Engadget

ViewSonic VPD500 and VPD400 media players handled on video

Nilay Patel — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:14:00 EST

Although we saw glimpses of ViewSonic's VPD400 and VPD500 media players back in July, the no-longer-just-a-monitor company is officially pushing 'em out the door now. NetbookNews was kind enough to do a quick unboxing and hands-on for us, and although they both seem nice enough, we can't help but wonder who's in the market for a chunky dedicated PMP like these anymore -- and hey, seeing as ViewSonic's totally ripped Sony's XMB interface, you might as well save a few more bucks and get the real thing plus games by picking up a PSP here, you know? Video after the break.

Continue reading ViewSonic VPD500 and VPD400 media players handled on video

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

ViewSonic VPD500 and VPD400 media players handled on video originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Samsung R0 not-so-boldly goes where most PMPs have gone before it

Ross Miller — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:11:00 EST

Samsung's certainly got the portable media player design down to a cold, cold science. There isn't much in the way of artistic license here, so let's get on with the specs, shall we? 2.6-inch TFT LCD, microSD slot, FM radio, second-language acquisition programs, text / photo viewer, and video codec support including DivX, XviD, and H.264. Your color choices, with the appropriately inappropriate adjectives, are Indie Black, Techno Silver, and Rap Pink. Korean-only, this little guy will line shelves at KRW139,000 (US $120) with 4GB internal memory, and KRW179,000 (US $155) for 8GB.

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Samsung R0 not-so-boldly goes where most PMPs have gone before it originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ainol's V9000HDX 'Megatron' PMP looks lovely, does 1080p, freezes its enemies in blocks of ice

Tim Stevens — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:06:00 EST

Ainol's V6000 series had great specs, but sadly rocked a GPS-worthy aesthetic. The V8000 players went for something a little more stylish, but also a lot more vanilla. Now we're up to the V9000 series and we finally have a look that's sophisticated and distinctive -- and a little creepy with that "please help I'm frozen over here" wallpaper. It's displayed on a 4.8-inch, 800 x 480 capacitive touchscreen, though the device is capable of rendering 1080p video out its HDMI port for display onto something a little bigger. The UI seems a little busy but very functional, and with 16GB of storage, an FM tuner, and a 2450mAh battery it should keep you entertained even on the longest of commutes. Price and availability here in the States was not mentioned, but you weren't really expecting it would be, were ya?

Update: We got a comment from voodoo indicating that this is now believed to be a fake. While we're not entirely sure who to believe at this point with conflicting information on a variety of forums, given that Ainol has still not posted any confirmation of this device on its site it's not looking particularly good. If it is a fake we're hoping the company pulls out all the stops to identify the perpetrators -- and then hires them.

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Ainol's V9000HDX 'Megatron' PMP looks lovely, does 1080p, freezes its enemies in blocks of ice originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hardware battle looms for theoretical successors to Nintendo DS and Sony PSP

Tim Stevens — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:58:00 EST

It's a sorry state of affairs when a media player like the Zune HD has more polygon-pushing power than the latest handheld videogame consoles on the market. If rumors are to be believed, Nintendo and Sony will set things straight with their next-generation portables -- at least for a little while. We've already heard that the successor to Nintendo's DS will have Tegra power, but the current speculation is that it'll be a Tegra 2 chip, promising twice the power of the current iteration. On the Sony side the PSP2 is apparently shaping up to use an offspring of the IMG PowerVR graphics found on the iPhone, said to be theoretically superior to what the DS2 will be able to achieve but costing more, being more difficult to develop for, and not shipping until sometime in 2011 -- potentially a year later than the DS2. In other words it's standard operating procedure if these rumors are to be believed, but even if there aren't any surprises in this showdown we'll be there in the front row with popcorn to watch the bloodshed.

Filed under: Gaming, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Hardware battle looms for theoretical successors to Nintendo DS and Sony PSP originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

RAmos W7 spotted blazing through Android

Paul Miller — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:42:00 EST

As much fun as it is seeing the RAmos W7 in the wild, all legit and everything, what's more exciting is seeing that Android-specific 600MHz Rockchip CPU in action again. This time it appears to be handling some pretty snappy web browsing to some fairly hefty pages, and then diving into what looks to be Flash video in an externalized, overlain player of some kind. The Android Archos 5 does a similar thing for media playback, but it's not plugged into the browser like this, and we really haven't seen many devices attain these sorts of browser speeds at this resolution. Sure, there's still plenty more OS to see, but it's good to see both of these products making a bit of good on their promises. Check out the video after the break.

