Hong Kong International Airport installs PS3 game poles, delays more flights

Hong Kong International Airport installs PS3 game poles, delays more flights originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Terminal Gamer  |  PlayStation (Asia) Hong Kong  | Email this | Comments

Pedro Matias sets new texting record at LG Mobile World Cup (video)

Continue reading Pedro Matias sets new texting record at LG Mobile World Cup (video)

Pedro Matias sets new texting record at LG Mobile World Cup (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Sony and FIFA team up to make the World Cup 3D

It’s no secret that plenty of companies are hoping that 2010 will be the year of 3D, and it looks like Sony has now gotten a big boost by lining up a partnership with one of the biggest events of the year: the FIFA World Cup. As the pair have announced today, the new arrangement will see at least 25 World Cup matches produced in 3D using Sony’s 3D cameras, which will be viewable through a variety of means. That includes special public viewing events in seven cities around the world (none in North America, unfortunately), an “Official 3D Film” that will be previewed at Sony Stores and other retail outlets and, last but not least, a Blu-ray of said film that will be made available at some point following the World Cup. This won’t be the first time a soccer match has been broadcast in 3D, however, and it looks like it won’t be your only option for catching some games in 3D next year either.

[Thanks, Matt]

Sony and FIFA team up to make the World Cup 3D originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  PR Newswire  | Email this | Comments

Entelligence: What’s the future of Nokia?

Entelligence is a column by technology strategist and author Michael Gartenberg, a man whose desire for a delicious cup of coffee and a quality New York bagel is dwarfed only by his passion for tech. In these articles, he’ll explore where our industry is and where it’s going — on both micro and macro levels — with the unique wit and insight only he can provide.

It’s the largest cell phone maker in the world, with the largest share of any smartphone vendor in the world. Yet I increasingly look at Nokia’s products and listen to its strategy wondering if the company can remain relevant in a mobile world that’s changed drastically over the last two years. I’m not talking about a Nokia deathwatch, or whether the company will remain in business — that’s foolish. Of course Nokia is going to stick around; it’s what it’s going to look like that concerns me. A future of selling low-end phones into emerging markets with some minor services might be profitable, but it’s not a direction that leads to industry relevance or influence.

First, I’m confused by Nokia’s platform strategy. There’s been a lot of chatter about Maemo being the future, and while it might be a strategic direction, it’s nowhere near ready for primetime now. Chris Ziegler suggested to me the other day that “Maemo 6 (or 7) in an X6 form factor with a more cohesive Ovi strategy could be killer.” Perhaps, but right now Maemo feels very immature and unfinished. In fact, it feels like what it is: an OS designed for Nokia’s Internet Tablet MIDs. On a phone like the N900 it’s just too kludgey for the mainstream market. That leaves Symbian-based S60, which was totally innovative in 2002 but now looks creaky and has fragmented into multiple versions, leaving a very confused developer market. Sure, Nokia supports Flash and Silverlight with Qt somehow tying all this diversity into some unified grand theory, but it’s enough complexity to make most developers look elsewhere — and that’s exactly what’s happened. Without a clear platform strategy, it’s going to be difficult for Nokia to get the developer mindshare required to stay relevant to the mass market.

Continue reading Entelligence: What’s the future of Nokia?

Entelligence: What’s the future of Nokia? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

TomTom XXL 540S World Traveler Edition: perfect for that dude you’re jealous of

We know, our GPS gift guide has already been erected, but if you’re in the unfortunate position of needing a high-end gift for someone who’ll actually be in San Juan del Sur over the holidays, there’s hardly a better option than this. The TomTom XXL 540S World Traveler Edition is exactly what you think it is: it’s an XXL 540S, but with maps for the United States, Canada and Europe (what — no Central America?). The 5-inch touchscreen is still there, as is the company’s IQ Routes, ‘Help Me!,’ an increased 4GB of storage, advanced lane guidance and 7 million points of interest. It’s expected to hit retail shelves in both the US and Canada early next month for $349.95 (US) / $399.95 (CAD).

TomTom XXL 540S World Traveler Edition: perfect for that dude you’re jealous of originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Business Wire  | Email this | Comments

Microsoft roadmap pegs Windows 8 release for 2012, or just after the world’s end

It’s somewhat hard to believe that we’re already talking about Windows 8 given that Windows 7 just hit the shelves two months ago, but you know the engineers at Microsoft are already planning ahead. According to a roadmap constructed over at Microsoft Kitchen — based around whispers heard through the grapevine on the eventual release of the next Windows Server — the next iteration of Windows is tentatively pegged for release in the year 2012. Of course, a three-year window between Windows 7 and the next version is totally believable, but we wouldn’t go planning your end of the world party with the assumption that a new OS will be the main attraction. Or you could, but then you might be disappointed, which would be a sucky way to go out.

