Friday, October 12, 2007

1979 Buick Riviera gets pimped, Atari-style

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Predating the carputer by easily two decades (not counting KITT, of course), this '79 Buick Riviera would have clearly elevated you to alpha status in your elementary school. Featuring what appears to be a Sears Atari 2600 clone and a 13-inch CRT with a custom fake-ice RIVIERA logo, there's no wonder Kevin, the owner, says this whip is his "absolute pride and joy." Check a couple more shots after the break.

[Via CarDomain Blog]

Continue reading 1979 Buick Riviera gets pimped, Atari-style

 

[via] Engadget

IBM rolls out "Mainframe Gas Gauge" for servers

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Continuing its push into greener computing, IBM today announced the launch of its so-called "Mainframe Gas Gauge," which promises to let its server customers monitor their exact energy consumption in real time. What's more, IBM also announced that it'll begin publishing typical energy consumption figures for its z9 mainframe systems, following a recent EPA report that advised server makers to do just that. That data will be collected from some 1,000 servers around the world (a process that actually began in May), each of which employ sensors to monitor actual energy and cooling statistics, giving IBM enough info to determine the average watts per hour consumed and the total watts per unit. Individual server users will also get weekly reports on their machines' energy consumption in addition to the real time data, and they'll be able to make use of a new "Power Estimator Tool" to help them determine the most efficient means of expanding their server farms.

[Via Slashdot]

 

[via] Engadget

High school study shows love for Apple, P2P music sharing

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In today's episode of "no surprises here," we look at a recent study published by Piper Jaffray & Company which attempts to take an intimate look inside the minds of high schoolers across the US. As you'd probably expect, none of the results were all that shocking. When asked about MP3 players, some 82-percent of those that already owned some form of DAP stated that it was an iPod, which was slightly up from last fall. Additionally, 64-percent of those surveyed admitted to downloading music illegally, which may actually be an (ever-so-slightly) positive figure considering that the percentage actually dropped from 72-percent in 2006. As for the iPhone, just 3-percent of students claimed that they owned one, but nearly 10-percent stated that they were looking to pick one up "within the next six months."

[Via CNET, image courtesy of MSN]

 

[via] Engadget

A veritable gaggle of AT&T rumors (hint: red iPhone?)

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This here supposed AT&T inventory sheet that fell into our laps today reads like an indecisive power user's wish list -- the Prada's great, the Z9's okay if you're into that sort of thing, and the K850a finally moves AT&T into high-end camera territory. But what's this, a red iPhone? Seriously? Catch up on all the haps over at Engadget Mobile!

[via] Engadget

Futuristic headband knows when you've had too much PC

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For those who just can't call it quits, a team of researchers at Tufts University has developed a head adornment which can determine when you've been overly stressed, bored or simply numb to the world around you when using your computer. The crew is studying functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) technology, which "uses light to monitor brain blood flow as a proxy for workload stress a user may experience when performing an increasingly difficult task." The band itself utilizes "laser diodes to send near-infrared light through the forehead at a relatively shallow depth," after which it can purportedly judge how intense one's workload is (or isn't). 'Course, we'd guess the most of us wouldn't need a machine to tell us that, eh?

[Via InformationWeek]

 

[via] Engadget

Sony Reader PRS-505 (second gen) hands-on: we're in love

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Look, the new Sony Reader PRS-505 isn't perfect -- it's only the first device among the second generation of e-ink based eBook readers. But it really does remind us of the early MP3 players back in the late 90s: maybe the content isn't as readily accessible as we might like, but the hardware is starting to come into its own (we have a feeling 3rd generation will be prime time), and damned if we don't want to start using this thing for all our bookwormish purposes post-haste. Improvements and niceties in the PRS-505 over the last-gen
[via] Engadget

Microsoft patent app shows off new user interface for mobiles

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If you had any doubts about Microsoft's ability to innovate in the mobile user interface department, here's a new patent application to mull over. Titled "Extensible Filtered Lists for Mobile Device User Interface," the documentation spells out details for improving the way mobile users interact with the data on their devices. Apparently, the app concentrates on arranging information in "groups or lists," each of which can "include multiple items that provide access to data or tasks from multiple applications." Essentially, these customizable lists (more pictured after the break) would allow users to "quickly access relevant content such as commonly used data or tasks," and moreover, it was noted that the items could be "dynamically updated based upon changes in the underlying data or services provided by software applications." On the surface, the details all sound fairly attractive, but feel free to hit the read link for the full rundown.