Continue reading RAmos W7 spotted blazing through Android

Filed under: Handhelds, Portable Video

RAmos W7 spotted blazing through Android originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hallods F43 MP4 player packs a 4.3-inch 720p screen, outed in Japan

Richard Lai — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:10:00 EST

Looks like the wait for a real HD PMP is finally over: Hallods of Japan has just released their F43 MP4 player featuring a 4.3-inch 1280x720 screen, easily beating other sub-5-inch, 480p screens found on big names like the Archos 5 and Viewsonic's VPD400. Under that sharp screen is 8GB of internal storage and a hot-swappable microSD slot, along with a battery life of about four hours and ten hours for video and music, respectively. Like many PMPs out there the F43 supports videos encoded in MPEG4, FLV, RMVB and DivX-WVGA. Sure, there's the ironic lack of HDMI output, but for ¥16,800 ($188) this is still a pretty good deal. Let's just hope Hallods will send them over to the US soon.

Filed under: Handhelds, Portable Video

Hallods F43 MP4 player packs a 4.3-inch 720p screen, outed in Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

YouTube begins streaming 1080p insecurities next week (update: 1080p video!)

Thomas Ricker — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:14:00 EST

Ready to have your imperfect complexions scrutinized by every anonymous coward on the Internet? You'd better 'cause YouTube has announced the move from 720p to 1080p video streaming to make use of those cheap, Full HD camcorders flooding the market. Now puff up that keyboard courage -- the ruthless bashing of your peers is set to begin next week.

Update: 1080p sample video posted after the break.

Continue reading YouTube begins streaming 1080p insecurities next week (update: 1080p video!)

Filed under: Portable Video

YouTube begins streaming 1080p insecurities next week (update: 1080p video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Japanese company Greenhouse launches camcorder for women

Laura June — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:41:00 EST

Hmm... we'll pass.

Filed under: Portable Video

Japanese company Greenhouse launches camcorder for women originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Eneloop Stick Booster supplies emergency power to your portable devices

Joseph L. Flatley — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:23:00 EST

Any time a company both enables our gadget addiction and discourages wanton battery consumption we have to consider it a good thing -- and, indeed, Sanyo's wicked-rechargeable Eneloop batteries already have quite a few fans here at Engadget HQ. But what's a busy gadget hound to do on the go, you ask? Try this one on for size: the Eneloop Stick Booster ships with two AAs and can be used to charge them, via any USB source. From that point the device can be used to power your PMP for roughly 90 minutes. How great is that? To be released in Japan on December 1 for an unspecified price, and worldwide whenever the company sees fit. PR after the break.

Gallery: Eneloop Stick Booster

Continue reading Eneloop Stick Booster supplies emergency power to your portable devices

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Eneloop Stick Booster supplies emergency power to your portable devices originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Zune HD 3D games video hands-on

Nilay Patel — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:58:00 EST

It took us a tick to get our Zune HD loaded up with those new 3D games that were released this morning, but we thought you might want to check out a quick hands-on. That Tegra chip is no joke -- the graphics in PGR: Ferrari Edition are easily on par with the PSP and quite possibly better, with intricate textures, high-quality reflections, and smooth framerates. The other games aren't nearly as intense, but they're just as smooth. Best of all? They're free -- although you will have to look at a Zune ad while they load. Not the worst tradeoff in the world, but we'd love to see what paid app developers could do if Microsoft would open this beast up. Check the video after the break.

Continue reading Zune HD 3D games video hands-on

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Zune HD 3D games video hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Blockbuster kiosks to offer movies on SD cards, you some candy as you checkout

Darren Murph — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:44:00 EST

Blockbuster's been trying all sorts of, um, innovative things to get more foot traffic in its stores, but thanks to a dastardly invention known only as "Netflix," that very task has proven exceptionally difficult. Now, it seems the flagging movie rental company is giving one more far-flung idea a whirl: movies on SD cards. Around six Blockbuster and Hollywood Video stores will soon begin offering titles on SD cards, though the included DRM only allows customers 30 days from the purchase date to view it, and once it's fired up, you've just 48 hours before it vanishes completely. Each rental will cost $1.99, and while we definitely see the benefit of renting something that you don't have to return, we're still skeptical that folks will be more willing to make even one trek for a card when Netflix brings it all to one's mailbox (and PC, etc.) for just $8.99 per month.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Video