Microsoft roadmap pegs Windows 8 release for 2012, or just after the world’s end originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Electronista  |  Microsoft Kitchen  | Email this | Comments

Panasonic’s 1-inch thick Z1 plasma reviewed: playing with perfection

The plasma may be a dying breed, but the ones that are left are undoubtedly some of the best the world has ever seen. Take Panasonic’s 54-inch TC-P54Z1 for example, which wowed audiences (us included) when it was first unveiled way back at CES. The HD Guru recently had an opportunity to take this very screen into his abode for review, and after a labor-intensive (around “one hour”) setup process, the gazing was officially on. Panny’s engineers were able to slim the set down to an inch by requiring that a dedicated (wireless) set-top-box be used for tuning OTA channels and managing connections, and the result was nothing less than elegant. If you’re wondering what north of five large really buys in an HDTV these days, wonder no more — the set was deemed darn near perfect, with “outstanding” color, contrast and deep black levels. Potentially best of all, there were no motion artifacts to speak of, and anyone with a 120Hz / 240Hz set can testify to just how annoying those things are. Hit the read link for a detailed unboxing, setup and review, but don’t even bother if you’re looking for someone to talk you out of what you’re about to do.

Filed under: Displays, HDTV

Panasonic’s 1-inch thick Z1 plasma reviewed: playing with perfection originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

iiView A2 borrows Apple’s panache for a Win 7 netbook

Manufacturers the world over have given this one some serious thought, and they’ve decided that you want something that feels like a MacBook Air, looks (vaguely) like a MacBook Air, and doesn’t run OS X. Available come October 22, the iiView A2 features an Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz CPU, 2GB DDR2 RAM, 320GB HDD, a 12.1-inch display, and 802.11 a/b/g/n wireless. Shipping for $399 with Windows 7, this guy will look right at home next to your award-winning collection of Air KIRFs — and won’t break the bank in the process. Hit that read link for more info.

[Via ChipChick]

Filed under: Laptops

iiView A2 borrows Apple’s panache for a Win 7 netbook originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Razer refreshed DeathAdder gaming mouse is more accurate, still hates southpaws

Zanily enough, nearly three full years have passed since Razer first introduced what would eventually become one of its best-selling gaming mice, so it goes without saying that the aging DeathAdder was due for an update. For those looking for a clean cut, straight-up gaming mouse to use between the hours of 10PM and 5:30AM, this revamped critter might just fit the bill. The biggest change is the inclusion of a 3.5G 3500dpi infrared sensor and a tangle-free braided cable, and fans of the existing design will greatly appreciate the fact that it’s essentially the same (externally, of course). It’s still not ambidextrous in nature (sorry, lefties), but you will find on-the-fly sensitivity adjustments, five independently programmable buttons and all the blue glow your retinas can handle. It should be available to order momentarily for $59.99 (US) / €59.99 (Europe).

Filed under: Peripherals

Razer refreshed DeathAdder gaming mouse is more accurate, still hates southpaws originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Volkswagen L1 concept is crazy efficient, could ship in 2013

Look, it’s a well-known fact that the world is ending in either 2012 or when the Large Hadron Collider starts back up (whichever comes first). But, assuming neither of those scenarios actually cause planet Earth to fold in on itself, you should have some pretty swank Volkswagens to choose from in 2013. Just days after hearing that the highly-anticipated E-Up! concept would be landing in around four years, VW is now proclaiming that the L1 concept you see above could also hit production at the same time. What’s odd, however, is that the automaker is already calling this the “most fuel-efficient automobile in the world,” but at 170MPG, you’d think the suits at Chevy would have a thing or two to say about it. At least in theory, the hybrid TDI vehicle can cruise 100 kilometers on just 1.38 liters of diesel, but we’ll wait until the EPA gets a go before buying in completely.

Filed under: Transportation

Volkswagen L1 concept is crazy efficient, could ship in 2013 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Haiku Alpha 1 available now: BeOS lovers of the world rejoice

A mere eight years in the making, the Haiku Project has announced the release of Haiku R1/Alpha 1, the first official development release of the low footprint open source OS formerly known as OpenBeOS. Since it’s an alpha release, you’ll be expected to do your part identifying bugs and reporting glitches and the like — but here’s hoping that they at least got Firefox to run in relative stability this time ’round. We know you’re too damned giddy at the prospect of installing this thing on your netbook for any more of our prattle, so why don’t you just hit the read link and get started, then?

[Thanks, Hawkje]

Continue reading Haiku Alpha 1 available now: BeOS lovers of the world rejoice

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Haiku Alpha 1 available now: BeOS lovers of the world rejoice originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Bing welcomes the month of Ramadan with a background

Today’s background on Bing is dedicated to the month of Ramadan in which Muslims all over the world fast. The scene in the background shows a busy market place in Bangladesh. Lots of fried food is being sold in the image which is consumed at Iftar everyday at sunset, which marks the break of fast. Hovering over the hotspots shows different information on Ramadan It’s great to see the Bing team using this background and I’d like to thank them for it. Thanks to Manan for sharing this with me on Twitter.

