Monday, October 26, 2009

Mac OS 10.6.2 Leaks New Core i5/i7 MacBook Pros? [Rumor]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/B-RIol-APCQ/mac-os-1062-leaks-new-core-i5i7-macbook-pros

It'd be the most obvious leak in history, but the 10C531 build of OS 10.6.2 references the "MacBook Pro 6.1 and the MacBook Pro 6.1b." All current MacBook Pros are strictly "5" status.

Of course, this appears to be confirmation of the obvious, that Apple will be updating their MacBook Pro line to include Core i5/i7 chips following the white MacBook's Pro-level spec bump last week. (Apple will need to adopt these new chipsets to stay competitive.) Now we just need an answer to the far more important question: When? [Foro Applesana via AppleInsider]




Read More...

Is This Verizon's Android 2.0 Version of the HTC HD2? [Android]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/ONmGujchnm8/is-this-verizons-android-20-version-of-the-htc-hd2

Looks like that unknown HTC handset may be the Android equivalent of the HD2—complete with speedy 1GHz Snapdragon processor (like the upcoming Acer Liquid). And it's rumored to hit Verizon by year's end as the HTC Passion.

The HD2 is probably the most interesting WinMo 6.5 phone out there (even though it won't arrive in the U.S until early next year, possibly on T-Mobile). Besides the 1GHz Snapdragon processor, it's got that huge 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen—so an Android 2.0 version sounds pretty exciting. If the rumor is true, of course.

UnLockr, who dug up the original mystery pics, believes the Passion is the CDMA version of the HTC Dragon, and suggests the hardware buttons are similar to the Motorola Droid handset because Verizon wants to have their Android devices controlled as uniformly as possible. That kinda makes sense, especially now that we're hearing "Droid" ! may actu ally represent the name of Verizon's entire Android series.

We'll know more after Verizon's Droid event on Wednesday, but fingers crossed on the Passion. A beautiful big screen on what could be the first truly fast Android phone available. Verizon could get on a roll with this whole Android thing. [UnLockr]




Read More...

Y550 Laptop Lenovo's First With a Core i7 Inside [Laptops]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/MS1Z1HJeUAw/y550-laptop-lenovos-first-with-a-core-i7-inside

The Y550P, a 15-inch laptop, is Lenovo's first portable to offer a Core i7 option.

Besides that, it's got a lot of juice available in options—up to 8GB of memory, 500GB hard drive, Nvidia GeForce GT 240M (1GB) graphics, an integrated subwoofer, and some kind of crazy "touch-sensitive slide bar for easy desktop navigation." It'll retail at around $1400 to start.

It comes with Lenovo Enhanced Experience for Windows 7, basically optimization that results in faster bootup and shutdown times as well as easier backup. [Lenovo]