Blockbuster kiosks to offer movies on SD cards, you some candy as you checkout originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Viewsonic officially launches VPD400 MovieBook media player

Donald Melanson — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:59:00 EST

Viewsonic was showing this one off way back in July alongside a slew of other gear, but it's just now gotten fully official with its VPD400 MovieBook media player, which is apparently available right away for $129.99. That will get you a 4.3-inch 800 x 480 display, 8GB of internal memory, a micro SD card slot for more, an AV out port for some bigger screen viewing (not HDMI, it seems), and a promised 12 hours of battery life for audio and six for video -- not to mention your choice of black, pink or white color options. Not too shabby, just don't go expecting anything fancy like WiFI or a touchscreen.

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Viewsonic officially launches VPD400 MovieBook media player originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Creative's ZEN X-Fi2 touchscreen PMP now on sale

Darren Murph — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:37:00 EST

Candidly speaking, we can't honestly envision too many of you fine folks running out and purchasing one of Creative's new ZEN X-Fi2 portable media players given the availability of such robust alternatives. That said, we'd be remiss of our duties if we didn't point out that the PMP which shocked us at IFA is now on sale directly from Creative. $129.99 buys you an 8GB model, while $179.99 nets you 16GB and $229.99 provides 32GB. We know -- that 3-inch LCD and integrated FM tuner look good from afar, but remember kids, it's all about the UI.

[Thanks, Tyler]

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Creative's ZEN X-Fi2 touchscreen PMP now on sale originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Zune HD v4.3 firmware out now: fixes playcount bug, adds lots of great things (video)

Darren Murph — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:22:00 EST

Who says Microsoft ain't lookin' out for those who selected its Zune HD over something Designed In Cupertino? Just days after countless owners went berserk over a playcount syncing issue, Microsoft has released a new firmware update that not only solves that very quandary but also adds a gaggle of fantastic new and / or improved features. The v4.3 update is available now by selecting "Player Update" from within the device itself, and with it will come "support for upcoming 3d games and applications, as well as an auto-suggest feature for better text input, and other minor improvements." We're hearing that those "minor improvements" include a snappier browser, so it's pretty safe to say you're only harming yourself if you don't get this download going right now. (Psst... there's a vid of the new software running after the break.)

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Zune HD v4.3 firmware out now: fixes playcount bug, adds lots of great things (video)

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Zune HD v4.3 firmware out now: fixes playcount bug, adds lots of great things (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

MOTO releases AMP MID, the OLED Android 2.0 handheld you didn't even know existed

Tim Stevens — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:18:00 EST

Remember those BASF commercials, the: "We make a lot of the products you buy better" ones? That's kind of the story at MOTO Development Group. We've seen the company working on e-ink internals, also having a hand in the creation of the Zune 2.0 and the Livescribe Pulse. MOTO's going it alone for its latest product, though, a MID reference design called the Android Media Platform (AMP) that runs Android 2.0 and is available now to developers. Yes, the DROID isn't the only 2.0 player releasing today. AMP will ultimately be available in three sizes: 10-, 5-, and 3.5-inches; the mid-sized model is the one shipping now. That touchscreen can be OLED or LCD, oomph is provided by a Texas Instruments OMAP3430 CPU, accelerometers and GPS are integrated as is 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth, and optional 3G wireless, all powered by a 3,000mAh battery. There's no word on price, but we're guessing that's somewhat negotiable depending on your intended application and, naturally, the volume, volume, volume of your order.

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video, Tablet PCs, Wireless

MOTO releases AMP MID, the OLED Android 2.0 handheld you didn't even know existed originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

DIY sewable iPod remote takes just ten minutes, will absolutely warm your heart

Darren Murph — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:52:00 EST

Okay, so we fully anticipate that creating the downright adorable object you see above will take far longer than ten minutes if you a) don't have a stash of circuits and fabrics laying around and / or b) you've never done anything like this before, but for seasoned DIYers, this is about as easy as it gets. The "10-minute sewable iPod remote" can actually be any character or design you feel like making, as the crux of this project relies on the circuit chip that is actually fitted inside the dock connector. From there, you just connect a few strands of conductive fabric, attach your kitty cat (or dragon, as the case may be) and begin to enjoy your homegrown iPod remote. Hit the read link for the full how-to, but only if you're immune to cuteoverloaditus.

