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This day in Engadget: Steve Jobs calls for an end to DRM
Welcome to 'This day in Engadget', where we crack open the archives and take a whimsical look back at the memories and moments of our storied past. Please join us on this trip down random access memory lane.
On February 6th, 2007 Apple CEO Steve Jobs published his "Thoughts on Music" letter. iTunes was by then the major player in online distribution, and the iPod had become the widely recognized face of portable music. DRM was controversial and pretty much universally disdained, and Jobs took the opportunity to write a letter pinpointing what he thought were the three options moving forward in the digital music distribution model. Essentially, he felt Apple (and the rest of the music loving world) had three choices: stay the course (DRM intact), move to the company's FairPlay licensing model, or envision a future which was DRM-free. Jobs made no bones about it: he and Apple hoped to "embrace" the end of DRM (under pressure from the EU, of course). Arguing that DRM hadn't stopped piracy, he conveniently called for the major labels to license their music to Apple DRM-free. On January 9th of 2009, Apple did announce that some of the music in its iTunes store would be purchasable DRM-free, though it still makes use of FairPlay for apps and video. Jobs will have to continue fighting the good fight, we suppose.
Also on this date:
February 6th, 2009: The Kindle 2 seemed like it might be leaking (it was), Roku moved into private beta with Amazon Video on Demand, and Microsoft denied it was making a phone.
February 6th, 2008: Ford announced it would offer its F-150 with an in-dash computer (amongst other things), a bunch of undersea cables were reportedly cut leaving much of the world with no internet and no Engadget, and the Xbox 360 HD DVD player hit an all-time low price of $130.
February 6th, 2007: Apple asked the FCC to keep its iPhone secrets confidential until the 15th of June, Hasbro recalled nearly a million Easy Bake Ovens to the dismay of little girls everywhere, and Sony Ericsson officially outed its W880 (Ai) Walkman musicphone.
February 6th, 2006: The PSP was officially rumored to be getting both email and GPS, LG outed its F3000 cellphone which went 'vroom vroom' whenever you got a text, and Mobile ESPN went live.
February 6th, 2005: The world was a flutter with the news of how to unlock a GSM Treo 650, while signing up for a year of Napster to Go brought with it a free iRiver H10.
February 6th, 2004: Hey, Engadget didn't exist yet!
How would you change HTC's HD2?
From a pure specification standpoint, it's hard to knock HTC's HD2. Scratch that -- it's impossible to knock the HD2. A 1GHz Snapdragon CPU is just the tip of the iceberg, with the icing on the cake being the 800 x 480 resolution display, 5 megapixel camera, GPS and a downright stunning overall design. Unfortunately, phones are made or broken by the software that's loaded on, and Windows Mobile 6.5 isn't exactly the most nimble mobile OS on the market right now. That said, we're confident that more than a few of you have unloaded your savings accounts in order to posses one of the sexiest cellular telephones this world has ever seen, and now that the deed is done, we're eager to hear your opinions on how the phone really stacks up. Are you happy with the performance? Did you expect it to be snappier given the monstrous CPU? Would you have held out for WinMo 7 if Sir Patience would've allowed you? No need to go easy on anything -- tell it like it is in comments below.
Ask Engadget: Best NAS / media streamer combo device?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Felix, who would feel a lot better about his situation in life if he had one certain gadget that could do two certain things. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.
Robonica Roboni-i programmable robot toy review
Life became duller ever since FedEx took away our last annoying little robot, so we got our hands on a new but less chatty plastic companion -- say hi to Robonica's Roboni-i programmable robot. Since its last Engadget appearance we've seen a drastic price drop from the original $299.95 to $159.95 at Hammacher Schlemmer, but the robot is no less awesome -- those unique wheels alone deliver plenty of coolness already, not to mention the bunch of peculiar accessories in the box for games and even interaction with other fellow Roboni-is. Read on to find out if this bot's a keeper.
Klipsch Image X10i iPhone-friendly earbud impressions
We let you in on one of Klipsch's little secrets when we revealed the Image X10i to the world back in December, and now that the company's highest-end iPhone-friendly earbuds will be shipping en masse within a month, we figured we'd grab a set and let you know if they were indeed worth their weight in gold (or just $349.99, really). The X10 has sat atop the company's most recent lineup of earbuds for awhile now, and with the raging success of the S4i came a stellar idea: add the same iPod / iPhone remote to the flagship set of 'buds. The X10i is just that -- a set of X10 earbuds with the iPhone remote that we highlighted in our S4i review. Needless to say, the X10i isn't aimed at the budget-minded listener, but we were most curious to see if these really were worth the $250 leap from the aforementioned S4i. Read on to peek our conclusion.
How would you change Nikon's D300S?
