Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook: 7/26/09

Saturday, August 01, 2009

Would you be embarrassed to serve Trader Joe's branded wine even if the wine was actually awesome? Give a shout out in comments.

@jbruin - JK Wedding Dance Phenomenon was no phenomenon at all - http://bit.ly/8K9pW

Friday, July 31, 2009

UPDTD: Videos on AdAge Viral Chart take an avg of 3 months to reach full viral, not 6 days - http://bit.ly/8K9pW - #JKWeddingDance #fake

RT@glenngabe: Wow, check this out: The JKWeddingDance Video Was Real; The Viral Effect is FAKE - http://is.gd/1WE0l - What do you think?

ViewSonic's VOT120 and VOT121 nettops suck in their guts for the camera

Unsatisfied with only having the tall and slim 130 and 132 nettops, ViewSonic's newly announced family of hardware also features a pair of even more diminutive options: the VOT120 and 121. Snapped in the wild for your delectation, these machines are small enough to be confused for a well-filled CD wallet and come with WiFi, four USB inputs, gigabit Ethernet and DVI-out. While the 120's standard netbook spec is nothing to write home about, the 121 does receive a (comparatively) potent 1.4GHz CULV chip and a HDMI output 'round back, making for an intriguing HTPC proposition. Prices in Taiwan are set for $304 and $423 respectively, but feel free to browse past the break for an inquisitive look at these miniature computers.

Continue reading ViewSonic's VOT120 and VOT121 nettops suck in their guts for the camera

Filed under: Desktops

ViewSonic's VOT120 and VOT121 nettops suck in their guts for the camera originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CrunchPad coming in November with built-in 3G connectivity, says Straits Times

Last we heard, TechCrunch's Michael Arrington wasn't ready to talk about a timeframe for the release of his self-proclaimed "science project," the CrunchPad tablet. That's not the case for The Straits Times, however, who've published an article claiming that developer Fusion Garage is aiming to get the device out to the masses by November of this year, just in time for Christmas shopping. The Singapore newspaper got a sneak preview of the device, as well as some new specs. The tablet reportedly about 2.64 pounds, has a 1.6GH Intel Atom and 1GB RAM (which we knew), a USB port for keyboard and / or mouse, built-in WiFi and 3G connectivity, and a port for mobile broadband. Price is estimated around $400, a little bit more than the $300 he pegged in April, but it's still being filed in the "unconfirmed" category for now -- hopefully it comes out a little leaner when this thing goes official.

[Thanks, David]

Filed under: Handhelds

CrunchPad coming in November with built-in 3G connectivity, says Straits Times originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi's next-gen R8 MMI recognizes handwriting, probably increases your insurance premium

There's comes a time in every technology's life when the envelope gets pushed just for the sake of getting pushed. For Audi's already complex MMI, this is it. Right around this time last year, we were drooling quite profusely over the A8's next-generation Multi Media Interface (which is basically a snazzy name for an in-dash NAV system), but this year, we're wondering who exactly will take advantage of the R8's next system. Aside from getting a much needed UI makeover, Autobild is reporting that said platform will include support for handwriting recognition. So far as we can tell, you simply pencil in your next address with your greasy digits and tag the correct word that pops up there on the right. We're still waiting to hear why this is preferred over a decent voice recognition system, but hey, so long as James Bond approves, who are we to argue?

[Via German Car Blog]

Filed under: Transportation

Audi's next-gen R8 MMI recognizes handwriting, probably increases your insurance premium originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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China Mobile's 7-inch Android slate gets rendered

We've nothing much to go on outside of a few good renders and a smattering of machine translated paragraphs, but it sure sounds as if China Mobile is entertaining the idea of bringing a 7-inch Android-based tablet to its airwaves. As the story goes, said slate would boast China's homegrown TD-SCDMA 3G connectivity, support for video calling, a full-fledged web browser and an OPhone operating system -- which is essentially a customized version of Android for the Chinese market. Sadly, no further information was given, leaving us to wonder what kind of innards are scheduled for implant and what kind of price tag / release date we're looking at. Oh, and those "call" and "end call" buttons are pretty darn evident, leading us to believe that China Mobile might actually expect you to use this as your primary mobile. Can you say... Sidetalkin'?