Filed under: Peripherals, Portable Audio, Portable Video

DIY sewable iPod remote takes just ten minutes, will absolutely warm your heart originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

ST-Ericsson's U8500 platform gives your next smartphone wicked 3D powers

Darren Murph — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:13:00 EST

It's one thing for ARM to develop a potent GPU meant to add impressive 3D capabilities to devices that were previously forced to run the likes of "Snake," but it's another thing entirely to see a platform and semiconductor company come forward and take it one step closer to the mainstream. ST-Ericsson has done just that with its U8500 platform, which is the first to integrate ARM's Mali-400 graphics processing unit into a solution that can be easily fitted into future phones. Think your iPhone 3GS GPU is mighty enough? Hop on past the break and mash play -- it'll make those fancy water reflections you're currently drooling over look downright ugly.

[Thanks Chris]

Continue reading ST-Ericsson's U8500 platform gives your next smartphone wicked 3D powers

Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Video

ST-Ericsson's U8500 platform gives your next smartphone wicked 3D powers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cowon iAudio 9 and iAudio E2 media players make the scene stateside

Joseph L. Flatley — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:37:00 EST

Cowon-heads of the world, you are in for a treat today. It looks like not one but two of the company's snack-sized media players are finally hitting the big time. First off, the iAudio 9 PMP is due to hit the states within a week. Available in 8GB and 16GB denominations, for some reason the domestic version will be available only in black. Aside from supporting the usual compliment of media files (MP3, FLAC, Ogg, WAV, APE, WME, XviD, and WMV videos) this guy sports composite video out. Get your hands on the 8GB version for $129, or go wild with 16GB for $169. If video isn't your bag, the enigmatic iAudio E2 (all 2.5-inches of it) is also available. Sporting a bevy of EQ presets, 4GB of storage and a not entirely terrible 11.5 hours of battery life, this is the keychain you've always wanted -- but never wanted to pay $65 for. Additional glamor shots after the break.

Continue reading Cowon iAudio 9 and iAudio E2 media players make the scene stateside

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Cowon iAudio 9 and iAudio E2 media players make the scene stateside originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

RAmos gives its T10 PMP the RK treatment, supports video formats galore

Tim Stevens — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:18:00 EST

Good 'ol RAmos, producers of a series of lovely PMPs and MIDs that captivates the eye and, like a chaste romance, will never submit to your touch -- unless you live in Asia or happen to know a guy. The latest is the T10RK, a slight upgrade to the earlier T10, sharing the same simple form and seemingly lovely 4.3-inch, 800 x 480 screen as the earlier model, but now sporting the RK2806 chipset found in the T11RK, allowing for decoding of more video codecs than you'll know what to do with. No mention of price or availability yet, but such questions matter not in love.

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

RAmos gives its T10 PMP the RK treatment, supports video formats galore originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

South Korean taxi drivers win right to watch TV in cabs, for now

Donald Melanson — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:44:00 EST

You know, we've made plenty of jokes about the DMB mobile TV functionality found in seemingly every GPS unit released in South Korea, but it looks like taxi drivers in the country take their distractions seriously -- serious enough to go to court. That issue apparently came to a head recently when one cab driver challenged a $500 fine he received for watching TV while on the job, which had apparently become a relatively common means to beat boredom during traffic jams but was banned last year by a local regulation in the city of Seoul. While the court obviously didn't go so far as to condone the practice (watching TV while driving was apparently a factor in upwards of 200 accidents in the country last year), it did rule that the regulation in Seoul was illegal because it was based on a 1961 law that's been superseded. Cabbies shouldn't get too comfortable with their in-car rigs just yet, however, as we have a sneaking suspicion this won't be the final word on the matter.

[Thanks, Badison]

Filed under: Portable Video, Transportation

South Korean taxi drivers win right to watch TV in cabs, for now originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

AT&T CruiseCast satellite service halts activations, will refund customers

Donald Melanson — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:51:00 EST

It wasn't too hard to see this one coming after reports of "financial difficulties" and a potential early demise starting cropping up last month, but it looks like AT&T's CruiseCast in-car satellite service is now officially done for. According to RaySat COO Mike Grannan (AT&T's partner in the service), all new activations have now ceased, and existing customers will soon apparently be able to get a refund for the cost of installation, de-installation, equipment and service. For those keeping track, the service just launched in June of this year and, while no installed base numbers seem to be available, it doesn't appear to have caused much more than a blip on the radar, with it hindered in part by a hefty $1,300 up-front cost.

