Hasta La Gadget!

You see, the name “xpPhone” is rather disingenuous here. At first glance, you may assume that you’re about to discover what’s likely the planet’s first cellular telephone to run a full-fledged version of Windows XP. Sadly, we’ve got to slot the device shown above squarely into the MID category — GSM support be darned. Still, we can’t help but applaud the engineering efforts; after all, this thing somehow packs an AMD CPU, 1GB of RAM, a 64GB SSD, 4.8-inch 800 x 480 touchpanel, WiFi, various cell radios, a 1.3 megapixel camera and a battery good for five solid hours of use into a device barely larger than the average, yawn-inducing MID found in every last corner of Computex. In fact, it’s so impressive that we’re beginning to question its authenticity as a real, working product. Much like the number of licks to the center of a Tootsie Pop, the world may never know.

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

xpPhone runs Windows XP, gets costumed as a MID originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ouch. We’re guessing this is one that the suits at Best Buy would like to have back. A leaked company memo detailing how the retailer will handle Windows 7 upgrades has accidentally given the world a tasty tidbit to opine upon. The note starts off as such:

“Microsoft is launching Windows 7 in mid-October 2009. This new operating system isn’t just a “Vista that works” program – it’s a new operating system with improved productivity, functionality and creativity that uses less computer resources.“

Never mind the fact that we never knew an OS could posses “improved productivity” — how about admitting that Vista, in effect, doesn’t “work.” Moving on, the note also makes clear that any PC sold with Vista Home Premium, Business or Ultimate between June 26th and the Windows 7 launch day (October 22nd) will be eligible for a free upgrade to Win7. Better still, the individual OSes also qualify for the update, and starting on June 26th, Best Buy will begin “pre-selling” the Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade ($49.99) and the Windows 7 Professional Upgrade ($99.99). Have a look at the full letter below, and if you’ve come here for advice, here’s the best we’ve got: don’t buy a PC at Best Buy until June 26th.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Best Buy memo explains that Vista doesn’t work, details Windows 7 upgrade plans originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fascinating. Sony just figured out a simple truth of ultra-portable computing: for all its beauty, elegant hardware packed into a diminutive chassis will never make up for a perpetually sluggish OS, at least not for long. While it comes late to this understanding, Sony is finally making XP a standard load on its new VAIO P model VGN-P50. Not exactly aspirational, mind you, and very netbook-like… but at least it gets the OS out of the way of your applications unlike the original VAIO P Vista build. Any by not having to downgrade yourselves (or upgrade to Windows 7 RC), you’ll keep all of Sony’s optimizations like the VAIO P’s XMB interface. Starting June 6th, our Japanese friends will also see a 2GHz Atom Z550 processor bump in addition to WWAN data as standard. They’ll even toss in a 256GB SSD if you tick the right box. While we’d typically expect these specs to go global, the fact that we’re still stuck with a 1.33GHz processor Stateside makes us doubtful, bitter even, and more than a tad envious. Available June 6th in Japan starting at ¥85,000 (about $900).

[Via Akihabara News]

Filed under: Laptops

Sony VAIO P set free with XP, still not a netbook originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 May 2009 01:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Windows 7 might be getting all the attention lately, but Windows XP is having a quiet little renaissance of its own — not only have sales of the venerable OS been extended until 2010, Microsoft is selling an ultra-secure version to the Air Force. The custom build ships with over 600 settings bolted down, and a security patch turnaround of just 72 hours compared to the standard edition’s 57 days — all because Steve Ballmer personally stepped in and approved the project at the Air Force’s request. The effort’s to standardize and preconfigure the OS has paid off: 85 percent of previous known exploits have been blocked, support call volume has dropped 40 percent, and the USAF has saved some $100 million in costs. Nice — but don’t get your hopes up, since it doesn’t seem like Microsoft has any intention of selling this version to the public.

[Via Slashdot]

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Air Force now using super-secure version of Windows XP originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 May 2009 18:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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At first glance, PeeWee PC’s Pivot Tablet Laptop is a formidable rival to the long-standing OLPC XO. Unfortunately, the lofty price tag puts it in a class of its own, but it’s still a solid machine for those looking to a learn a bit (or just give their kids a wholesome distraction). Debuting today, the three pound convertible tablet boasts a spill and drop-resistant shell, a carry handle, a presumed 10-inch touchscreen display and a 6-cell Li-ion battery. Within, you’ll find a 1.6GHz Atom N270 CPU, 1GB of RAM, two USB 2.0 ports, a 60GB HDD, 1.3 megapixel camera, Ethernet, WiFi, Windows XP Home, a proprietary security suite to keep kids from picking up a new favorite stalker and ten age appropriate software and game titles. If your kid’s been bugging you for a new netbook, you can quell the squealing by snapping one of these up today starting at $599.99. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading PeeWee debuts drop and spill-resistant Pivot Tablet Laptop

Filed under: Laptops

PeeWee debuts drop and spill-resistant Pivot Tablet Laptop originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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