Samsung's sleek BD-P3600 Blu-ray player gets hands-on love

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/28/samsungs-sleek-bd-p3600-blu-ray-player-gets-hands-on-love/

Oh sure, we've already seen this thing spotted at Best Buy, but there's just something especially titillating about photos with clarity. CNET's UK branch managed to get their camera all up in the BD-P3600's area, and they definitely enjoyed what they saw. For starters, the 7.1-channel analog outs are a real boon to those still using that circa-1999 AV receiver, and the bundled WiFi dongle means BD-Live is now entirely more accessible. Granted, we aren't similarly impressed by the 40 second BD load time, but maybe we're just spoiled by the hasty OPPO BDP-83. Head on down for a few more looks.

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Samsung's sleek BD-P3600 Blu-ray player gets hands-on love originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Mar 2009 08:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Create Smarter Google Translate Keyword Bookmarks [Firefox Tip]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/PeJ6udWnAxk/create-smarter-google-translate-keyword-bookmarks

Reader Jerry Lue read our feature on creating smarter keyword bookmarks, and took the initiative to create a set of smart bookmarks that interact with Google Translate.

These keyword bookmarks either translate the current page, or even translate a phrase directly from the Firefox location bar. If you aren't sure how to create keyword bookmarks in the first place, be sure and check out our guide to Firefox and the art of keyword bookmarking, and then check out how to make them even smarter with some javascript magic.

Google translate a phrase:
This keyword bookmark lets you translate a phrase by simply entering it into the location bar—create a new bookmark with a keyword like trans, give it a name, and paste in the following javascript code:

javascript:strRaw="%s";strArray=strRaw.split("%20");for(i=3;i<strArray.length;i++){strArray[2]=strArray[2]+"%20"+strArray[i];};location="http://translate.google.com/translate_t?sl="+strArray[0]+"&tl="+strArray[1]+"#"+strArray[0]+"|"+strArray[1]+"|"+strArray[2]


Now you can use the bookmark with this syntax (you can also use "auto" as the source language).

trans <from lang> <to lang> <phrase>

As an example, you would use the following to translate the phrase "no hablo espanol" into English:

trans es en no hablo espanol

Google translate the current web page:
This bookmark works similarly to the first one, except you only need the to and from la! nguage:< br>

javascript:strRaw="%s";strArray=strRaw.split("%20",3);location="http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u="+location.href+"&sl="+strArray[0]+"&tl="+strArray[1]


So to translate the current page from an unknown language to English, you would use the following (if you named the keyword "translate").

translate auto en

Intelligent translate:
The last version combines both techniques together, making a smart bookmark that detects whether you entered a phrase after the to/from languages and either translates the phrase or the current page.

javascript:strRaw="%s";strArray=strRaw.split(" ");if(strArray.length==2){location="http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u="+location.href+"&sl="+strArray[0]+"&tl="+strArray[1];}else{for(i=3;i<strArray.length;i++){strArray[2]=strArray[2]+"%20"+strArray[i];};location="http://translate.google.com/translate_t?sl="+strArray[0]+"&tl="+strArray[1]+"#"+strArray[0]+"|"+strArray[1]+"|"+strArray[2];};


These bookmarks just barely show off the power of this technique, and we'd love to hear some of your ideas for powerful keyword bookmarks that show off the command line comeback. Thanks, Jerry Lue!

If all this keyword bookmarking is new and Greek to you, you can check out our guide to Firefox and the art of keyword bookmarking, grab our 15 Firefox quick search bookmarks, and then get really productive by creating keywor! d bookma rks to Gmail labels.

Customize Your Gmail Labels with Unicode Characters [Gmail Tip]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/NdwI0AsyoAQ/customize-your-gmail-labels-with-unicode-characters

Inspired by previously mentioned tinyarro.ws URL-shortening service, reader David decided to try inserting helpful Unicode characters in his Gmail labels to give more context to each label.

With Unicode characters, David is able to divide his labels into logical groups without a a custom script like Folders4Gmail.

Right now I'm using these (see screenshot):

▶ Main categories (e.g. financial information, social networks)
✉ Other email accounts
✦ Individuals
❤ Lady-type individuals
➡ Single source (e.g. just eBay)

But there are plenty of good ones to play with:

✖ ✔ ✸ ● ■
◢ ◣ ◤ ◥
◧ ◨ ◩ ◪
▲ ▼ ▶ ◀
♂ ♀ ♪ ♫ ☼

I used the Wikipedia list of Unicode characters for reference:

The sort order is the handy bit to keep in mind. I picked ✦ (U+2726) for individuals because it's just a little above ❤ (U+2764).

I'm also using Unicode on my Gmail task lists. I have my other lists named in plain text, and I've used an arrow to sort my main list ("➡ main") to the bottom.

Very cool, David!

Every Netbook In One Big Obnoxious Picture [Product Spam]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/atWn13TA9II/every-netbook-in-one-big-obnoxious-picture

UMPC Portal has gone through the trouble of putting every netbook and UMPC released in recent history into one big collage.