Nikon's D300S isn't exactly tailor made for D300 owners, but for those waiting patiently to jump into the semi-pro DSLR game, it offers up a pretty delightful array of specs. Boasting SD and CF slots, a 720p movie mode and 12.3 megapixels of sharp shooting goodness, this here cam received overwhelmingly positive reviews late last year. Strategically positioned between the full-frame D700 and the lesser-specced D90, we're sure the D300S found its way into quite a few hearts (and under quite a few trees) between then and now. If you've been firing off snaps with one of these for a few months now, we're curious to know how you'd tweak things if the power were yours. Does the "S" really add enough to the D300 package to warrant the boost in price? How's the image quality? Is the video mode a-okay for your purposes? Spill your heart out in comments below -- we're here to hold your hand if necessary.
Apple iPad: The definitive guide (so far)
By now you've probably read more on Apple's iPad then you ever dreamed possible. In the last few days we've covered a lot of angles on the tablet and compiled a lot of data. Still, we felt that we hadn't given you clear hands-on impressions and collected the myriad details about the device in one, easy-to-reach place. So we've decided to bundle all of that info into a single feature, joining our first-hand encounters with the iPad together with all of the data and details you should be aware of -- including specs, plans, release schedules, pics, and video. So read on for everything we know (so far) about Cupertino's first tablet!
Ask Engadget: Best noise cancelling Bluetooth headset?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Jonathon, who's currently preparing for a summer of fun with top dropped. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.
Clear WiMAX USB modem impressions
Clearwire (along with Sprint and Comcast, just to name a couple) has been fiercely expanding its WiMAX network across America for months on end now, and while select citizens in select cities have had access to the 4G superhighway for just over a year, we haven't actually had the opportunity to find ourselves in one of those locations for any amount of time. Until recently, that is. The Clear 4G service was lit up in Las Vegas late last year, which gave the Engadget squad just enough time to scrounge up a gaggle of Motorola 4G USB sticks and really test out the network while at CES. Meanwhile, the North Carolinians among us were also able to test the boundaries of the 4G patches that have been setup here, and we're finally ready to dish out a few opinions on the fourth generation of cellular data. Eager to know if it's the best thing since sliced bread the invention of the MP3? Read on to find out.
How would you change RIM's BlackBerry Storm2?
It's sort of stunning how many stellar smartphone options Verizon Wireless customers suddenly have, but lest we forget that RIM's hotly-anticipated Storm2 was rockin' the suburbs late last year. For those who sprung, we're curious to know if you're happy with your decision. Do you think RIM adequately addressed the gripes from round one? Is the display responsive enough? Was the addition of WiFi what sealed the deal? Are you annoyed that you didn't hold out for the new Palm lineup? Feel free to get really real in comments below -- we get the impression that Waterloo needs all the feedback it can get when it comes to QWERTY-less mobiles.
Switched On: The two sides of 3DTV
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.
Without a doubt, 3D was the keystone feature touted by every major TV and Blu-ray player manufacturer at CES 2010. But the 3D technology we'll see this year asks more of consumers than previous reinventions. As with HD, they will need new TVs, new video sources, and optimized content like Avatar to make the experience worthwhile.
But consumers will also likely need glasses -- and not particularly fashionable glasses -- to experience the 3D effect. It's a lot to ask customers, given just-completed 10-year transition to digital and high-definition television. Compare that to the roughly 30-year gap that separated the mainstream arrival of color and the first HDTV in the U.S.
It also remains to be seen how strong of a marketing push major electronics companies will put behind 3D. The shift to HD was aided by a government mandate that coincided with the shift from over-the-air analog broadcasts to digital broadcasts. And before there was much HD content on television, consumers embraced the dramatic form-factor shift from CRT to flat-panel televisions -- HD often just came along for the ride.
Ask Engadget: Best TSA-approved laptop bag?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Addison, who now needs a shiny new laptop bag to house that shiny new laptop that arrived for Christmas. The kicker? TSA approval is passionately desired.
Nokia Ovi Maps with free turn-by-turn navigation hands-on
Now that we've heard the big news from Nokia's London press event, it's only natural to get our hands dirty with the upgraded Ovi Maps. The preloaded map does indeed load much quicker than its old network counterpart, and hey, did we mention it's free too? Enjoy the photos and video after the break with your breakfast.
Aliph Jawbone Icon 'The Ace' Bluetooth headset review
While Aliph was announcing its luxurious Jawbone Icon Bluetooth headsets earlier today, we've been playing with one of its six designs -- The Ace -- at our cozy London pad. Being the smallest and lightest Jawbone ever, the Icon's obviously challenging the likes of Jabra Stone with attempts to outperform in noise elimination, battery life, ergonomics and ease of operation. On paper, the Icon already wins on battery life and price, although the Stone has a charging dock good for six extra hours. What really matters, though, is the usability -- something the Stone had little of in a noisy environment. Read on to find out if Aliph has done it right.
Entelligence: 'Don't be evil' isn't the basis for a relationship
After a weeks of speculation, leaks, confirmation and a sneak peek from my colleagues here at Engadget, Google finally told the story of the Nexus One. The Nexus One is the latest and greatest Android device, with a bit of a twist. The Nexus One is available without contract and unlocked directly from Google for $530, as well as subsidized from T-Mobile on a two-year contract for $179. Even with T-Mobile service, the device is only available from Google. Interesting, but hardly the groundbreaking business model that was expected as soon as the words "Google phone" began to make the rounds.