Filed under: Portable Video, Transportation

AT&T CruiseCast satellite service halts activations, will refund customers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sony's PSPgo sells 28,000 units on first day in Japan, physical media points and laughs

Tim Stevens — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:48:00 EST

Remember the "platform sales boost" that Sony was tauting after the PSPgo's release in the US? The question on everyone's minds was of course how much of that boost was buoyed by the new kid on the block, and while Sony still hasn't given us any domestic figures (nor will it ever, probably), we now know that the thing sold 28,000 units on its first day of availability on its home turf in Japan. That's certainly better than the measly 1,000 units moved in Australia over the same period, but hardly encouraging when you look at its predecessors. According to Media Create the original PSP sold 171,963 units in a day in Japan. The PSP-2000? 130,000. UMD may be hated by everyone, but it seems to still have legs.

Filed under: Gaming, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Sony's PSPgo sells 28,000 units on first day in Japan, physical media points and laughs originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Creative Zii EGG Android build demoed on video

Nilay Patel — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:52:00 EST

We're still not entirely sure what Creative has planned for the Zii, but things appear to be going according to plan: as promised, an Android 1.6 installer for the Zii EGG developer unit was released today. Things are still pretty rough, however -- the camera doesn't work, and leftover bits of phone code like the signal strength icon are still present. We're guessing that means we're still ages away from seeing anything resembling a consumer device come out of all this, but let's hope this is the first step towards a whole slew of kickin' Android-powered KIRF devices. Video after the break.

[Thanks, Yuki]

Continue reading Creative Zii EGG Android build demoed on video

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Creative Zii EGG Android build demoed on video originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Apple pitching $30 a month TV service for iTunes to the networks?

Paul Miller — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:32:00 EST

According to Peter Kafka over at AllThingsD, he's had "multiple sources" tell him that Apple is shopping around a subscription service to TV networks that would give iTunes users a catch-all subscription for $30 a month. As far as he's heard, nobody's jumped on board just yet, and of course networks have to work out their typical fears of such a service cutting into ratings and biting into cable revenue. However, at least one unnamed executive briefed on the plan says "I think they might get it right this time," and with Disney's cozy relationship with Apple there's reason believe they'd be the first to sign up. Unfortunately, for people scrounging for a new evidence of an Apple tablet or something useful for their oft-dormant Apple TV to do, there's no word on what role devices have to play in this deal, but we have to believe that Apple would be working to push the content to the rest of its iTunes-based ecosystem, whatever that might encompass if and when the service launches early next year as Apple has proposed.

Filed under: Portable Video

Apple pitching $30 a month TV service for iTunes to the networks? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Creative working on Zii-based MediaBook with color touchscreen, e-book slant

Paul Miller — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 02:50:00 EST

What's an e-book without the e-ink? So very much, according to Creative, who just dropped word of an upcoming "MediaBook" device (which will undoubtedly look nothing like this mockup above). It sounds a bit more like a PMP to us, with "video, pictures, text and services," and a "media-rich experience" on the table, but Creative is also apparently working with publishers for content, with an obvious emphasis in Singapore sources, where Creative already does e-learning work. There's no word of what it'll look like, but it'll be a large touchscreen of some sort, so it sounds like we've got another slate on our hand. Any differentiation might come from having Zii under the hood and Creative's own particular approach to content for this device, but there's not really enough to get excited about at this point.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Creative working on Zii-based MediaBook with color touchscreen, e-book slant originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 02:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

iLuv ships weather-watching iMM183 dual dock iPod / iPhone alarm clock

Darren Murph — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:35:00 EST

It belts out severe weather alerts as storms are barreling towards your domicile. It acts as a decent bedroom stereo. And it wakes you and the SO up to your own favorite jams -- all while charging your iPod or iPhone throughout the night. If those amenities sound like must-haves in your own life, you might be interested in knowing that iLuv's iMM183 dual dock alarm clock is now shipping, nearly a full year after being originally announced at CES. The pain? $149.99 -- but hey, that's a small price to pay to keep your dear media player / handset out of a tornado's eye, right?

