Archive for October 22nd, 2009

We just got off stage with Steve Ballmer, where we garnered a blistering 40 minutes of wild conversation with the man, touching on all things Microsoft. Of course, Windows 7 was at the forefront of talking points, be we also got Ballmer chatting up that Courier vid, and the lack of Zune integration on Windows Mobile. For the former he swears he hasn’t actually seen it, but that it sounds like it’s something someone should make, while for Zune he says Windows Mobile is going to get integration in the next release — which is a comforting thought, if perhaps a bit late. Of course there’s plenty more to what he said, and we’ll have an HD version of the whole show up tomorrow so you can sit back and take it all in if you missed the live shindig.

Filed under: Portable Audio, Tablet PCs

Steve Ballmer hasn’t seen the Courier video, promises Zune integration in next WinMo release originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon’s on a roll with Android handsets these days, first with the heavily-advertised Motorola Droid and the reclusive / unannounced Calgary, and now with this fleeting glimpse of Android hardware progenitor HTC. Yes, it’s got 3G (or the Verizon equivalent of it), Sense UI, a trackball just barely discernible on the bottom, and from what Boy Genius Report is saying no physical keyboard whatsoever — all virtual. We’re definitely sporting a Hero vibe, but really, would it really have too hard to find a decent light source for this shot?

Filed under: Cellphones

HTC Desire with Sense UI and Verizon branding spotted originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Neither for the faint of heart nor the slight of credit, Leaf’s newest — the Aptus-II 5 digital back — boasts a 0.9 fps capture rate, 22 megapixel sensor, 2.5-inch touchscreen display, a 12-stop dynamic range and a 25-400 ISO range. Sounds great, right? What if we told you it would run you €5,995 (about $9,000) for the back itself, or you could bundle it with the Phase One 645AF body and an 80mm lens for €7,995 (about $12,000)? Right, you’ll take two. Pre-order now from your favorite Leaf Imaging retailer and you should get your new device in November. PR after the break.

[Via DP Review]

Continue reading Leaf announces new Aptus-II 22 megapixel camera back

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Leaf announces new Aptus-II 22 megapixel camera back originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keep your eyes tuned to this post — because at around 2:30PM ET (give or take), we’ll be starting The Engadget Show live, with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer as our guest! You don’t want to miss it!

Continue reading The Engadget Show, live with Steve Ballmer!

Filed under: Announcements

The Engadget Show, live with Steve Ballmer! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s out! October 22nd is at last upon us, bringing with it Microsoft’s latest generation of Windows, Windows 7. With preview editions released to the public, reviews galore to be found as early as August, and plenty of manufacturers already shipping product, it’s probably not hard to find an opinion on the operating system or to try it out for yourself. Most folks will probably just end up getting a machine with it pre-installed, instead of going through the hassle of an upgrade, but if you want to know if it’s worth the effort of a standalone buy, or even looking to buy a new all-new computer right-just-now to celebrate the OS, check out our helpful guides after the break!

Continue reading Windows 7 launch day: what you need to know

Filed under: Software

Windows 7 launch day: what you need to know originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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By now you know that Microsoft’s on-line store is selling PCs and third party software. Well, Microsoft is also waving the flag over Scottsdale, AZ today as it swings the doors wide on its new line of brick-and-mortar retail stores. Fans lined up overnight and stood for hours in a twisted line that should have Apple fans nodding in a tacit understanding. Come on, you may have different tastes in OSes but you should be willing to fight to the death for the right to choose ‘em. Check the queue after the break as well as the grand opening countdown from 7, naturally, and a first walk around the store. Pics just beyond the read link down there.

P.S. The first four campers each received a free Zune HD from Microsoft. Nice.

Continue reading Microsoft Store opens to Scottsdale campers (video)

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Microsoft Store opens to Scottsdale campers (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Japan may be home to the Windows 7 Whopper, and the US has the less edible contents of the very first Microsoft Store, but it looks like Paris may be the real place to be for out and about Windows fans, as it can now claim the only Windows Cafe in the world as its own alongside all those other little tourist attractions you might be interested in. Better still, it looks like the cafe serves up at least as many types of drinks as Windows editions, and there’s some WiFi available for those looking for a place to loiter around. Hit up the link below for a peek inside courtesy of Le Journal du Geek.

[Thanks, Anh]

Filed under: Desktops, Misc. Gadgets, Laptops, Software

Microsoft’s Windows Cafe opens its doors in Paris originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Were you able to successfully hold off buying a new computer until Windows 7 launched? Really? That’s great, because starting today there’s been a torrential downpour of new hardware unleashed alongside Microsoft’s new flagship OS. Need a quick refresher on what’s now out there? We’re glad you came to us; do sit down and enjoy yourself, just after the break.

Continue reading Windows 7 launch day hardware spectacular

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Windows 7 launch day hardware spectacular originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’ll just come out and say it: we’re totally underwhelmed by the new plastic MacBook. Hell, we were underwhelmed by the old plastic MacBook back in June, when we reviewed the refreshed unibody MacBook Pros — we said we were “honestly left wondering” why the $999 plastic model continued to exist when the $1,199 13-inch Pro was obviously superior. So when we heard the first whispers that Apple was working on a total overhaul of its low-end MacBook, we naturally assumed that it would either gain in features or drop in price — but neither one of those things happened. The new plastic MacBook remains priced at $999 in its only configuration, and while it’s been updated with the same unibody construction as the Pros, it’s also lost some features along the way. So… what’s going on here? Did Apple just blow a huge opportunity to totally re-think its low-end formula, or is there more to the MacBook than the spec sheets and price tags say? Read on to find out.

Continue reading Unibody MacBook (late 2009) review

Filed under: Laptops

Unibody MacBook (late 2009) review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading New Win 7 ads highlight the bright ideas of ‘regular people’ (video)

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

New Win 7 ads highlight the bright ideas of ‘regular people’ (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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