Continue reading Microsoft patent app shows off new user interface for mobiles

 

[via] Engadget

Will you help Engadget energize education (and pwn the Blogger Challenge leaderboard)?

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First off, we want to express both our gratitude for and amazement at the overwhelming reaction to our DonorsChoose.org charity drive so far; we're humbled that so many of you have chosen to give back to our public schools by providing crucial technology to children in some of the neediest of districts. Since the challenge began last week, 36 of us (including several Engadget editors who put our money where our mouth is) have joined in to contribute over $4,800 towards nearly two dozen projects around the country, which together will fund supplies utilized by some 682 students.

That being said, our work here is far from done. Team Engadget Energizes Education is currently in fourth place on the technology leaderboard (down from a peak of second) and still needs over $20,000 to meet its goal. So even if you think that there are better causes to give to, or you're cynical about so-called "skimming" of administrative fees (incidentally, DonorsChoose does give you the option to waive any overhead and allocate 100% of your gift towards the project), we're still hoping that you'll donate just a few dollars if only because you like what you read here every day. Think of it as an optional subscription fee that goes to a worthy cause instead of even more redundant gadgets for us. We have until October 31st to raise as much money as we can, so if you can find it in your heart to help out the littlest less-fortunate this holiday season (Halloween), we'd really consider it a personal thanks and a mitzvah as well.

 

[via] Engadget

PS3 firmware update coming to boost Blu-ray functionality

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Details are admittedly scant on this one, but after Don Eklund, executive VP of advanced technologies for Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, got done praising the growth of high-definition movies at HDTV DisplaySearch, he also mentioned that the PlayStation 3 was due a firmware update. More specifically, he noted that the PS3 "is expected to soon offer a firmware upgrade to boost its Blu-ray interactivity functionality," but unfortunately, he failed to elaborate. One could hope that the update would bring along at least some of the niceties waiting in Profile 1.1, but until we get clarification (or are surprised by the actual release), we'll leave the speculating to you.

[Via HighDefDigest]

 

[via] Engadget

Asus intros G2K, A7K, and F7K gaming laptops

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It looks like gamers not wanting to be tied to their desks will soon have a few new options to consider from Asus, which is apparently set to release no less than three new gaming-minded laptops. At the head of the pack is the company's latest G2 model, the G2K, which boasts a 17.1 -inch 1440 x 900 display, along with a 2.0GHz Turion 64 X2 TL60 processor, 2GB RAM, a 200GB 7200 rpm hard drive, and ATI HD2600 graphics with 256MB of dedicated memory, among other fairly top-end features (not to mention the usual matching backpack and mouse). Further on down the line, the company's new A7K model boasts many of the same specs, with the exception of a slightly slower 1.8GHz Turion 64 X2 TL56 processor, while the F7K opts for a 1.9GHz Turion 64 X2 TL58 processor and ATI HD2400 graphics. No word on a price for any of them, but they're apparently all set to officially launch sometime this month.

[Via PC Launches]

 

[via] Engadget

IP Innovation sues Red Hat, Novell for patent infringement

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Well, would you look at this. Not even a week after Steve Ballmer insinuated that Red Hat users owe Microsoft money for using its patents, IP Innovation has filed a lawsuit against the firm (along with Novell) in the accurately nicknamed "patent troll magnet state (that'd be Texas)." The firm, which also threw a lawsuit Apple's way earlier this year, is claiming that both entities have infringed on the very same patent. As if that weren't enough, Groklaw's digging found that the plaintiff is actually a subsidiary of Acacia, which just so happened to hire on two prior Microsoft execs in the months leading up to this filing. If you're interested in feeding your desire to conjure up some sensational conspiracy theory even further, feel free to grab your coffee and hit the read link.

[Via Digg, thanks Ziemowit P.]

 

[via] Engadget

Samsung, Sun teaming up for Java phone?

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Considering that we've already seen Sun parade its iPhone-like Java Mobile FX platform around, it's not too surprising to hear that Samsung and Sun Microsystems could be teaming up to "jointly develop a mobile phone to challenge Apple's iPhone." Furthermore, the two firms already have a history together, and according to Sun Chairman Scott McNealy, the duo could be working on "a Java phone that would surpass Apple's iPhone in functionality and cost less." Of course, Sun's spokespeople couldn't be reached for comment and Samsung's folks simply stated that "no decision had been made regarding co-development of the Java phone," so it looks like we'll be filing this away in the somewhat believable rumor cabinet for the time being.