Gallery: iLuv ships weather-watching iMM183 dual dock iPod / iPhone alarm clock

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio, Portable Video

iLuv ships weather-watching iMM183 dual dock iPod / iPhone alarm clock originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

MTube Android MID streams media to the TV and back via touchscreen (video)

Joseph L. Flatley — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:56:00 EST

MTube, known most famously in these parts for its diminutive, WiMAX-sportin' media player, seems to be putting some time and effort into Android as of late. While the MTube II hybrid Android / XP / tablet / netbook has certainly inspired its share of techno-lust, the Android MID hits us where it counts: in front of the television. The unholy union of a handheld and a multimedia controller, this guy lets you drag and drop video from the device to your TV, stream media to the TV or vice versa, and transfer files between multiple MTubes -- all this in addition to the core functionality of the OS. Details are still scant: although we know it's rocking an ARM Processor, a 7.6-inch 800 x 480 capacitive touchscreen OLED, and Android 1.6, there's no word on storage or memory, or even how the video is streamed (we think that WiFi might be a good guess). As it stands, the thing is most certainly not ready for prime time (as becomes painfully obvious when the system crashes at 1 minute 45 seconds), but as a taste of things to come we're definitely intrigued. Peep the video after the break to see for yourself.

Continue reading MTube Android MID streams media to the TV and back via touchscreen (video)

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Video

MTube Android MID streams media to the TV and back via touchscreen (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Zune HD stops syncing playcounts with nary a firmware fix in sight

Joseph L. Flatley — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:06:00 EST

This isn't exactly the same magnitude as last year's Z2K scare, but it's still an all-around bummer for all you Zune nuts. According to a spate of complaints posted to the Zune.net forums as of late, certain Zune HD units are not syncing their playcounts properly with the user's PC and Zune Social accounts. To be a little more specific, it seems that if you let a song play through on the device it will not be counted as played -- but if you skip to another tune before it has a chance to complete (but after 20 seconds or so), the play will be counted. A real pain, right? Of course, this is not only bad news for obsessive list keepers, but for Zune Social fans as well: if your listening habits aren't being properly tabulated, how are you supposed to make new friends and discover new music? Certainly not by going to noisy rock clubs and talking to people! Apparently a Microsoft Zune support team member has acknowledged the issue, but the company has made no statement relating to the bug -- or possible firmware fix -- as of yet. We'll keep you posted.

[Thanks, Jon]

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Zune HD stops syncing playcounts with nary a firmware fix in sight originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Fully-functional iPhone 3GS costume is expensive, bulky, and better than your Halloween idea

Ross Miller — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:22:00 EST

What could possibly convince you that strapping a 42-inch LCD TV to your body is a great idea? We don't know, but somewhere between concept and the $2,000 total expenditures -- with "no regrets," mind you -- Reko Rivera and John Savio, with the help of John Matthews, outfitted themselves with the displays used to project images from their iPhone 3GS. Unfortunately, the large screens themselves aren't touch screens, but we probably can't be that picky. Their reward? First prizes at costume parties and minor internet celebrity, which we're happy to oblige. Video after the break.

[Via TUAW]

Continue reading Fully-functional iPhone 3GS costume is expensive, bulky, and better than your Halloween idea

Filed under: Cellphones, HDTV, Portable Video

Fully-functional iPhone 3GS costume is expensive, bulky, and better than your Halloween idea originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Vuzix Wrap 310 video eyewear ships out to virtual big-screen lovers

Darren Murph — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:01:00 EST

Vuzix's $249.95 Wrap 310 is probably the least hideous / heinous of the video eyewear options on the market today, and while it's still take a few bottles of Jack to get us to rock these with a smile, those who are just high on life can now make a set their own. In case you're forgotten, these things provide a virtual 55-inch screen in front of your eyes, and there's support for iPod / iPhone connections as well as basic sources such as DVD players and the like. And hey, there's also the possibility that these could be used in augmented reality applications in the future, so feel free to considering this some sort of futuristic investment. Just like those Y2K preparedness tapes you bought in '99.

Continue reading Vuzix Wrap 310 video eyewear ships out to virtual big-screen lovers

Filed under: Displays, Portable Audio, Portable Video, Wearables

Vuzix Wrap 310 video eyewear ships out to virtual big-screen lovers originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

SmartQ V5 MID strives to be relevant, may succeed on some level

Darren Murph — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:48:00 EST

Not to be confused with the SmartQ 5 (how could you ever, right?), the SmartQ V5 MID is essentially a V7 with a less spacious screen. Within, you'll find a 600MHz ARM11 processor, 256MB of DDR2 memory, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, 2GB of internal storage and an SD expansion slot. There's also USB 2.0 connectivity, an HDMI output good for shooting out material at up to 1080p, a 3.5 millimeter headphone jack and a 4.3-inch touchscreen (800 x 480). You'll also find a format support list longer than your latest cellphone bill, though both a price and release date have remained elusive thus far. Here's hoping it's cheap enough to matter.

