Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Hands-on shots of Creative's Vado HD 720p pocket camcorder

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/09/hands-on-shots-of-creatives-vado-hd-720p-pocket-camcorder/


Creative's recently unleashed Vado HD 720p pocket camcorder isn't dramatically different (design wise, anyway) than its predecessor, but it's obviously what's tucked inside that counts. Still, we have to admire the subtle but meaningful updates that Creative has applied here, and while beauty will strike everyone differently, we personally like the direction the Vado HD has taken. For a few more looks, saunter on down to the read link.

Filed under:

Hands-on shots of Creative's Vado HD 720p pocket camcorder originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Lenovo drops IdeaPad S10 pricing across the board

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/09/lenovo-drops-ideapad-s10-pricing-across-the-board/


A mere two days after launching a large capacity version of its multi-hued IdeaPad S10 netbook, Lenovo's gone and chopped prices through and through, with specialty-color netbooks that used to retail for $439 landing at $359, and the boring black or white models retailing for $349, down from $399. Large capacity versions, with their fancy 1GB of RAM and 160GB hard drives go for $399 and $409 now, respectively. That's a savings of $50 or $80 for all you math whizzes out there, which is great but Lenovo is certainly not the only one to be pushing down netbook price points to what one might call "recession levels."

[Via LogicBUY]

Filed under:

Lenovo drops IdeaPad S10 pricing across the board originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Open Handset Alliance signs up 14 more Android-lovers, including Sony Ericsson, ASUS and Garmin

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/09/open-handset-alliance-signs-up-14-more-android-lovers-including/

The Open Handset Alliance just made a major score with 14 more members: AKM Semiconductor Inc., ARM, ASUSTek Computer Inc., Atheros Communications, Borqs, Ericsson, Garmin International Inc., Huawei Technologies, Omron Software Co. Ltd, Softbank Mobile Corporation, Sony Ericsson, Teleca AB, Toshiba Corporation and Vodafone. That's not quite everyone that matters, but pretty darn close. Developing...

Filed under: ,

Open Handset Alliance signs up 14 more Android-lovers, including Sony Ericsson, ASUS and Garmin originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Read More...

New in Labs: Tasks

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/OfficialGmailBlog/~3/2XH_XVVMhGI/new-in-labs-tasks.html

Posted by Jonathan Terleski, Michael Lancaster, and Brett Lider, Tasks team People use Gmail to get stuff done, so we've added a lightweight way to keep track of what you need to do, right from within Gmail. Take entering a new task: just click in an empty part of your list and start typing. No buttons to click and it's saved automatically. Hit Return and you've got a new task right there. You can also easily convert emails into tasks: select one or more messages and go to More Actions > Add to Tasks. (Or turn on keyboard shortcuts and use <shift> + t.) We put your tasks in the same kind of window as chats, so they're visible while you're scanning your inbox, reading mail, or searching (and in Settings, too!). Just pop your list out into a new window to use Tasks outside of Gmail. To enable Tasks, go to Settings, click the Labs tab (or just click here if you're signed in). Select "Enable" next to "Tasks" and then click "Save Changes" at the bottom. Then, after Gmail refreshes, on the left under the "Contacts" link, you'll see a "Tasks" link. Just click it to get started. read more on gmail tasks...

Read More...

Monday, December 08, 2008

Five Best Media Center Applications [Hive Five]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/h5vxx38X18M/five-best-media-center-applications

The past ten years have completely changed the way we listen to music, watch movies and television, and take photos, and one thing is abundantly clear: The future of your media lies undeniably in the digital realm. Now you just need to find the perfect media center application to pull it all together. Earlier this week we asked you to share your favorite media center applications, and today we're back with the five most popular answers. Keep reading for a closer look at the favorites, then cast your vote for the media center app you count on to manage your digital media life. Photo by Aaron Escobar.

XBMC (Windows/Mac/Linux/Xbox/Apple TV)

XBMC (aka Xbox Media Center) is a free, open-source media center application designed, in the beginning, for the original Xbox. XBMC has made serious progress over the past year or so and can now run virtually anywhere—including Windows, Mac, Linux, and Apple TVs. Not only is XBMC an incredible media center app with tons of great add-ons and customization options, but it's also spawned several popular forks, including Boxee (mentioned below). XBMC is in constant development and has gotten better and better at running on your PC, but if you've got an old Xbox hanging around, here's how to transform your classic Xbox with XBMC.

Boxee (Mac OS X/Apple TV/Linux)

Boxee is an XBMC fork with an emphasis on taking your media center into the social realm. Like XBMC, Boxee is free and open source, but while it's aiming for the same platforms, Boxee currently only supports Mac OS X, Linux, and the Apple TV. Still, a pre-alpha release of the Windows version was released to a small group of testers just last week, so if you're on Windows and you like what you see, it may not be long before there's a Boxee for you. Despite its aim to be your social media center, Boxee's great interface and impressive features—including recent support for Netflix playback and integration with online video sites like Hulu—demonstrate that Boxee isn't slacking on overall innovation.

Windows Media Center (Windows/Xbox 360)

Windows Media Center brings a full and robust media management to your Windows operating system. Not only does Windows Media Center provide access to all your music, videos, photos, and more, but it also sports fantastic DVR functionality (it's like having a TiVo without the monthly bills). Microsoft released the first version of Windows Media Center with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, but Vista comes with Windows Media Center built in to its Home Premium and Ultimate editions. Sound interesting? Check out how you can turn your Windows PC into a media center powerhouse on the cheap with WMC, watch and schedule Media Center recordings from any computer, and stream Netflix Watch Instantly videos in WMC. Lastly, if you've got an Xbox 360, it works beautifully as a Media Center extender for Windows Media Center.

SageTV (Windows/Mac/Linux)

SageTV is a cross-platform media center and DVR application. SageTV works great if all you want is a straightforward DVR, but it's also an awesome app for the consummate tweaker. In contrast to Windows Media Center, SageTV recordings are DRM free, so it's easy to convert your media and play back the files anywhere—and on any device—you like. SageTV is a commercial application that'll set you back $80, but a 21-day free trial is available if you want to kick the tires. For more, check out our old guide to building your own DVR with SageTV and adding a web interface that lets you play back and set up recordings from any web browser.

MythTV (Linux)

MythTV is a Linux-based DVR and media center application designed as a free, open-source alternative to TiVo and Windows Media Center. First started way back in 2002, MythTV is the granddaddy of many of the media centers in this Hive Five and many that aren't. ! Currentl y several Linux distributions come bundled with MythTV, including the popular KnoppMyth live CD and Mythbuntu. MythTV's biggest hurdle for new users is probably Linux, but if you're willing to roll up your sleeves or you've already got a little know-how, this saucy media center has a lot to offer.


Now that you've seen the best, it's voting time.
Which Is the Best Media Center Application?
( surveys)

This week's honorable mentions go out to the open-source Windows-based media center and DVR, MediaPortal, and Mac OS X-based XBMC fork, Plex. Whether the media center love of your life made the short list or not, let's hear more about it in the comments.


Read More...