As nice as the Nexus One is -- and in my opinion it's the nicest Android device on the market -- it makes me wonder what Google's up to with Android and why it's even in the mobile OS business, let alone selling phones directly to consumers. I'd ask the same about Chrome and Chrome OS as well. Android is particularly puzzling, however: Google licenses it for free and it's turned up on some rather interesting devices, but none of those devices have helped build out an ecosystem. Many of them are proprietary and Android is rapidly becoming fragmented -- the Archos5 Internet Tablet, for example, can't make official use of the Android marketplace. But nothing is as strange as Google getting into the hardware business directly and selling devices, albeit unlocked and unsubsidized ones, directly to consumers.
Next-gen dashboards get Tegra 2, Moblin, Atom, we go hands-on
Intel Atom processors, capacitive touchscreens, NVIDIA Tegra 2 graphics, Moblin installs... sounds like a suite of hot next-gen ultra-portables, right? Think again. Those are just some of the technologies used in the dashboards of cars that will be appearing on showrooms in the coming months and years, dashes that were largely on display at CES -- minus the cars themselves, usually. There we were treated to mobile glimpses of Google Earth, Pandora, and Slacker Radio on the go, plus the ability to lock and unlock your car via Ye Olde Internets. It's the future, and it's coming soon, so click on through already and get a sneak peek.
Wireless power takes another baby step at CES 2010 with Qi standard
It's our third year visiting with Fulton Innovation and the eCoupled wireless power booth at CES, and once again there's significant progress to be seen -- this time in the form of actual shipping products like the Case-mate Hug and the Dell Latitude Z. Fulton's really pushing the industry standard angle with eCoupled -- it's a founding member of the Wireless Power Consortium, which is just a few months away from finalizing a standard based on eCoupled called Qi. Qi's going to be backed by some pretty big names: Motorola, Nokia, RIM, Energizer, Duracell, Samsung, and Philips are all members of the WPC, along with several others, and the goal is for all this stuff to seamlessly play together. Fulton had some pretty hot demos to show off of the standard in action, including a Toyota Avalon interior with functional spots for two phones, a GPS, a Bluetooth headset, and a netbook, a slick first-class airline seat with a charging table, and a hotel room with several power points -- including a slick motorized dock built into the desk for the Dell. Our favorite demo, however, was a wall sconce: an eCoupled point in the wall was used to power a light fixture, which was then swapped for a digital photo frame. Nifty stuff, indeed.
Still, the big challenge for Fulton and the WPC is going to be actually shipping a bunch of these products this year -- standards are nice, but without gear in hand they're meaningless, and the rival PowerMat crew has been making a pretty big push of its own. We'll see what happens in the next few months -- and how much has changed at CES 2011. Check a couple videos after the break!
AirStash wireless SD card reader hands-on
Just as CES is wrapping up, we managed to get some hands-on time with the AirStash wireless SD card reader, which is targeted at iPhone OS devices (but does work with other WiFi-enabled devices). Like many of the mysterious products from Vegas we have no price, release date or battery life, but what we do know now is that it's indeed very light (1.5 ounces), fits nicely in our hands and supports up to 32GB SDHC cards. As for wireless connection the AirStash acts as a WiFi 802.11b/g access point -- a cunning way to dodge the Apple dock connector license fees or the lack of Bluetooth profiles. Sadly, the prototype wasn't working properly due to "some RF interference," but as you can see above, the AirStash is accessed via a browser (UI design not final). Sure, this would mean you'd lose Internet connection via WiFi, but if the AirStash is cheap enough, then we'll live with it. Let's hope they hurry up with the release, though.
Crapgadget Crapdown, CES 2010: the best of the worst
It's that time of the year again, where we round up all the gadgets we found on the CES show floor that help us to reset our gauge for bad ideas and hardware. Following in 2009's footsteps, there seemed to be much less crap this year than before. Still, we're here to recognize those souls who strive harder than most to hit that point of mediocrity -- pick your favorite below, then rest easy knowing that you live in a world that accepts the existence of all kinds of products, no matter how miserable.
The nominees
First Else hands-on at CES: 'still alive and kicking'
We caught up with Else at CES to check on how they're doing with the First Else since we last saw them back in November. According to CTO Eldad Eilam, the basic functions of the ALP-based phone are finally done and dusted, so now Else will mainly focus on fine-tuning its snazzy visual effects until beta around the end of March. There's no doubt that it's also finalizing plans -- pricing, content distribution, and remote sync service, etc.-- with various partners in the US and Europe. If you happen to be in Asia, then sorry -- apparently Else has no intention to visit you guys just yet, but you might get lucky if you sneak into Sharp's factories in Japan or China. For the rest of us, we shall continuously gaze at our hands-on videos until First Else's expected end-of-Q2 launch -- we've got a new one for you after the break.
Sideline Cinq USB companion monitor hands-on
We don't normally get adrenalized with LCD monitors, but when they get a dash of that DisplayLink magic then it's another story. Enter the Sideline Cinq -- a 10.1-inch, 1024 x 600 vibrant LCD (with SD card reader) that needs just one USB cable for both data and power, plus it's kosher with both Windows and Mac. Sure, the Cinq looks bulky, but at 15.6 ounces you'd likely need some serious lottery luck for it to cause any damage. There's also a stand to avoid the attachment's sticky tape mess on your machine -- you can go landscape or portrait. The only grumble we have is that it needs a non-glossy option. $249 and the Cinq's yours in Q3, or $199 if you pre-order from Sideline's site. Now, how about three of these for some hardcore flight-sim sessions?
HSTi Wireless Media Stick hands-on
Now that HSTi's Wireless Media Stick is official, we decided to drop by its CES booth to see what the deal was. Essentially, these Canadian sticks are WiFi dongles covering 802.11a/b/g/n, but the magic lies in their ability to let your computers appear as one USB mass storage device for devices like gaming consoles, digital frames and hi-fi stereos. You start off by plugging a stick into a PC, install the software (installer pre-loaded on the stick), and once connected to the wireless router you choose which folders to share (which is pretty easy, as we saw). You can do the same with more computers but each will require its own stick. From there onwards, plug in another stick into a device that accepts USB mass storage devices, and you'll be able to wirelessly access all the shared files on the network as if they are on one thumb drive. Pretty sweet, huh? And yes, this thing does in fact do exactly what Infinitec's IUM claims to do. For now, HSTi only promises smooth 720p video streaming and Windows-only compatibility, but a future firmware upgrade should make things even more groovy. You can grab one starting January 15th for $119.99 each -- sooner and cheaper than the IUM, but double that figure as you'll need at least two to get things going. Still, it doesn't hurt as much if you think of it as a thumb drive of up to one terabyte (and two in the near future).
Update: Whoops! We've just been told that only one stick is necessary -- use the stick to run the configuration wizard on the PCs, then plug it into a media device for use.
Intel shows off glasses-free 3D demo -- now this is more like it
If you've kept even a loose eye on our CES coverage this year, you'd know that 3D is firmly "in." But our main gripe is that the glasses requirement makes it largely impractical for in-home use. Intel had a comparison demo setup in its massive booth, and it had a top display arranged to showcase glasses-free 3D and the bottom to demonstrate the more traditional glasses-required 3D. A technician at the booth explained that the footage was all specifically shot to fit the format, and a special overlay was applied to the 3D HDTV in order to complete the magic. He confessed that the resolution was "sub-720p," and there were only eight specific places that you could stand at in order to actually get the full experience. We stood around 10 feet back, dead center, and were downright wowed by the results. You could honestly see loads of depth, and everything appeared buttery smooth. Stepping closer resulted in less-than-awesome visuals, but we're definitely stoked by the possibilities here. Take note, TV / content makers -- glasses free > glasses-required.
Intel Infoscape HD wall brings real-time web visualization (hands-on)
We hate to dampen your excitement right from the get-go, but Intel confessed that it has absolutely no plans of commercializing something like this itself -- but that's not to say someone else couldn't grab a Core i7 and run with the idea themselves. The Infoscape was generating quite a bit of attention at the chip giant's CES booth, boasting twin 7-foot touch panels (each with a 1,920 x 1,920 resolution). The entire installation was powered by a single Core i7-based machine with Intel's own graphics, and it was seen rendering 576 links of live information. Users could touch any individual panel in order to dig deeper and bring up more information on each link, and it had absolutely no trouble pulling up dozens of boxes at once when legions of onlookers decided to touch boxes simultaneously. Hop on past the break to check out a video, and feel free to drop your wildest ideas of where this could be used (like, your den) in comments below.
Razer hits the Xbox 360 with Onza controller and Chimaera headset, we go hands-on (video)
Fils Sound Film transparent speaker hands-on (video)
Korean gadgets these days are either gunning for next-to-nothing thinness or mind-boggling transparency, which is marvelous. Today we came across another Korean company (and an old friend), Fils, which does transparent "sound film" speakers in many forms: photo frame, umbrella, curtains, cap, hoodie and even model yacht (yeah, seriously), all thanks to the highly-flexible piezoelectric film. Sure, the sound quality was hardly top-notch, but apparently Fils is hooking up with a few big-name Korean electronic companies (TVs?), so we're all going to suffer soon whether you like it or not. Cheer yourself up with the video after the break.
Cyber Clean smears our keyboards, fills our nostrils as we go hands-on (video)
Cannondale's mind-blowing Simon electronic suspension system hands-on
Touch Revolution puts Android in a microwave and makes an updated Nimble tablet, we go hands-on
USB 3.0 SuperSpeed gone wild at CES 2010, trumps even your new SSD
You Rock Guitar spotted at CES, we shred on video
Surely you remember the You Rock Guitar from earlier this week. How could you forget, right? Well here on the CES show floor, we had the opportunity to rock out (gently, of course) with the lightweight, multitouch Guitar Hero / Rock Band controller -- which just so happens to be platform agnostic. It's got a plethora of settings and buttons, but it can actually double as a semi-legitimate guitar when plugged into an amp. For a music game peripheral, it's about as real as it gets, though it's hard to say if you're better off dropping 180 bones on this instead of a standard controller and a swanky new Squier. Don't take our word for it, though -- jump on past the break and mash play.
Samsung's camcorders and one big dummy camera at CES
iLuv App Station taped down with a cardboard iPhone at CES
We managed to get up close and personal with the iLuv App Station at CES. Sadly, we didn't get to try it out with a real iPhone, but even then it would've been difficult to see if the sound quality's any good. How about a review unit, iLuv? *wink*
Sony's camera and camcorder lineup spotted at CES (video)
We swung by Sony's gloomy CES booth to check out their new camcorders and cameras for 2010. Fresh on the Handycam menu were the SDHC-loving CX and XR series camcorders (pictured above), and we saw some nice demos of their Optical SteadyShot (mesmerizing video after the break) and wide angle G lens. The tapeless AX2000 professional video camera was also present further down the table, sporting dual memory card slots. On the other table we encountered the Bloggie and the rest of the 2010 Cyber-shot lineup in several colors. Aww, what a sweet family.
Lenovo IdeaCentre A300 and C310 hands-on
Given some of the more compact portables we've seen, world's thinnest all-in-one desktop is certainly debatable, but the curves on the Lenovo IdeaCentre A300 do give it an air of grace, as does the swivel. Throw in a clear screen and it's promising, but countering those kind words? Lots and lots of fingerprint-friendly gloss. We also got some time with the C310, which takes the traditional IdeaCentre all-in-one design and spruces it up a bit with a brown finish -- it's otherwise what you've come to expect, for better or for worse. Enough chit-chat, on with the photos!
Panasonic SDXC cards roadmap and Lumix camera lineup at CES 2010
You see those SDXC cards on the far right? Yeah, that's 1TB and 2TB, dear friends, and word has it that Panasonic will let out the 1TB card by the end of this year. When you've calmed down, we've also got photos of the newly announced Lumix camera galleria to get the party going, notably the new FP and FH series in their various colors. Enjoy the gallery!
Zyxio's 'sensawaft' tech lets you control a cursor with your breath, you lazy jerk
We never knew just how much work it was moving our mouse around our desktop until we blew ourself silly on Zyxio's breath-enabled sensawaft tech. The sensor detects the directionality of breathing, which sounds really easy in theory but took a bit of learning in practice. After a couple minutes of trying, however, we were "blowing with our mind" as the promotional materials suggest, and while we wouldn't call ourselves halfway accurate, we could see ourselves suggesting a mild amount of cursor direction with very little effort after a day or so of use. There's an obvious application for the disabled, but Zyxio also thinks it can talk gamers into using it as a "third hand," and envisions other applications such as controlling a mobile phone or zooming in and out of a GPS view in a car. We can't see it taking the industry by storm, but sensawaft is certainly an impressive and entertaining technology, and with devices in the projected $70 range in Q2 or Q3 of this year, it might not be too expensive for a novelty buy. Check out a video of it in action after the break.
Plastic Logic QUE proReader in-depth video hands-on
Our time this morning with the QUE proReader was all too short, so we took another pass at the device -- this time armed to the teeth with our very best touchscreen gestures. We have to say, the more we play with it, the more we like it. The interface is very well thought out, the touchscreen keyboard is very responsive (though a little awkward to type on in landscape mode) and the general functionality is just about perfect for this sort of device. It's not going to change the world, and the price means it'll be only for a very select sort of user, but we have a sneaky feeling that those users are going to be pretty smug folks once this thing starts shipping. Check out the video after the break.
LG X300 hands-on: thin, light, and handsome
Samsung 9000 series LED LCD TV eyes-on (video)
Right in the middle of Samsung's CES front garden were these gorgeous ultra-slim LED LCD TVs, dubbed the 9000 series and comes with a fancy remote controller which we saw earlier. Even with a pencil stuck to the side it's hard to appreciate how thin it really is, so we've got you lovely peeps a video (including a pan scan of the booth front) and a couple more photos after the break. You're welcome.
Welcome to 'This day in Engadget', where we crack open the archives and take a whimsical look back at the memories and moments of our storied past. Please join us on this trip down random access memory lane.
Also on this date:
February 6th, 2009: The Kindle 2 seemed like it might be leaking (it was), Roku moved into private beta with Amazon Video on Demand, and Microsoft denied it was making a phone.
February 6th, 2008: Ford announced it would offer its F-150 with an in-dash computer (amongst other things), a bunch of undersea cables were reportedly cut leaving much of the world with no internet and no Engadget, and the Xbox 360 HD DVD player hit an all-time low price of $130.