[Via PMP Today]

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

SmartQ V5 MID strives to be relevant, may succeed on some level originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Disney Keychest to make buy-once view-anywhere movies a reality with Apple's help?

Thomas Ricker — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:38:00 EST

You know who's missing from the Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem (or DECE) consortium? A group bent on redefining the way we buy, access, and play digital content with a membership roster that includes Best Buy, Cisco, Comcast, Fox, HP, Intel, Lions Gate, Microsoft, NBC Universal, Paramount Pictures, Philips, Sony, Toshiba, VeriSign, and Warner Bros? Right, Apple and Disney, the latter landing a lengthy piece in the Wall Street Journal describing Disney's own distributed content ownership scheme that goes by the code-name, "Keychest;" a DRM solution that instantly provides access to content on any participating service (digital download store, mobile-phone provider, or on-demand cable for example) when a purchase is made. Keychest does this though a system of unique keys that are issued when a movie is purchased. The keys are then stored in a central repository (aka, chest) that participants would query. In this scenario, the movies would reside with each delivery company on their respective systems -- movies would not be downloaded. On the bright side, if a content provider went out of business you would still have access to your films elsewhere. The proposed solution would work with Blu-ray disc purchases too, since BD players are internet-enabled by design -- DVD keys would have to be manually typed in by the user. So in effect, you'd now be paying once for ownership rights to the film, not to the physical media. If it sounds similar to DECE it is, but Disney claims that its approach is more streamlined and you know, better.

Disney has been quietly courting other movie studios with Keychest and intends to go public with its technology next month. Of course, with Steve Jobs listed as Disney's largest stockholder and the rumored Apple tablet being a media-redefining device that will single-handedly save newspapers while ridding the world of hunger and ignorance, well, you can see where the speculation is headed.

[Thanks, Demopublican]

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Video

Disney Keychest to make buy-once view-anywhere movies a reality with Apple's help? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Solid Alliance's new earbuds are 'crazy,' ugly

Joseph L. Flatley — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:36:00 EST

So, you broke the bank (and several credit cards) picking up that uber-stylish Acronym GT-J14 earbud-friendly jacket only to find that no one even noticed? Or perhaps your Lady GaGa-approved beats couldn't endure the Paris Is Burning-style bad craziness you put 'em through? Well, it looks like it's time to sell a pint of plasma and use the cash for some psychedelic (and highly unfortunate) Crazy Earphones from Solid Alliance. Featuring a banana, a kitty paw print, sushi, or a Frankenstein's monster-esque bolt affectation, we promise you that a pair of these will get you noticed. But not in the good way. Pre-order now for $22, shipping in December.

Gallery: Solid Alliance's new earbuds are 'crazy,' ugly

[Via Akihabara]

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Solid Alliance's new earbuds are 'crazy,' ugly originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

ARM shows off its Mali mobile processors with impressive 3D demos, also bowling (video)

Tim Stevens — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:57:00 EST

It's been a long time since ARM last bragged about its Mali line of high-end mobile processors, telling us back in March how the 200 and 400 models were going to bring high-def 3D performance to tiny gadgets. Finally we have some videos to go with the hype, two demonstrations showing the phone's admittedly impressive polygon-shuffling tech. The demos feature the lower-end Mali-200 rendering everything at 720p, playing some simple videos and also handling a rather complex 3D contact navigation system that looks both flashy and painful to use. ARM says "play a game of bowling like never before and you'll get hooked by the magic of Mali." Click on through already, and prepare to be hooked.

Continue reading ARM shows off its Mali mobile processors with impressive 3D demos, also bowling (video)

Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Portable Video

ARM shows off its Mali mobile processors with impressive 3D demos, also bowling (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

HiPhone F320: 'a rotary phone and an iPod nano walk into a bar...'

Darren Murph — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:03:00 EST

With a name like HiPhone, it has to be good, right? Totally. The outfit famous for knocking off RIM's BlackBerry Storm in impressive fashion is back, this time with a psychedelic mishmash that could make even the most hardened soul chuckle once or twice. The F320 is -- as you can so clearly see above -- a terribly funny combination of iPod nano and rotary phone, and while we wouldn't trust the specifications for a minute, we're told that it's a dual-band GSM handset with a built-in multimedia player, FM tuner, camera, 2.6-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth. There's no mention of a price (unless you're willing to commit to buying a few hundred), but trust us, it's better that way.

