Let's be honest -- you saw this one coming, didn't you? Today Amazon is introducing a new reading device for e-book aficionados dubbed simply... the Kindle. The new handheld -- slated to be released on August 27th -- is 21 percent smaller and 15 percent lighter than the previous model, has a 20 percent faster refresh rate on its E Ink (yep, still E Ink) screen, and will now come in two colors (graphite, like its big brother the DX, and the original white). In addition to the color changes, there will be two radio configurations available: a $139 WiFi only version, and a $189 3G version (utilizing AT&T's network, just like the last model). The screen will remain the same 6-inch size as the last two Kindles, though the company claims page turns are faster and contrast is improved. The internal storage on the device has been cranked to 4GB, and the battery life is now rated at a month with no wireless, and 10 days with wireless switched on. The company also announced plans for a UK-localized version at £109 and £149, respectively, as well as a UK e-book store. Along with the big changes, there have been minor tweaks as well -- the keyboard and five-way controls have been streamlined and altered slightly. The rocker is now more compact and flush with the device, and the side buttons have been modified in length to emphasize the forward paddles, while the back buttons have been downsized. Software wise, there are some interesting new features, the most notable being the inclusion of an "experimental" Webkit-based browser. If you're expecting future iterations to go even bolder with their multimedia capabilities, we kindly direct you to some choice quotes by Amazon's Jeff Bezos, care of WSJ: "For the vast majority of books, adding video and animation is not going to be helpful. It is distracting rather than enhancing. You are not going to improve Hemingway by adding video snippets," adding later, "there are going to be 100 companies making LCD [screen] tablets... why would we want to be 101? I like building a purpose-built reading device. I think that is where we can make a real contribution."
We had a chance to play with the device for a short while during a meeting with the company, and we can report that the Kindle is still very much the reading device you know and love (or hate, depending on your preferences). The build quality and materials used did seem slightly more polished than the previous version, and we really liked the new, more subtle rocker. We can also attest to screen refreshes and overall navigation feeling noticeably more responsive and snappy compared with the previous generation. Amazon was showing off a jacket accessory which will be made available at launch that includes a small, pull-out light for late-night reading sessions. We're sure it will please a lot of folks eager to keep their partners undisturbed while they tear through The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. We'll have a full review as soon as we can get our hands on the device, but for now, check out all the details in the video and PR after the break, and feast your eyes on the handful of press shots in the gallery below.
New Amazon Kindle announced: $139 WiFi-only version and $189 3G model available August 27th in the US and UK originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Yes humans, you read that right. Engadget and eBoy have teamed up to bring you a heartbreaking work of staggering genius -- namely, the eBoy-designed, Engadget-approved t-shirt you see above. We've got a very, very limited number of these on hand (less than 100), so if you want one, make sure you scoop it up today. If we run out here, eBoy have a small batch available as well. The 100 percent cotton, American Apparel shirts are $30 each (plus $10 for shipping and handling for up to 3 shirts, $20 for shipping and handling for anything beyond 3), and are available in S, M, L, and XL. Just follow beyond the break to see some more design detail, and use our totally reliable and not-at-all scammy PayPal purchasing options. US and international orders welcome!Update: We've sold out of XL -- we have a few left in the other sizes though!
Update 2: Aaaaaaand mediums and larges are gone... just a couple of smalls left!
Update 3: We're sold out! Check out eBoy -- they should have some left. Maybe?
Continue reading Ultra-limited edition Engadget / eBoy shirts now available! (update: SOLD OUT!)
Ultra-limited edition Engadget / eBoy shirts now available! (update: SOLD OUT!) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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So it's real, and... it's a trackpad. What seemed like it might have been pure rumor and some good Photoshopping just a short while ago has magically (ha ha!) transformed into reality. If you're wondering what the Magic Trackpad is like to use -- get ready for a shock. It feels just like using a slightly larger version of a MacBook or MacBook Pro pad. And we mean exactly, right down to the multitouch gestures and whole-pad click. Yes, it clicks. There's also a new gesture, if you're keeping track -- a three-finger move that lets you drag windows around (very helpful), though you give up the functionality of being to navigate stuff like iPhoto galleries with a swipe (it's an option you can toggle in preferences -- you have a choice). We're going to be doing some serious testing with the new peripheral, but for now, feast your eyes on the pics below.
Apple Magic Trackpad first hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 09:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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It looks like Microsoft may have revealed something big at its annual MGX (Microsoft Global Exchange) event, namely... Update: So... the YouTube video has been pulled. Fear not, we've got our own copy!
Update 2: We've just been contacted by Microsoft and told that these are not new logos which will be used on products, rather a standalone treatment to show the flexibility of joined brands. However, the "Be What's Next" tagline is real, and will be showing up here and there.