[Via Pocketables]

Continue reading China Mobile's 7-inch Android slate gets rendered

Filed under: Handhelds, Tablet PCs

China Mobile's 7-inch Android slate gets rendered originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 06:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer's Aspire Predator gaming rig gets even faster, stays just as orange

Just a few weeks too late for a Transformers 2 tie-in, Acer has announced a new revision of its Aspire G desktop, a.k.a. Predator. It shares the same case with the earlier edition that hit the US of A late last year, but naturally has some better specs this time 'round. The CPU is now one of Intel's new Core i7 950's running at 3.06GHz, up to 12GB of DDR3 RAM is on offer, while more permanent storage is offered by a 1TB HDD and a Blu-ray reader. A pair of NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 graphics cards keep the pixels flowing over four DVI-D ports, and dual Gigabit Ethernet is on offer for those about to rock shotgun network connections. All that clad in a brilliant orange case that looks like it rolled off the Lamborghini production line, though at ¥259,800 ($2,700ish) it's a lot cheaper than the Murciélago LP 670-4 Superveloce you've been drooling over. No word on American availability, but since the last one took about four months to make it this way perhaps we'll see this one by year's end.

Filed under: Desktops, Gaming

Acer's Aspire Predator gaming rig gets even faster, stays just as orange originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 07:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AAXA ups the ante with SVGA P2 pico projector

While it's probably safe to say that the rush of pico projectors has slowed to a trickle, that's not stopping a few of the early entrants from dishing out new and improved models as the second wave builds. AAXA, the outfit responsible for serving up the pint-sized P1 back in February, is demonstrating exactly what a hasty refresh cycle looks like by dishing out the higher-res P2 just a few months later. The LCoS-based pico projector packs an SVGA (800 x 600) resolution, a 33 lumen LED light source, 1GB of onboard memory, a microSD card reader and even a built-in battery good for around 35 minutes of beaming (or in other terms, nearly two full episodes of Entourage). The device checks in at just 4.3- x 2.3- x 1-inches and sports a VGA input, 3.5mm headphone output and a mini USB socket to boot. Feel free to pre-order yours now for $349 -- or, you know, wait for a 720p model.

[Via PicoProjector-Info]

Filed under: Displays

AAXA ups the ante with SVGA P2 pico projector originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's not every day that you get challenged to a public "fisticuffs" over calling branding "impotent" - http://bit.ly/ueQJJ

Thursday, July 30, 2009

What to Do if You Can't Do "Old" Branding Any More - http://bit.ly/ueQJJ

The Citadel: The World's First Floating Apartment Complex [Architecture]

Since Holland is mostly under sea level, keeping houses from flooding is a constant problem. This concept fixes that problem by just having an apartment complex that floats.

The Citadel is the residential part of the "New Water" complex, which tries to embrace Holland's waterworld-ness instead of fighting it. It'll have a floating road to the mainland as well as plenty of boat docks for its 60 units. Apparently it'll also be 25% more energy-efficient than an equivalent complex on land by using the surrounding water for cooling. It looks kind of crazy, but the sort of crazy that could actually work. [Inhabitat]

A Rallying Cry Against Scummy Carrier Voicemail Messages [Cellphones]

The New York Times' David Pogue is sick and damned tired of wireless carriers wasting our time and our minutes with their intentionally drawn out voicemail messages. And he wants your help to get them to change.

You know the messages: "At the tone, please record your message. When you have finished recording, you may hang up, or press 1 for more options. To leave a callback number, press 5. (Beep)" That's 15 seconds that you owe every time you leave a voicemail. And it's just as bad when you check your voicemail. And the entire thing is a scam.

These little 15-second waits add up–bigtime. If Verizon's 70 million customers leave or check messages twice a weekday, Verizon rakes in about $620 million a year. That's your money. And your time: three hours of your time a year, just sitting there listening to the same message over and over again every year.

In 2007, I spoke at an international cellular conference in Italy. The big buzzword was ARPU–Average Revenue Per User. The seminars all had titles like, "Maximizing ARPU In a Digital Age." And yes, several attendees (cell executives) admitted to me, point-blank, that the voicemail instructions exist primarily to make you use up airtime, thereby maximizing ARPU.

Well that's pretty shitty! So what to do? Harass the hell out of your carrier and get them to quit it. Pogue has links to places where you should yell at all four major carriers. Here they are:

Verizon: Post a complaint here.
AT&T: Send e-mail to Mark Siegel, ex! ecutive director of media relations.
Sprint: Post a complaint here.
T-Mobile: Post a complaint here.