[Via CNET]

 

[via] Engadget

Keepin' it real fake, part LXXXVIII: Zen Vision:M goes metallic

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We're not certain who out there is looking to recapture the glory of the Zen Vision:M, but just in case you peaked in 2005, this little Chinese player might look awfully familiar. Apart from the goofy metal case and miniscule 2GB storage, it's a near perfect copy of the Vision:M, although something tells us the interface won't be quite as polished. You're looking at a 1.8-inch screen, MP3, WMA, WAV and goofy SMV video support, a voice recorder, and FM radio -- basically, every Chinese "MP4" player ever. Now if only they'd KIRF the Rio Karma, we'd be in heaven.

[Via PMP Today]

 

[via] Engadget

Black Box Lightshow flickers its LEDs to the beat

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Nah, the Black Box Lightshow won't welcome you home, do your laundry or keep you updated on scores around the league, but it will keep your eyes fixated when connected to an audio source. The unit was reportedly based on a design conjured up while Rosendahl was still in college, and it basically emits a LED lightshow by "displaying the top half of the waveform of each channel with their zero levels in the center." The two knobs on the left control the amplitude and the sweep speed, and of course, the bass notes tend to have the most noticeable effect. Hypnotic, indeed.

[Via MAKE]

 

[via] Engadget

Quantum cryptography to keep Swiss votes private

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In what's being hailed as "one of the first public uses of quantum cryptography," Genevian voters who take part in the upcoming national elections can rest assured that their votes will remain a secret. Reportedly, the "city-state will use quantum technology to encrypt election results as they are sent to the capital on October 21st." A computer, provided by id Quantique, will be set up in Geneva to "fire photons down a fiber-optic link to a receiver 62-miles away," which should be sufficient to keep any potential eavesdroppers at bay. 'Course, where there's a will, there's typically a way.

 

[via] Engadget

ASUS Eee PC ships this month: $199, but not for you

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Jonathan Tsang, ASUS president of Sales and Marketing, announced a, uh, announcement this morning. On October 16th, they'll announce the prices for their anticipated low-cost, ultra-portable laptop, the Eee PC. He did, however, offer some meat with that small potato: Best Buy and Newegg will carry unspecified configurations by the end of this month with prices not to be below $199. The $199 model? Sorry, it's only available for contract purchases.

 

[via] Engadget

Apple files for a second force-sensitive touchpad patent

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It looks like the elves in Cupertino are pretty busy strapping force sensors on the backs of touchpads, because Apple's just filed for a second patent on the tech. Unlike the first application, which described a system of spring membranes, the new patent relies on a second set of conductive traces underneath the standard X / Y array to detect force. As usual, there's no mention of where we might see this stuff pop up, but we're going to go ahead and assume it's for a 3G Newton Circle iPhone Extreme.

 

[via] Engadget

iPhone v1.1.1 baseband downgrade released

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For those following this stuff religiously: the iPhone "Elite" Team has released a method to downgrade the baseband on v1.1.1 iPhones. Ok, that basically means if you accidentally disabled the phone end of your iPhone with anySIM or iUnlock during the upgrade (or just decided v1.0.2 is where it's at), now you can revert to the last working version and restore order to your iPhone's wayward cell radio. Right, for free without paying iPhoneSimFree a cent for their unbricking solution. Alright, maybe you don't care about any of this stuff -- honestly, we don't blame you. Anyway, it's out there, so for those in the crowd who've been waiting for this -- and judging by our tips, that's a lot of you -- enjoy.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

 

[via] Engadget

DIY Google result-counter ring boosts self-esteem, isolation

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Although Googling youself is a time-honored pastime, we're not certain broadcasting the results is going to get you anywhere except home alone on a Saturday night -- but that might change if German designer Markus Kison's DIY Google results ring ever catches on. The (enormous) ring eschews all those tacky rocks for a multi-line LCD, which is programmed to display the number of hits Google returns for a particular name. According to Kison, "in a post information society" it's not the size of your ice, but rather "the attention you get from the world's people that counts," and his ring merely updates traditional jewelry to reflect that. An interesting idea, but it certainly sounds like Markus doesn't know anyone named John Smith.

[Via Make Blog]

[via] Engadget

Nokia and others launching "iPhone-like" gear by Q2 2008?

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Taiwan's OEM reporting pulse -- DigiTimes -- claims that handset makers Asustek, BenQ, Compal and Arima Communications are all "aggressively developing iPhone-like products" for 2008. According to their sources, the devices will run on Microsoft's Windows Mobile platform and target business markets with features such as 3G and GPS. DigiTimes' sources also claim that Nokia will release its Symbian-based "iPhone-like handset" in the first half of 2008. True or not, that's a lot of Apple hate-bait to swallow this early in the morning.

