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Sony makes it pretty clear: no PS3 price drops this holiday season

Filed under: Gaming

There's no doubt that Microsoft's Xbox 360 will have the price advantage this holiday season, and if you were hoping to see a bona fide price cut following Sony's introduction of the $399.99 80GB PlayStation 3, you'll probably be waiting 'til late 2009. Speaking at the Gamer 3.0 conference in London this week, Sony's own Ray Maguire was quoted as saying that the pressure for a price drop from consumers was always there, but given that it "has a business to run" and shareholders to please, it probably won't be decreasing the PS3's price before the end of 2008. He also stated that "at the moment, there's a market place for the PS3," and that "the price of the console [won't] be an issue at all." In all honesty, he's probably right -- after all, this will be the first holiday season where Blu-ray isn't competing with some other physical HD format, and c'mon, you know you'll pay a premium to dabble in Life with PlayStation.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

Sony makes it pretty clear: no PS3 price drops this holiday season originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 04:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola expected to cut more jobs as it simplifies around Android

Filed under: Cellphones

Ugh, it looks like Thursday is shaping up to be another sad Moto day. The Wall Street Journal is reporting this morning that Sanjay Jha, former Qualcomm exec and Motorola co-CEO tasked with resurrecting Motorola's mobile-devices division, is about to slash jobs in an effort to bring costs and production under control. Though obviously unwelcome news, it likely won't come as a surprise to employees since Jha reportedly told them that Motorola has two to three times as many employees working on individual projects compared to its competitors. Cuts will likely number in the "thousands," according to the WSJ's sources, and could come as early as Thursday when Motorola announces earnings... or more likely, lack thereof. Motorola has already shed 10,000 jobs since the start of 2007. In addition to job cuts, Jha plans to "scrap dozens of phone designs" while scaling back its mobile-OS inventory from more than a half-dozen to just three: Android for multi-media and Internet showcase phones, Windows Mobile for ho-hum business devices, and its own P2K for low-end phones. Moto will likely outsource at least some of its WinMo phone production as well. As to his motivation: $100 million and 3 percent stock if Mr. Jha manages to spin-out the mobile devices division into an independent company by late 2010. $30 million if he fails. Win-win, eh Sanjay?

Motorola expected to cut more jobs as it simplifies around Android originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 03:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola expected to cut more jobs as it simplifies around Android

Filed under: Motorola

Ugh, it looks like Thursday is shaping up to be another sad Moto day. The Wall Street Journal is reporting this morning that Sanjay Jha, former Qualcomm exec and Motorola co-CEO tasked with resurrecting Motorola's mobile-devices division, is about to slash jobs in an effort to bring costs and production under control. Though obviously unwelcome news, it likely won't come as a surprise to employees since Jha reportedly told them that Motorola has two to three times as many employees working on individual projects compared to its competitors. Cuts will likely number in the "thousands," according to the WSJ's sources, and could come as early as Thursday when Motorola announces earnings... or more likely, lack thereof. Motorola has already shed 10,000 jobs since the start of 2007. In addition to job cuts, Jha plans to "scrap dozens of phone designs" while scaling back its mobile-OS inventory from more than a half-dozen to just three: Android for multi-media and Internet showcase phones, Windows Mobile for ho-hum business devices, and its own P2K for low-end phones. Moto will likely outsource at least some of its WinMo phone production as well. As to his motivation: $100 million and 3 percent stock if Mr. Jha manages to spin-out the mobile devices division into an independent company by late 2010. $30 million if he fails. Win-win, eh Sanjay?

Motorola expected to cut more jobs as it simplifies around Android originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 03:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thanko Heating Cooling Keyboard Is Ready For Any Weather [Thanko]

Sure, that Thanko cooling fan keyboard was a great addition to your desktop for the summer, but temperatures have gotten chillier now and we're all wondering how to keep our wrists warm. Why, with Thanko's upgraded heating AND cooling keyboard, of course! The wintertime edition has three different warming spots that'll make your hands all toasty. And if things get too hot, switch it back to fan mode to cool your fingers off. This miraculous weather-weathering peripheral is available on the Thanko website for roughly $50. [Thanko via Akihabara News]

Thecus debuts N3200 Pro NAS: now with more AMD Geode CPU

Filed under: Storage, Networking

Thecus Technology has retooled the N3200 and come up with the aptly named N3200 Pro -- a brand new NAS now featuring an AMD Geode CPU. The device boasts a veritable cornucopia of features, including three SATA drive bays for up to 3TB of storage, the option of RAID 5 striping, and an LCD display. Photo, iTunes and DLNA-compatible server options as well as browser-based management should assist users with the "digital lifestyle," while a feature called "Web Surveillance Server" allows you to take regularly scheduled photographs just by plugging in a USB webcam... which is interesting in a vaguely creepy way. No word on price or availability but the previous N3200 sells for $339.

