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Microsoft Says No New Xbox 360s in 2009

by Ryan Block, posted May 14th 2008 at 9:53AMBreaking News

Sounds like that rumor about a new, smaller Xbox 360 coming next year might have a shorter life than a red-ringing console. Specifying the release of "slimmed down SKU in 2009", Microsoft representative let us know today that "While we don't normally comment on rumors like this, we can tell you that we have no plans to release a new console in 2009". Yep, rumor assassinated, just like that. Of course, there still exists the possibility that Microsoft's just playing coy to prevent a little bit of Osborne effect from creeping in during their heated battle with the PS3 -- but they did go out of their way to directly comment on the rumor, so take it as you will.

Microtransat Robot Sailing Takes to the High Seas this Fall

by Ryan Block, posted May 12th 2008 at 3:02PM


Maybe our robo-challenges speak something to our respective histories: Americans have spent the last few years driving intelligent vehicles through vast expanses of desert, but over in Europe, scientists and technologists are preparing for this fall's Microtransat, wherein machines must sail across the Atlantic propelled only by wind and artificial intelligence. The race, intended as a public proof of concept for long-range autonomous sea-faring scientific vessels, should take the, um, roboats three months to complete.

[Source: World Robotic Sailing Championship 2008 via Piquepaille]

Amputee Vets Riding On Free Segways, Thanks to Non-Profit Group

by Ryan Block, posted May 12th 2008 at 1:14PMBreaking News

Segway creator Dean Kamen's done a lot of work over the years building technologies for the disabled, which lends a bit of irony to the fact that his most well-known consumer transport, the Segway, is seeing some increased use by veterans.

The non-profit Disability Rights Advocates for Technology (DRAFT) group has snapped up some 150 Segway units over the past few years -- 30 of which just went out last week -- to help amputees get around quicker and further than with your run of the mill wheelchair. Results of the Segs-4-Vets program sound positive, but at $6k a pop the price continues to be prohibitive for wider rollout and donation, even at discount directly from Segway. [Source: CNN]

[Thanks, Laura]

Eye-Fi Launches Wireless Location-Aware Camera Memory Cards

by Ryan Block, posted May 12th 2008 at 12:01PM

Eye-Fi's expanding from a single card to a family of three tonight. All are the same 2GB as before, but now we've got the new flagship Eye-Fi Explore ($129), which includes geotagging courtesy of Skyhook (the same WiFi-based location system that helps the iPod touch and iPhone find their way) and on-the-go WiFi via Wayport. Then you've got the Eye-Fi Share ($99) -- basically the same card we used to know simply as the Eye-Fi -- and finally the Eye-Fi Home ($79), which appears to only be able to upload photos through desktop software using your home network. Expect 'em all on sale come June 6th.

Gallery: Eye-Fi

RIM's BlackBerry Bold / 9000 Gets Official

by Ryan Block, posted May 12th 2008 at 8:22AMBreaking News


Damn, took 'em long enough! RIM finally announced the BlackBerry Bold / 9000 -- we've got specs, but no price or hard launch date. Here we go:
  • Family will include HSDPA and EV-DO versions (including an AWS-capable 1700MHz version), much as we'd heard
  • 480 x 320 display
  • 625MHz CPU, 1GB internal flash memory
  • 802.11a/b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 (with A2Dp), GPS, MicroSDHC
  • 480 x 320 video recording, photo geotagging
  • 4.5 x 2.6 x 0.55-inches, 4.7 ounces
PC Mag's got the (latest) hands-on, hit the read link. [Source: PC Mag]

More "Leaked" 3G iPhone Shots Hit the Web

by Ryan Block, posted May 8th 2008 at 12:19PMBreaking News


For those that need to be in the know about the very latest supposedly-leaked 3G iPhone shots that hit the web this week, we've got you covered -- but we're not convinced, especially of the device on the right. The shots on the left do at least seem to be crafted around those supposed size and shape leaks we saw the other day though, so bonus points there for playing into another current rumor to rack up a small bit of credibility. Still, in our best Rick James voice, Photoshop's a hell of a tool.

Read - Left four shots appear on Chinese phone forum
Read - Shot on the right from AppleInsider

Nike Dunks + WiFi = A Step in the Right Direction

by Ryan Block, posted May 5th 2008 at 5:42PM


Get ready to pay atelier sneaker prices for these babies, because designer MSTRPLN (not to be confused with MSTRKRFT) and Ubiq (not to be confused with Ubiquio) teamed up to produce some straight black Nike Dunks with built-in WiFi detection. It's called A Step in the Right Direction, and we might actually agree. [Source: mstrpln.com]

[Thanks, JideOsan]

HTC Touch Diamond Shots and Specs: This Week's Big Announcement?

by Ryan Block, posted May 5th 2008 at 9:49AMBreaking News


We know HTC's got a big announcement coming this Tuesday, and while we can't say for sure it's going to the Touch Diamond, if today's leaked images and specs are at all accurate we think they might have something big on their hands. Check it out:
  • 2.8-inch VGA display
  • WinMo 6.1 Pro
  • WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0
  • eGPS, FM tuner
  • Quad-band HSDPA 7.2
  • 4GB internal flash, microSD slot
  • 528MHz CPU
  • 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus
  • 10.7mm (0.47-inches) thick
  • Supposedly also features an orientation sensor / accelerometer
Whether it's got a QWERTY keyboard could still be up for grabs, especially since that configuration might belong to the CDMA-based Raphael. Still, the it makes sense HTC wouldn't want the XPERIA X1 they made for Sony Ericsson to be their best engineered device on the market for long. We'll be watching this one closely. [Source: NewsMobile]

[Thanks, Kevin]

RIM developing "Apple Killer" Touchscreen BlackBerry?

by Ryan Block, posted Apr 28th 2008 at 10:51AMBreaking News

The NY Times has a verbose 2,000 word piece about the high stakes world of high-end cellphone manufacturers (no way!), specifically centered around RIM's post-iPhone trials and tribulations. Besides a bit of vague lip service paid to the 9000 series, the newspaper is claiming that two third-party developers -- no sources cited -- leaked that RIM has a skunkworks product dubbed "AK" (which stands for "Apple Killer"), and that apparently it'll be touchscreen.

And then comes the tub-thumping money shot from co-CEO Mike Lazaridis: "I couldn't type on [the iPhone] and I still can't type on it, and a lot of my friends can't type on it. It's hard to type on a piece of glass."

Right, until you guys decide to do one of your own -- these executive types are so transparent they might as well just be up front. [Source: The New York Times]

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

New 3G iPhone to Be Glossy Black, and Thicker

by Ryan Block, posted Apr 25th 2008 at 3:39PMBreaking News

So we've got it on authority that the second-gen iPhone is already well into testing, and numerous units are floating around in super secret pockets. A trusted source got a chance to check one out, here's what we've heard.
  • The first thing people will notice: the 2nd gen iPhone will be about the same size and shape as the first gen.
  • It will, of course, have 3G. And proper GPS!
  • The most noticeable physical difference is back of the phone is no longer metal -- the whole thing is glossy black, from top to bottom. The volume buttons are now chrome.
  • Because it's got a little less metal to deal with, it doesn't have quite as many angular edges. The battery is (still) not removable.
  • The phone itself will be slightly thicker than the first gen device.
  • The headphone jack will no longer be recessed, and will finally be flush with the body.
  • The device itself uses roughly the same size and resolution screen as the first generation product.
  • No solid word on battery life or capacity.
It could ship (or be introduced) as early as July -- but it's worth noting that none of this is necessarily finalized, and any of it could change between now and its introduction. You really never know with Apple!

[Image via iPod Observer]

Microsoft Finally Releases New Vista Ultimate Extras, Still "Ultimate" in Name Only

by Ryan Block, posted Apr 23rd 2008 at 2:08PM


Last year Microsoft really carried on about fulfilling its commitment to all the power users that anted up to get untold future Vista Ultimate Extras -- yet none really materialized besides the disappointing early stuff like DreamScene and Texas Hold 'Em. Well, get ready to feel a whole new wave of Ultimate justification wash over you, because today Microsoft is releasing a trifecta of new Extras: sound schemes, DreamScape animations, and OS language packs. Oh yeah, there's definitely some Vista "Wow" in here -- but it's mostly from being kind of appalled at these sorry post-apologetic excuses for "ultimate"-grade software additions. Someone wake us when Microsoft decides it cares about making good on its many unfulfilled promises to Vista users. [Source: Microsoft]

The PlayStation 3 Laptop - For Real

by Ryan Block, posted Apr 11th 2008 at 3:23PM


Rewind back to late 2006. The PlayStation 3 was launching alongside the Wii and geeky editors like ourselves were having a field day. We'd already managed to convince our good pal Ben Heck to build another Xbox 360 laptop and the Wii Laptop, so it was only a matter of time before we started brainstorming on how the hell we could possibly fit a PS3 into a "portable" enclosure. That's the part where Ben stepped up his game and worked his magic -- on and off for almost a year and a half -- to build... the PS3 Laptop!

The essential specs:
  • Original backwards compatible 60GB model
  • 17-inch LCD HDTV screen: 720p
  • HDMI-DVI connection (same as last Xbox 360 laptop)
  • Built-in keyboard, USB ports, stereo speakers, headphone jack
  • Size: 17 x 13.75 x 3-inches
  • Weight: 16 pounds!
You want this one of a kind piece of kit for your very own, PlayStation fanboys? You got it. We're auctioning this thing for charity real soon, so watch out for details (we'll also have some video of the PS3 Laptop in action on the site tomorrow). And, naturally, big ups to our pal Ben Heck for the long hours and love he put into this thing. The man is truly a hero of ours, so be sure to hit up his site to check out his other projects, as well as the other instructional stuff he's done here on Engadget.

For more images, check out Engadget's gallery


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