 

[via] Engadget

Dell's Latitude XT up close -- a bit too close

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Here you go, the up-close shots of Dell's Latitude XT tablet you've been waiting for. Thing is, just like a Sunday afternoon on the island of La Grande Jatte, somethings are best viewed from a distance. Dell's Latitude XT sports enough black boxiness to make ThinkPad owners swoon. Poor souls, Dell may have added a scroll wheel to the XT's bezel but you've still got your crimson-red nipples -- let's call it even, mkay? Biggie pics over at the French site LesDeLLiens just beyond the read link.

[Thanks, Elais]

 

[via] Engadget

Mobiblu Boxon gets unboxed on video

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We haven't heard a peep about the Mobiblu Boxon since over a year ago, but the tiny Skype-capable OLED-sporting 2GB DAP has apparently emerged in France, where Generation MP3 was able to get their hot little hands on one and pull it out of the box for our viewing pleasure. It looks like the screen is slick but a little disappointing on the quality tip (that's a sticker in the photo above), and it isn't the most ergonomic thing in the world -- they definitely called it the Boxon for a reason. No word on price or if we'll see this guy in the States, but those of you aching for more can hit the read link to watch the unboxing on video.

 

[via] Engadget

Nissan's Around View arrives in the US December

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Ok, it's not a jetpack or flying car but Nissan's new Around View Monitor is impressive transportation tech nonetheless. Best of all, it's available this month in Japan's new Elgrand before showing up Stateside December in the new Infiniti EX35. The Around View Monitor synthesizes the system's four, 180-degree cameras into a single display for a bird's-eye-view of your car's position on the road. Now even Bridge-n-Tunnelers will be able to parallel park outside their favorite East Village bar. Full video after the break.

[Via FarEastGizmos]

Continue reading Nissan's Around View arrives in the US December

 

[via] Engadget

The Blusens catalog: a mythical garden of vaporous delights?

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We've never paid much attention to Spain's Blusens, but we just got hold of the company's 2008 catalog and frankly, we're impressed. We don't know how much of this stuff will ever actually see the light of day, but there's some seriously sick (hypothetical) gear in there, like the G.41 PMP pictured above, which features a 4.3-inch screen, WiFi, MP3, WMA, MPEG4 and Ogg support, an integrated digital camera, voice recorder, FM radio, and what looks like a well-polished UI. Also worth noting is the G.71 media streamer / DVR, available in DVD or Blu-ray versions, which features a removable hard drive and external storage support, dual DVB-T tuners, IPTV support, Ethernet, WiFi, HDMI-out, and DivX / DivX HD / XviD, H.264 and MPEG2 support. Rounding out the highlights is the C.40 VoIP phone, which'll let you Skype it up over WiFi. Some of these designs rip pretty heavily from other companies, and again, we're not at all certain what's real and what's not, but damn -- Blusens, welcome to the scene. Peep the whole catalog in the gallery.

[Via Gizmología]

Gallery: The Blusens catalog: a mythical garden of vaporous delights?

 

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

[via] Engadget

NEC's VersaPro VY10A/C-4 laptop lasts 14.5-hours on a single charge

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NEC's latest VersaPro UltraLite Type VC won't appeal to any hardcore gamers or mobile movie cutters, but the casual joe (or jane) will likely find its hardware plenty capable of handling those everyday tasks. What's more is that this sucka claims a whopping 14.5-hours of life if you utilize the extended battery, which is pretty impressive for a 12.1-incher. Unfortunately, details are fairly slim on actual configurations, but word on the street has the VY10A/C-4 packin' an Intel U7500 Core 2 Duo processor, 1GB of RAM, a 40GB hard drive and your choice of Windows XP or Vista. Take a look at the oh-so-tough outer shell after the jump.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

Continue reading NEC's VersaPro VY10A/C-4 laptop lasts 14.5-hours on a single charge

 

[via] Engadget

U-Tsu-Shi-O-Mi!

