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Monday, May 09, 2011

WiMAX sleeve brings 4G speeds to the iPhone 4 in South Korea

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/09/wimax-sleeve-brings-4g-speeds-to-the-iphone-4-in-south-korea/

This is exactly how we humans got out of the trees five million years ago. We spot a problem, like the iPhone 4's lack of 4G data, and we solve it. In fact, Korean Telecom's new Egg sleeve not only brings WiMAX to the iPhone 4 but also incorporates an extra battery to allow five hours of 4G surfing. It could make bipedalism slightly uncomfortable however, by bulking your pocket out with 2.4 ounces (68g) in added weight plus a third of an inch (8mm) in extra thickness. Primates outside of South Korea can't buy the ₩129,800 ($120) Egg right now, but problem-solving minds can always use 4G mobile hotspots instead -- like the Sprint Overdrive or Verizon's new LTE-based MiFi. That's why we're the jungle VIP.

WiMAX sleeve brings 4G speeds to the iPhone 4 in South Korea originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 May 2011 08:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audio battlefield would prepare troops for combat or a typical Slayer concert

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/09/audio-battlefield-would-prepare-troops-for-combat-or-a-typical-s/

Ever wondered how well playing Call of Duty at maximum volume mimics a real combat experience? Researchers at the Missouri University of Science and Technology must have asked a similar question, because they've built a 64-speaker surround-sound audio battlefield designed to train new troops. The system reproduces screaming fighter jets, rumbling tanks, and persistent gunfire -- all the better to accommodate recruits to the overwhelming, disorienting cacophony of warfare. Veterans say even with the four large 20-hertz subwoofers, it's nowhere near the real thing: combat volume is 25 percent louder than the average rock concert, at levels that can cause permanent hearing loss. Still, the creators say every bit of training helps; having near-combat experience is certainly better than none at all. So tell that to your neighbors next time they bang on your wall.

[Image via The Associated Press]

Audio battlefield would prepare troops for combat or a typical Slayer concert originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 May 2011 08:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HP unveils the Pavilion dv4, Envy 14 with Sandy Bridge, and a redesigned Mini 210

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/09/hp-unveils-the-pavilion-dv4-envy-14-with-sandy-bridge-and-a-re/

With a Sandy Bridge refresh, a new 14-inch mainstream laptop, and a redesigned netbook, HP's latest crop of consumer systems offers a little something for everyone. First up, there's the 14-inch Pavilion dv4 (not to be confused with the metal-clad dm4), which bears the same Imprint finish and CoolSense technology as its siblings and ushers in a striking cobalt blue color option, as you can see in the photo above. Look for it on May 18 with a starting price of $600.

Then there's the revamped Mini 210, which swaps last year's not-too-glossy plastic lid for candy-colored lids, and adds a seamless touchpad, edge-to-edge 10.1-inch display, and a flush six-cell battery promising up to 8.8 hours of battery life -- an upgrade over last year's standard four-cell. Spec-wise, nothing has changed from the current 210, except for the addition of Beats Audio, something you'll find across HP's notebook lineup. It'll be available on June 15 and cost $300 for the charcoal version -- alas, you'll have to pony up $330 for one of the punchier colors. For now, be sure to check out our video hands-on.

Lastly, HP did the predictable and refreshed the high-end Envy 14 with Sandy Bridge CPU options and USB 3.0. It also promises an improved touch experience -- something we bemoaned in our review last year -- with a trackpad that uses optical sensors to analyze your multitouch gestures. That will go on sale June 15 for $1,000 and up.

Gallery: HP Pavilion dv4

Gallery: HP Mini 210

Gallery: HP Envy 14

Gallery: HP Pavilion dv4 hands-on!