Sure, you could probably pick out a model or two that aren't here (especially since I cropped a row for the lead shot), but if this picture illustrates anything, it's that, yes, the netbook market has become commoditized—though only at the cost of also becoming horrendously confusing with all the product spam. [UMPC Portal via Electricpig]

End of Rainbow Captured On iPhone Camera, No Pot Of Gold [Catch The Rainbow]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/fRoKs04Hg4A/end-of-rainbow-captured-on-iphone-camera-no-pot-of-gold

Unfortunately, this gorgeous iPhone shot captured by amateur photographer Jason Erdkamp reveals that there are no leprechauns or pots of gold at the end of a rainbow—just SUVs. Bummer. [Mirror via Digg]

Monoprice Mini DisplayPort-to-HDMI Adapter Hands-On: HD iTunes Now Plays On TVs [Hdmi]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/bSc8YY_hYxE/monoprice-mini-displayport+to+hdmi-adapter-hands+on-hd-itunes-now-plays-on-tvs

Monoprice sent us their $14 Mini DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter, and we tested it with some protected content to see if it solved one of the new MacBook's biggest monitor compatibility problems. Sure enough, it did.

Apple is still to blame for not adopting HDMI, but at least this solution is somewhat helpful. See, most run-of-the-mill flat-panel TVs are HDCP compliant, but a lot of monitors are not. So, when you have the adapter, there is suddenly a massive population of screens that you can use that you otherwise cannot.

There are some things to keep in mind with this adapter:

1. It's only going to give you video output—you will have to find another way to route your audio from your new MacBook or MacBook Pro.

2. Even though the HDMI jack allows you to connect to a bunch of TVs that can handle HDCP, it doesn't mean you can get around HDCP. When we tried to watch the same movie using the other adapter, a Mini DP-to-DVI, on an older monitor, we were told we were not allowed:

Bottom line: If you own a MacBook or MacBook Pro, and you have iTunes video content you want to watch on a flat-panel TV, you had better get one of these. Maybe one day Apple will learn that HDMI isn't inherently evil, and all these adapters won't be necessary. [Monoprice]

Are PCs Really Cheaper Than Macs? [The Apple Tax]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/6z0D4g5c7oU/are-pcs-really-cheaper-than-macs

Microsoft is exploiting the recession to full effect by hammering hard how much cheaper PCs are than Macs. But are they really? We were actually surprised by the results when we investigated the Apple Tax.

Stay At the Hotelicopter: The World's First Flying Hotel [Helicopters]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/rHcyar0NZd8/stay-at-the-hotelicopter-the-worlds-first-flying-hotel

Since 2004, the company behind the Hotelicopter has been working to modify a Soviet-made Mil V-12 into two world firsts: the "world's biggest helicopter" and the "world's first flying hotel."

As you might have guessed, the experience on board the Hotelicopter is far from your standard Motel 6. This gigantic flying Titanic machine features everything you would expect from a 5-star hotel—from private entertainment systems and room service to extras like spa treatments, yoga classes, gaming and a tea garden.

If you were wondering just how big and powerful this flying hotel really is, check out the specs:

* Dimensions Length: 42 m (137 ft)
* Height: 14m (45 ft)
* Maximum Takeoff Weight: 105850 kg (232,870 lb)
* Maximum speed: 255 km/h (137 kt) (158 miles/h)
* Cruising speed: 237 km/h (127 kt) (147 miles/h)
* Original Mi Range: 515 km (320 mi)
* Our augmented Mi Range - 1,030 km (640 mi)

The inaugural flight is set to take place on June 26th for an undisclosed price. Obviously, only the affluent need apply—but anyone that is interested can head on over to the Hotelicopter website to get more info about setting up a reservation. [Hotelicopter Thanks Zlooop!]

Toshiba's Digital Billboard Lets Japanese Pedestrians Interactively Game Using Their Cellphones [Japan]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/KbQBly5gehw/toshibas-digital-billboard-lets-japanese-pedestrians-interactively-game-using-their-cellphones

Nikkei has a post about Toshiba's new Digital Billboard in Tokyo's Akihabara district, where passerbys can dial up a number and connect to an interactive game which is displayed on the giant sign.

Cellphone gamers square off against other players connected through Toshiba's Youtube channel. The number keys are used to control a paintbrush, and the goal is to cover squares on the grid in paint while searching for the Toshiba mascot.

The game was created as a marketing ploy to show that the billboards could relay data from the internet in real time. And while the game isn't the most exciting thing in the world, the idea that you could randomly walk by and interact with it is very exciting. [Nikkei via Pink Tentacle via Dvice]

ASUS announces Eee PC E1004DN with optical drive, 1008HA gets a release date

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/27/asus-announces-eee-pc-e1004dn-with-optical-drive-1008ha-gets-a/

In a bombshell of moderate proportions, the gang at DigiTimes have reported that ASUS will be following Mouse Computer's lead (when was the last time you heard that?), and have announced the first Eee PC equipped with an optical drive, the E1004DN. This bad boy sports an Intel Atom N280 CPU, a 120GB HDD, and will be in the ballpark of NT $18,000 - 20,000 (roughly $531 - $590). It should see the light of day sometime in mid-April. The same source reports that the Eee PC 1008HA will be getting its release in May. Out of curiosity, we asked @billyjoel for a comment and have yet to receive a response.

