Archive for May 3rd, 2009

We’ll be perfectly honest with you — the Atom-powered RipNAS definitely caught our interest when it launched with practically no major competitors back in February. Now, the RipNAS family has grown by two with the introduction of the Statement SSD and Statement HDD. We’re told that the former is the world’s first SSD-based CD ripping NAS device, and we’ve absolutely no reason to believe otherwise. The totally silent, all-silver box is based on the Windows Home Server OS and handles a cornucopia of tasks: CD ripping, media streaming and networked file storage. Internal specifications include a dual-core Atom CPU, 2GB of RAM and four USB 2.0 ports. The Statement SSD arrives in a 500GB configuration (2 x 250GB SSDs), while the Statement HDD holds 3TB by way of two 1.5TB drives; mum’s the word on pricing, but don’t bank on ‘em being cheap.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Storage

RipNAS Statement: world’s first SSD-based CD ripping NAS device originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 May 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

After an unbearably long wait, Tonium’s 60GB Pacemaker is finally on sale here in the US of A. Hailed as the planet’s first “pocket-sized DJ system,” this 60GB portable media player boasts two “turntables” and a “mixer” — all within a unit that easily fits within most medium- to large-sized palms. As expected, users have access to two independent audio channels and can beatmatch with the press of a button. If you’re interested in living out your dreams of being a mix master in the late 80s, you can have one shipped out right away from Amazon in exchange for $499.99. And no, we won’t tell your kids. The full release is just past the break.

Continue reading Tonium’s 60GB Pacemaker pocket DJ now on sale in US

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Handhelds

Tonium’s 60GB Pacemaker pocket DJ now on sale in US originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 May 2009 14:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Good one, Cincinnati Bell — you totally got us. Oh, wait. This isn’t a joke? For the second time in as many months, the aforesaid carrier has somehow managed to land a white-hot Nokia handset before any other operator in America. This go ’round, the company is becoming the first in the US to offer a subsidized version of Nokia’s polarizing XpressMusic 5800, bringing it to customers in the Ohio region for $149.99. Those looking to do without any strings can procure one for $349.99 (which is still $50 less than what Nokia’s asking), but it’s the bragging rights here that make it all worthwhile. So, how long before a real carrier follows suit?

Update: And here’s the press release.

[Thanks, Adam]

Filed under: Cellphones

Cincinnati Bell lands Nokia’s XpressMusic 5800: $149.99 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 May 2009 12:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

We’re beginning to wonder if we’ll ever see RIM’s BlackBerry Curve 8900 hit the AT&T airwaves, but considering just how long it takes for a phone to navigate through the carrier’s absurdly long certification process, we’ll chalk this one up to technical delays. After spotting the so-called Javelin in AT&T attire way back in November of last year, Boy Genius Report now has it on authority that the handset will finally debut next month. Unfortunately for those hoping for a little bonus in exchange for their patience, it’s said to be “a mirror” of the T-Mobile version outside of the bundled Bold themes. Pricing details are still under wraps, but if you’ve waited this long, do the dollars really matter?

Filed under: Cellphones

RIM’s BlackBerry Curve 8900 hitting AT&T next month? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 May 2009 10:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Trying to circumvent the need to choose between getting a wide-angle shot and zooming in for details, a team of researchers at Princeton led by electric engineer Jason Fleischer have developed a new method to get the best of both worlds, by passing the light through a “nonlinear crystal” that would normally distorts the picture. A computer algorithm then pieces together the data and, as they claim, produces a wide-view image that also manages to capture the finer points otherwise missing when using conventional techniques. The goal is to build “super-resolution” microscopes for better medical diagnostics, but the group also sees uses in the fields of data encryption and lithography / microchip production. Is it too much to ask that our next Canon or Nikon have this a standard feature?

[Via PhysOrg]

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Misc. Gadgets

Researchers develop technique to unscramble light for a much sharper picture originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 May 2009 07:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

We knew you’d do the right thing Cowon, we just knew it. Barely a fortnight after the company introduced its most capacious S9 to date over in South Korea, said player has made its way stateside… at least that’s the impression that we get. Listed now as “in stock” on Amazon, the 32GB Titanium / Black unit is shown as being sold by JetAudio, which just so happens to be Cowon’s official online home for sales. If you surf over to the S9 section on JetAudio’s website, however, the 16GB model is still listed as the largest one available. We’re guessing the latter’s admin hasn’t had time to update things between that Friday night rave and that six pack of Dos Equis on Saturday, but we hear Amazon has a pretty good reputation, anyway.

[Via PMP Today]

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Cowon’s 32GB S9 PMP goes on sale in America originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 May 2009 04:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

We reckon a good 97% of you will never need an audio mixer of this magnitude, but regardless, Calrec’s digital audio console is a behemoth of knobs and sliders that should be easy on the eyes for just about anyone. Shown off at last month’s 2009 National Association of Broadcasters show, each control changes color to reflect the assigned function or group, and each has its own display for monitoring individual status. Above those rest large OLED displays and touchscreen monitors for even more feedback. Audiophiles can hit up the read link for all the specs, and be sure to check after the break for a full-sized shot. Now can someone figure out how to get Super Monkey Kong up and running on this thing?

[Thanks, Tom]

Continue reading Calrec’s Apollo digital audio console is an OLED-laden beaut

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Calrec’s Apollo digital audio console is an OLED-laden beaut originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 May 2009 01:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sometimes it’s a bit refreshing to find a handheld mouse that doesn’t track your motion, just in case you feel like waving your arms wildly and not having it screw up your apps. The Weramouse V2 handheld trackball mouse works wirelessly from up to about 26 feet away, using what we gather is a USB dongle to sync. Its Li-ion battery is claimed to be good for up to 28 hours and charges via USB. Cost is $99 NZD, which translates to $56 in US dollars. At one point the site listed a V3 model with a trackpad — same specs otherwise, with a $199 NZD / $113 US price tag — and while it’s since been removed, the product page is still available via the great halls of the internet archives.

[Via Technabob]

Read – V2 with trackball
Read – V3 with trackpad (cached)

Filed under: Peripherals

Weramouse V2 and V3 are a trackball / trackpad to have and to hold originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 May 2009 22:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

For those who need a little something more from their netbooks, at least while at home, Century’s all-in-one dock should help out in that department. It fits just under the little laptop and features a pop-up fan to help with cooling, 8x DVD-writer, and a slot for a 2.5-inch SATA HDD or SSD drive, because let’s face it, your digitized copy of the complete Doctor Who series probably isn’t gonna all fit on your portable. It’s compatible with XP and Vista, but no word on how well it’ll jibe with Linux. It looks to be on sale now in Japan for ￥9,980 (US $100), and if you’re needing some more intimate shots, Akihabara’s got a hands-on with it.

[Via Everything USB]

Read – Product page
Read – Hands-on

Filed under: Laptops

Century’s all-in-one dock gives your netbook a greater sense of value originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 May 2009 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments