India 'unveils' $20 laptop, the Sakshat

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/03/india-unveils-20-laptop-the-sakshat/

As expected, India's government unveiled the jointly-developed "$10 laptop" today, now priced at $20. Unfortunately dubbed Sakshat, which ironically translates as "before your eyes," the laptop is slated to ship in six months, with specs in line with what we've heard already: 2GB of storage, WiFi, Ethernet and 2 watts of power consumption. In fact, there really isn't much "unveiling" going on at all, since there's still no published image of the thing, or information about the screen size, RAM or processor. Some folks are also still skeptical as to whether a laptop can really be produced at such a low cost, since most LCDs alone would put it over budget, but we suppose we'll find out this summer. The laptop itself won't be subsidized, but the government will shoulder 25 percent of the cost of broadband for colleges, and there will be free e-learning textbooks available to students online.

Filed under: Laptops

India 'unveils' $20 laptop, the Sakshat originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung pulls a Samsung, leaks nine new models ahead of MWC

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/03/samsung-pulls-a-samsung-leaks-nine-new-models-ahead-of-mwc/

In typical Samsung go-big-or-go-home style, the world's number two phone manufacturer is now expected to announce no fewer than nine new models at this month's Mobile World Congress -- and that's just from the EDGE-powered middle of the range on down. Starting with the most interesting of the school (if we want to go with a fish analogy here), the pictured S5050 brings high style, a 3.2 megapixel cam, 2.2-inch QVGA AMOLED display, and most interestingly, dual SIM slots -- an indication that this will very likely see duty in the Far East. Heading on downrange, the B5702 is almost as awesome but trades the high-tech display for a 2.4-inch TFT. Of course, there's more than just sliders in the mix; you've also got bars like the S3310, which supports microSD expansion, a 2.1-inch QVGA display, and FM radio (an almost ubiquitous feature in developing market phones). The E2210 holds down the clamshell fort -- but to get it, you'll have to be cool with a meager 160 x 128 display and a weak VGA cam. Heading down to the very, very bottom of the range, you get into a couple candybars designed to be accessible to the world's poorest: the E1125 and E1100, which rock 128 x 128 displays, a data-less GSM radio, and 300 / 200-contact phone books, respectively. That E1100 sounds suspiciously like the legendary Nokia 1100, doesn't it? Anyhoo, expect this all to break at MWC, along with the usual array of moderately more droolworthy high-end fodder.

[Via GSMArena]

Filed under: Cellphones

Samsung pulls a Samsung, leaks nine new models ahead of MWC originally appeared on Eng! adget on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Transcend rolls out high-speed 192GB 2.5-inch SSD drive

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/03/transcend-rolls-out-high-speed-192gb-2-5-inch-ssd-drive/

It's not exactly the most spacious 2.5-inch SSD drive available, but Transcend's new 192GB model certainly isn't any slouch either and, according to the company, it should be more than fast enough for most users as well. That's due in no small part to its SATA II interface that helps push out read / write speeds of 150MB and 90MB per second, which are further backed up by a latency of just 0.2ms, and some integrated Error Correction Code (or ECC) to ensure that data is transferred intact. No word on a price just yet, but it looks like it should be rolling out any day now, if it's not already.

Filed under: Storage

Transcend rolls out high-speed 192GB 2.5-inch SSD drive originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SIM2 Solar Series infinite contrast HDR LCD ships in Q2

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/03/sim2-solar-series-infinite-contrast-hdr-lcd-ships-in-q2/

After several years high dynamic range LCD technology is finally ready for market, now that SIM2 and Dolby are showing off this Solar Series 47-inch screen at the 2009 Integrated Systems Europe show. Just like last year's prototype, it's both brighter (4,000 cd/m2) and has a greater contrast ratio than any flat panel currently available. The 2,206 LEDs can provide up to an infinite contrast ratio and supposedly match real world visuals thanks to 16 bit color processing. The only bad news is that even with a name change to Dolby Vision, that ugly wide bezel from the BrightSide days still remains. We'll have to wait until closer to the Q2 shipping date to find out the price, but with SIM2's high end reputation it won't be cheap.

Gallery: SIM2 / Dolby Vision Solar Series HDR display

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Filed under: Displays, HDTV

SIM2 Solar Series infinite contrast HDR LCD ships in Q2 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Coto

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDieline/~3/kX5uc9I7A58/coto.html

Coto is a luxury fashion accessories company in NYC. Their slender, well-made neckties and hand made cuff links are stylish and understated. Their products are packaged in unique packaging. The cuff links are packed in tiny glass vials sealed with a cork and branded with the Coto logo. When they are shipped, they come nestled in a bed of reindeer moss. The ties are in round 'capsule' boxes that were also shipped in the moss.

(photo credits: Reuben Miller)

Here's some background info that Dominick Volini of Coto was kind enough to share with me: 

"[about the cuff links] We are big collectors of curiosities. Our friend and industrial designer, Greg Buntain, made us bamboo vials when we first started the brand. We loved them. We played off of this vial theme to encase our links. Our cufflinks are specimens of nature – made from coconuts, tagua nuts, horns, briar root, etc... We also needed a durable case to house the delicate "fly" links which are made out of natural feathers.   The glass vials and natural cork presented the links very well – like a message in a bottle washed up on the beach...relics from a distant island. The COTO laser engrave adds a nice clean branding detail.

[about the neckties] Playing off of the round-end necktie and sustainable components of our products, we wanted to create packaging that integrated these unique features. We fused two cases that we constantly use – tea containers and an old fly fishing reel case. We loved the round capsule aesthetic of the tea containers and the proportions of the reel case. Using recycled paper with a linen texture gave it the enviro piety and aesthetic we were looking for.

We wanted the exterior of the capsule to be clean – we are big fans of ample white space on web/print so we used....white. The interior needed to pop with our signature orange-yellow color we call 7AM (a good time to check the surf and see the beautiful sun rising). The branding is simple and understated as well – a tonal emboss/deboss "O" logo on the top and a small "COTO" wordmark print on the interior top."

 

"We use reindeer moss to buffer the capsule and vial in their shipping containers. It is a nice detail when opening the package – instead of finding packing peanuts we surround the cases with soft, sponge-like, natural moss. Full disclosure, we are also addicted to the woodsy smell of it."

More about Coto: COTO is rooted in a philosophy of self expression. It is a simple idea that penetrates everything we create – to be forward-thinking in our own unique way. We view the building of COTO through an artistic lens that provokes thought and, we hope, inspires others in our creative niche. 

Our inspiration is pulled from a passion in art, sport, nature and travel. Nomadic surfers, isolated artists and culture-seekers ourselves, we embody the freedom and authenticity of a left-of-center attitude.

The COTO product offering is our platform of expression. Utilizing nature-borrowed, sustainable materials, we create a limited collection for those who appreciate the details. By using carefully selected components, each product reveals a familiar, almost vintage quality in character and craftsmanship. They complement a style of understated sophistication – for the sartorial and sustainably minded.

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