Archive for May 30th, 2009

Microsoft confirms: no three app limit in Windows 7 Starter

May 30, 2009

We’d heard it through the grapevine that Microsoft was gearing up to right the wrong and nix that ludicrous three application limit for Windows 7 Starter Edition, and sure enough, it did just that via The Windows Blog. The company admitted that it was removing the three application at-a-time limit previously slated for inclusion in Win7 Starter “based on the feedback it has received from partners and customers.” (Psst… thanks for yelling, people!) That said, the OS is still severely gimped, with no multi-monitor support, DVD playback, Windows Media Center, remote media streaming, XP Mode or network connectivity. Just kidding on that last one… we think.

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Microsoft confirms: no three app limit in Windows 7 Starter originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 May 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Alienware M17x gaming laptop hands-on: it isn’t quite “all powerful,” but it’ll do in a pinch

May 30, 2009

We’re still not sure where Alienware gets off calling this thing “all powerful” — where do you go from there? — but we certainly like what’s under the hood. This 17-inch M17x desktop replacement, which is due for E3 next week, has started cropping up early and we’ve gotten a quick look at one in the flesh. It weighs in at 11.5 pounds, and packed to the gills it can handle dual GeForce NVIDIA GTX 280M GPUs, an Intel Core 2 Extreme Quad-core processor some fancy overclocking options, and up to 8GB of 1333MHz DDR3 RAM. There’s also the lovable GeForce 9400M integrated graphics with HybridPower switching for when you want to turn things down a notch and write a nice, long letter to your mother while milking the overtaxed nine-cell battery for all it’s worth. Outside the raw horsepower, Alienware’s revamped its design, with a hefty aluminum chassis, user-configurable lighting accents and a great many radar-evading accoutrements — oh, and facial recognition for login and timed auto-logout. The display is configurable up to 1920 x 1200, and the laptop can pump out a good many pixels to an external monitor as well — we saw it powering Dell’s almost-ready 2880 x 900 curved display running Crysis with no problem. Other options include Blu-ray, up to 512GB of SSD storage in the dual drive bays, and perhaps best of all: a $1,799 starting price, which includes a GeForce GTX 260M GPU to get your feet wet.

We got to play with the laptop a bit at a recent event, and were seriously impressed with the look and feel of the thing — somewhat of a rarity in the over-plasticized gaming space. As we mentioned, Crysis ran fine, and while the hardcore gamer-on-the-go with endless supplies of cash might be a bit of a rare breed these days, at least they haven’t been forgotten… though they are in store for some serious back problems in later life.

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Alienware M17x gaming laptop hands-on: it isn’t quite “all powerful,” but it’ll do in a pinch originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 May 2009 14:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engadget Podcast 148 – 05.30.2009

May 30, 2009

We know it’s been a long, difficult wait, filled with unspeakable hardships and maybe a bit of Saturday brunch, but the Engadget Podcast is here at last to take away the pain and churn through the insanity of this week’s news like a hot knife through imitation butter. It’s just Paul and Josh this week, and things should get even crazier next week as E3 descends upon us all, but we promise to get the gang back together real soon to deliver the sort of off-topic rants and delicious non-sequitors you’ve come to expect from these three beautiful men.

Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Paul Miller
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Song: Sweet Dreams

02:07 – Zune HD
17:00 – AT&T expects to sell Palm Pre when Sprint’s exclusivity ends
18:50 – Verizon Wireless to carry Palm Pre, Storm 2 “in about six months”
32:51 – iTunes support confirmed for Palm Pre
42:07 – Palm Pre User Guide: the highlights, so far
43:00 – Android 2.0 “Donut” features demoed at Google I/O
44:52 – Google Ion hands-on and unboxing
45:05 - Android 1.5 update for T-Mobile G1 now rolling out, for real this time
48:36 – Sony Ericsson’s Satio and Aino get handled, Remote Play makes the Aino PSP-like — minus the games
52:35 – “Mole” says UMD-less PSP-Go! is on for E3, slimmer PS3 to follow

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Engadget Podcast 148 – 05.30.2009 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 May 2009 14:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Sony’s PSP Go leaks out before E3, is obviously a go

May 30, 2009

digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/gadgets/Sony_s_PSP_Go_leaks_out_before_E3_PICS’; Look up there, folks. That’s the future of Sony’s hopes and dreams in the handheld gaming sector. With just hours to go before the company’s official E3 2009 press event, it looks like the pieces are all coming together. First a UMD-less game release, then a highly credible mole giving the PSP Go a name, and now — live action shots. The images here were sourced from an obviously slipped June 2009 Qore video, and aside from giving us a look at the slider-based system (which, let’s be honest, looks a ton like the questionably successful mylo), we’re also told that it’ll tout 16GB of internal memory, built-in Bluetooth and an undisclosed memory slot. If all goes well, it’ll ship this Fall for a price to be determined, and it’s actually not slated to replace the PSP-3000, as both of ‘em will attempt to live on store shelves harmoniously… at least for awhile. Oh, and don’t worry — we’ll be on hand in LA to bring you all the impressions we can muster early next week.

[Via PlayStation Forums, thanks Matt and A1]

Update: Video is now after the break! Thanks adizzy615!

Update 2: Official press shots have emerged. [Via Engadget Spanish]

Update 3: A few more official specifications are flowing from the full Qore video (pardon the sync issues). Here’s the dirt:

  • 3.8-inch display (resolution is undisclosed)
  • 43 percent lighter than the PSP-3000
  • 16GB of Flash storage
  • Bluetooth built-in; supports handset tethering and BT headsets
  • No UMD drive
  • Memory Stick Micro slot
  • New Gran Turismo, Little Big Planet and new Metal Gear Solid (!) on the way
  • Full PlayStation Network support (movie and TV rentals / purchases)
  • Integration with PlayStation 3 (works the same as the PSP-3000 does)
  • Sony views each of its products as “10-year lifecycle products,” so the PSP “needs to live on.”