Filed under: Laptops

ASUS announces Eee PC E1004DN with optical drive, 1008HA gets a release date originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia pulling all OEM contracts?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/27/nokia-pulling-all-oem-contracts/

iSuppli, of all companies -- you know, the teardown people -- is reporting that Nokia has stopped using outside contractors altogether for manufacturing its hardware. Nokia has always had a good deal of in-house manufacturing capability, but certain products -- including its upcoming MID, allegedly -- have been contracted out to ODMs like Foxconn and its contemporaries, so this calls a whole slew of initiatives into question. Notably, many of its recent CDMA devices are made outside of Nokia proper, so we've got to wonder -- does this mean they'll be taking up the slack internally, or is CDMA once again on the outs for these guys? See iSuppli's full press release after the break.

[Image via Unwired View]

Continue reading Nokia pulling all OEM contracts?

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Nokia pulling all OEM contracts? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell targets school crowd with Latitude 2100 Welch laptop?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/27/dell-targets-school-crowd-with-latitude-2100-welch-laptop/

Looks like Dell's going for the back-to-school crowd, if this leak is to be believed. According to Gizmodo, the Latitude 2100 "Welch" is a 10.1-inch netbook with a 1.6GHz Atom processor, up to 2GB RAM, and an optional SSD drive, all under three pounds. It's also reportedly equipped with three USB ports, SD/MMC slot, 802.11 a/g/n, Bluetooth, an ethernet port, options for three and six cell batteries, and maybe touchscreen. The best part? Color options include School Bus Orange, Blue Ribbon, Red Apple, and what we can only assume is Chalkboard Black. If the report pans out, look for these around May 2009, just in time for summer vacation.

Filed under: Laptops

Dell targets school crowd with Latitude 2100 Welch laptop? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 19:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Orange to offer subsidized MacBooks on contract?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/27/orange-to-offer-subsidized-macbooks-on-contract/

This one's not a done deal just yet, but reports are starting to surface out of the UK that Orange and Apple are in the "final stages" of discussions about offering subsidized MacBooks to folks willing to sign a two-year mobile broadband contract. Of course, unlike some netbooks offered by the carrier, the MacBooks wouldn't be free, but some are speculating that the MacBooks could go for as little as £369 (or about $560), which is backed up somewhat by the £350 price Orange is currently asking for a Toshiba laptop on a similar contract. According to Mobile Today, the two companies have even gone so far as to test Orange's mobile broadband dongles with the MacBooks, and Orange has reportedly already made a "volume commitment" with Apple. Not surprisingly, the speculation only takes off further from there, with word circulating that Orange execs supposedly hope that this is only the beginning of a relationship with Apple, which could eventually lead to MacBooks with built-in SIM cards.

[Via The Register]

Filed under: Laptops

Orange to offer subsidized MacBooks on contract? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 20:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intel to officially refresh laptop chips next week?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/27/intel-to-officially-refresh-laptop-chips-next-week/

We had a hunch this refresh was coming, and according to information gathered by CNET, it's all going down on Monday. The 2.53GHz SP9600, complete with its 6MB of cache memory and $316 sticker, will reportedly be revealed alongside the 1.6GHz SU9600, which will be pegged at $289. Furthermore, we should see a single-core 1.4GHz SU3500 ($262) with a thermal envelope of only 5.5 watts, which will obviously cater to those really, really low-power applications where horsepower isn't a concern. Interestingly, these newfangled pieces of silicon won't be those rumored CULV chips we heard about in January, as those won't be good and ready 'til summertime. There's also a slight chance that we'll hear a bit more on Intel's reemergence in the GPU field, but we're not holding our breath quite so much on that. Dig in below for lots more, or just be patience and wait for the 30th. Totally your call.

Read - Intel CPU details
Read - Intel GPU details

Filed under: Laptops

Intel to officially refresh laptop chips next week? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wind-powered vehicle hits 126MPH, nabs world record

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/27/wind-powered-vehicle-hits-126mph-nabs-world-record/

Sorry Mr. Schumacher, but your ten year record just got obliterated (okay, "beat soundly") by a Briton. On the dry, dusty plains of Ivanpah Lake in Nevada, Sir Richard Jenkins managed to perfectly harness winds of 30MPH in his futuristic Ecotricity Greenbird in order to hit a ridiculously quick 126.1MPH. In all honestly, we can't even fathom how you hit that speed with just 30MPH of wind, but clearly we're not up to speed when it comes to physics and engineering. At any rate, the milestone is pretty important for Ecotricity, which is trying to make wind power the go-to alternative energy source within the next score. Now, if only we could figure out a cheap and easy way to generate wind on demand, we'd really be onto something.

[Via BBC]

Filed under: Transportation

Wind-powered vehicle hits 126MPH, nabs world record originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 23:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung's Alias2 in live shots, still not looking awesome

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/27/samsungs-alias2-in-live-shots-still-not-looking-awesome/

Don't get us wrong, the concept of a truly dynamic keypad on a phone is awesome, and we're sure that the concept is going to be going places in the next few years -- we just don't think that a handset that looks like this is going to be the one to light the fire. Pictures of the Alias2 from Samsung have filtered in after yesterday's user manual leak, giving us a better idea of what the phone looks like; we still can't put our finger on what technology the keypad is using, but given that we've heard that it'll retain its layout with the battery out, we're starting to think that it might be segmented E Ink. Active matrix E Ink would've been ten times cooler, but we imagine it's not quite at the price point yet where it makes sense for a product in this range. Keep on keepin' on with the innovative stuff, though, guys -- just make sure it spends a little more time in the design department next time.