[Via PMP Today]

Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Audio, Portable Video

HiPhone F320: 'a rotary phone and an iPod nano walk into a bar...' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Newsmy A11HD portable media player tries hard to be special

Darren Murph — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:11:00 EST

Newsmy (or Newman, as it were) may not be a household name here in the States, but it's good for pumping out new portable media players at a decent clip over in the Far East. Thankfully, there's this amazing invention called the "internet," which essentially enables folks all over the world to trade currency for product. For those interested in the ho hum player shown above -- which features a 4.3-inch display (480 x 272), 720p TV output, an absurd list of supported file formats and 16GB of internal storage -- it can be shipped your way for the intriguing price of $129.86. Oh, and did we mention that this thing can play "64 games?" Look out, iPod touch!

[Via PMP Today]

Filed under: Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Newsmy A11HD portable media player tries hard to be special originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

MobileMe media sync detailed in Apple patent application

Joseph L. Flatley — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:26:00 EST

What do you know? It looks like Apple's filed yet another patent application. The company's newest is named (in the short, pithy way that patents are named) Synchronization of Media State Across Multiple Devices. Combining the ubiquity of MobileMe with the media syncing that goes down when you dock your iPod or iPhone, the application suggests that soon you might find all your Engadget Show episodes automagically picking up where you left 'em when you switch devices -- without any lag time or any pesky cables. As Macworld points out, also included in the paperwork is distance tracking functionality -- just the thing for automating sync operations when two devices come within range (it's unclear whether this will be done via Bluetooth or WiFi). Perhaps this news isn't exciting to the couch potatoes among us (you know, because they never leave the couch) but all you TV addicts "on the go" must be psyched.

[Via Macworld]

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Laptops, Portable Audio, Portable Video

MobileMe media sync detailed in Apple patent application originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Samsung develops first chip for US mobile digital TV transmission, provides no release date

Darren Murph — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:33:00 EST

Mmm, nothing like a pinch of predictability to wake us in the morning. Just days after the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) finally announced that a North American mobile DTV standard was struck, Samsung has jumped in with what it's calling the planet's first single chip solution designed to handle those very transmissions. All we're told is that the solution combines RF and "digital chip components" into one 65 nanometer chip, making it ideal for smaller devices such as smartphones, car-mounted televisions and portable media players. Of course, Sammy doesn't even bother to mention a mass production date, so we're guessing we all just rise awkwardly and start a roaring slow clap to celebrate the accomplishment.

Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Video, Wireless

Samsung develops first chip for US mobile digital TV transmission, provides no release date originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gemei's 4.3-inch HD8800 PMP does 1080p out, other cool things for $122

Darren Murph — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 03:57:00 EST

It's been a hot minute since we've seen a compelling new media player from the labs of Gemei, but the HD8800 ain't half bad. Offering up a 4.3-inch display with an 800 x 480 resolution, this touchscreen-based PMP packs 8GB of internal memory, a battery good for five hours of movie playback (or ten hours with audio), USB 2.0 connectivity, 3.5 millimeter headphone jack and support for more formats than you'll ever use. Oh, and then there's that handy video out feature, which can supposedly shoot out content at up to 1080p via HDMI. It's yours right now for a buck-twenty-two, but only heaven knows if that "JESSICA" wallpaper is changeable.

[Via PMP Today]

Filed under: Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Gemei's 4.3-inch HD8800 PMP does 1080p out, other cool things for $122 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Oct 2009 03:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

US Mobile DTV standard finally approved

Nilay Patel — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:33:00 EST

Well freaking finally. The Advanced Television System Committee just approved the Mobile DTV standard, meaning we're finally about to see for-real mobile television in the US. LG and Samsung have already made gear for the new standard, and the tech will be demoed later today before a rollout... sometime. Still, it's heartening news to hear that it's finally ready -- over 800 stations are signed up to broadcast the new signal, which makes use of existing 6MHz airwaves to do everything from straight TV to video-on-demand and targeted advertising. Cool, so now we're what, just a billion years behind DVB adoption?

Filed under: Portable Video, Wireless

US Mobile DTV standard finally approved originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments