Archive for April 18th, 2009

We’re pretty stoked to see that upcoming dual-screen sequel to the XO, OLPC’s promised XO-2. Until then, OLPC is sprucing up the insides of its current design with a new VIA C7-M processor that can be clocked between 400MHz and 1GHz depending on the task at hand. Alongside the new processor the “Generation 1.5″ model will sport a hot new VX855 chipset that can handle 3D graphics, HD video, and general management duties, and should be able to do it with a smaller footprint and less power consumption. The screen will likely remain the same, but might be tweaked slightly to improve brightness and efficiency, and the whole package should be built with components that will be more likely to drop in price. Developers should get the main board by May, with prototypes for testing going out in August and we suppose wide availability sometime after that.

Filed under: Laptops

XO Generation 1.5 promises some beefed up internals while we wait for XO-2 to change everything originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Apr 2009 16:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s not as good as gold, but according to Microsoft’s Partner Program website, Windows 7‘s release candidate is due out to the masses on May 5, a bit earlier than the BBC report had previously noted. MSDN and TechNet subscribers can apparently download the new build now, although Ars Technica is reporting it may not be up just yet. There’s always the chance that this date was posted in error or will be pushed back, so in the meantime, perhaps marking your calendar with pencil or erasable pen isn’t such a bad idea.

[Via Ars Technica; thanks, John]

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Tablet PCs

Windows 7 RC coming May 5 for public consumption, out now for MSDN / TechNet subscribers? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Apr 2009 14:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you can’t possibly wait one more moment to spend some money on Nikon’s latest DSLR — the D5000 — you’re in luck. The digicam is now up for pre-order at Amazon, so you can finally find a really good reason to max out your last credit card. Financial apocalypse? Please.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Nikon’s D5000 up for pre-order at Amazon originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Apr 2009 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We don’t really get too reflective here at Engadget — usually we’re too busy getting news up to think much about ourselves. Still, when you hit your 5th birthday, you tend to want to look back and review how far you’ve come. We thought there’d be no better way to celebrate the milestone than by having the site’s founder Peter Rojas, and instrumental architect Ryan Block on the show to discuss the early days of Engadget. So without further ado — sit back and enjoy our 5th birthday podcast!

Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, Paul Miller
Guests: Peter Rojas, Ryan Block
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Song: Glomag – Pocket Calculator

00:18:45 – Phantom Controller Rebranded Saitek
01:03:12 – Engadget 1985
01:07:00 – Would you sell your kidney(s) for a Hush?
01:10:38 – PSP vs. DS
01:12:13 – The Engadget Interview: Bill Gates, Part 1

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Filed under: Podcasts

Engadget Podcast 142 – 04.18.2009: 5th birthday edition originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Apr 2009 13:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When Home Theater Specialists of America (HTSA) executive director Richard Glikes wanted a home theater system, he didn’t just max it out with the best high definition equipment. He also thought to run it entirely from solar energy from four roof-mounted panels that produce an aggregate of 700 watts per hour in sunlight. It’ll reportedly run things for 19 hours straight without having to dip into your traditional power grid. Hardware-wise, we’re talking about a 100-inch screen, Sharp projector, six SpeakerCraft in-wall speakers, Integra AV receiver, Lutron lighting, and a universal remote. See how it was made, with the help of time-lapse photography and 1980s infomercial-genre background music, in the video after the break.

Continue reading Solar-powered ‘guiltless green’ home theater system makes your Wall-E Blu-ray very happy

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Household

Solar-powered ‘guiltless green’ home theater system makes your Wall-E Blu-ray very happy originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Apr 2009 11:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kenwood’s about to unleash some really crazy speakers upon the world… if you live in Japan anyway. The bad-looking dudes have 10-watt, 2 channel speakers with 6-centimeter woofers and 2.5-centimeter tweeters, which isn’t exactly super powerful, granted — but they are transparent. Oh, and they have some awesome LED effects, as well. We’re not sure exactly when they’ll be available, but they’re going to run you ¥100,000 (about $1,000) when they are. Check another shot (with LEDs in full effect) after the break.

Continue reading Kenwood SP0001 speakers sure to spice up your in-house raves

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Kenwood SP0001 speakers sure to spice up your in-house raves originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Apr 2009 10:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Genius. Pure genius. In order to save us all from smashing buttons on our digital alarm clocks or stripping the gears in our analog ones, designer Denis Guidone has dreamed up this masterpiece. The Ora ilLegale clock boasts no numbers and is obviously missing a significant portion of its base; these two factoids enable it to become the easiest clock to adjust to changes in daylight savings… well, ever. The best part? We’re told that it’ll actually hit production soon, though there’s no indiciation of just how pricey it’ll be. Not like it matters — you’re totally buying one, and you know it.

[Via Coolest-Gadgets]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Ora ilLegale clock tips to compensate for daylight savings time originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Apr 2009 09:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prox Dynamics’ PD-100 “Black Hornet” nano-copter has already gone through a number of different prototypes and test flights, but it looks like things have really started to come together with the last few models, and the company has taken advantage of the opportunity to show off their progress in a couple of videos. One of those shows a “simulated” indoor mission, in which the 15 gram copter scouts out a nondescript office building whilst some suitably dramatic music plays in the background. The other, slightly more interesting video demonstrates how the two latest models are able to handle themselves in flight, and hold up against some obstacles, like the always problematic flapping clip board. Head on past the break to check ‘em out for yourselves, and hit up the link below for some more information about the copter itself. Oh, and watch the skies, people. Very, very closely.

Continue reading Prox Dynamics’ Black Hornet nano-copter gets demoed on video

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Prox Dynamics’ Black Hornet nano-copter gets demoed on video originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Apr 2009 07:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AEE Wireless’ new “Mini DV” camera may or may not actually be the “world’s smallest” video camera (alright, it’s probably not), but it certainly has a strong claim to the title of least imaginatively-named, and it is, in fact, pretty darn small. What’s more, unlike some other world’s smallest cameras, this one is actually a full-fledged consumer device, including some controls, a built-in lithium-ion battery, a USB connection, and a microSD card slot, which handles all of the storage duties as the company has ditched any internal memory to keep the size down. You’ll even get some full 640 x 480, 30 fps video out of the thing, plus some 2-megapixel JPEG images. Interestingly, while an official price is a bit hard to come by, a number of online retailers already seem to be offering the camera for between $85 and $159.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

AEE boasts that its new “Mini DV” camera is the “world’s smallest” originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Apr 2009 05:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If that all-black DualShock 3 controller has just grown stale, and you’re not about to drop any coinage to have Colorware liven things up, GameStop has a fantastic solution — so long as you’re a fan of silver, that is. As of today, the firm’s website has a clear listing for a satin silver version of the wireless SIXAXIS, and anyone familiar with the silver PS2 controller will no doubt notice the striking similarities. Just so you know, this one’s been available in the Japanese market for eight centuries now, but it looks like the North American crowd can finally yell “me too!” when parting with $54.99 on June 24th.

[Via Joystiq]

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

GameStop offers up silver DualShock 3 controller for North America originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Apr 2009 03:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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