Filed under: Cellphones

Samsung's Alias2 in live shots, still not looking awesome originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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@bmorrissey - Casual Game Ads Lift Brands (vendor sponsored study) - http://ping.fm/KdJDG - what'd you think they'd say?

Simple keystroke sniffing schemes work where keyloggers won't

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/27/simple-keystroke-sniffing-schemes-work-where-keyloggers-wont/

Ah, the wonders of CanSecWest. The famed security conference has delivered yet again in 2009, this time bringing to light two simple sniffing schemes that could be used to decipher typed text when keyloggers are just too noticeable. Gurus from Inverse Path were on hand to explain the approaches, one of which involved around $80 of off-the-shelf gear. In short, curious individuals could point a laser on the reflective surface of a laptop between 50 feet and 100 feet away, and then by using a "handmade laser microphone device and a photo diode to measure the vibrations, software for analyzing the spectrograms of frequencies from different keystrokes, as well as technology to apply the data to a dictionary," words could be pretty easily guessed. The second method taps into power grid signals passed along from PS/2 keyboard outputs, and by using a digital oscilloscope and an analog-digital converter, those in the know can pick out tweets from afar. Check the read link for more, and make sure you close those blinds and pick up a USB keyboard, pronto.

[Via Slashdot]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Peripherals

Simple keystroke sniffing schemes work where keyloggers won't originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Havok and AMD show off OpenCL with pretty pretty dresses

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/27/havok-and-amd-show-off-opencl-with-pretty-pretty-dresses/

With all the talk about OpenCL and Snow Leopard together and how the spec will allow Apple's upcoming hotness to exploit graphics accelerators, it's easy to lose track of the place where the standard could make its biggest impact: gaming. Yes, OpenGL may have lost favor in that realm in recent years, but OpenCL looks to captivate the hearts and GPUs of gamers everywhere by applying some much-needed standardization to the physics acceleration realm, first shown in public at GDC running on some AMD hardware. Havok is demonstrating its Havok Cloth and Havoc Destruction engines, the former of which is embedded below, and we think you'll agree it's quite impressive. OpenCL allows such acceleration to switch between the GPU and CPU seamlessly and as needed depending on which is more available, hopefully opening the door to physics acceleration that actually affects gameplay and doesn't just exist to make you say, "Whoa."

Continue reading Havok and AMD show off OpenCL with pretty pretty dresses

Filed under: Desktops, Gaming, Laptops

Havok and AMD show off OpenCL with pretty pretty dresses originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Rolling Out "Wonder Wheel" and Other Search Additions [Search]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/fFkS_NP0vc4/google-rolling-out-wonder-wheel-and-other-search-additions

Google search has been on a roll lately, and today brings yet another addition—an "options" panel that switches your results to reviews, forum posts, recent items and a timeline, and even a nifty "Wonder Wheel."

Only a certain percentage of Google users will see the "Show Options" link in their blue Google bar at the moment, but the Google Blogoscoped blog has a bit of cookie-adding JavaScript anyone can use to get opted into the "experiment." Once you do, you'll see the view options pictured at right, giving you all kinds of new views on your search results. Most intriguing are the "Reviews" sorter, which uses Google's algorithms and ranking to weed out the opinions and ratings, the "Recent" sorter to show the latest web items, and the Wonder Wheel, pictured up top, that lets you chain-click around a topic to find a lot of related material.

Check out Google Blogoscoped's screencast of the latest Google features below, and hit the link farther down for the cookie add-in trick:

Google's Wonder Wheel Experiment, and More [Google Blogoscoped]

Google Docs Gets Full Find & Replace, Drawing Tools [Online Documents]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/KjxX9C2H6uA/google-docs-gets-full-find--replace-drawing-tools

Google Docs takes another step toward becoming a proper document tool, adding a full-fledged find and replace toolbar, as well as a browser-based SVG drawing tool.

Docs had a kind of low-powered, actually apologetic find and replace tool before that could only do whole-document, every-instance replacements. Now it's a bit more familiar, with one box for the finding text (or regular expression), one for the replacement, and buttons and shortcuts (Ctrl+F, Ctrl+G for next) that can replace items one-by-one:

That's just a writing tool, though. The new drawing app, found by hitting "Insert," then "Drawing" from the top menus, works on text documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. It's easy to figure out and doesn't require any special software (at least on SVG-supporting browsers like Firefox, Chrome, or Opera), but, as Google Operating System points out, you have to "save" the drawing by hitting the "X" in the upper-right, which doesn't seem like what you want to do.

Find (and replace) my favo(u)rite colo(u)r and much, much more
Drawing on your creativity in Docs [Official Google Docs Blog]

Zamzar Converts Powerpoint Into Easy-To-Share Images [Conversion]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/JftKqeBneKE/zamzar-converts-powerpoint-into-easy+to+share-images

Ever wanted to extract Powerpoint slides as images for embedding elsewhere? We've previously covered the convert-anything Zamzar web site, which can convert Powerpoint presentations to images.

To convert the file, simply upload the file (ignoring the obnoxious popup ads), choose PNG format, and enter your email address to receive the link for the converted files—it took a little while for the files to show up, but the conversion process worked perfectly—all ready for you to embed or email the files.