[Thanks, Anonymous]
New Microsoft brand logos, company tagline revealed at MGX event? (update: no new logos, tagline is a go) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 09:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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By now you've probably read our in-depth blowout of Windows Phone 7 (and if not, what are you waiting for?). But what you haven't seen yet is our exclusive sit-down with Microsoft's Joe Belfiore, wherein we talk about the ins and outs of the new mobile operating system. We grill the Windows Phone corporate VP about a whole stack of items, and do our very best to make him start crying like a Barbara Walters interview subject (spoiler alert, he doesn't cry). Still, we think there's some good insight here into what the company thinks of its odds in the smartphone wars, and what kinds of features we will (and won't) see when these devices launch this fall. Take a look at the video after the break -- you won't regret it.Continue reading Exclusive interview with Joe Belfiore, corporate VP of Windows Phone
Exclusive interview with Joe Belfiore, corporate VP of Windows Phone originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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It's been a long road, hasn't it? Well, in some respects, it hasn't -- in fact, it's only been about two years since development of Windows Phone 7 as we know it today kicked off -- but when you consider that this product will be replacing Windows Mobile 6.5, that puts things in proper perspective. In fact, even the very latest maintenance releases of good ol' WinMo are based on the same rickety underpinnings as version 5.0 was way back in 2005, at a time when WVGA smartphone displays were science fiction, 4G networks were a good two Gs beyond the average American's comprehension, and Engadget looked like this. Nowadays, it's a very different game; eight year-olds have access to mobile email, your phone understands German, and "Yelp" is a verb (okay, actually Yelp is a verb). Indeed, mobile devices are the new PCs -- and companies like Apple and Google are dominating an industry that had once been practically handed to Microsoft on a silver platter. No one -- either inside or outside of Redmond -- is arguing that change isn't desperately (and quickly) needed, because it simply isn't enough to dominate the desktop anymore.In light of all that, you could call Windows Phone 7 a desperation move to become relevant in the pocket again. Call it whatever you like, but regardless, brand loyalty isn't going to save this product -- it simply has to be good to sell. Scratch that; it actually has to be nearly flawless in a world where iOS 4 and Gingerbread play. Microsoft still has a few months before it intends to get the first volley of Windows Phone 7-based products to the marketplace, but we've recently been provided with reference hardware -- a not-for-retail Samsung called "Taylor" that's closely modeled on the Symbian-based i8910HD -- to get a feel for where they're at as the clock ticks down. Is this shaping up to be a killer platform for the next generation of high-end smartphones? And more importantly, can it win customers? Read on for our first take.
Continue reading Windows Phone 7 in-depth preview
Windows Phone 7 in-depth preview originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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It's not surprising that after Apple finished explaining the iPhone 4 antenna issues to the press today, the company wanted to go one step further and say "yes, actually, we do test the hell out of these phones before we release them to the public." Though Steve Jobs went over the lengthy and intensive kinds of radio evaluation that goes on at Apple's headquarters, it didn't seem to be enough for the folks in Cupertino. And that, we suspect, is why we were invited (along with a small group of other journalists) to take a brief tour of Apple's Infinite Loop labs. Though we weren't allowed to shoot video or take pictures, we can tell you about what we did -- and what we didn't -- see and hear behind closed doors.Continue reading Inside Apple's 'black lab' wireless testing facilities (update: video)
Inside Apple's 'black lab' wireless testing facilities (update: video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 23:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The event is set to start at the times below -- so get ready!07:00AM - Hawaii
10:00AM - Pacific
11:00AM - Mountain
12:00PM - Central
01:00PM - Eastern
06:00PM - London
07:00PM - Paris
09:00PM - Moscow
02:00AM - Tokyo (July 17th)
Continue reading Live from Apple's iPhone 4 press conference
Live from Apple's iPhone 4 press conference originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Apple's been pretty vague about what's going to go down tomorrow at the press conference it's holding in Cupertino, but we're going to be there live, covering whatever it is they have in store for us. We have a feeling it'll have at least something to do with that antenna issue you may or may not have heard about, so strap yourself into your seat, grab an orange soda, and keep it parked right at Engadget for the best, up-to-the-minute live coverage on the internet.Here's the URL to check in to tomorrow to see the action as it happens, and here's what time you'll need to show up:
07:00AM - Hawaii
10:00AM - Pacific
11:00AM - Mountain
12:00PM - Central
01:00PM - Eastern
06:00PM - London
07:00PM - Paris
09:00PM - Moscow
02:00AM - Tokyo (July 17th)
Reminder: we're live from Apple's iPhone 4 press conference tomorrow, 10AM PT / 1PM ET! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Well it's not the full 4.1 we were expecting... but here's a little tidbit from Apple. One of the main features? The update "improves the formula to determine how many bars of signal strength to display." Interesting. We're updating some devices right now, and will report back with what we find.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Update: It looks like iOS 3.2.1 for iPad is coming down the tube, as well. We'll let you know what changes we're seeing!