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Ok, let's try to big girls and boys while looking at the U-Tsu-Shi-O-Mi Virtual Humanoid, a "mixed reality" avatar from Yokohama National University we recently peeped at our Tokyo Reader Meetup after escaping from the NTT DoCoMo labs. Destined to support you in your state of involuntary abstinence, the U-Tsu-Shi-O-Mi system maps a pretty girl onto the robot's anatomically correct, green-cloth surface with the help of a sensor-equipped head-mounted display worn by the lonely, lonely man. The result is a 3D character you can touch and "interact" with. Researcher Michihiko Shoji hopes that the system can be commercialized for arcades and for general use around the home. Slather her up with artificial human skin and you've bunged the hole Tux could never quite fill. Also available in a chubby doughboy model if that's how you roll. Video? Oh hells yeah, right after the break.

[Via Impress]

Continue reading U-Tsu-Shi-O-Mi!

 

[via] Engadget

Aeros launches Aeroscraft ML866 aircraft

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For those who've dreamed of piloting a blimp, but wouldn't mind having a personal dirigible around for less extensive trips, Aeros has you covered. The company has recently launched the Aeroscraft ML866, which is "a buoyancy assisted air vehicle with a rigid structure and gas cells." Integrated into the airship is the firm's own proprietary technologies, such as the full authority direct organic lift control (FADOLC) and dynamic buoyancy management system. The company also suggests that this creation can takeoff and land vertically, hover for "extended periods of time," handle all sorts of weather and get you where you need to be sans the use of an airport. Reportedly, the vessel will eventually measure in at some 210-feet long and will offer up around 5,000-square feet of cabin space, but you should know that this beast is expected to run you right around $40 million whenever it goes on sale.

[Via Gizmag, thanks Andrew s.]

 

[via] Engadget

Vonage settles long-standing Klausner litigation

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One step forward, two (or more) steps back. That seems to be the recurring theme for Vonage these days, as just hours after officially requesting a review of the Verizon patent decision, the firm is now settling its legal dispute with Klausner Technologies. The settlement is the second this week for the outfit, and while no financial terms of the deal were discussed, Vonage was granted "a patent license related to voice messaging." Another one down, who knows how many to go.

 

[via] Engadget

Motorola RAZR 2 V8 for T-Mobile caught in the wild

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As you well know, Motorola's RAZR 2 V8 isn't slated to land on T-Mobile until October 15th, but how's about a few looks to keep you antsy over the weekend? Thanks to a tipster who managed to get his hands around one of the T-Mobile-branded handsets, we're now getting our first looks at the device. So without further ado, why not check out the gallery over at Engadget Mobile to see what the fuss is all about?

 

[via] Engadget

Heidolph's VV Micro Evaporator: the flavor extractor

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For those yearning to add more flavor to your dishes (at any cost), look no further than Heidolph's VV Micro Evaporator. Aside from rocking a Chemistry lab-inspired design, this device essentially acts as a small distillery by extracting flavored juiced from nearly any food. Users simply toss a few berries (or similar) into the glass evaporation flask, and the device subsequently heats things up until a "vacuum pump reduces the air pressure in the flask, which drops the boiling point of the water inside to as low as 112ºF." Afterwards, the vapor rises into a condenser where it's left to cool and collect into a final dish for your enjoyment. Overkill, we know, but what's a cool three grand to a chef who's obsessed with his / her art?

[Via Popular Science]

 

[via] Engadget

FCC votes to lift regulations on AT&T's broadband business

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Just as predicted, the FCC did indeed vote to ease some of the rules surrounding AT&T's broadband business. Just prior to the midnight deadline, a vote of three to two was officially submitted that "partially granted AT&T's request to relax rules that govern what the company can charge business customers and rivals for access to some of its high-speed internet lines." Notably, Republican commissioner Robert McDowell said the "agency had left other key regulations in place and created a new process for handling complaints about the rates AT&T charges for access." Not surprisingly, AT&T was fairly elated with the outcome, and David Kaut, an analyst with Stifel Nicolaus, said that "removing the tariff rules would give the firm a leg up in negotiations with rivals and business customers seeking to lease access."

 

[via] Engadget

Popcorn Hour's Networked Media Tank seen early

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If you're scouting a decent media server that just so happens to double as a NAS drive and BitTorrent server, we'd probably wait out this weekend. Apparently, the Popcorn Hour website is set to go live in T-minus two days, but an eagle-eyed individual manged to pull down what appears to be a screenshot of the firm's forthcoming Networked Media Tank. The NMT reportedly enables users to "watch, store and share digital content on your home network," and it also allows for "seamless integration between your digital media and your entertainment system." Best of all, buyers can toss in a hard drive of their choosing, and the 1080p output is sure to please the HD buffs. According to the capture (shown in full after the jump), all this functionality will only run you $179 (sans an HDD), but we'll out find out for certain in a matter of hours.