Continue reading HP unveils the Pavilion dv4, Envy 14 with Sandy Bridge, and a redesigned Mini 210

HP unveils the Pavilion dv4, Envy 14 with Sandy Bridge, and a redesigned Mini 210 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 May 2011 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HP Mini 210 hands-on (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/09/dnp-hp-mini-210-hands-on-video/

Truth be told, we liked the Mini 210's not-too-glossy design when we reviewed it last year, but compared to the latest generation, it manages to look frumpy. The made-over version (starting at $299) has a shimmering paint job that's almost metallic, but since the 210 is still made of plastic, it feels light in the hands -- as a netbook should. And oh, the colors! We'd be lying if we said the palette didn't help sell us on the design. (It's just too bad that all but the charcoal gray model will set you back an extra $30). Even more than our sweet spot for turquoise, what makes these color options appealing is that HP committed to them. Lift the lid, and you'll see the color extending onto the palm rest, above the keyboard, and even between the keys. The 210 also has a flat bottom with a larger, six-cell battery inside, and it's because of this flush battery that HP was able to paint the area near the hinge, as opposed to letting the battery stick out. Throw in the edge-to-edge 10.1-inch display and flush touchpad, and you've got a design that feels seamless, minimalistic.

That continuity -- even more than the metallic finish -- is what makes the Mini 210 look like a high-end laptop, cut down to size. In fact, the Mini 210 borrows design elements you might recognize from the company's premium Envy line -- namely, rounded edges, scooping around the keyboard area, and Beats audio -- a surprise feature in a category that doesn't usually offer much in the way of rich sound. As for the keyboard, HP's stuck to a chiclet layout that's served it well in the past. In our brief hands-on, the panel felt sturdy, and we made few typing errors. The buttons, meanwhile, felt tactile, though we'll have to spend more time with it to gauge how well HP fixed the trackpad issues afflicting last year's model. We hope to do just that before it ships in mid-June, but until then take a peek at the gallery of close-up shots below, along with the video tour after the break.

Gallery: HP Mini 210 hands-on!

Continue reading HP Mini 210 hands-on (video)

HP Mini 210 hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 May 2011 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HP intros the ProBook 5330m, EliteBook 2560p, and EliteBook 2760p tablet

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/09/hp-intros-the-probook-5330m-elitebook-2560p-and-elitebook-2760/

After announcing a trio of consumer laptops, you didn't think HP had forgotten about its business line, did you? The company also trotted out three lightweight models for the corporate set, including the 12.1-inch EliteBook 2760p convertible tablet, which has been rearing its head around the FCC as of late. Although it's an update to the current-generation 2740p, it sticks with its tried-and-true metal design. But -- surprise, surprise -- it steps up to Sandy Bridge Core i5 and Core i7 CPU options, promises 5.5 hours of battery life with the standard six-cell, and will be one of several models compatible with HP's newly minted (optional) prepaid data service, DataPass. Is this the Windows 7 tablet you've been looking for? It's on sale now starting at $1,500 -- stylus included.

Next up is the EliteBook 2560p laptop, an update to the 12.1-inch 2540p. This one, too, has a tough aluminum-and-magnesium-alloy build, but it gets the good ol' Sandy Bridge treatment and also shifts to a 12.5-inch display -- a screen size that's rarely stretched to 16:9 proportions. And, HP claims it's the only laptop of its size with a built-in optical drive, if sacrificing optical discs isn't a compromise you're willing to make. Look for it on May 23 with a starting price of $1,100.

Lastly, there's the ProBook 5330m, a 13.3-incher that's trying hard to win over Generation Y-types just dipping their toes into the workforce... and who will call in sick if their work machines aren't trendy, or something. In addition to a dual-tone aluminum chassis, it plays cool with a backlit keyboard, Sandy Bridge Core i3 and i5 CPU options, and Beats Audio -- a first for an HP business system. On the inside, meanwhile, it offers TPM circuitry and optional Intel vPro processors -- perks for the IT managers likely to buy these in bulk. These are on sale now, starting at $800.

Gallery: HP ProBook 5330m