Amazon puts code where its mouth is: releases Kindle source to the world

Well, here's a nice start to what Jeff Bezos was saying about giving the Kindle reader team some competition: Amazon just released source code for all its Kindle devices. It's fairly basic Linux underneath (kernel 2.6.22 on the latest 2.1 software), but obviously includes E Ink drivers and other relevant hardware support. What's unclear without compiling one of these and booting it up (to our untrained eyes, anyway) is whether Amazon stripped out its various DRM and licensed codec support -- MP3 and Audible seem very likely candidates for explosion, even if turns out Amazon did leave in its own Kindle Book DRM. We're also lacking an actual specific license for the code, though the folder we unpacked the OS to is called "gplrelease," so hopefully we're looking at the GNU General Public License -- which would mean manufacturers can take and repurpose this code to build their own Kindle clone / destroyer / gentle homage.

Filed under: Handhelds

Amazon puts code where its mouth is: releases Kindle source to the world originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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3G-equipped Acer Aspire One 531 netbook hits the US

Acer's Aspire One 531 has been floating around Europe since April, but it looks like it's finally made its way to a few retailers over here, and in a couple of different versions no less. Those include the AO531h-1791 "Pro" version, and the AO531h-1440 and AO531h-1766 "Normal" versions, the former of which packs 2GB of RAM and XP Professional, while the latter two dial things back to 1GB of RAM and XP Home. Otherwise, you'll get the same 10.1-inch 1,024 x 600 display on each, along with the usual Atom N270 processor, a 160GB hard drive, and built-in 3G, which can bring the price of the normal version down to just $150 if you also sign up for an AT&T service plan. Plan on spending upwards of $450 if you want to go your own way.

Filed under: Laptops

3G-equipped Acer Aspire One 531 netbook hits the US originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BenQ gets its AMD Yukon kicks with the Joybook Lite T131

AMD's all about the thin-and-light category with its latest chips, and BenQ is happy to oblige with this new Joybook Lite T131 running AMD's Yukon chipset. At 4 pounds and 1.1-inches thick, however, the 13.3-inch laptop isn't incredibly notable in either department -- especially since it's short a disc drive -- but it's still a pretty attractive little unit. There's a 320GB HDD, SD reader and our favorite, an anti-glare screen, but other than the webcam and mic the laptop is pretty low on perks. It's available in either "opulent midnight blue" or "snowy white" and will be hitting China in June, with no word on price or when they might spread the love.

[Via SlashGear]

Filed under: Laptops

BenQ gets its AMD Yukon kicks with the Joybook Lite T131 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Huawei U8230 Android phone officially launched at CommunicAsia

Remember that mysterious Huawei Android number from MWC? It's all grown up and officially launched as the U8230 now. Specs are still maddeningly ambiguous, however -- the only hard info we've got is a 3.5-inch touchscreen and a 1500mAH battery, which is said to be the largest battery "among Android-powered handsets currently available." Considering the only set that's really out there is the notoriously battery-poor G1, that's not such a radical claim, but we'd sure love to test this one out in person when this launches (perhaps on T-Mobile?) alongside the 2.8-inch Windows Mobile-powered C8000 later this year.

Filed under: Cellphones

Huawei U8230 Android phone officially launched at CommunicAsia originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Garmin-Asus G60 slated for August launch, will be last non-Android Linux phone for the couple

What's that, you're still holding your breath waiting for the G60 release? Breathe, child, breathe, it's still going to be a little while before you can get your nav on with this celly. Obviously it didn't make the first half of the year as initially planned, but the Garmin-Asus partnership is now saying that the phone will still arrive at its retail destination before 2010, with some places seeing it in just two months time. Why the delays? Apparently its custom flavor of Linux is at least part of the problem, leading the corporate couple's marriage counselors to suggest a move to Android for all future, non-WinMo handsets -- devices that, contrary to earlier reports, will also launch before the end of the year. So, G60 in August, or potentially even hotter Android nav phone a few months later? Decisions, decisions.

Filed under: Cellphones, GPS

Garmin-Asus G60 slated for August launch, will be last non-Android Linux phone for the couple originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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