Update 2: Here's a quick before-and-after shot of the signal meter. Clearly, Apple wasn't yanking any chains about changing the sizes of those leftmost bars.
iOS 4.0.1 hitting iPhones right this second (update: 3.2.1 for iPads, too) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Headline says it all folks. Obviously the company is going to be getting out in front of this antenna drama (finally). We've been invited and we'll be there, reporting live! It all happens at 10AM PT, Friday the 16th.If you haven't caught up on the story (and if that's the case, where have you been?), here's a little background on the issue in reverse chronological order:
Yes, the iPhone 4 is broken / No, the iPhone 4 is not broken
Consumer Reports confirms iPhone 4 antenna problems -- and so do we
Apple: iPhone 4 reception problem is a software issue, fix coming in 'a few weeks'
iPhone 4's antenna problem looks worse than it is, but it's still bad
Apple hiring iPhone antenna engineers for some reason
Apple telling reps to smooth over iPhone 4 reception complaints, not to offer free bumpers?
iPhone 4 antenna woes contextualized by dude in the know
The Jimmy Fallon Test: is the iPhone 4 dropping fewer calls?
Hey Apple, you're holding it wrong
Apple responds to iPhone 4 reception issues: you're holding the phone the wrong way
Apple to hold iPhone 4 press conference this Friday originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Designer Andrew Kim has cooked up a concept smartphone for HTC dubbed the "1" that makes the company's current offerings look, well... last generation. The device, built from a brass housing (coated in silver) eschews the phone-maker's recent crop of fairly standard looking mobile devices for something decidedly more sophisticated -- and cans the familiar Sense interface in the process. Not only is the shell of the phone rethought, the new UI (Sense mono) takes a cleaner, more thoughtful, high-end approach as well, joining Synergy like functions (combined messaging) with a Helvetica heavy interface that looks streamlined and mature. Some notable features of the hardware include stereo speakers (located at the top and bottom of the phone), a kickstand which is actually the bottom portion of the casing, and the lofty concept of a built-in UV light which kills germs on the surface of the phone while you charge up. As far as concepts go, this is one of the finest we've seen, so hit the source link below and take a look at the full spread.Concept 'HTC 1' is the phone we wish HTC would make originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Over the weekend we saw reports of what appeared to be fraud occurring in the iTunes system -- namely, a rogue developer had somehow managed to snag 42 of the top 50 sales positions in the App Store's "book" category with seemingly bogus content. It looked as if there was some correlation between those suspicious sales and word of an increase in iTunes account fraud, but Apple had been mum on the subject over the holiday weekend. We've finally gotten a response from the company, and the folks in Cupertino say that the developer in question -- a gentleman named Thuat Nguyen -- has been chucked out of the Store altogether. Additionally, while they don't explicitly say fraud occurred, they suggest you check with your bank and kill your card if any of your info was stolen... which seems to suggest that something funky happened to some users. Here it is from the horse's mouth:So it looks like even the walled garden isn't impervious to attacks -- here's hoping the problems were limited to a small group of people. Have any of you guys noticed strange charges on your account? Double check it right now!The developer Thuat Nguyen and his apps were removed from the App Store for violating the developer Program License Agreement, including fraudulent purchase patterns.
Developers do not receive any iTunes confidential customer data when an app is downloaded.
If your credit card or iTunes password is stolen and used on iTunes we recommend that you contact your financial institution and inquire about canceling the card and issuing a chargeback for any unauthorized transactions. We also recommend that you change your iTunes account password immediately. For more information on best practices for password security visit http://www.apple.com/support/itunes.
Update: Apple pinged our old buddy Clayton Morris with the damage report and claims it's fairly low -- roughly 400 iTunes users were hit, all told. While that's a pretty small percentage of the reported 150 million Apple serves daily, the company said new security measures are in place anyhow: according to Morris, iTunes will ask for the verification code on the back of your credit card "a little more often" from now on.
Apple responds on iTunes fraud, vaguely confirms said fraud (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 21:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Earlier this week we reported on a story that had been doing the rounds -- another Steve Jobs email thread with an irate customer. Like many other stories about Jobs' emails to customers, this yarn centered around a user disappointed with his iPhone 4's service, and Steve's flippant responses. The first time we saw the story crop up, we were suspicious of its validity (and frankly, newsworthiness), and we became even more suspicious after AppleInsider ran an article claiming that the source of the supposed emails had been shopping the tale for cash (Engadget was not contacted by the source). We did eventually cover the story, but only after Apple itself responded to the tale, claiming -- first to Fortune and then to us -- that the emails were false, and the exchange had not happened. That struck us as particularly newsworthy, because in all our years of reporting on Steve Jobs' wild personal emails (of which there are many, many examples), we'd never heard Apple refute that the emails were coming from him.Now, Boy Genius Report (where the original story appeared) has fired back, emphatically claiming that the emails are real, and that the proof is in the original message headers which the site has been given access to by the source. BGR goes one step further as well, and essentially accuses Apple PR of spinning this story to news outlets to suit its needs. And let's not mince words -- the claim is that Apple PR is lying to the press. The proof which BGR offers is no more or less convincing to us than the site's previous post on the subject; email headers and timestamps can be faked. Still, it is notable that Boy Genius is pushing back on this story, and we certainly don't believe the blog would knowingly publish a false email thread. As TechCrunch points out in its take on the matter, PR reps often give vague, sugarcoated, or misleading information to news sites, but there has never been a time when Apple's PR has outright lied to major publications (that we know of). That would be a mess of epic proportions, and we can't really fathom why they would go to the trouble. The company has obviously let stuff like this slide for years -- this seems like an odd time (and a relatively minor story) to get up in arms about it. We've reached out to Apple for further statement on this, and will report back as soon as we hear something. In the meantime, take a look at the source link and see what BGR has to say on the matter.