UPDATE: Seems this could be a rebadge of another product -- guess we'll wait and see, eh? Thanks for the update, Gabriel M.

[Thanks, Johan W.]

Continue reading Popcorn Hour's Networked Media Tank seen early

 

[via] Engadget

Flytech showcases waterproof K790 all-in-one PC

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We've definitely witnessed a waterproof display being put to the test, but an all-in-one PC getting a bath is certainly less common. Nevertheless, the folks at Flytech were apparently so sure that its K790 could withstand liquid while Windows hummed along in the background that it set up an overhead shower to demonstrate. Apparently, the lineup can be had with your choice of Intel processors, up to 2GB of RAM, displays ranging from 12.1- to 19-inches in size, a 2.5-inch hard drive, four USB ports, Ethernet, audio in / out and built-in speakers to boot. No word on price, but be sure and check out another look after the break.

[Thanks, Big D]

Continue reading Flytech showcases waterproof K790 all-in-one PC

 

[via] Engadget

Universal fixing to start a music subscription service?

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Universal has made its problems with iTunes well known in the past, and it now looks like it might be set to take things to the next level, with BusinessWeek reporting that the company is trying to enlist the support of other record labels in order to launch their own music subscription service. Apparently, Sony BMG Music has already expressed interest in being a "potential partner," and Universal is now trying to convince Warner Music Group to come on board as well. What's more, it seems that this potential service, currently dubbed "Total Music," would be quite a bit different than your usual subscription model, with the groups' current thinking apparently focused on a $5-per-month subscription fee that hardware makers or cell carriers would absorb, making the music itself "essentially free" for consumers. That, of course, would still add up in one form or another, with some "industry insiders" speculating that it could add as much as $90 to each player -- based on the assumption that users hang on to their players for 18 months on average.

[Via Yahoo News/IDGNS]

 

[via] Engadget

New Tachikoma spider robot on the loose

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Ghost in the Shell fans, unite. Your favorite killer spider is back once more, as Bandai is delivering a newfangled version which stands 9.5-centimeters high and connects to your PC via USB. Apparently, this creature comes bundled with software which enables it to play back voice messages and fire up mini-games when it's not emitting sounds through the built-in speaker or catching your eye with its integrated LEDs. Unfortunately, it looks like this creature won't actually be uncaged until next February, but that'll give you some time to save up the ¥13,440 ($115) that you'll need come launch day.

[Via TokyoMango]

 

[via] Engadget

Okwap's C150T gets mauled by Hello Kitty

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Hello Kitty has certainly claimed her fair share of cellphones in the past, but she's going totally diva on the Okwap C150T. From top to bottom, side to side, this GSM handset is smothered in cuteness, and reportedly, it boasts a built-in media player, a two-megapixel camera, and a myriad Hello Kitty themes / backgrounds. Regrettably, there's no word on a price just yet, and it's doubtful you'll find this thing anywhere in America, but go on and click through for shots of the interface if you just can't get enough.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

Continue reading Okwap's C150T gets mauled by Hello Kitty

 

[via] Engadget

Skype and 3 team up for mobile internet phone

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Details are pretty light on this one, but Reuters is now reporting that Skype and UK cellphone operator 3 are currently working on a new handset that promises to "make Internet calls mobile." According to Reuters, the phone is expected to "work in the normal way," but also include an option to let users bypass all those hefty cellphone charges and contact other Skype users directly in order to save a few bucks. We assume that means Skype will operate over 3G data, although that's yet to be confirmed by either party. We should know more soon enough, however, as the handset is apparently on track to be released before the end of the year.

 

[via] Engadget

Polar offers up RS800G3 multisport training system

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Polar's RS800, which was originally introduced last September, is getting one-upped this fall by the RS800G3 multisport training system. Essentially, this acts as a GPS upgrade to the wristwatch, which "enables athletes to measure speed and distance for a variety of outdoor sports." The entire system now consists of the RS800 wrist unit, Wearlink W.I.N.D. heart rate transmitter, ProTrainer 5 software and the G3 GPS Sensor, and those who already plunked down for the watch last year can purchase the G3 GPS sensor separately. The sensor itself packs a SiRFstarIII chipset, is water resistant and can last around 15-hours on just a single AA battery. Price wise, athletes (or athletes to-be) can pick up the entire RS800G3 bundle for $499.95, while the standalone G3 will run you $139.95.

[Thanks, SK]

 

[via] Engadget