An alternative method for converting and sharing Powerpoint is to simply upload the file to Google Docs, and then use the PDF export option to download and share with friends—or you can use Google Docs to embed presentations on your web site or blog. Thanks, Nick!

Zamzar

YouTube EDU Brings Free Education to the Masses [Learning]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/qT0knm3sU3U/youtube-edu-brings-free-education-to-the-masses

YouTube has just released a new sub-site called YouTube EDU, aggregating thousands of free lectures from over a hundred universities across the country, including MIT, Yale, Harvard, Stanford, and oh-so-many more.

On Tuesday we highlighted another similar application that we described as Hulu for academic lectures called Academic Earth, and just two days later, here comes YouTube EDU. It's incredible to see such great options for folks looking for some free education.

The two services are very similar in some ways, and while YouTube's landing page isn't quite as useful as Academic Earth's, they're both packed full of great content. Head to the Directory page to browse through all the university options, and when you pick one, you can see all of the full courses or individual lectures available. According to weblog Open Culture, YouTube EDU currently has over 200 full courses, so you're bound to find something that piques your interest—like MIT's Introductory Quantum Mechanics II.

It's really exciting to see the web embrace and distribute all this free learning, and we're eager to see both services grow.

YouTube EDU [via Open Culture]

See the World Through Flickr's Eyes [Visualization]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/1ITjEH4_-I0/see-the-world-through-flickrs-eyes

As sad as it sounds, most of us experience the world through photographs. Now MIT software engineers are taking that idea literally and mapping Flickr photos to regional maps in The World's Eyes project.

By pulling GPS metadata from uploaded photos (and then skinning that data in a neat 3D visualization), users can see how photographers/tourists see a given area. There's overlap, yes, but that's entirely the point. It's a project more about capturing stereotypes (like the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Statue of Liberty in NY), than giving a Google Street View objective turn by turn of an area. Add tags like "party" to the mix, and that worldview is altered in very interesting, less predictable ways.

As strange as this may sound, I could totally picture this visualizer on the PlayStation 3. The platform has focused quite a bit on a unique photo experience, and the style isn't so far from Sony's. All they'd really need to do is network it. [MIT via GearCrave]

Sun Storing The Entire Internet In a Shipping Container [Storage]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/uB985HHkdlg/sun-storing-the-entire-internet-in-a-shipping-container

How do you store three petabytes (that's 3,145,728 GB) of web pages for the Internet Archive? You put them in a datacenter housed in a shipping container.

Each container packs in 60 of the company's Sun Fire X4500 Open Storage Systems and is constantly monitored for potential threats. It's actually a pretty elegant, modular solution to an archive that grows by nearly 100TBs every month. So rest assured folks, your precious GeoCities page from the 90's is safe and secure. [Sun via GigaOM via Slashgear]

Microsoft Marketing Team Now Exclusively Advised By Internet Commenters (But It Works!) [Advertising]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/EhTYJmCpC0o/microsoft-marketing-team-now-exclusively-advised-by-internet-commenters-but-it-works

You've heard it before, and it's true: Macs are more expensive than PCs. There's not much more to say about that! Unless, of course, you have a vested interest in casting Apple as elitist.

In this, the most directly anti-Apple ad of Microsoft's 'I'm a PC' campaign, Microsoft sets up an experiment: a focus group of prospective computer shoppers is given a set amount of money—in this case $999—to buy a computer. Any remaining cash the members have they can keep.

Predictably, our perky protagonist, desiring a 17-inch screen, went with a $700 PC from Best Buy. And why not? The 'equivalent' (read: 17-inch) Apple product could have cost her twice as much, and $999 would have left her stuck with a last-gen product anyway. Likewise, if she had listed in her requirements 4GB of RAM, a Blu-ray drive, a built-in card reader, or anything at all that doesn't come stock in a 13-inch white MacBook, she would have had to buy a PC.

Microsoft told the WSJ that not a single focus group member chose a Mac, but even the most devout Apple fanboy could have predicted this outcome; the arbitrary terms of the ad had Apple competing in a market segment that they don't even have a product in. The 'experiment', as it were, doesn't actually prove anything, nor does it need to; this, like any good ad campaign, is about crafting an image for you or your competitors—something it manages deftly in a time when money is on everyone's mind. [BoingBoing Gadgets]

Samsung begins production on edge-lit LED-backlit HDTV panels

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/26/samsung-begins-production-on-edge-lit-led-backlit-hdtv-panels/

Samsung's being a bit ambiguous with this one, but we won't deny that we're drooling pretty heavily over these new panels. Said outfit has just revealed that mass production has begun on the industry's first "ultra-slim LCD panels suited for large size TVs," and while we're wondering what exactly it means by that, we can't help but appreciate the attributes. We're told that the unique edge-lit LED backlighting offers lighter weight and thinner designs compared to standard direct-lit LED LCDs, and moreover, a 55-inch Samsung HDTV with edge-lit LED backlighting "uses up to 40 percent less power than conventional LCD TVs." The panels measure just 0.42-inches thick and are being produced in 40-, 46- and 55-inch sizes. We're still waiting to hear back from Sammy on whether these are the same ones used in the energy-efficient LCD HDTVs announced at CES or new models altogether, but 'til then, you can feel free to start digging in the couches for spare pennies.