February 6th, 2007: Apple asked the FCC to keep its iPhone secrets confidential until the 15th of June, Hasbro recalled nearly a million Easy Bake Ovens to the dismay of little girls everywhere, and Sony Ericsson officially outed its W880 (Ai) Walkman musicphone.
February 6th, 2006: The PSP was officially rumored to be getting both email and GPS, LG outed its F3000 cellphone which went 'vroom vroom' whenever you got a text, and Mobile ESPN went live.
February 6th, 2005: The world was a flutter with the news of how to unlock a GSM Treo 650, while signing up for a year of Napster to Go brought with it a free iRiver H10.
February 6th, 2004: Hey, Engadget didn't exist yet!
This day in Engadget: Steve Jobs calls for an end to DRM originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsHow would you change HTC's HD2?
How would you change HTC's HD2? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsAsk Engadget: Best NAS / media streamer combo device?
We know these multifaceted devices exist, but we also know they aren't exactly everywhere. For those who've bought in, we'd love to hear about your experiences. Do you prefer yours? Are you disappointed with its performance? Don't lead our man astray, okay?I am looking for a NAS -- 1TB would be good -- preferably with WLAN built in, and multi-download BitTorrent capabilities are a must. I'd like a unit that doubles as a media streamer (music and videos), and while I'd prefer to stream over WiFi, I definitely need an HDMI port. If there's an option with a display on the unit itself, I would love to know about it. Thanks for any input!
Ask Engadget: Best NAS / media streamer combo device? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsRobonica Roboni-i programmable robot toy review
Continue reading Robonica Roboni-i programmable robot toy review
Robonica Roboni-i programmable robot toy review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsKlipsch Image X10i iPhone-friendly earbud impressions
Continue reading Klipsch Image X10i iPhone-friendly earbud impressions
Klipsch Image X10i iPhone-friendly earbud impressions originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsHow would you change Nikon's D300S?
How would you change Nikon's D300S? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsApple iPad: The definitive guide (so far)
Continue reading Apple iPad: The definitive guide (so far)
Apple iPad: The definitive guide (so far) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsAsk Engadget: Best noise cancelling Bluetooth headset?
BT headsets have come a long way since we first posted a similar question in 2005, so we suspect the answers here will be quite a bit different. Do you have a particular earpiece that you enjoy while cruising under the open skies? Don't hold back on us, now."I'm looking for a Bluetooth headset with the best noise reduction. I've got a convertible and would like to be able to have a conversation with the top down (at least around town, highway would be fantastic but probably unrealistic). So, any thoughts and / or suggestions?"
Ask Engadget: Best noise cancelling Bluetooth headset? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsClear WiMAX USB modem impressions
Continue reading Clear WiMAX USB modem impressions
Clear WiMAX USB modem impressions originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsHow would you change RIM's BlackBerry Storm2?
How would you change RIM's BlackBerry Storm2? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSwitched On: The two sides of 3DTV
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.
But consumers will also likely need glasses -- and not particularly fashionable glasses -- to experience the 3D effect. It's a lot to ask customers, given just-completed 10-year transition to digital and high-definition television. Compare that to the roughly 30-year gap that separated the mainstream arrival of color and the first HDTV in the U.S.
It also remains to be seen how strong of a marketing push major electronics companies will put behind 3D. The shift to HD was aided by a government mandate that coincided with the shift from over-the-air analog broadcasts to digital broadcasts. And before there was much HD content on television, consumers embraced the dramatic form-factor shift from CRT to flat-panel televisions -- HD often just came along for the ride.
Continue reading Switched On: The two sides of 3DTV
Switched On: The two sides of 3DTV originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsAsk Engadget: Best TSA-approved laptop bag?
Air travel just gets worse and worse these days, so we're emphasizing that "TSA-approved" bit for Addison's own good. We know the bulk of 'em ain't that pretty, but for the jetsetters out there who have had a chance to weed through and pick the best, we're hoping they'll share their secrets down below."I was lucky enough to receive a new Laptop (ASUS UL80Vt-A1) this Christmahanukwanzaakah. Hurray! The only problem is, my old LL Bean Messenger bag just isn't going to cut it anymore now that I'll be carrying around my precious laptop along with school books and a whole gaggle of cables. Perhaps your readers could suggest to me a replacement? I would prefer a messenger / shoulder style bag, but if there is an especially cool backpack out there, I wouldn't turn my nose up at it. TSA compliance would be an added bonus since I have to fly quite a bit nowadays. What do you think, could you and the hive-mind give me a hand?"
Ask Engadget: Best TSA-approved laptop bag? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsNokia Ovi Maps with free turn-by-turn navigation hands-on
Continue reading Nokia Ovi Maps with free turn-by-turn navigation hands-on
Nokia Ovi Maps with free turn-by-turn navigation hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 05:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsAliph Jawbone Icon 'The Ace' Bluetooth headset review
Continue reading Aliph Jawbone Icon 'The Ace' Bluetooth headset review
Aliph Jawbone Icon 'The Ace' Bluetooth headset review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsEntelligence: 'Don't be evil' isn't the basis for a relationship
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.