Steve Jobs emails 'are real' claims Boy Genius Report, says Apple PR lied to press originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 03 Jul 2010 18:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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As you may have noticed, here at Engadget we've stepped down hard on the gas pedal when it comes to reviews. We've been putting a lot of time and resources into delivering more product reviews at a faster pace, so you guys can know just exactly what you're getting into when it comes to the gear that we cover. In support of those efforts, today we're happy to introduce our review scorecards. We wanted to find a way to deliver a snapshot of our reviews in a really simple, glanceable manner, and also make those snapshots available to sort and search through. So starting immediately, we'll be including scorecards in any new review that goes up, and those cards will appear on our new reviews sorting page. Right now we've got some simple sorting options in there, but we're working on more in-depth sorting options that will allow you to drill down on specifics, so you can find exactly the product you're looking for. We're also in the process of moving backwards through our older reviews and getting cards in place, so if you see a few holes here or there, don't be surprised. Some guidelines you should consider for these cards: firstly, the cards are based on our review at the time the post was published, meaning they're not relative to one another (unless the products were reviewed in the same category at the same time). That means that the G1 can have a higher rating than the Droid X, even though right now it's obvious that the Droid X is a superior phone. The Droid X is being reviewed now, and the G1 was reviewed then. Also, we want to provide a scale of what these numbers mean, so that there isn't any confusion. A 0 rating you'll likely never see. It means that the product was so bad we couldn't even rate it. 1 means the product is pure crap, 2-3 means that the product has a few redeeming qualities, but is not very good. 4 is an okay product, but not something we could recommend. 5 is fair; not great, but not horrible. 6 is a decent product with a few issues, 7 is a strong product with some minor flaws, 8 is a great product with few flaws. 9 is nearly perfect, and 10 (which we haven't handed out yet) is perfect.
As with any big addition to the site, we're really interested to hear what you guys have to say. If you have any input, positive or negative, sound off below in comments!
Introducing review scorecards! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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While the news today that Microsoft has killed its troubled Kin line didn't come as the craziest of surprises, it's definitely left a lot of lingering questions about just what happened. Now we may have a little insight into what went wrong -- and what might be in store down the road -- thanks to a reliable source of ours who's shared some news on Redmond's inner turmoil.Apparently, the troubles started long before the swirling Pink phone rumors (and way before the name Kin was ringing in our ears). According to our source, the birth of these devices began with a decision at Microsoft to create a platform agnostic, cloud-centric featurephone. A featurephone that could be had at a relatively low cost, and sold to a burgeoning market of teens and young adults who had little need for a BlackBerry-level device (or pricing). The first step in the project was acquiring Danger to leverage the work it had done with the Sidekick platform, and aligning with Verizon as a launch partner who could offer attractive pricing plans for the devices to a big pool... and here's where the trouble begins.
Continue reading What killed the Kin?
What killed the Kin? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 19:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Don't bother reading this text, just listen to the intensely awful hip-hop ode to an electric car. Elon Musk, where you at!?Continue reading 'Dippin' In My Tesla' is the best rap song ever about a Tesla
'Dippin' In My Tesla' is the best rap song ever about a Tesla originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Is it possible we've been so busy we didn't notice our Android app getting a handful of totally fresh new features? Maybe, but hey -- you still win. If you're an Android user, you might like to know that some time last week we flipped the switch on an update to our app that includes some pretty sexy new features, such as search and video playback inline (for Froyo devices). Additionally, our webOS app was recently bugging out, but that issue has since been fixed. Of course, the iPhone and BlackBerry apps are still available and as fly as ever -- so go grab a copy right now! We're including the changelog for the Android app after the break, too. Feel free to nerd out on that.Continue reading Engadget app updated for Android and webOS
Engadget app updated for Android and webOS originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 19:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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If you watched the most recent episode of The Engadget Show, then you know that Jimmy Fallon had a lot to say about the iPhone -- particularly the fact that he's been fed up with his 3GS' dropped calls, and was planning a jump to an Android device on Verizon if the iPhone 4 didn't improve things. You see, he takes a path through Midtown Manhattan where his calls are dropped in two specific locations on a daily basis. In his words: "It cuts out at 27th st. and cuts out again around 47th st., and it's awful, I can't take it." Jimmy told us that he'd test the path with the iPhone 4 and see if things improved, and he's recounted what happened yesterday in an email:So like us, he's getting better reception on the new phone (despite the antenna issues). What about you guys? We know that there are definitely noticeable, real signal issues, but how has your connection been? More dropped calls or less? Let us know in the poll below!I did the experiment. I tried to stay on the phone from downtown Manhattan to Midtown with no dropped calls. (usually I get 2 drops)
I got..... (drum roll)
No dropped calls!!! Not one.
I'm a believer.
iPhone 4.
The Jimmy Fallon Test: is the iPhone 4 dropping fewer calls? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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So, we just spoke with Apple and got the straight dirt on the reception issues that have been plaguing users today... and it's a little surprising. In essence, Apple cops to the fact there are reception issues with the new iPhone -- namely, that if you cover the bottom-left corner of the phone and bridge the gap between the notch there with your naked flesh, you could see some signal degradation. Yes, you read that right: it's not a software or production issue, simply a matter of the physical location of your hand in regards to the phone's antenna. The company's suggested fix? Move your hand position, or get a case which covers that part of the phone, thus breaking contact. As you can see in the email above which just arrived in our tip box, this is a sentiment which runs pretty high at the company. Here's the official statement:We know what you're thinking, and we're thinking it too: this sounds crazy. Essentially, Apple is saying that the problem is how you hold your phone, and that the solution is to change that habit, or buy one of their cases. Admittedly, this isn't a problem that exists only for the iPhone 4 -- we've seen reports of the same behavior on previous generations (the 3G and 3GS), and there is a running thread about this problem with the Nexus One. While it is definitely true that interference is an unavoidable problem, we can't help feeling like this is really a bit of bad design. If the only answer is to move your hand, why didn't Apple just move the antenna position? What we can say without question is that in our testing of the phone, we had improved reception and fewer dropped calls than we experienced with the last generation, and we never noticed this issue. Additionally, when using a bumper we can't recreate the signal loss. So, now we have an answer... all we're wondering is whether or not the company will start handing out bumpers pro-bono to those who are experiencing problems. It certainly seems like the right thing to do.Gripping any mobile phone will result in some attenuation of its antenna performance, with certain places being worse than others depending on the placement of the antennas. This is a fact of life for every wireless phone. If you ever experience this on your iPhone 4, avoid gripping it in the lower left corner in a way that covers both sides of the black strip in the metal band, or simply use one of many available cases.
Update: To add a little perspective, check out a video from 2008 after the break showing the same issue with the now-ancient iPhone 3G (thanks Inge).
Continue reading Apple responds to iPhone 4 reception issues: you're holding the phone the wrong way
Apple responds to iPhone 4 reception issues: you're holding the phone the wrong way originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 20:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The iPhone 4 is no small thing to review. As most readers of Engadget are well aware, in the gadget world a new piece of Apple hardware is a major event, preceded by rumors, speculation, an over-the-top announcement, and finally days, weeks, or months of anticipation from an ever-widening fan base. The iPhone 4 is certainly no exception -- in fact, it may be Apple's most successful launch yet, despite some bumps on the road. We've already seen Apple and AT&T's servers overloaded on the first day of pre-orders, the ship date for the next set of phones pushed back due to high demand, and die-hard fans in line outside of Apple locations a week before the phone is actually available. It's a lot to live up to, and the iPhone 4 is doing its best -- with features like a super-fast A4 CPU, a new front-facing camera and five megapixel shooter on the back, a completely new industrial design, and that outrageous Retina Display, no one would argue that Apple has been asleep at the wheel. So the question turns to whether or not the iPhone 4 can live up to the intense hype. Can it deliver on the promises Steve Jobs made at WWDC, and can it cement Apple's position in the marketplace in the face of mounting competition from the likes of Google and Microsoft? We have the answers to those questions -- and many more -- in our full review, so read on to find out!
Continue reading iPhone 4 review
iPhone 4 review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Trent left town, so we had to produce this podcast with our own feeble hands. If you don't like it, blame Trent Wolbe.Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, Paul Miller
Special Guest: Joanna Stern
Music: Evacuate The Dancefloor
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Filed under: Podcasts
Engadget Podcast 201 - 06.19.2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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We'll also have music from the inimitable Glomag, along with some stunning visuals. Oh, and did we mention the crazy giveaways? Like... a pair of new Xbox 360s? Seriously, you do not want to miss this one -- it's going to be epic.
The Show will be taking place at the Rose Auditorium in Cooper Union's New Academic Building, located in Manhattan at 41 Cooper Square. Seating is extremely limited, so get there early!
Here's all the info you need:
- There is no admission fee -- tickets are completely free
- The event is all ages
- Ticketing will begin at 5PM on Wednesday, doors will open for seating at 7:30PM, and the show begins at 8PM
- You cannot collect tickets for friends or family -- anyone who would like to come must be present to get a ticket
- Seating capacity is limited (only about 200 seats in the theatre), and once we're full, we're full
- The venue is located at 41 Cooper Square New York, NY 10003 (map after the break)
- The show length is around an hour
Sprint is offering 50 guaranteed tickets to the Engadget Show taping to the first 50 entrants who text "ENGADGET" to 467467 or enter online! Standard text messaging rates apply. Click for the Official Rules and see how to enter online.
Subscribe to the Show:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (M4V).
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[RSS M4V] Add the Engadget Show feed (M4V) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically.