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Samsung begins production on edge-lit LED-backlit HDTV panels originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T-bound Samsung SGH-a877 gets detailed further

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/27/atandt-bound-samsung-sgh-a877-gets-detailed-further/

We already had plenty of reason to believe that Samsung's QWERTY-packin', landscape-layin' SGH-a877 was headed to AT&T, but now it's pretty much a lock. phonescoop has dug up a few more pertinent details about the so-called Impression, confirming the 3.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen and adding that the handset will include an accelerometer and built-in Bluetooth. If this one has your eye, we'd wager that it won't be long before it goes on sale for real -- maybe all's that is left is a formal CTIA unveiling?

Filed under: Cellphones

AT&T-bound Samsung SGH-a877 gets detailed further originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 04:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic DMC-GH1 Micro Four Thirds shooter with 1080p video landing April 24th

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/27/panasonic-dmc-gh1-micro-four-thirds-shooter-with-1080p-video-lan/

While we patiently wait for the Micro Four Thirds format DMC-GH1 with 1080p video to pop for purchase, we have to feed on whatever retail crumbs we can grub off Panasonic. As usual, our Japanese camera overlords will have first dibs on this ¥150,000 (less than $1,500 when it arrives Stateside) bundle that includes a 14-140mm lens starting April 24th. Think about it; we've gone from zero to four HD-capable video DSLRs in six months. Ok, ok, three-plus actually, since Micro Four Thirds cams are technically not DSLRs due to the lack of an internal mirror and prism -- just humor us with with GH1's interchangeable lens mount, DSLR-sized sensor, and bevy of manual controls ok? Geesh.

[Via PC World],

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Panasonic DMC-GH1 Micro Four Thirds shooter with 1080p video landing April 24th originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 06:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kohjinsha offers up colorful line of ML6 netbooks

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/27/kohjinsha-offers-up-colorful-line-of-ml6-netbooks/

You could guess the specifications with your eyes closed -- a 1.6GHz Intel Atom, 1,024 x 600 resolution panel, 1GB of RAM, 160GB hard drive, WiFi, Windows XP and a battery good for around 4.7 hours -- but at least Kohjinsha busted out the paint gun on its ML6 netbook. The 8.9-inch Japanese rig is available in a whole slew of colors including black, white, gold, blue, pink and a few other hues that only Crayola experts could explain, and the inclusion of audio in / out sockets and an ExpressCard slot adds just a wee bit of personality. Of course, we're none too impressed with the ¥38,900 ($393) price tag, but we guess that's the premium you pay for such a wide variety of color options.

[Via Pocketables]

Filed under: Laptops

Kohjinsha offers up colorful line of ML6 netbooks originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 07:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ATI's 1GB FirePro V7750 GPU pushes serious pixels for pros

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/27/atis-1gb-firepro-v7750-gpu-pushes-serious-pixels-for-pros/

Earlier this month, AMD popped out a 512MB ATI FirePro 2450 quad-display card, but if that's just not pro enough for your professional needs, have a gander at the company's FirePro V7750. Sporting 1GB of GDDR3 frame-buffer memory, a 30-bit display pipeline and twin DisplayPort connectors + one dual-link DVI socket, this workstation powerhouse also features High Dynamic Range (HDR) rendering with 8-bit, 10-bit and 16-bit-per-RGB color component support. You'll also get 320 stream processing units, full Shader Model 4.1 support for vertex and pixel shaders and a unified video decoder for H.264, AVC, VC-1 and MPEG-2 video formats. Show your CAD who's boss for just $899.

Gallery: ATI's 1GB FirePro V7750 GPU pushes serious pixels for pros

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

ATI's 1GB FirePro V7750 GPU pushes serious pixels for pros originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 07:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ARM's GPUs Will Make This Year's Mainstream Phones More Powerful Than the Current iPhone [GPUs]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/NMN_ODChoEY/arms-gpus-will-make-this-years-mainstream-phones-more-powerful-than-the-current-iphone

By the end of 2009, computer and graphics chip designer ARM says we'll see the first sub-$150 cellphones using the low-power Mali 200 GPU, which will give devices greater graphics capabilities than the current-gen iPhone.

Occupying a space only millimeters wide, and supporting the Open GL ES 2.0 standard, Product Manager Remi Pedersen says that the Mali 200, and eventually, Mali 400, are designed to work in a phone that goes 2-3 days between charges. Pedersen says the first phones will appear at the end of 2009, followed by an influx of devices in 2010.

Graphically, games shown were on the level of PS2 and Xbox, able to push a decent number of pixels with a smooth framerate. A port of the original Project Gotham Racing runs on the Mali 200 GPU with virtually no lag and a decent number of polygons.

But they can also provide hardware acceleration for device UIs, process HD video and make Flash usable on mobile devices. ARM says that features such as HD video encode/decode and Flash decoding will be centered more around the multicore Mali 400, which will appear en masse sometime in 2010. And by all accounts, we can probably look forward to seeing this line of Mali GPUs in future netbooks and MIDs.

Here's quick vid of the Mali 200 in action. It's pretty smooth for a mobile GPU.