As nice as the Nexus One is -- and in my opinion it's the nicest Android device on the market -- it makes me wonder what Google's up to with Android and why it's even in the mobile OS business, let alone selling phones directly to consumers. I'd ask the same about Chrome and Chrome OS as well. Android is particularly puzzling, however: Google licenses it for free and it's turned up on some rather interesting devices, but none of those devices have helped build out an ecosystem. Many of them are proprietary and Android is rapidly becoming fragmented -- the Archos5 Internet Tablet, for example, can't make official use of the Android marketplace. But nothing is as strange as Google getting into the hardware business directly and selling devices, albeit unlocked and unsubsidized ones, directly to consumers.
Continue reading Entelligence: 'Don't be evil' isn't the basis for a relationship
Entelligence: 'Don't be evil' isn't the basis for a relationship originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsNext-gen dashboards get Tegra 2, Moblin, Atom, we go hands-on
Continue reading Next-gen dashboards get Tegra 2, Moblin, Atom, we go hands-on
Next-gen dashboards get Tegra 2, Moblin, Atom, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsWireless power takes another baby step at CES 2010 with Qi standard
Still, the big challenge for Fulton and the WPC is going to be actually shipping a bunch of these products this year -- standards are nice, but without gear in hand they're meaningless, and the rival PowerMat crew has been making a pretty big push of its own. We'll see what happens in the next few months -- and how much has changed at CES 2011. Check a couple videos after the break!
Continue reading Wireless power takes another baby step at CES 2010 with Qi standard
Wireless power takes another baby step at CES 2010 with Qi standard originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsAirStash wireless SD card reader hands-on
AirStash wireless SD card reader hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 04:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsCrapgadget Crapdown, CES 2010: the best of the worst
The nominees
Crapgadget Crapdown, CES 2010: the best of the worst originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 02:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFirst Else hands-on at CES: 'still alive and kicking'
Continue reading First Else hands-on at CES: 'still alive and kicking'
First Else hands-on at CES: 'still alive and kicking' originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 10 Jan 2010 21:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSideline Cinq USB companion monitor hands-on
Sideline Cinq USB companion monitor hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 10 Jan 2010 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsHSTi Wireless Media Stick hands-on
Update: Whoops! We've just been told that only one stick is necessary -- use the stick to run the configuration wizard on the PCs, then plug it into a media device for use.
HSTi Wireless Media Stick hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 10 Jan 2010 04:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsIntel shows off glasses-free 3D demo -- now this is more like it
Continue reading Intel shows off glasses-free 3D demo -- now this is more like it
Intel shows off glasses-free 3D demo -- now this is more like it originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 10 Jan 2010 02:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsIntel Infoscape HD wall brings real-time web visualization (hands-on)
Continue reading Intel Infoscape HD wall brings real-time web visualization (hands-on)
Intel Infoscape HD wall brings real-time web visualization (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsRazer hits the Xbox 360 with Onza controller and Chimaera headset, we go hands-on (video)
Razer's come from nowhere over the past few years to establish itself as a serious player in the PC gaming peripheral market. Now it's hitting the consoles, starting with the Xbox 360, and the first iteration of offerings are already looking solid. They were announced yesterday and we got some time with both, starting with the Onza contoller, described in detail in the video after the break. Each stick's resistance can be individually tweaked, there are additional shoulder buttons that can be assigned to replicate any other button on the controller (no more stick-clicking), and what's pledged to be a d-pad that's far superior to the generally junk one on the stock controller. Unfortunately they were still working on perfecting that, but everything else feels great already. The other thing on display is the Chimaera wireless headset, which uses a base-station to connect to the Xbox 360 (or other audio device) which doubles as a recharging station. Turn it on and it'll intercept the audio, silencing your entertainment center, and with a built-in microphone you won't have to stop the trash-talk. The Onza is set to cost $50 when it ships sometime by Q3, and the Chimaera for about $130 in the same period. We can't wait.
Razer hits the Xbox 360 with Onza controller and Chimaera headset, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 22:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFils Sound Film transparent speaker hands-on (video)
Continue reading Fils Sound Film transparent speaker hands-on (video)
Fils Sound Film transparent speaker hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsCyber Clean smears our keyboards, fills our nostrils as we go hands-on (video)
You know that snotty, slimy stuff that you can get in vending machines for a quarter? The stuff that comes in the little, clear plastic bubbles and stains wallpaper and carpet instantly? Ever wonder what would happen if you gave it a refreshing lemony scent and then smeared it into your keyboard? We certainly never did, but Cyber Clean gave us the opportunity to find out anyway, handing us (and nearly everyone else at the show) a sample of the stuff. How does it work? How does it feel? How does it sound when it's thrown at a camera and slimes the microphone? We've got the answers after the break.