In the end, will it work? Maybe. But you can't win if you don't play, and these are your overpriced minutes we're talking about here. So I think you know what to do. [Pogue]

Nikon D300s officially announced -- 720p/24 movie mode with autofocus and mic input

Well well, Nikon managed to keep the big secret about the new D300s under wraps even as everything else was leaked in the past few weeks: the new $1,799.95 body will shoot 24fps 720p video with contrast-detect autofocus and offers an external mic input. That's basically every would-be DSLR videographer's major wishlist right there -- sure, 1080p would have been nice, but we'll take better sound over a couple more lines of resolution any day. Other highlights include a 12.3 megapixel DX sensor, 51-point autofocus, and 7fps burst shooting, as well as those dual CF and SD card slots and a 920k pixel screen. Yeah, it's looking like a real beast -- that DX sensor probably doesn't have Canon 5D Mark II fans worried, but if you're looking to get into DSLR video this looks like the new cam to beat.

Gallery: Nikon D300s officially announced -- 720p/24 movie mode with autofocus and mic input

Update: Digital Photography Review has a brief hands-on with the camera, clarifying that the contrast-detection autofocus isn't the quickest, and like we learned with the Olympus E-P1 you'll need to use an external mic when shooting to avoid the ever-present "shhhk" sound. Also of note is continuous shooting, which has been given a boost to seven frames per second -- eight if you have the battery grip -- compared to D300 and that it has the same memory card door as the D700.

Continue reading Nikon D300s officially announced -- 720p/24 movie mode with autofocus and mic input

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Nikon D300s officially announced -- 720p/24 movie mode with autofocus and mic input originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Digital Cowboy's DC-MCNP1 2.5-inch NAS doubles as media player

It's a little hard to believe that we've gone two whole months without a new device from Digital Cowboy, but at long last, the Japanese wrangler is hitting back with a striking new piece of consumer electronics goodness. The DC-MCNP1, which falls neatly into the Movie Cowboy family, is a 2.5-inch NAS drive at heart, but aside from giving you access to files on its diminutive internal drive anywhere in the world, it also streams a plethora of file formats to your HDTV. The HDMI / composite video outputs should take care of the vast majority of ya, and the USB 2.0 socket provides an expansion option for those needing to hook up an external HDD. An Ethernet port is built in for network access, but those who'd prefer to cut the cord can certainly plug a wireless adapter into that USB socket and pray continuously to the signal gods above. If you find yourself in Fukuoka next month, give this one a look if you've got ¥19,900 ($209) to spare.

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Digital Cowboy's DC-MCNP1 2.5-inch NAS doubles as media player originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 05:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer reaffirms that Android-based netbook still coming in Q3

In an effort to quell all sorts of kicking and screaming that resulted from an evidently erroneous report earlier in the week, an Acer representative has reportedly reaffirmed that an Android-based Aspire One is still on schedule for a Q3 release. If you'll recall, we first heard of Acer's intentions to dole out an Android-laden netbook during Computex, and now it seems as if those very plans are still perfectly on track. So there you have it, folks -- no need to keep pounding those heart medications.

Filed under: Laptops

Acer reaffirms that Android-based netbook still coming in Q3 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 07:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung 8500 series LCD TVs feature local-dimming LED backlights, Yahoo! widgets

Sure, we might all just be getting used to LED-backlit LCD HDTVs, but this train ain't stopping, Chico -- Samsung just got official with the 8500 series, which features the next-generation of local-dimming LED backlights. The 54.6-inch and 45.9-inch 240Hz sets are just 1.6 inches deep and offer a 7,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, a 2ms response time, and an Energy Star 3.0 savings mode that continually adjusts the picture and backlight to optimize both picture quality and power savings. You're also getting Samsung's usual suite of connected TV features, like the Yahoo! Widget Engine, DivX playback, and DLNA support, but you'll be paying handsomely for all this newness -- the 45.9-inch UN46B8500's MSRP is $3,599, while the 54.6-inch UN55B8500 will run you $4,499.

Filed under: HDTV

Samsung 8500 series LCD TVs feature local-dimming LED backlights, Yahoo! widgets originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung's Solstice touchscreen phone bounds onto AT&T

The age of the touchscreen dumbphone is definitely upon us, is it not? Today AT&T and Samsung announced the availability of the Solstice, a phone featuring a 3-inch (presumably resistive) touchscreen, TouchWiz, and lots of funky social networking tie-ins. Still, one gets the overwhelming impression that phones of this ilk are simply trying to cash in on the buzz of like-minded devices, while not bringing anything particularly notable to the table. This 3G-equipped number comes loaded with a 2 megapixel camera, microSD support up to 16GB, and... not much else. The phone will be available August 2nd for $99.99 with a two-year contract. Call us crazy, but for that kind of money, aren't there superior touchscreen devices on this network?

Filed under: Cellphones

Samsung's Solstice touchscreen phone bounds onto AT&T originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola Sholes Android phone headed for Verizon?

On the lookout for the Motorola / Android / Verizon trifecta, we dug up some handset renders over at motofan.ru that seem to fit the bill quite well, thank you. According to the site, "Sholes" is a 3.7-inch (480 x 854) touchscreen device that will make its debut in the U.S. in October, featuring: 512MB storage, 256MB RAM, support for microSD / microSDHC up to 16 GB (an 8GB microSD ships with the phone), a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus, GPS, and the expected connectivity (USB, Bluetooth 2.0, WiFi), audio, and video formats. And if the translation wasn't hopelessly garbled, the source is also saying that this bad boy will support both CDMA and EVDO Rev A . No word on a price yet, but if this phone does make it to the realm of the real it'll be nice to see a Moto / Android device that doesn't look like it belongs in the hands of a tweenage girl (yeah, we said it, Morrison). See for yourself after the break.

Continue reading Motorola Sholes Android phone headed for Verizon?

Filed under: Cellphones

Motorola Sholes Android phone headed for Verizon? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fujifilm Finepix Real 3D W1 gets the hands-on treatment

Fujifilm's Finepix Real 3D W1 may look like a fairly standard (albeit dual-lensed) compact camera in its official shots, but as the folks at Stuff.tv discovered when they unboxed theirs, it's a slightly different story in person. While not exactly a deal-breaker, the camera looks to be considerably harder to just toss in a pocket than a regular compact camera, and it weighs about as much as the non-compact Olympus E-P1. That said, it does apparently deliver the goods when it comes to capturing 3D movies and still images, and it'll even work with macro shots, although that apparently requires a bit of practice. Hit up the link below for a closer look.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Fujifilm Finepix Real 3D W1 gets the hands-on treatment originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer further bolsters Timeline lineup with new 8000 Series

It may seem like only yesterday (or a couple of months ago) that Acer was rolling out its very first Timeline laptops to much fanfare, but it's now already turned things around and kicked out a whole new addition to the line-up: the 8000 series. Apparently aimed at both business users and average folk, this one will be available in 13.3-, 14- and 15.6-inch variations, and pack the usual Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Solo ULV processors, 4GB or 8GB of RAM, a 160GB or 500GB hard drive (or even an 80GB Intel X25-M SSD, for those looking to go all out), and either some basic Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics or a ATI's 4330 dedicated GPU -- not to mention some bonuses like a multitouch trackpad and optional 3G (at a later date, it seems). No word on pricing or availability just yet, but it seems safe to bet that at least the entry-level models will be sub-$1000, if the current Timelines are any indication.

Filed under: Laptops

Acer further bolsters Timeline lineup with new 8000 Series originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASUS G60Vx lappy smuggled out of the Peoples Republic of Gamers for in-depth review

Sure, it looks good enough on paper, but how does the new G60Vx gaming laptop from ASUS stack up in the real world? The kids at Bit-Tech have got their hands on this guy and have been cool enough to let us in on their findings. According to the review, the machine "acquits itself pretty well," with the 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM and Blu-Ray drive all holding up their end of the bargain -- aside from the "stuttery" and "dramatically low" framerates encountered while playing Crysis (well, it is Crysis, after all). That said, the device will play "a good number of modern games at the native resolution," even if they deem resolution "irritatingly low" for 2D use. But, you know what? That ain't all, not by a long shot... to see the benchmarks and analysis in their full, unexpurgated glory, hit that read link.

Filed under: Gaming, Laptops

ASUS G60Vx lappy smuggled out of the Peoples Republic of Gamers for in-depth review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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3 pocket-sized digital cameras for the enthusiasts' toy-box - http://bit.ly/mJ3e5 - love! want!

This Is How You Sell Wide-Angle Lenses [Photography]

It's extremely rare to find a tasteful ad campaign that uses sex and clever humor to perfectly define the qualities of a technology product. This series of print ads for Omax wide-angle lenses is one of them:

The campaign was created by Publicis India, showing alternative uses for the wide shots that these lenses can get. I, on the other side, just point and shoot with no shame whatsoever. [Advertolog—Thanks Eduardo Lozano!]

Windows 7 RTM Cracked (What Took So Long?) [Windows 7]

I mean, it's been six days since the RTM first leaked on BitTorrent. SIx days! That's like an eternity. At any rate, it is true—Windows 7 RTM Ultimate has already been cracked using a Lenovo OEM product key.

The key and OEM certificate were extracted from Win 7 Ultimate's .wim files. A similar method was used to bypass Vista, and those vulnerabilities were never addressed so there is no reason to suspect that Microsoft will do anything about it now (but there are no guarantees). Supposedly, the crack works with 32-bit and 64-bit Ultimate versions and can be implemented on HP, Dell, and MSI computers in addition to Lenovo. Of course, you would need to engage in a little BIOS magic to fool the OS that you are using an OEM machine before any of this would work in the first place. [Softpedia via Download Squad via Lifehacker]

Google Dumps Another Half-Million Free Titles Into Sony's eBook Store [Ebooks]

Sure, their authors are all dead, and they're already technically free anyway, but another 500,000 properly formatted, lovingly .EPUBed public domain titles have arrived in Sony's ebook store, courtesy of Google, earning their catalog a deserved—if slightly dubious—claim to the title of the "largest source for eBooks." Mazel tov. [Sony]

Kanex Mini DisplayPort Adapter With Audio Review: Someone Finally Gets It Right [Review]

The Kanex Mini DisplayPort and USB audio to HDMI adapter, which one-ups the previous Monoprice adapter because there's audio.

The Price: $40

The Verdict: It works. IT WORKS! Playing back 1080p trailers in Quicktime, powered by a MacBook Pro, on our plasma TV was fantastic. And the part where it actually has audio? Yes please.

It's quite easy to use. The USB and Mini DisplayPort goes into the MacBook Pro (or Mac Mini), and the other end takes an HDMI cable. Your Mac should automatically detect the new display, but you have to manually switch the audio output to the USB audio device. If you're planning on using a new Mac Mini, this is the way to go. The video quality is pretty much what you'd expect from a clean 1080p source, and those trailers look good.

And with the problems Apple's own Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapters are having, using this and an HDMI-capable monitor might be a smart idea.

The adapters will be available later in the week. I suggest you pick one up if ! you have any kind of Mini DisplayPort-capable computer you want to throw up onto your TV once in a while. Also, Monoprice has a unit coming up soon as well that's pretty similar. [Kanexlive]

A Guide To Finding The Best SSD For Your Money [Storage]

If you want to boost your computer's performance, solid state drives can deliver. However, if you find the choices out there to be daunting, LaptopMag's comprehensive SSD roundup can help you get the most performance for your money.

They tested seven 2.5-inch 128GB SSDs with SATA that ranged in price between $200 and $450. In the end the OCZ Vertex came out on top in terms of overall performance, but the Kingston SSDNow V-Series held its own with a "budget" price tag of $249. Hit up Laptop Mag for the full breakdown. [LaptopMag]

Kodak debuts EasyShare Z950, M381 and M341 digicams

Had enough Kodak this fine morning? No? Good. Just hours after showcasing its newest 1080p pocket camcorder, the aforesaid firm is hitting us up with a few more new pieces to digest. First up is the EasyShare Z950, a modest megazoom-in-a-P&S-body that packs a 10x optical zoom, 12 megapixel sensor and a $279.99 price tag. Next, we've got the totally ho hum EasyShare M381, which also offers a dozen megapixels alongside a 3-inch rear LCD, 5x zoomer, easy upload to Facebook / YouTube, face detection, a variety of lovely hues and an MSRP of $179.99. The last cam is the M341, which steps down to a 3x optical zoom and a smaller 2.7-inch LCD for $149. Closing things out is the EasyShare D830 (£119.99; $196) and D1030 (£169.99; $279) digital photo frames, which check in at 8- and 10-inches respectively (in terms of display size) and tout interchangeable face plates, 512MB of internal memory, a Quick Touch border, memory card reader and a USB port. Everything here should ship in the US and UK by September, though those hungry for additional details are welcome to tap that read link.