On a related note, President Obama has also given his Ramadan Message to Muslims all over the world which is heartwarming. Thanks to Saad Hamid for this share. Check it out below.

Ramadan Kareem to fellow Muslims all over the world from ithinkdiff !:)

White Samsung Galaxy spotted in the wild

We just caught a glimpse of a white / silver Samsung Galaxy yesterday, but it looks like any doubts about its realness have now been put to rest, as the very same Android-based phone has now been spotted in the wild. As you might expect, however, there’s apparently no other differences compared to the standard black Galaxy we’ve been seeing all along and, just like the black model, this one will reportedly be available first on O2 Germany before rolling out to other carriers in Europe. And, no, there’s still no word of a release ’round here.

Filed under: Cellphones

White Samsung Galaxy spotted in the wild originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Large Hadron Collider restart, end of the world pushed back to mid-November

Still undecided about what to do with those precious few months before the biggest doomsday since Y2K? Then you’re in luck, ’cause the much anticipated / feared restart of the Large Hadron Collider has now been delayed yet again, almost exactly a month after the last delay. This time it looks like a couple of vacuum leaks are the culprit, and CERN says that the collider is now unlikely to restart before mid-November, which just so happens to coincide with the peak of the Leonids meteor shower. Coincidence? Yes, yes it is.

Filed under: Science

Large Hadron Collider restart, end of the world pushed back to mid-November originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 04:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

India issuing biometric IDs to all 1.2 billion citizens

While not busy being the destination of Westerners seeking spiritual growth and the birthplace of the beloved Bollywood song and dance flick, apparently India is home to some 1.2 billion people — many of whom possess no proof of identification whatsoever. According to The Times (UK), less than seven per cent of the population are registered for income tax, and the voting lists are terribly inaccurate. Hoping to bring the nation’s census data into the 21st century, India has created the Unique Identification Authority. Under the direction of Nandan Nilekani, one of the founders of Infosys, the plan is to outfit every one of the nation’s citizens with a biometric ID card that contains personal data, fingerprint or iris scans, and possibly even criminal records and credit histories. Gathering the data is projected to cost at least $4.9 billion, a figure that’s likely to soar once the ball gets rolling. While the Government expects that the first cards will be issued within 18 months, analysts say that project won’t likely reach “critical mass” for at least four years.

[Via Switched]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

India issuing biometric IDs to all 1.2 billion citizens originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

IronKey boasts ‘world’s most physically and cryptographically secure’ thumb drive

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen one of IronKey’s encrypted USB thumb drives ’round these parts, but if you’re an enterprise user, government contractor, or some sort of renegade corporate spy you’ll want to take note of this next item. The S200 is being touted as the world’s first and only USB flash drive certified for FIPS 140-2, Security Level 3, and features: hardware-based AES 256-bit encryption in CBC mode, a tamper-resistant and tamper-evident rugged metal case, hardware-based malware protection, trusted network restrictions (which prevent the device from unlocking on untrusted PCs), and all the other goodies you expect from the company. Of course, this level of protection doesn’t come cheap — with their consumer grade products starting at $79.99 and ascending pretty quickly from there, we can only imagine what enterprise customers are shelling out. Then again, if you have to ask what it costs, this one is probably not for you. PR after the break.

Continue reading IronKey boasts ‘world’s most physically and cryptographically secure’ thumb drive

Filed under: Storage

IronKey boasts ‘world’s most physically and cryptographically secure’ thumb drive originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

BlackBerry App World now home to 2,000 applications, RIM pretty stoked

It may have some 48,000 or so to go before it catches the runaway leader in app choice, but doubling up its catalog after launching just 3.5 months ago ain’t nothing to scoff at. As RIM suffers through the traditional growing pains with its fledgling BlackBerry App World, it has managed to amass around 2,000 programs for users to love, hate or feel completely indifferent about. According to Jeff McDowell, vice president of global alliances, that number is apt to rise when it goes live in Italy, France, Germany and Spain this month. Also of note, Mr. McDowell declined to say just how many downloads had taken place, but he did note that RIM was “very happy” with the response. Unfortunately, we’re not so certain that the company is eager to raise that 2,000 figure to something much higher, with ole Jeff spouting off that “[it doesn't matter] whether it’s 40,000 or 2,000 [apps], you’ve still got a broad range of choice.” We’re willing to bet the public sees that a bit differently — right, public?

[Via Electronista]

Filed under: Cellphones, Software

BlackBerry App World now home to 2,000 applications, RIM pretty stoked originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments