The Technology Blog

Lenovo’s IdeaPad S10-2 reviewed: great battery life, but more of the same

Compu-Blog — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:59:12 +0000

Lenovo’s S10-2 was a minor update to the original S10 (to put things nicely), but that’s not to say it’s not worth a look for those in the market for a 10-inch netbook. Boasting a slightly thinner, more beautified frame, the S10-2 also includes a tweaked keyboard, optional 3G, an extra USB port and none of the quirks that plagued the first edition. The benchmarking fiends over at HotHardware managed to sneak one of these things into their labs for testing, and while they largely found the S10-2 to be about the same as every other N270 + GMA 950 netbook out there, the 5.5 hour battery life was definitely impressive. All told, the S10-2 was found to be solid from top to bottom, but the $350 price tag did feel a bit steep considering just how many alternatives are out there. Still, even with the positive vibes, it’s hard to recommend buying a WinXP netbook now with Windows 7 (and thus, no hardware limitations) just around the bend. Tap the read link if you’re jonesing for more.

Filed under: Laptops

Lenovo’s IdeaPad S10-2 reviewed: great battery life, but more of the same originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Getac 9213 "business rugged" laptop tones down the toughness, the ugly

Compu-Blog — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:59:08 +0000

Looking for something a little tougher than your average notebook yet a little less fugly than your typical Toughbook? Getac’s 9213 is a “business rugged” device that sports a full magnesium alloy chassis, a spill-resistant keyboard and touchpad, and a 13.3-inch WXGA display. With a 45nm Intel Core 2 Duo Penryn-class ULV processor, 3GB of RAM, a shock-mounted HDD (up to 250GB), and a battery life of up to eight hours, this guy shouldn’t be slouch as far as performance goes — and if that weren’t enough you can swap out the optical drive for a second battery (extending its life another fifty percent or so). As you’d imagine, the connectivity options here include draft-n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, and an optional 3.75G HSUPA module. Man, we can’t wait to put this bad boy through one of our sadistic torture tests! Available now with an MSRP of $1,799.

Gallery: Getac 9213 “business rugged” laptop tones down the toughness, the ugly

Filed under: Laptops

Getac 9213 “business rugged” laptop tones down the toughness, the ugly originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rogers rolls out 50Mbps DOCSIS 3.0 service, 802.11n router

Compu-Blog — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:58:59 +0000

Well, it looks like Canadians no longer need to be envious of some of the speedy internet options available south of the border, as Rogers has just announced the roll-out of its own DOCSIS 3.0-based service that matches the likes of Comcast’s offering. As you might expect, however, coverage is limited to the Greater Toronto Area to begin with, although Rogers is promising that it’ll be rolled out to some other, yet to be specified areas in the “coming months.” What’s more, Rogers is also introducing a new 802.11n router alongside the service, and it’s even giving one away to the first fifty customers that sign up for the Ultimate service (priced at $150 per month). After those are gone (and some do indeed still seem to be available), the router will sell for $200.

[Via Electronista]

Filed under: Networking

Rogers rolls out 50Mbps DOCSIS 3.0 service, 802.11n router originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: TAT’s augmented reality concept unveiled

Compu-Blog — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:58:55 +0000

You remember TAT, right? Amongst other things The Astonishing Tribe has done some bang-up work with the user interface for the G1, unveiled a pretty impressive 3D eye-tracking concept, and now they’re hard at work developing something called Augmented ID, an augmented reality concept that uses facial recognition software to attach your visage to a profile. When someone views you through their handset’s camera, pre-selected info and social networking links appear to hover around you, letting your new found friend in on more than just your pretty smile. Of course, this is only a concept at the present moment, but when it does become real, make sure you remember to remove those links to JDate and the Cracked Magazine forums before that important corporate presentation. Trust us — you don’t want those worlds colliding. Hit up that read link for the latest from the Swedish design team, but not before you peep this stellar video after the break.

Read – TAT Showroom

Continue reading Video: TAT’s augmented reality concept unveiled

Filed under: Cellphones

Video: TAT’s augmented reality concept unveiled originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell launches Design Studio for Inspiron 15, new FastTrack delivery service

Compu-Blog — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:58:46 +0000

Hey, you in the market for a cheap laptop with some crazy custom artwork glued to the lid? Dell’s got you covered — the Inspiron 15 has just been brought into the Design Studio fold, meaning you’ll be able to select graphics from a wide variety of artists when you spec out your system. Most artwork seems to be priced around $60, but we’re told that could vary — considering the base Inspy 15 is just $499, we’re assuming / hoping the ceiling won’t be much higher. Dell’s also launching a new FastTrack next-day delivery service for pre-configured machines — the company claims it’s constantly tracking orders and will be able to keep the most popular models on hand. Of course, that’s sort of the opposite of the whole “totally custom laptop” thing Dell’s pushing with Design Studio, but hey, sometimes you need a bog-standard PC, and you need it now.

Filed under: Laptops

Dell launches Design Studio for Inspiron 15, new FastTrack delivery service originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPod suspected of setting Saab ablaze

Compu-Blog — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:58:45 +0000

We’ve all seen the potential havoc that an iPod can wreak — either through misuse or some general explosiveness — and it looks like we now might have yet another cautionary tale out of Sweden, where a Saab 9-3 recently met an unfortunate end. While the exact, official cause of the blaze hasn’t quite been pegged down, investigators seem to strongly suspect that an iPod left in the car is to blame. That’s apparently because the car itself showed no signs of negligence or other technical faults (or evidence that the fire was intentionally set), and because the fire started on the seats, where the iPod was seemingly left. What’s not clear, however, is if the iPod was simply tossed there and caught fire all by itself, or if was charging when things went horribly wrong — although we’re personally willing to simply buy Google Translate’s answer that “the music has become so hot that it melted the inside.”

[Thanks, Martin L.]

Filed under: Portable Audio, Transportation

iPod suspected of setting Saab ablaze originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Translucent XCM Eye Candy case encourages licking of DSi

Compu-Blog — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:58:40 +0000

Oh sure, the DSi was the definite hotness when it sprung onto the scene earlier this year, but if you’re growing somewhat bored of the same old camera + touchscreen action, why not spruce things up with an all new exterior? The case you’re looking at above does require the disassembly of your console, and thus, you can kiss your remaining warranty goodbye. Frankly, we view the sacrifice as thoroughly worth it, as XCM’s Eye Candy shell is practically guaranteed to get more eyes, fingers and tongues on your machine. And really, who wouldn’t want that?

[Via Boing Boing]

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

Translucent XCM Eye Candy case encourages licking of DSi originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple dreaming of object identification, new messaging UI in iPhone OS patent

Compu-Blog — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:58:36 +0000

Seriously Apple, what’s up with the patent application bender? Over the past week, we’ve seen a whole gaggle of new apps, though the latest few just might be the most intriguing. In essence, Apple engineers have outlined plans to integrate object recognition, face detection / recognition, a text message filter (for the parents, you know) and a new, smarter messaging interface that could remind you of unread messages before allowing you to make a call and spout off unnecessarily. Moreover, we’re told of a new voice output selection that could enable Oprah or Cookie Monster to read your turn-by-turn directions, bedtime stories or recipes. Suddenly, iPhone OS 3.0 feels so… antediluvian.

[Via Unwired View]

Read – Unread messages application
Read – New messaging interface application
Read – Face detection application

Filed under: Cellphones

Apple dreaming of object identification, new messaging UI in iPhone OS patent originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engadget’s recession antidote: win a Joby Gorillapod Original!

Compu-Blog — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:58:32 +0000

This whole global economic crisis, and its resulting massive loss of jobs got us thinking. We here at Engadget didn’t want to stand helplessly by, announcing every new round of misery without giving anything back — so we decided to take the opportunity to spread a little positivity. We’ll be handing out a new gadget every day (except for weekends) to lucky readers until we run out of stuff or companies stop sending things. Today we’ve got a Joby Gorillapod Original on offer, perfect for keeping your point-and-shoot steady even in awkward situations. Read the rules below (no skimming — we’re omniscient and can tell when you’ve skimmed) and get commenting! Hooray for free stuff!

Huge thanks to Joby for providing the gear!

The rules:

Leave a comment below. Any comment will do, but if you want to share your proposal for “fixing” the world economy, that’d be sweet too.
You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you’ll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.)
If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you’ll be fine.
Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don’t make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
Winner will be chosen randomly. The winner will receive one (1) Joby Gorillapod Original. Approximate retail value is $24.99.
If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.
Entries can be submitted until Thursday, July 9th, at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!
Full rules can be found here.

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Peripherals

Engadget’s recession antidote: win a Joby Gorillapod Original! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia makes 3720 official, its "most rugged mobile handset to date"

Compu-Blog — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:58:28 +0000

Nokia’s not exactly known for its beefy, ultra-survivable gear, but unless the human race plans on getting a whole lot less clumsy, rugged phones will always be a good idea — and Espoo’s 3720 certainly seems to fill the bill. The Series 40-based candybar features a 2 megapixel cam with LED flash, triband EDGE (sorry, North Americans), FM radio, microSD expansion, and the latest and greatest Bluetooth 2.1, but the real news here is that the phone is built to meet IP54 standards. A quick check with our handy-dandy IP code reference tells us that means that “ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment; complete protection against contact” — in other words, your phone might get nasty dirty, but it’ll keep chugging — and it can withstand “splashing” water. Scuba divers, the search for your perfect phone probably continues. Refreshingly, the 3720 will run just €125 (about $175) unlocked when it ships later this summer.

Filed under: Cellphones

Nokia makes 3720 official, its “most rugged mobile handset to date” originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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