Prices Leaked For 2009 Samsung HDTVs [HDTV]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/hJXApP3TOms/prices-leaked-for-2009-samsung-hdtvs

The folks at HDGuru have scored a price list for upcoming Samsung HDTVs. This includes details for 3-7 and the 6000-8000 series. Hit the following link for the full details. [HDGuru]

A Hackintoshed Dell Mini 9, Autographed By Woz [Woz]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/CQvbU-vkL_U/a-hackintoshed-dell-mini-9-autographed-by-woz

In our Hackintosh guide, we called our OS X-powered Dell Mini 9 the ultimate Mac netbook. We were wrong. This Hackintoshed Dell Mini 9, autographed by one Steve "Quick Step" Wozniak, is the actual pinnacle.

Matthew Smith caught Woz doing some press for Dancing With the Stars. He writes:

I showed him my Dell Mini 9 with OS X Leopard installed on it (and an Apple sticker sloppily applied over the Dell logo.

He said, "Oh my god, that is so COOL!"

And: "Is that really the color you wanted?"

Then he graciously signed it. I then ran away and giggled for about 45 minutes.

Well done sir. [Flickr via BBG]

PhotoFast intros 256GB to 1TB G-Monster PCIe SSD

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/26/photofast-intros-256gb-to-1tb-g-monster-pcie-ssd/

We Americans have Fusion-io's ioDrive and OCZ's Z Drive to look forward to when it comes to slamming down a PCIe-based SSD solution in our lightning fast rigs, but what about the savvy Japanese? Enter PhotoFast, who has just revealed a luscious PCIe SSD of its own, ranging from 256GB to one whole terabyte in size. The unit includes a couple of SSDs hooked together in a RAID0 setup in order to provide up to 750MB/sec read rates and 700MB/sec write rates. As with most SSDs, this unit also boasts a 1.5 million hour MTBF and should work perfectly within Windows XP and Vista machines. Those in and around Osaka can expect these to land around mid-October for about the cost of a new TV -- seriously.

[Via Engadget Japanese]

Filed under: Storage

PhotoFast intros 256GB to 1TB G-Monster PCIe SSD originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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3DeeShell autostereoscopic iPhone skin now available to order

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/26/3deeshell-autostereoscopic-iphone-skin-now-available-to-order/

Intrigued by Wazabee's promise of 3D images on an iPhone without the need for goofy 3D glasses? Then you'll no doubt want to head on over to the company's website post haste, as its 3DeeShell iPhone skin is now finally available to order for the not so low price of $49.99. In addition to adding an extra dimension to a currently limited number of apps (Wazabee provides three itself), the skin also serves a protective shell that you can leave on your iPhone at all times, with the autostereoscopic lens able to slide out to prevent unwanted headaches or hallucinations during non-3D use. Of course, the apps and lens will also work just fine on an iPod touch, just don't expect a very snug fit from the case.

[Thanks, Cob]

Filed under: Cellphones, Misc. Gadgets

3DeeShell autostereoscopic iPhone skin now available to order originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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immed. need for Flash developer with AS3 experience (min. 2 yrs Flash experise); read/write chinese a bonus - http://ping.fm/O31Fa

BlackBerrys Get Their Very Own Google Voice Search App [Google]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/MYGFGW1sIN8/blackberrys-get-their-very-own-google-voice-search-app

The extremely-neat-but-probably-not-terribly-useful Google Voice Search app, of iPhone and Android fame, has been released for BlackBerrys, whose owners were judged 3rd most eager to talk to their handsets rather than through them. [Crave]

Rumor: Skype for iPhone To Be Released As Early As Next Week [Rumor]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/KPX8EXXsVfw/rumor-skype-for-iphone-to-be-released-as-early-as-next-week

A tipster GigaOM is calling "very reliable" has revealed that Skype for the iPhone will arrive as early as next week—perhaps at the CTIA Wireless show kicking off on Wednesday. Stay tuned. [GigaOM]

Why Most Gadget Price Comparison Engines Fall Short (And How To Fix Them) [Prof. Dealzmodo]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/y0QVVzJA6KU/why-most-gadget-price-comparison-engines-fall-short-and-how-to-fix-them

If you are a thrifty consumer, you probably already know that using price comparison sites are a great way to save money on gadgets. But I am tired of shopping around for shopping sites.

When it comes right down to it, I want to visit one site with a simple selection of core features that are focused on one thing and one thing only—helping me save money.

Vendors: Naturally, every good comparison engine needs to establish relationships with as many reputable vendors as possible. Giants like PriceGrabber, Shopzilla, Shopping.com, and Yahoo Shopping generally meet this requirement.

Coupons: Sites like RetailMeNot and MyCoupons.com are great, but that data should not be singled out in a standalone site. It should be integrated into standard search results (like Yahoo Shopping).

Price Alerts: Obviously, if I am truly searching for the best deal, I want to be informed when it happens. The tool to set up price alerts should be prominently displayed. PriceSpider does a good job of this. Sites like Become.com even offer price drops via email without registration. On the other hand, sites like Shopzilla don't even appear to have the feature—or they hide it behind a registration form. Of course, th! ere are numerous sites out there like ZooAlerts, PricePinx and Camel Camel Camel that specialize in price alerts, but I don't see much value in those—especially when they are focused entirely on one shopping site like Amazon.

Price Trending: This is one of the new features on the block. Some comparison engines like NexTag and PriceSpider have already done a good job of integrating this feature in with search results, and it could help consumers rate the quality of the current deal by comparing it to prices in the past. Again, there are standalone sites like Gazaro that specialize in this feature, but as comparison site expert Brian A. Smith from comparisonengines.com points out, focusing entirely on price alerts and/or price trending is not an ideal strategy:

In this economy, any site that can help a consumer find a great deal is going to get some attention, and I think price tracking is a smart concept, but it's nothing new. While the sites you mentioned: Gazaro, Zoolert, and PriceSpider have jazzed things up a bit with a web 2.0 look, price tracking has been available on shopping comparison engines (aka price comparison engines) like NexTag and PriceGrabber for a long time. I think that price alerts are a simple feature. I don't think there is enough meat there to make a real product or business. If you look at Gazaro and Zoolert versus PriceSpider, you'll see that PriceSpider is generating much more traffic. I think this is partly because PriceSpider has ventur! ed beyon d just price alerts to shopping comparison engine listings.

He also offers a warning:

Just because a price tracking site shows you a seemingly great new alert, the buyer should always beware. Most price tracking sites that I've looked at do not have a deep depth of merchants, but are rather just joining some select affiliate programs through Commission Junction or Linkshare. Because of this, a price drop from one merchant might look impressive, but in the end might not actually provide a consumer with a great deal.

A Clean, Usable UI: With so many details to keep track of, it's not easy to keep things clean. Personally, I have never been a fan of NexTag's layout—it seems kind of text heavy and convoluted to me. On the other hand Shopzilla has taken a more Web 2.0 approach while Google Product Search stays true to the Google design mantra. In the end, this is really a matter of preference.

User and Expert Reviews: Another no-brainer. Again, these should be prominently displayed with the product.

The bottom line is that on their own, the tools listed above give you only part of the picture—but when used together they can be extremely valuable to consumers. None of the websites I have come across are doing everything right—but I feel that sites like NexTag and PriceSpider are headed in the right direction as far as features are concerned while sites like PriceGrabber, Shopzilla and Yahoo Shopping are still tops in terms of overall effectiveness—a sentiment echoed by our expert from comparisonengines:

Consumers should make sure to take a look at a shopping behemoth like Shopzilla or Yahoo! Shopping before m! aking a purchase. Yahoo! Shopping has an extremely comprehensive deal section, and even better, the site integrates coupons right into shopping comparison engine listings so consumers will have greater transparency into the deal (see the listings for Crutchfield, Tiger Direct, and ABT). So using a site like Yahoo! Shopping provides the consumer with a greater number of merchants, a shopping comparison engine experience (sort by price, rating, etc.), and integrates coupons.

Until one site puts all of the pieces together, it will still be necessary to check multiple websites to ensure that you are getting the best deal online. Hopefully, my rant on comparison engines will, at the very least, help you narrow down the search to save both time and money.

Prof. Dealzmodo is a regular section dedicated to helping budget-minded consumers learn how to shop smarter and get the best deals on their favorite gadgets. If you have any topics you would like to see covered, send your idea to tips@gizmodo.com, with "Professor Dealzmodo" in the subject line.

Graphene chip could hit 1,000GHz, make your Core i7 feel totally inadequate

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/26/graphene-chip-could-hit-1-000ghz-make-your-core-i7-feel-totally/

8GHz (with the help of liquid nitrogen) not quick enough? Leave it to the folks at MIT to make sure your zaniest desires are well taken care of. As research forges ahead on graphene, carbon nanotubes and buckyballs (remember those?), gurus at the university have discovered a breakthrough that could eventually lead to microchips that make existing silicon-based CPUs weep. In fact, the research could lead to practical systems in the 500 to 1,000 gigahertz range. The magic all ties back to advancements on a graphene chip known as a frequency multiplier, and while the nitty-gritty of all this is far too complicated for the layperson to grasp, all you really need to know is this: finally, you can rest assured that you'll one day own a chip capable of handling Duke Nukem Forever.

[Via InformationWeek]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Science

Graphene chip could hit 1,000GHz, make your Core i7 feel totally inadequate originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic's DMC-TZ7 reviewed, offers great quality stills and vids

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/26/panasonics-dmc-tz7-reviewed-offers-great-quality-stills-and-vi/

This is a great time to be shopping for a high-end pocketable digital camera -- assuming you're the sort who doesn't get overwhelmed when faced with plenty of options. With recent offerings like Fuji's F200EXR, Ricoh's CX1, and Casio's EC-FX100, it's a busy market, and now the arrival of Panasonic's DMC-TZ7 makes it even more so. Reviewed by Photography Blog, the 10 megapixel cam was found to offer great image quality at both ends of its 12x, 25 - 300mm Leica lens, functional image stabilization, and minimal noise up to ISO 400 (though it does go all the way to 1600). Even the 720p video recording impressed, which you can see for yourself in the sample vid embedded below. At the end it nabs a perfect rating, which might make it perfect for your pocket -- if you don't mind that $400 MSRP.

Continue reading Panasonic's DMC-TZ7 reviewed, offers great quality stills and vids

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Panasonic's DMC-TZ7 reviewed, offers great quality stills and vids originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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