Thecus debuts N3200 Pro NAS: now with more AMD Geode CPU originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 02:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WiFi certification: pretty strong evidence Verizon's Omnia is WiFi-equipped

Filed under: Handsets, Samsung, Verizon Wireless, Windows Mobile, EV-DO, CDMA

There's some ongoing debate as to whether Verizon's upcoming version of the Samsung Omnia, the predictably-named SCH-i910, would feature WiFi. In general, Verizon's historically just been about the least WiFi-friendly of the major US carriers, so prevailing logic had us believing (pessimists that we are) that the Omnia would rely on EV-DO alone to go about its high-speed data business, too. Ah, but wait -- there's this little matter of a WiFi Alliance certification proudly proclaiming the i910 as a "Phone, dual-mode (Wi-Fi and cellular)," which would suggest that there's an extra radio up in there somewhere. Of course, Verizon could go ahead and disable that circuitry in software before they drop it on a store shelf, but with that giant heart of gold of theirs, would they really sink so low as to disable it? (Don't answer that.)

[Thanks, Ari]

WiFi certification: pretty strong evidence Verizon's Omnia is WiFi-equipped originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 02:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fake Water Cube Building Spotted in Sichuan, China [Fakes]

We've long known about certain companies in China “borrowing inspiration” from more well known gadget makers, but it looks like architects aren't safe from copycat syndrome either. Check out this spa building in Chongqing, the capital of Sichuan (where the earthquakes happened), which looks a little like it may have been designed by someone with just a little bit of Beijing Olympics mania. Hey, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? [Shanghaiist]

pureSilicon's rugged Renegade SSD touts hardware-based encryption

Filed under: Storage

pureSilicon isn't offering up the first rugged SSD or anything, but its Renegade line is still tough enough to be compliant with MIL-STD-810F (and this guy's) standards. Hailed as the first solid state drive to integrate hardware-based encryption approved by the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS), the device boasts up to 128GB of capacity, a dedicated on-board cryptographic processor, hard-anodized unibody enclosure and the ability to withstand most anything that you could put it through (save for a blender). Select customers have already received samples, but if you're dumbstruck by such a notion, you'll have to wait with the rest of the citizenry and nab yours in Q1 2009.

pureSilicon's rugged Renegade SSD touts hardware-based encryption originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 01:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Robot Wild Animals Are Way More Adorable Than Elmo Live [Toys]

In case you've got a niece or nephew that's hankering for an Elmo Live, but you personally can't stand the strangely frightening little muppet, why not get them animatronic wild animals from Japan that are, in my opinion, much cuter. Made by Bandai Namco, these cuddly robots react to petting and hugging, make cute baby animal sounds and fall asleep, emitting gentle snores, if you ignore them for five minutes. Comes in Lion, Panda, Polar Bear and Snow Leopard flavors for roughly $50 each from Walmart. [Walmart via Impress]

Axiotron Service Reincarnates Old Macbooks As Shiny New Modbook Tablets [Tablet Mac]

If you're a tablet-lover like me, you've probably bemoaned the lack of Apple tablets at some point in time. Though Axiotron's Modbook looked pretty great, the nearly $2500 it costs put it way out of my price range. But the Gods of Technology must've heard my prayers, because Axiotron's now offering a sweet deal to convert one of your existing Macbooks into a tablet. Starting at $1300, the company will take most Core 2 Duos and work their magic, transforming your old lappie into one of the best tablets available today. Now all I need to do is convince someone to give me their last Macbook for free, and I'm set!

Axiotron Launches Modservice, New MacBook-to-Modbook Conversion Service

Innovative service enables customers to transform their existing Apple MacBook into an Axiotron Modbook.

El Segundo, CA (PRWEB) October 28, 2008 — Axiotron® today launched Axiotron Modservice™, a one-of-a-kind service exclusively performed by Axiotron Authorized Service Providers that enables Apple® MacBook® owners to transform their existing computer into an Axiotron Modbook® complete tablet Mac® solution. Order requests for Axiotron Modservice can be placed beginning today at 10 a.m. PDT at http://www.axiotron.com/modservice.

Customers taking advantage of Axiotron Modservice can get a new, full-featured Modbook for as low as $1,299.

The award-winning Modbook's state-of-the-art pen-based digitizer technology gives users drawing and writing functionality along with the ability to manipulate the Mac OS® X operating system environment without a keyboard or mouse. Through Axiotron Modservice, almost any Intel® Core™ 2 Duo-based Apple MacBook computer can be transformed into an Axiotron Modbook.

"Customers have been requesting a program like our Modservice," said Andreas E. Haas, Axiotron's CEO. "There is something intrinsically appealing about the idea of taking your computer and turning it into a new and exciting product like the Modbook."

