Archive for July 22nd, 2009

Aw snap, one of the final hurdles on the way to October 22nd has been passed: Windows 7 (and Windows Server 2008 R2, too) has been released to manufacturing. A post over on The Windows Blog explains that this build (7600) underwent tons of scrutiny and tweaking before being deemed sufficient for release, and considering that we know you’re anxious for details on dates, hear this:

“The RTM code will be delivered to our partners within the next few days who will then start preparing to deliver some amazing new products timed to hit at General Availability (GA) of Windows 7 on October 22nd. As always, current Windows Volume License customers, MSDN subscribers and TechNet subscribers will get first customer access, getting Windows 7 on August 6 (MSDN/TechNet) and August 7 (VL), and Windows Server 2008 R2 the second half of August.”

So, there you have it — now, are you prepared to wait until early August to get your download on? Nah, we thought not. The full announcement is posted after the break.

Update: Looks like some Microsoft employees were so excited by the RTM sign-off that they made a celebratory video. See it for yourself just after the break!

Continue reading Microsoft’s Windows 7 gets released to manufacturing

Filed under: Software

Microsoft’s Windows 7 gets released to manufacturing originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Skype is great, but it’s also kind of a pain in the ass if you’re talking to someone that has a crappy microphone. And Skype realizes that, so it put its engineers to work on a “super-secret” project: A headset that anyone could use, anywhere.

And today the company unveiled the FREETALK Everyman headset, a USB super wideband audio headset. While first and foremost the goal was to ensure great call quality, Skype also notes that this headset is, “lightweight and folds flat so you can throw it in your bag with your laptop.”

We’ve been following LG’s 240Hz LH90 series of LED-backlit HDTVs since they were launched alongside oodles of internet-connected rivals at CES, and now — at long last — the 1080p trio is shipping to US soil. The sets, which are the first-ever to boast THX certification, also feature an ambient light sensor, 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 240Hz dejudder technology and a super glossy bezel. If you’re jonesing to get one in your abode, you can cruise over to your nearest electronics dealer and part ways with $3,199.95 (55-inch), $2,399.95 (47-inch), or $1,899.95 (42-inch).

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

LG’s THX-certified LH90 LCD HDTVs now shipping in US originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Facebook has fast become one of the leading photo and video sharing sites on the web. The social network already lets you upload photos via MMS or through Facebook apps on the iPhone, Blackberry and other mobile devices. Today, Facebook is giving users another way to share photos immediately— via email.

Facebook now lets you create a unique upload email address where you can send photos and videos from anywhere you have email access on your mobile device. When you attach a photo or video to an email, you can include the comment to the photo in the subject line of the email. But if there is more than one image or video attached to the email, the caption will apply to all the attachments.

We covered this cam’s full spec last month, but to refresh your memory, the major attractions are its 720/24p video recording and 10x optical zoom. In fact, the Photography Blog crew, who have a review unit sprawled on their test bench, reckon the H10 is both the thinnest and lightest shooter to ever pack that kind of zooming prowess. They’ve compared it to the Panasonic DMC-TZ7, their reigning champ in the compact superzoom category, and — well, you’ll have to read the review to find out. The impressions we can share with you include excellent battery life and a useful Anti-Shake system on the upside, but also noise issues at relatively low ISO speeds and only average image quality on the downslope. Still, hit up the read link for a full rundown — trust us, it’s worth it for the cliffhanger ending.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Casio EX-H10 point-and-shoot (and its superzoom pedigree) get reviewed originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft’s newest version of its operating system, Windows 7, is finally in the release-to-manufacturing (RTM) stage, so the OS will soon be preloaded on new computers. Though not officially released yet, Windows 7 is expected to be a hit. For instance, after just eight hours on Amazon UK, Windows 7 pre-orders outpaced the total number of pre-orders for Vista over a period of 17 weeks.

According to Microsoft, Windows 7, which offers seven different versions of the OS, has undergone significant testing, quality assurance and validation required to get to the RTM stage. Independent software and hardware vendors will be able to download Windows 7 RTM as early as August 6th. Microsoft will be rolling out Windows 7 to other partners in mid to late August. Enterprise customers and developers will be able to download Windows 7 RTM in English starting on August 7, with additional language functionality for Windows 7 released shortly after.

The well-connected chaps at Sony Insider have it on very good word that the above press shot is showing what’ll be a new addition to Sony’s Walkman lineup, likely a revision to its popular S Series. Hard to tell scale, but looks like either the screen’s gotten bigger or the device smaller. In addition to the four color options — red, blue, pink, and just peeking in on the right, black — there’s also that perforated grill on the front, which we figure is a good sign of some speaker. Excited? Hold that thought — according to the mysterious source, this PMP isn’t scheduled for arrival anytime soon.

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Revamped Sony S-Series Walkman pops up in leaked press photos originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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News has just broken that Amazon.com has purchased hot ecommerce up-and-comer Zappos for 10 million Amazon shares or $880 million. (The Amazon release said it was $807 million, but that was based on a trailing 45-day estimate of its share price. Closing price today bumps the deal up to $880 million.) Zappos employees also will get $40 million in cash and restricted stock. In other words the deal is more like $920 million all told. And Zappos management will remain in place.

This is a great exit for Zappos’ investors, including Sequoia Capital and Venture Frogs, who put in about $60 million in seven rounds.

This isn’t just one of those times when companies say the management will stay and the company will be run independently. People close to the company say Zappos has long struggled with its desire to build a company for the long term and pressures to deliver a return for investors. This deal appears to be the best of both worlds. The way it’s described to employees, it’s less an acquisition and more a swap in shareholders.

I’m digging around for details now but here’s a video Jeff Bezos did that just went to Zappos employees. The post by Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh is here. In a letter to employees he writes:

We know you’ve been wracking your brain for the past week trying to dream up that perfect etching for the Kindle’s hindquarters, but time’s running out — Friday at 11:59PM EDT is the deadline — so put digital pen to digital paper and get your entry submitted on the double!

Need a refresher? Head on over to the announcement to learn all about our awesome Kindle design contest — and a big thanks to Amazon and Adafruit Industries for making it possible!

Filed under: Announcements, Misc. Gadgets

Reminder: don’t forget to design your own Kindle and take it home! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s no secret that a second analog nub was one of the biggest demands for what’s now known as the PSP Go and, according to Sony exec Shuhei Yoshida, those requests were heard loud and clear during the Go’s development. Speaking with Game Informer, Yoshida said that Sony had some “very serious discussion” about adding a second analog nub to the PSP Go, but ultimately decided against it to avoid splitting the PSP market in two. He further elaborated that the PSP Go is “designed to be perfectly compatible with the PSP-3000 and all the games that released before that,” adding that “we are talking about the mid-life cycle of this platform” (referring to Sony’s ten-year life cycle plan for all of its consoles). In other words, don’t bet on one showing up on the inevitable PSP Go Slim 6000 either.

[Via Joystiq]

Filed under: Gaming

Sony said to have seriously considered second analog nub for PSP Go originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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