Continue reading Video: Sony’s PSP Go leaks out before E3, is obviously a go

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Video: Sony’s PSP Go leaks out before E3, is obviously a go originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 May 2009 12:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DJ Hero website and pre-orders go live, Jay-Z Special Edition seen in the distance

May 30, 2009

With just days to go before the gaming world goes wild at E3, the hotly anticipated DJ Hero is now spinning on its very own website. Granted, a few of the sections are still labeled as “coming soon,” but we’re given a few more sneak peeks at the hardware, the gameplay and even a duo of handy links to pre-order it. According to listings on both GameStop and Amazon, the software and turntable are slated to ship on October 27th, with the bundle priced at $119.99 for all four of the major consoles (yes, new games are still being made for the PS2). Better still, the latter e-tailer has the Jay-Z Special Edition Bundle listed for Sony’s PS3 and Nintendo’s Wii, though neither of those are accompanied by MSRPs or expected ship dates. And to think, those are just two of our 99 problems…

[Thanks, Joey]

Read – DJ Hero official website
Read – GameStop pre-order page
Read – Amazon pre-order page
Read – DJ Hero game trailers

Continue reading DJ Hero website and pre-orders go live, Jay-Z Special Edition seen in the distance

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DJ Hero website and pre-orders go live, Jay-Z Special Edition seen in the distance originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 May 2009 11:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ericsson’s fashion-forward W30 series 3G routers get detailed

May 30, 2009

It’s not every day that we use “Ericsson,” “sexy,” and “3G router” all in the same sentence, so you can understand our excitement upon learning everything there is to know about the company’s new W30 and W35 models. Calling it “3G” might be an understatement, actually — these bad boys will do a purely theoretical 7.2Mbps down and 2.0Mbps up on three hair-raising HSPA bands in addition to quadband EDGE. Both models offer 802.11b / g and four Ethernet ports for routing that high-speed WWAN data however you see fit, and the W35 ups the ante by throwing two RJ11 ports on board for VoIP connectivity. The W35 looks to be shipping in early June, so clear a nice little feng shui spot on your kitchen counter where it can sit, get friendly compliments from the neighbors, and enhance your calm.

[Thanks, Scott H.]

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Ericsson’s fashion-forward W30 series 3G routers get detailed originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 May 2009 09:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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G4 Cube given wheels, automation, the will to race Woz’s Segway

May 30, 2009

Not wanting the Allspark to beat them to the punch, the gang at thinkingbricks has given life to an Apple G4 Cube, complete with LEGO Mindstorms NXT-borne retractable wheels, a Bluetooth controller, automation via sensors, and a creepy red LED. That transparent base really makes the wheel deployment much more dramatic, a nice touch if we do say so ourselves. There aren’t any step-by-step instructions, but there should be plenty of information at the page if you’re thiking of making your own as a weekend project. Either way, be sure to check it out on video, located after the break.

Continue reading G4 Cube given wheels, automation, the will to race Woz’s Segway

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G4 Cube given wheels, automation, the will to race Woz’s Segway originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 May 2009 07:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How would you change Samsung’s Instinct s30?

May 30, 2009

Ah, Samsung’s Instinct s30. One step forward, three steps back — or something like that. Of course, we’re not out to remind you of what we thought of the next-gen Instinct, we’re here to find out what you think of it. If you plunked down the coin in order to grab yourself the Sprint-locked featurephone, have you been fully satisfied? Is life going alright without EV-DO Rev. A? How’s that web browser treating you? Are you wishing you would’ve held off for the Pre? Feel free to voice your opinion below, and remember, this chance won’t ever, ever come around again. Ever.

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How would you change Samsung’s Instinct s30? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 May 2009 04:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Teensy Weensy eggshell speakers, perfect for all the king’s men

May 30, 2009

This is one waste not, want not, DIY project that caught our eye. Tiny little speaker housings made of carefully cut (and, we assumed, cleaned) eggshells, with small stands of clay. The final product apparently has “narrow” sound, but they sure look cuter than any homemade speakers we’ve ever seen before.

[Via Wired]

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Teensy Weensy eggshell speakers, perfect for all the king’s men originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 May 2009 01:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Roundup: here’s what you might’ve missed

May 30, 2009

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Alienware’s M17X gaming laptop with twin GTX 280M GPUs truly is all powerful
The announcement wasn’t scheduled for a few more days, but it looks like Alienware’s All Powerful gaming laptop has been set free anyway. So, does it live up to the clues? Pretty much…
Jay-Z / Eminem limited edition DJ Hero planned, Rappin’ Rodney Dangerfield can’t be far behind
Bedroom DJs who can’t actually be bothered to, you know, mix records and such: You’re gonna be thrilled by this next bit of news.
GigaPan Epic 100 hands-on and review, panorama style
Eager to know if this gigapixel image creator is really worth its avoirdupois in cold, hard cash?
Other news of import

Cable companies losing stranglehold on apartments
It’s no secret that loads of folks loathe their cable company, but for some apartment dwellers, there’s exactly one choice of service providers for TV, internet, and/or phone service.
Verizon finally releasing BlackBerry Storm update this weekend
An incredible way to start the weekend, Storm owners: Verizon is finally pulling the trigger on a firmware update, which will be available to all comers starting on Sunday at 3PM Eastern time.

The Daily Roundup: here’s what you might’ve missed originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 May 2009 22:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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