The Engadget Show returns Wednesday, June 23rd with Jimmy Fallon, Microsoft Kinect, and more! originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 Jun 2010 14:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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By utilizing the same groundwork of this DMC-GH1 hack, a group of crafty coders have devised a way to allow for all sorts of funky tweaks to the beloved Lumix GF1 -- most notably, 1080p video recording. Besides the full HD recording, using a reworked version of the camera's firmware, the micro four thirds shooter has had its video recording bit rates upped, added 4.2.2 color sampling, and looks like it could be getting full manual control and 24p/25p shooting options down the road. Some users are already maximizing their camera's abilities with the hacks, though based on reading we've done in the DVXuser forums, the firmware changes don't seem completely ready for primetime. Regardless, it's pretty encouraging news for those us who are already having a torrid love affair with the GF1. Check out some 1080p examples after the break, and hit the source links for a lot more info.Continue reading Panasonic GF1 gets 1080p video recording via firmware hack
Panasonic GF1 gets 1080p video recording via firmware hack originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
PermalinkEngadget Chinese | Unwire, DVXuser | Email this | Comments]]>
Tired of The Man holding you down on the tablet front with his oppressive App Stores, his tyrannical carrier constraints, and other outrageous insults to your civil liberties? Well now you can break free of this stranglehold, thanks to a company called Liquidware and its open source, DIY tablet starter kit. The premise is simple: Liquidware provides a touchscreen OLED display (4.3-inch, 480 x 272, resistive touch), the BeagleBoard guts (a single-board computer driven by a 720MHz ARM Cortex-A8 OMAP3530 CPU, with 2GB of NAND and an SD card slot), and the BeagleJuice battery module, along with an SD card pre-loaded with Angstrom Linux. You put all the pieces together and then just basically go nuts, designing your own application marketplace, infrastructure for direct-to-consumer video and audio sales, and a revolutionary and magical user interface that blurs the lines between waking life and a hallucinatory dream-state where anything is possible, and the only limitation is yourself. Check the Moscone Center's booking information below to see scheduling availability for your developer conference, and hit the source link to offer up your $393.61 to Liquidware.DIY tablet kit is less than $400, more complicated than an iPad originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 14:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
PermalinkWired | Liquidware | Email this | Comments]]>We'll also have music from the inimitable Glomag, along with some stunning visuals. Oh, and did we mention the crazy giveaways? Like... a pair of new Xbox 360s? Seriously, you do not want to miss this one -- it's going to be epic.
The Show will be taking place at the Rose Auditorium in Cooper Union's New Academic Building, located in Manhattan at 41 Cooper Square. Seating is extremely limited, so get there early!
Here's all the info you need:
- There is no admission fee -- tickets are completely free
- The event is all ages
- Ticketing will begin at 5PM on Wednesday, doors will open for seating at 7:30PM, and the show begins at 8PM
- You cannot collect tickets for friends or family -- anyone who would like to come must be present to get a ticket
- Seating capacity is limited (only about 200 seats in the theatre), and once we're full, we're full
- The venue is located at 41 Cooper Square New York, NY 10003 (map after the break)
- The show length is around an hour
Sprint is offering 50 guaranteed tickets to the Engadget Show taping to the first 50 entrants who text "ENGADGET" to 467467 or enter online! Standard text messaging rates apply. Click for the Official Rules and see how to enter online.
Subscribe to the Show:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (M4V).
[Zune] Subscribe to the Show directly in the Zune Marketplace (M4V).
[RSS M4V] Add the Engadget Show feed (M4V) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically.
The Engadget Show returns Wednesday, June 23rd with Jimmy Fallon, Microsoft Kinect, and more! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 15:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Well you've seen the press photos, but now you can focus on something a little more personal. Yep, we've got the new Mac mini over at Engadget HQ all primed and ready for a full review, but first we thought we'd give you a little taste of what the box actually looks like. We'll admit, while we like the unibody construction of other Apple products, there's something especially serious about this design that speaks to us. We've been expecting the company would move the mini line to the machined aluminum housing, and it's a welcome change for sure. The new iteration also does away with that bulky power supply (it's now built in), and surprisingly allows easy access to the memory via a crazy new twist off rubber base. Like we said, we'll see if this thing is really worth the extra $100 in our review, but for now, feast your eyes on the images below.
Mac mini (unibody) unboxing and hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 09:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Guys, seriously; if you haven't seen the brand-spanking-new-just-relaunched-tonight Joystiq, you pretty much haven't lived. Thrill to a completely redesigned and streamlined site, chill on the stunning new games database, drill... down into the archives of fantastic features and uproarious reviews, now all easily accesible with a deft move of the mouse or trackpad. In all seriousness though, the cats over at Joystiq have done an amazing job, and you should reintroduce yourself to the site. There's a ton new (detailed in a easy-to-digest blog post), so jump on over and read all about it!Go check out the new Joystiq! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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As we've heard from a handful of commenters (and some emails), a lot of you guys are wondering just what happened to a post we did yesterday comparing the EVO 4G to the iPhone 4. Well allow us to unearth the shocking truth behind the mystery.We had a debate yesterday as to whether or not it was fair to compare a phone we did a thorough review on (the EVO 4G -- you can read all about how awesome we think it is right here) to a phone we only had a short time to play with (the new iPhone). I was in the latter group, but not around when that post was written or put up on the site. As a result, when I came back and saw it had been posted, I pulled. Not because the EVO 4G was winning in the poll. Not because it said nice things about the EVO 4G. I pulled it simply because I didn't think it was fair to make the comparison yet. In hindsight, we should have made that clear from the start, and I apologize.
So, the post will go back up... once we've had a chance to look at both phones completely. In the meantime, the poll is below, and we seriously have no preference on which phone wins. Do your worst guys.
Conspiracy theory: what happened to the EVO 4G vs. iPhone 4 post? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 08:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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In a lot of ways, Apple's iPhone 4 announcement was short on surprises. We've been playing with the new iPhone OS 4 (now dubbed iOS 4) for a while, and photos of the hardware had been widely disseminated, a rarity for an unreleased Apple product. Still, Apple managed to fill in the gaps and build up the hype, and there's plenty to know about this handset that extends beyond what you can glean from bricked hardware of dubious provenance. Follow along with us as we break it all down, including detailed impressions from our hands-on time with the device.Continue reading iPhone 4 guide: preview, pricing, availability
iPhone 4 guide: preview, pricing, availability originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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We've just gotten some face time (ha ha!) with the new iPhone 4, and let's just say this: it's incredibly sexy. We'll hand it to Apple, the phone is so thin it's kind of mind-boggling. The 3GS by comparison looks bloated. Feast your eyes on the pics below, and check out the FaceTime video demo after the break! Oh, and special thanks to hand models Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg.Some takeaways about the device:
- As we said, it's shockingly thin.
- The screen is truly outrageous -- you basically cannot see pixels on it. We're not being hyperbolic when we say it's easily the best looking mobile phone screen we've ever laid eyes on.
- The build quality is really solid. The home button feels much snappier, and on the whole it just feels like a tightly-packed device, but it's not heavy.
- The side buttons are really nice and clicky.
- iOS 4 is very familiar -- there's not a lot added to fit and finish.
- The general speed of the whole OS is way snappier. The camera app in particular is noticeably faster -- shots get snapped in an instant.
Continue reading iPhone 4 first hands-on! (update: FaceTime video demo)
iPhone 4 first hands-on! (update: FaceTime video demo) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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It all starts today at the times below!07:00AM - Hawaii
10:00AM - Pacific
11:00AM - Mountain
12:00PM - Central
01:00PM - Eastern
06:00PM - London
07:00PM - Paris
09:00PM - Moscow
02:00AM - Tokyo (June 8th)
Continue reading Steve Jobs live from WWDC 2010
Steve Jobs live from WWDC 2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Of all the surprises we expected to hear about in the WWDC keynote, a multitouch trackpad peripheral didn't exactly pop into our brains. But -- whoomp -- here it is. What we appear to be looking at is a brand new input device that Apple has dreamed up which connects to desktops (and laptops, if you like) via Bluetooth, much like the Apple Keyboard. If you take what you see in the photos at face value, it would seem that the folks in Cupertino are making a play for finger-based input in a big way -- taking the work they've done on Mac laptops and the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, and translating it to the desktop realm. This weirdly lines up perfectly with rumors from earlier in the year, emanating from both John Gruber (of Daring Fireball fame), and MacRumors -- the former reporting that Apple was set to release a "Mentioned-Nowhere-Else-But-in-This-Very-Headline Multi-Touch Trackpad Gadget for Desktop Macs," and the latter taking notice of an Apple trademark application for the "Magic Trackpad." It certainly all makes sense given that the company has made not-so-subtle moves away from standard input devices to finger-friendly options in many, many of its recent products. Whatever the case may be, we're potentially just hours away from the truth, so feast your eyes on the photos, and get ready for the big reveal.Update: New images received with a claim that the device supports handwriting recognition in addition to "every feature you can find on a Magic Mouse (and possibly features of a MacBook Pro trackpad)." This, from a person who claims to be personally testing it. Something we hope to do for ourselves before the day is through.
Update 2: Reader Dan Berte made a quick little cardboard mockup using his Apple keyboard and Magic Mouse for relative sizing and he's estimating the tracking area to be around six inches diagonal. Makes sense -- check his handiwork after the break.
Continue reading Apple's Magic Trackpad revealed?
Apple's Magic Trackpad revealed? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Jun 2010 08:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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C'mon guys -- you know what time it is. It's WWDC 2010 time, and we'll be there liveblogging the hell out of the opening keynote where Steve Jobs will maybe-kinda-sorta introduce some crazy new phone. Or not. You never know. That's why you have to tune in! Below is all the information you'll need to track the best live coverage on the internet -- starting bright and early on Monday morning. Don't miss this -- it's going to be epic.Here's the info:
The keynote will start at 10AM PT on Monday, June 7th. Here's the URL that you'll want to be planted at for the proceedings, and below is a handful of timezone information, just in case you hate doing the math.
07:00AM - Hawaii
10:00AM - Pacific
11:00AM - Mountain
12:00PM - Central
01:00PM - Eastern
06:00PM - London
07:00PM - Paris
09:00PM - Moscow
02:00AM - Tokyo (June 8th)
Steve Jobs' WWDC keynote live tomorrow, 10AM PT / 1PM ET! originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Jun 2010 23:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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According to a report from French blog MacGeneration, one of the announcements on tap for Monday's WWDC 2010 keynote (which we'll be covering live, by the way) is a major update for Safari -- namely, version 5. If you believe the docs the site has obtained, there are more than a few big changes coming, including Bing now alongside Yahoo! and Google search options, a new "Safari Reader" for better / easier RSS reading (we're hoping they're taking a cue from Google on this), 25 percent faster JavaScript performance and DNS prefetching (hello, Chrome), improved HTML5 support (no big surprise there), and new developer tools which we assume will be along the lines of Firebug or Chrome's developer helpers. So we hope. The update will allegedly also add hardware acceleration for Windows PCs, an address field that auto-predicts URLs (they're calling it a "Smart Address Field"), and a handful of other minor tweaks and snips. Furthermore, there's an expected minor bump to Snow Leopard (10.6.4) which will resolve some nagging issues, though nothing really more than that. As we're sure you're aware, the next 48 hours or so are going to be filled with all sorts of nutty rumors about what's happening at Monday's keynote -- we'll try and separate the wheat from the chaff for you.Continue reading Safari 5 to join Steve onstage Monday for WWDC?
Safari 5 to join Steve onstage Monday for WWDC? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 05 Jun 2010 22:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink9to5Mac | MacGeneration | Email this | Comments]]>
C'mon guys -- you know what time it is. It's WWDC 2010 time, and we'll be there liveblogging the hell out of the opening keynote where Steve Jobs will maybe-kinda-sorta introduce some crazy new phone. Or not. You never know. That's why you have to tune in! Below is all the information you'll need to track the best live coverage on the internet -- starting bright and early on Monday morning. Don't miss this -- it's going to be epic.Here's the info:
The keynote will start at 10AM PT on Monday, June 7th. Here's the URL that you'll want to be planted at for the proceedings, and below is a handful of timezone information, just in case you hate doing the math.
07:00AM - Hawaii
10:00AM - Pacific
11:00AM - Mountain
12:00PM - Central
01:00PM - Eastern
06:00PM - London
07:00PM - Paris
09:00PM - Moscow
02:00AM - Tokyo (June 8th)
Steve Jobs' WWDC keynote live on Engadget this Monday, 10AM PT / 1PM ET! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Jun 2010 14:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Continue reading HTC's Peter Chou live from D8
HTC's Peter Chou live from D8 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Continue reading Steve Ballmer and Ray Ozzie live from D8
Steve Ballmer and Ray Ozzie live from D8 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Jun 2010 11:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Hey humans -- listen up. We'll be liveblogging the next D8 session featuring Microsoft's Steve Ballmer and Ray Ozzie around 8:00AM PT (we'd like to give you more specific times, but they don't provide them). Then later on in the day, around 11:30AM PT, we'll hear from HTC head Peter Chou.You can check in to the Ballmer liveblog right here, and the Peter Chou liveblog will be right here. See you then!
Coming up live from D8: Steve Ballmer and Ray Ozzie, then Peter Chou from HTC originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Jun 2010 10:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Kno promised to launch a double-screened Linux-based e-reader designed for students at D8, and the undercover startup didn't disappoint -- believe us when we say it came out in a big way. That's big as in freaking big: the Kno reader features dual 14.1-inch capacitive IPS displays (1440 x 900 each), weighs 5.5 pounds, and offers six to eight hours of battery life, all in a package that's so comically large we thought it was a joke when we first saw the press shots. Kno says it'll offer both pen and touch support, and it'll come with a stylus out of the box. Under the hood, it's running a Tegra 2 chip with 16GB of storage, and the entire experience is essentially a WebKit instance. Yes, it's sort of like the Courier, but larger -- much, much larger. We had a chance to go hands-on with the device as well as speak to some members of the team developing the Kno, and while it's clear that there are major bumps in the UI and user experience, it seems like the company is aware of them. What we saw today was clearly unfinished, with a lot of laggy, stuttery behavior in the interface, a crash or two, and some very inaccurate finger tracking, but Kno says it's hard at work on eradicating those issues. Even with the UI fixes, it's a hard sell at "under $1000," but Kno is putting together partnerships with publishers to make that a little easier to swallow, as they say ultimately it will be less expensive than buying regular old text books. It's an audacious idea, for sure... and we're still completely confused by one of the company's press pics featuring a bunch of dudes running around in their underwear, but we digress. Check out some shots from the demo, PR pics, and our hands-on with the device below.
Continue reading Kno dual-screen tablet appears at D8, we go hands-on
Kno dual-screen tablet appears at D8, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 16:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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