Continue reading Cyber Clean smears our keyboards, fills our nostrils as we go hands-on (video)
Cyber Clean smears our keyboards, fills our nostrils as we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsCannondale's mind-blowing Simon electronic suspension system hands-on
If you're a bicyclist or just a tech-minded person with a hankerin' for cool suspension technology, you've got to check out the videos after the break. One is a short demonstration to whet your appetite, the other a rather longer explanation from Cannondale engineer Stanley Song of just how the thing works. What is this thing? It's Simon, a fully electronic and nearly-instantly adjustable suspension system that does away with all the complex mechanical internals of a traditional high-end suspension system (shims, springs, valves, needles, knobs...) and replaces it with an electro-mechanical device that can near infinitely vary not only suspension strength but also ride height instantly based on road conditions. It even has an LCD on the bars. Interest piqued? Click through to see it in action.
Continue reading Cannondale's mind-blowing Simon electronic suspension system hands-on
Cannondale's mind-blowing Simon electronic suspension system hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 12:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsTouch Revolution puts Android in a microwave and makes an updated Nimble tablet, we go hands-on
Last year's Nimble tablet was approved by none other than MC Hammer. So this year's version... well, you just have to expect great things, right? Awash in a sea of keyboard-free devices we weren't really expecting anything shocking and we didn't get anything shocking. It's still a seven-inch capacitive-screened tablet intended for use at home, replacing a landline phone and connecting exclusively over WiFi, providing VOIP calling and of course all the goodness that Android provides -- Android 1.5. That's a few versions behind where we'd like it to be, but given the stock OS install here that shouldn't be too hard to rectify if/when this device comes to retail. More interesting? A microwave with Android. Intrigued? Close the door, press start, and click on through.
Touch Revolution puts Android in a microwave and makes an updated Nimble tablet, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsUSB 3.0 SuperSpeed gone wild at CES 2010, trumps even your new SSD
Just in case you didn't notice the arrow, that's a USB 3.0 cable up there, plugged into a USB 3.0 port, running in a Fujitsu laptop that is the first to pack integrated support for USB 3.0. How fast was it? On the other end of this one was a Buffalo external enclosure stuffed with an old-fashioned, platter-based hard disk, which still delivered perfectly absurd transfer rates of about 135MB/sec. When another, similar setup ran with an Intel SSD what happened the results were even more impressive: a few ticks over 200MB/sec. Yes, we're about to enter another dimension. A time when external drives are as fast as internal ones. Where the speed at which you can fill up your MP3 player is limited only by the speed of the storage on that device itself. You are about to enter... the SuperSpeed zone.
Continue reading USB 3.0 SuperSpeed gone wild at CES 2010, trumps even your new SSD
USB 3.0 SuperSpeed gone wild at CES 2010, trumps even your new SSD originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsYou Rock Guitar spotted at CES, we shred on video
Continue reading You Rock Guitar spotted at CES, we shred on video
You Rock Guitar spotted at CES, we shred on video originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSamsung's camcorders and one big dummy camera at CES
Right after seeing the ultra-slim TVs we went to the other end of Samsung's CES booth for its camcorder lineup. As expected, we saw the previously-announced S series SSD models, the F series with 52x optical zoom and the stylish C series, but we also spotted what appears to be a refresh of the HMX-U10 camcorder brick. Admittedly, we were more interested in this dummy gigantic TL225 camera, and it wasn't even new.
Samsung's camcorders and one big dummy camera at CES originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsiLuv App Station taped down with a cardboard iPhone at CES
iLuv App Station taped down with a cardboard iPhone at CES originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSony's camera and camcorder lineup spotted at CES (video)
Continue reading Sony's camera and camcorder lineup spotted at CES (video)
Sony's camera and camcorder lineup spotted at CES (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsLenovo IdeaCentre A300 and C310 hands-on
Lenovo IdeaCentre A300 and C310 hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 06:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsPanasonic SDXC cards roadmap and Lumix camera lineup at CES 2010
Panasonic SDXC cards roadmap and Lumix camera lineup at CES 2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsZyxio's 'sensawaft' tech lets you control a cursor with your breath, you lazy jerk
Continue reading Zyxio's 'sensawaft' tech lets you control a cursor with your breath, you lazy jerk
Zyxio's 'sensawaft' tech lets you control a cursor with your breath, you lazy jerk originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsPlastic Logic QUE proReader in-depth video hands-on
Continue reading Plastic Logic QUE proReader in-depth video hands-on
Plastic Logic QUE proReader in-depth video hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsLG X300 hands-on: thin, light, and handsome
Impressively thin and light, and that's really all you need to know about LG's X300. The touchpad and chiclet keyboards are comfortable, but what's really gonna seal the deal is the as-of-yet unknown price tag. Direct your eyeballs this way, why don't ya?
LG X300 hands-on: thin, light, and handsome originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSamsung 9000 series LED LCD TV eyes-on (video)
Continue reading Samsung 9000 series LED LCD TV eyes-on (video)
Samsung 9000 series LED LCD TV eyes-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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