[Via DigitalCameraInfo]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Kodak debuts EasyShare Z950, M381 and M341 digicams originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 05:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung's 1TB Spinpoint F3 hard drive serves 500GB per platter

Oh sure, Seagate did it first, but since when have we been ones to kvetch about one-upmanship? Over in South Korea, Samsung has debuted an all new high-density hard drive family for use in "high-end computing environments," or in more comestible terms, your next desktop / workstation. The Spinpoint F3 hums along at 7,200RPM, uses a 3Gbps SATA interface, packs 16/32MB of buffer memory and will be made available in sizes as large as 1TB by utilizing a pair of 500GB-per-platter disks. The boost in areal density provides up to 30 percent higher performance when compared to a three platter 1TB drive in the same 3.5-inch form factor, and the reduction in mechanical parts also makes it less likely to fail prematurely. Sammy isn't being too forthright when it comes to MSRPs, but those looking to snag one regardless can find the 500GB model on shelves now and the 1TB edition later next month.

Filed under: Storage

Samsung's 1TB Spinpoint F3 hard drive serves 500GB per platter originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 06:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2GB Eye-Fi Geo automatically geotags wirelessly uploaded photos, makes your day

Check it, wireless uploaders -- Eye-Fi has just outed its latest WiFi-enabled Secure Digital card, and this one promises to disclose your every move to anyone who'll bother to follow your image feed. Announced today, the Eye-Fi Geo is a 2GB card that will enable users to automatically upload photos from a digital camera while geotagging them as they hit the 'net. The geotagging service is included for life, and for whatever reason, this one's being made exclusively available through Apple stores and online. Of course, it could have something to do with that "seamless integration" with iPhoto and MobileMe, but we're guessing it ought to play nice with other applications and image portals as well. If you're suddenly unable to move on with your life until you've got one of these in your hands, you can snag one today for $59.99. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading 2GB Eye-Fi Geo automatically geotags wirelessly uploaded photos, makes your day

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Storage

2GB Eye-Fi Geo automatically geotags wirelessly uploaded photos, makes your day originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BenQ's new 1080p LCD TV monitor makes someone in Europe very happy

Looks like viewers in the Benelux countries have one more option for their Eurovision parties this year. BenQ has just announced the MK2442, a 23.6-inch LCD TV / computer monitor that sports a 5ms response time, full HD at 1920x1080 / 1080p / 24Hz, an HDMI 1.3 interface, and something called Senseye Human Vision Technology (a proprietary image enhancement engine that, you know, "mimics the human eye" for "deeper, richer and more detailed images"). Available from August 20 all over Europe -- and just the thing for all your Russian techno-pop viewing needs.

[Via Far East Gizmos]

Continue reading BenQ's new 1080p LCD TV monitor makes someone in Europe very happy

Filed under: Displays

BenQ's new 1080p LCD TV monitor makes someone in Europe very happy originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Windows 7 activation already cracked with Lenovo's OEM license key

Sort of funny that Microsoft made a big show of handing over the Windows 7 RTM code to Lenovo and other manufacturers last week -- the first activation crack for the OS has just appeared, and it's based on Lenovo's OEM license key. Oops. The crack apparently works with 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows 7 Ultimate, and it apparently passes Genuine Advantage, so things are looking good for all you wannabe pirates out there. You did buy an upgrade disc, though, right?

[Via DownloadSquad]

Filed under: Software

Windows 7 activation already cracked with Lenovo's OEM license key originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pioneer's ultraslim DVR-XD09 burner is more jewel case than drive

While ASUS is busy stuffing DVD burners into Eee PCs, Pioneer and others are working hard to make the integrated optical drive a thing of the past. The freshly announced XD09 measures in at 5.24 x 0.58 x 5.24-inches and 8 ounces, or slightly beefier than your average CD case. Pioneer claims that it's the most compact drive design yet. Essentially this means if you can carry your optical media around with you, then you can carry the player for it too. Power comes via the USB 2.0 connection, and all the usual DVD plus, minus, reading, writing, dual-layer mumbo jumbo is retained with top writing speeds of 8x on single-layer and 6x on double-layer media. This inspired minimalism can be yours for $79.99 in August.

[Via Hot Hardware]

Filed under: Peripherals, Storage

Pioneer's ultraslim DVR-XD09 burner is more jewel case than drive originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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