Hasta La Gadget!

Leyio had a lot going against it from the word go: it utilized a nearly-dead wireless format in UWB, it could really only share information with other Leyio devices and it cost quite a bundle for what it did. Unfortunately for the company, we’ve little confidence that clearing up two of those issues now will trigger mass adoption for the so-called personal sharing device, but either way, users looking for a cheaper option can now select an 8GB version for “just” £99 ($163). The existing 16GB model has slipped slightly to £129 ($213), while users around the world anxiously await a forthcoming firmware update that’ll enable data stored on a Leyio to be wirelessly transferred to an iPod, iPhone or a slew of other PMPs. Seems as if that bit of functionality should’ve been there to start, but hey, what do we know?

Filed under: Handhelds, Wireless

Leyio quietly intros 8GB personal sharing device, iPod / iPhone firmware update originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yesterday, Verizon unveiled the Samsung Rogue, the first feature phone on the carrier to require one of two new data plans: $9.99 per month for 25MB, and $19.99 per month for 75MB. There’s no way to avoid those, like you can with, say, the LG enV Touch (pictured), which has a third $1.99-per-megabyte option in addition to the two new data plan prices.

But there’s a deeper issue here. Is there no longer a way to get unlimited data with Verizon feature phones? I asked a Verizon spokesperson to comment. This is the answer I received:

“We’ve never had an unlimited data plan option for feature phones.  Unlimited data plans are only available for BlackBerry and other smartphones.  Customers pay $29.99 or if they are on a server or need corporate access $49.99.  Feature phones will continue to offer the $1.99 per megabyte per month option but customers can choose one of the other two plans if they like.  The only phone that requires one of the new data packages is the new Samsung Rogue we announced today.  Going forward, phones will be identified as requiring a data package but existing customers do not have to make any changes unless they want to do so.”

This is false. Verizon had the Vcast VPak, which cost $15 per month and offered unlimited megabytes of data transfer. Before that, they even had the $5 Mobile Web option. What gives? I’m still waiting for a response to my follow-up questions. Of course, this is the carrier that pioneered lying about unlimited data plans, so I guess this is par for the course.

We always knew something like this was a realistic possibility, but we had high hopes that it’d never really come to fruition. Today, what little hope we had left in humanity has been thoroughly crushed, as the introduction of a guitar controller that costs far more than many actual guitars has occurred. In an effort to truly milk the sector for all it’s worth, Mad Catz has begun to ship the sunburst-colored Rock Band Wireless Wooden Fender Stratocaster, which is a 1:1 replica of the iconic axe that is constructed from genuine Stratocaster wooden blanks. Heck, even the tuning keys and bridge are built from genuine Fender metal parts and fittings. There’s also a wireless module designed to function with Microsoft’s Xbox 360, and just so you know you’re getting your money’s worth, the $299.99 asking price also includes a Fender guitar strap and a headset socket for online play. So, who out there is brazen enough to admit that they’re buying one (or two)?

[Via OhGizmo]

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

Mad Catz ships $300 Fender Stratocaster Rock Band guitar, disgraces real musicians everywhere originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s an age-old problem. What do you do when you’re just barely out of range of a nearby WiFi signal, and moving closer really isn’t a convenient option? hField Technologies has been solving said quandary for years with its continually revamped Wi-Fire, and we were fortunate enough to grab hold of the newest, third-generation version in order to put said company’s claims to the test. Quite frankly, we were more than skeptical about this so-called range extender; let’s face it, this thing has all the markings of an ‘As Seen On TV’ trinket that does little more than fantasize about delivering on its promises. Thankfully for all of the parties involved, we’re happy to say that our doubts were hastily shelved. Read on for more.

Continue reading Wi-Fire long-range WiFi adapter hands-on and impressions

Filed under: Peripherals, Wireless, Networking

Wi-Fire long-range WiFi adapter hands-on and impressions originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’re willing to bet Wacom’s nextbeat NXT-1000 would feel right at home in a mockup spacecraft console (think Starfleet, not NASA), but more importantly, if you’re one of those “creative DJs” who simply must employ this alongside the rest of your audio equipment, it’s gearing up to put moves on you the likes of which have never been seen before. Launch dates are September 18th in Japan for 169,800 ($1,796) and September 25th for Europe, price probably comparable. No word on US release, but surely our Puritan heritage won’t discount us from joining the party eventually.

[Via Engadget Japan]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Portable Audio, Wireless

Wacom’s nextbeat NXT-1000 hits the Japanese and European club scenes in September originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 01:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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