Lenovo New IdeaPad Laptops and IdeaCentre Desktops Deliver Style, Ease of Use and Multimedia Features for Consumers
New PCs Bundle Lenovo Enhanced Experience Certification for Windows 7 and complementary Intel Processor Technology
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – October 26, 2009: Lenovo (HKSE: 0992) (ADR: LNVGY) today unveiled a lineup of new IdeaPad laptops – U150, U550 and Y550P – and IdeaCentre desktops – B500, K300 and H230 – designed to meet the performance, style and usability standards of today's multi-tasking consumers.
The new Idea PCs combine stylish designs and innovative features enabled by the ultra low power Intel® CoreTM processor family of products and improved performance with an Intel® CoreTM i7 processor. These new products ship with Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system and also include the unique Lenovo Enhanced Experience for Windows 7 – the result of joint engineering by Lenovo in collaboration wi! th Micro soft to provide users with faster system boot and shutdown, richer multimedia features and easy system maintenance tools.
"Our Idea products are designed with the user experience in mind - every aspect of product design and technology is engineered to improve how consumers seamlessly use these products to enrich their daily lives," said Liu Jun, senior vice president, Idea Product Group, Lenovo. "Today's additions to the Idea product portfolio are among Lenovo's most feature-rich and powerful PCs to-date, providing our customers more choices to find the PC that best meets their unique digital lifestyle."
"Lenovo and Intel share a vision to create products that are faster, lighter, thinner and with longer battery life and delivering them to consumers in the quickest and most cost effective way," Gregory Bryant, vice president, Sales and Marketing Group, Intel Corporation. "Whether you are looking for ultrathin, stylish laptops with exceptional performance or beautiful and powerful desktops, Lenovo and Intel are working together to deliver Idea products with the right Intel® processor technology inside to meet your needs."
"As a result of our joint engineering investments, Lenovo is demonstrating their commitment to Windows 7 by making significant improvements in important areas like start-up, shutdown and resume times. We congratulate Lenovo on its work, as we think it will help business customers and consumers benefit from a better computing experience on Lenovo's leading products," said John Kalkman, vice president of OEM Engineering and Services at Microsoft Corp. "With Lenovo's Enhanced Experience, customers can be confident that their new PC delivers more of the exciting benefits that Windows 7 has to offer."
Idea Product Facts
Lenovo's latest IdeaPad laptops and IdeaCentre desktops meet consumer demands for mobility, added power to effectively multitask, flexibility to support professional and personal computing needs, data security, stylish designs and the latest multimedia fea! tures. IdeaPad Y550P – Cutting-edge power for multimedia on the go
The Y550P is ideal for today's multi-tasker and the most powerful laptop in Lenovo's consumer portfolio. The Y550P is Lenovo's first notebook to use the new Intel Core i7 processor with Intel® Turbo Boost Technology1 that automatically speeds up the processor when the PC needs extra performance. This high-performance laptop also features powerful NVIDIA discrete graphics, a 15.6inch HD widescreen display, Dolby® Home TheaterTM surround sound, and unique Lenovo tools like SlideNav – a touch-sensitive bar above the
keyboard that makes it faster and easier to navigate programs, documents and shortcuts, or even quickly change the desktop wallpaper on users' systems.
IdeaPad U150 – Slim and chic portability
The U150 is just 13.5mm thick and weighs only 1.35kg2, yet under the textured red or black cover lies a range of features designed to strike the right balance between mobility and functionality. The ultraportable U150 with an energy-efficient Intel Core 2 Duo processor offers up to 8GB DDR3 memory, 11.6in HD widescreen display and long battery life. The Active Protection System on the U150 helps protect the hard drive if the laptop is dropped or gets bumped. A new version of OneKey Rescue System, Version 7.0, performs data backups up to twice as fast and includes more powerful antivirus scanning that can be run even before loading the operating system.
IdeaPad U550 – Ultraportable laptop with added flexibility for the office and home
At just 24mm thick and with a 15.6in wide HD wide screen display, the new IdeaPad U550 laptop with Intel Core 2 Duo processor includes a range of features that make it easy for users to transition between work and home use. For example, switchable graphics let users turn their discrete graphics card on and off at the press of a button to better manage PC battery life. Dolby® Sound Room surround-sound via the laptop's large, integrated speakers brings presentations to life and make! s games and movies more enjoyable. The Ambient Light Sensor automatically adjusts screen brightness based on light conditions, reducing strain on the eyes. An integrated DVD drive delivers added flexibility to access and share content. The integrated fingerprint reader and VeriFaceTM facial recognition software on the U550 provide additional ease of use when logging onto the PC.
IdeaCentre B500 – High performance all-in-one, immersive entertainment experience
Featuring an Intel® CoreTM2 Quad processor, powerful discrete graphics, up to 8GB DDR3 memory and 1TB HDD storage space, the IdeaCentre B500 all-in-one desktop is the ultimate PC for serious gamers and multimedia users. The 23in Full HD screen and high-quality JBL- brand integrated speakers provide a quality viewing experience. Coupled with a 4-in-1 remote control that acts as a motion-drive games controller, VOIP handset, air mouse and media remote, the B500 supports a dynamic multimedia entertainment experience. Additional unique Lenovo features on the B500 include CamSuite, a tool that helps to keep users in the center of the Web camera's focus and adds special effects to live video feeds.
IdeaCentre K300 – Desktop PC with optimized power and control
The IdeaCentre K300 with the Intel Core 2 Quad processor is a performance desktop loaded with powerful technologies including high-performance RAID configured hard drives for added storage and peace of mind. It also includes the Lenovo Power Control Switch, which makes it simple for users adjust the level of power they need - from all-out performance to more energy-efficient modes.
Lenovo H230 – Functionality at a value price
Available starting at US $299 and equipped with a range of HDD and DDR3 memory configurations, the H230 is designed to offer consumers the perfect mix of performance and value. Integrated tools such as Lenovo Rescue System provide users a worry-free experience by enabling quick and easy data recovery and advanced antivirus technology.
Lenovo U350 and S! 10-2 – Eye-catching new textures and patterns marry fashion with functionality The IdeaPad U350 ultraportable laptop and S10-2 netbook are now available in a range of new textures and colorful patterns. The U350 can be purchased with a cool, eye-catching cover texture such as brown lizard print, white lamb skin print and red light weave. Using the latest PC cover-painting technology, the popular S10-2 comes in new colorful designs such as pop art, violet floral, red floral, green floral, phoenix, garden, sailing and origami.



Read More...

Lenovo All-in-One IdeaCentre B500's Got Cyborg Chic [Lenovo]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/UKWElk3tM8A/lenovo-all+in+one-ideacentre-b500s-got-cyborg-chic

Lenovo introduced a few new computers today, most interesting among them (visually, at least) being the B500 all-in-one with a crazy angular design. But they've also got their first Core i7 notebook and a pretty nice-looking ultraportable.

Lenovo is fleshing out their all-in-one lineup (which already includes the cheaper C100) with the terrifyingly angular IdeaCentre B500. It's got pretty decent specs, if you don't want to wait until the new Intel procs take over. The 23-inch 16x9 B500 offers (at its best and most expensive configuration) up to a Core 2 Quad proc, 4GB memory, a 1TB hard drive, DVD or Blu-ray, and an optional TV tuner with remote, in case you want to turn it into a media center.

[Lenovo]




Read More...

Internet Speeds and Costs Around the World, Shown Visually [Infographics]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/kbn0JhLRYdE/internet-speeds-and-costs-around-the-world-shown-visually

This awesome infographic shows the internet costs and speeds around the world for the top 20 nations in the ITIF Broadband Rankings. Unsurprisingly, we don't compare too well.

Number one is, predictably, Japan, where the average broadband speed is 60mbps and they pay $0.27 per 1mbps. We, in comparison, average 4.8mbps and pay $3.33 per 1mbps, putting us at #15. Be sure to click the above image to see it in its full glory. [Zach Klein]




Read More...