How to Place an Order Request:
Customers can enter an order request for Axiotron Modservice at http://www.axiotron.com/modservice beginning today at 10 a.m. PDT. No payment is necessary to place an order request. Customers must provide contact information and their Apple MacBook serial number. The website has information to help customers determine if their MacBook is eligible for conversion. Most non-aluminum Intel® Core™ 2 Duo-based MacBooks are eligible.

Order requests are taken on a first come, first served basis. The first Axiotron Modservice conversions will be performed in late November.

How Modservice Works:
In the coming weeks Axiotron will announce an expansion of its U.S. service and support network with the addition of Axiotron Authorized Service Providers who have been trained to be the exclusive providers of Modservice.

Axiotron will forward Modservice order requests to the Axiotron Authorized Service Provider closest to the customer that has openings available to perform the service. This designated service provider will contact customers to verify eligibility of their MacBook, arrange payment and set a service performance date. Customers can also request upgrades to their MacBook base system such as more memory and larger hard drives. Customers with MacBooks running Mac OS X version 10.4 ("Tiger") or earlier will be required to purchase an operating system license for Mac OS X version 10.5 ("Leopard").

Customers are responsible for transporting or shipping their Apple MacBook to their designated service provider, who will provide any necessary shipping instructions. A charge applies for outbound shipping of the completed Modbook if required. Since Axiotron Authorized Service Providers have retail locations, in-store drop-off and pick-up are available.

Every Axiotron Modbook comes with a one-year limited hardware warranty that applies to the Modbook's Axiotron components. Additional warranty options for Modservice will be announced soon.

For more information about Axiotron Modservice and to initiate an order request for the service, customers can visit http://www.axiotron.com/modservice.

About Axiotron:
A high-tech solution hardware manufacturing company and an Apple Premier Developer, Axiotron produces the Modbook, the one and only tablet Mac solution. Following its unique vision of Customizing Your World™, Axiotron is dedicated to becoming a leading high-tech innovator through the conception and development of intriguing digital lifestyle products. In addition, Axiotron offers its product development expertise to companies in need of custom hardware solutions. Founded in January 2005, Axiotron is a publicly traded company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V: AXO) in Toronto, Canada, with headquarters in El Segundo, California.

Axiotron, Modbook, Modservice and Customizing Your World are trademarks or registered trademarks of Axiotron, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. Apple, Mac, Mac OS and MacBook are trademarks or registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. Intel and Intel Core are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

This news release is based on current expectations and contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and the respective actual results may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties about Axiotron's business are more fully discussed in Axiotron's disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada and available at SEDAR. Axiotron assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from such statements.

###

Axiotron Corp.
Mark Perlstein
(310) 426-2674

HP Mini 1000 hands-on

Filed under: Laptops

If our overly fannish announcement post didn't give it away, we're pretty excited about the HP Mini 1000. It has little to do with the specs -- the drop in screen resolution from the 2133 is a little disappointing, plus we would've liked to at least see what one of these netbooks could do with a VIA Nano under the hood -- and everything to do with the fit and finish HP is bringing to this pricepoint ($399), in both hardware and software. Peep our impressions after the break.

Continue reading HP Mini 1000 hands-on

HP Mini 1000 hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Xbox 360 Experience hands-on and impressions

Filed under: Gaming

Thanks to a special blessing from the folks in Redmond, we've had an opportunity to thoroughly give the rejiggered Xbox 360 Dash (AKA, the New Xbox Experience) a serious run through, and we've got the lowdown on the future of your gaming life. As you probably already know from the numerous posts we've done and generally available info (Microsoft has been pretty forthcoming with this stuff), the Xbox team has completely revamped the Dash experience, giving the system not only a visual overhaul, but trashing the underlying tech and rebuilding things from the ground up. The result is a beautiful, intuitive interface which loses almost nothing from previous versions while adding a considerable new feature set to the mix. Read on for our first impressions.

Continue reading New Xbox 360 Experience hands-on and impressions

New Xbox 360 Experience hands-on and impressions originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HP's new Mini 1000 and MIE Linux make netbooks fun again

