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia’s all-you-can-eat Comes With Music service has been humming along quite nicely across the pond, but until now, we’ve been left in the dark about its plans for world domination. No more, as a recent Reuters report has it that the unlimited music service should be headed to Australia, Asia and Singapore later this quarter and Latin America / USA sometime this year. We’re also told that more corners of Europe should get served in the future, though no window of time was handed out there. It should be interesting to see if any carriers jump in to subsidize these, but our gut feeling says they’ll be sold for a premium unlocked at your nearest Nokia flagship.

[Via UnwiredView]

Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Audio

Nokia’s Comes With Music service plans world tour originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 03:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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