Filed under: Laptops

We've been struggling to keep awake for the large majority of this year, as netbook after netbook lands in our laps with identical specs, form factors and general shoddiness. No longer. HP is giving the market a shot in the arm with its new "clutch-style" skinny form factors, polished Linux OS and aggressive price points -- even if the specs are about as boring as the Mini-Note 2133. As rumored, HP's new Mini 1000 netbook is ditching VIA and going the Atom route (1.6GHz N270, in case you hadn't guessed). Also new is an option for a 10.2-inch display, though it's a mere 1024 x 600 instead of the 1280 x 768 display on the 2133 -- for a bit cheaper you can get a 1024 x 600 8.9-inch display, but that would just be boring. HP is offering 512MB, 1GB and 2GB RAM configurations, though the XP option limits you to 1GB (thanks, Microsoft). For storage you can score a 60GB 4200 rpm HDD or your choice of a 8GB or 16GB SSD. If you go the SSD route there's also room for a 2, 4 or 8GB "HP Mini Mobile Drive," which is a regular USB drive that inserts all the way into a special slot for added integration. There's also an SD slot, VGA webcam, 802.11b/g, optional Bluetooth, Ethernet and dual USB plugs. Where things get extra interesting is in choice of OS. You can go the standard XP route, or for $20 less you can go for HP's brand new Ubuntu-based Linux "experience," MIE, which reminds us not just a little of HP's TouchSmart interface. The XP version is available today starting at $399, with a 10.2-inch version costing just a little bit more. The Vivienne Tam Edition, which brings a whole lot of style but little substance to the offering, will go for $699 in mid-December, and the MIE version will land in January for a mere $379.

HP's new Mini 1000 and MIE Linux make netbooks fun again originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ardica-Heated Jackets Also Juice Your Gadgets on Long Winter Trips [Clothing]

If you're planning on a long distance ski trip or a mountain climb this winter, check out Ardica's new power and heat platform for outerwear. Not only will Ardica-enabled jackets charge your gadgets (up to 11 full charges on your cellphone and 20 on your iPod), it'll also keep you nice and warm for either nine hours on low heat or three hours on high. If you'll be in the cold for even longer than that, just bring along a second battery. Jackets are being made by a few great companies, but particularly great news is that Mountain Hardware is selling one of these. Hopefully in GoreTex so you don't get wet and shocked.

Each rechargeable Ardica battery weighs roughly half a pound and takes three hours to fully juice up, or 1.5 hours to get to 80 percent capacity. With 10 watts of power output, you'll be able to energize most of your smaller consumer products—cellphones, GPS systems and mp3 players—on the go. Price is about $35 to $50 added to the cost of the outerwear.

What
Ardica has developed the world’s first fully functional, lightweight, portable personal power and heating system that can be easily integrated into apparel and other consumer products. Using lithium-ion technologies, Ardica’s patented system can provide up to 25 watts of power and 100 degrees of heat in a compact, body hugging and flexible design that weighs less than 1 pound. Ardica’s interchangeable, advanced technology also provides a pack with extraordinary energy density to accommodate the most demanding existing and emerging consumer power needs.

Lithium-Ion Pack
Ardica’s proprietary flat, flexible and comfortable battery system is in a planar array, which features long-lasting rechargeable cells that have an imbedded controlling microprocessor to monitor and control the power and heat source.
*Photo – individual battery system cell

Moshi Power System
Ardica’s proprietary power system, incorporating the above lithium-ion pack, is designed to be easily integrated into outerwear, backpacks or briefcases. Each system includes the rechargeable lithium-ion battery power system, micro-controller and wall cube charger. A technology connector kit is also available which comes with a backpack cable and a three-in-one connector for both running and charging various consumer electronics.

Weight: 295 grams
Stored energy: 39-watt hours
Charge time:
Full charge- 3.0 hours
Quick charge (80 percent capacity) - 1.5 hours

HEAT OUTPUT:
High setting run time: 3.0 hours
Low setting run time: 8.6 hours
*Provides heat up to 100 degrees

Power output 10 watts (sufficient to run cell phones, iPods, GPS, lights and other consumer products for approximately one half their usual run time.)

Charging Capabilities:
Cell phone: 11 charges
IPod, GPS, mp3 players: 20 charges

Why
In response to a new era marked by extraordinary technological advances, improved cell phone and internet connectivity and increased travel to the world’s ski resorts and sporting events, Ardica has answered the call for portable, personal power and heating systems that are lightweight, interchangeable, versatile and ultimately efficient. With over 60 percent of US and European citizens using personal electronics and cell phones each day and an increasing number of people (sportsmen, adventurers, workers) wanting to take their electronic gadgets with them while simultaneously having personal heating on demand, Ardica has delivered the holy grail of outdoor and mobility gear. Consumers can now remain warm and electronically empowered wherever they are and no longer have to rely on electrical outlets in coffee shops, airports or offices in order to operate their electronic devices. Workers making a living in some of the most extreme environments on earth can now rest assured that they have the tools they need to maximize their enjoyment and efficiency.

Cost
Ardica Enabled outerwear, featuring heat and power systems, will add $35-$50 onto the retail price of the garment. The personal power components, which will be purchased separately through Ardica’s website will retail for $145. The Technology Connector, which includes charger tips for various types of cell phones and other electronic devices and a backpack cable, will also be available.

Audi's A1 Sportback hybrid concept surfaces

Filed under: Transportation

Audi's A1 Sportback hybrid concept surfaces originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 23:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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