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Thursday, May 31, 2012

IK Multimedia's iRig MIC Cast is now shipping for iOS devices, we go hands-on

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/31/irig-mic-cast-hands-on/

Back at CES, IK Multimedia unveiled a trio of music / recording accessories for iDevices. One of which was the diminutive iRig MIC Cast to handle those on-the-go podcasting and voice recording duties. The outfit has announced that the ultra-compact microphone that plays nice with the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch is now shipping. Let's have a quick refresher, shall we? The kit plugs into your Apple device's 3.5mm audio jack and sports a headphone output of its own for monitoring purposes. Inside the kit, a unidirectional condenser capsule goes to work to isolate the audio you want recorded instead that pesky background chatter. If you're looking to snag one, it'll set you back $40 (€29.99) and includes a stand for your handheld inside the box. But before you take the leap, head on past the break for some of our hands-on impressions of the device.

Continue reading IK Multimedia's iRig MIC Cast is now shipping for iOS devices, we go hands-on

IK Multimedia's iRig MIC Cast is now shipping for iOS devices, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 13:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC EVO 4G LTE hitting Sprint stores on June 2nd

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/31/htc-evo-4g-lte-sprint/

With the phones no longer locked up in customs, the HTC EVO 4G LTE has already shipped out to pre-orderers last week, but it still hasn't been made available in your local Sprint store or third-party affiliate. That will all change this Saturday, June 2nd, as the Now Network has announced that the device will launch "in most retail channels." If you're hoping to grab one, just make sure you get to sleep early on Friday night so you can enjoy your new toy well-rested.

HTC EVO 4G LTE hitting Sprint stores on June 2nd originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 13:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This All-Carbon Fiber Ultrabook Weighs Just 2.1 Pounds [Laptops]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5914500/this-all+carbon-fiber-notebook-weighs-just-21-pounds

Carbon fiber has, without doubt, got to be one of the most exotic materials you can choose to build things out of: race cars, road bikes and, umm, laptops? It seems that the Dell XPS 13 has started a trend because now Gigabyte is hot on its heels with an all-carbon fiber notebook which is, as you'd expect, insanely light.

This is the Gigabyte X11. As you may have guessed it features a 1366 x 768 resolution 11.6-inch screen, which is packed into a frame that tapers from 0.65-inches to 0.19-inches thick and is made exclusively from carbon fiber. Expect the hinge: that's aluminum. Most importantly, it weighs just 2.1 pounds. Or 34.4 ounces. That's 4 ounces less than the equivalent MacBook Air.

Inside, the spec list reads like any other ultrabook: a choice of Ivy Bridge processor, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, a 128GB SSD, USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports, mini DisplayPort, 1.3 megapixel webcam, blah blah, yawn yawn. Oh, and it's made from carbon fiber.

Currently there's no availability date announced, but we do know that prices will range from $999 to $1299, and for now it will come with Windows 7 Home Premium. Did I mention it was made from carbon fiber? [Engadget]

Intel teams up with DeviceScape for automatic public WiFi, will hook up your Ultrabook in the background

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/30/intel-teams-up-with-devicescape-for-automatic-public-wifi/

We all know the coffee shop WiFi routine: crack open the laptop, visit a splash page, and dutifully wait until you're logged in before you get to Twitter. Through a new deal between Intel and DeviceScape, you won't even have to think about it. Intel's Smart Connect tool will soon automatically sign in your Ultrabook to a curated list of quality, open WiFi hotspots, even if the PC is fast asleep. This last trick might need Windows 8's Connected Standby mode to live up to Intel's expectations, but the dream is to have your email and social feeds updated and waiting before that laptop or tablet screen has even blinked into life. Intel is leaving some gaps in the story, such as whether or not gadget owners will pay a premium for the fast access. We'd guess that Intel is counting on higher computer (and more importantly, processor) sales to make up the difference.

Intel teams up with DeviceScape for automatic public WiFi, will hook up your Ultrabook in the background originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 17:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Second-gen IOIO in the works: embraces the wireless revolution, cuts cost

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/30/second-gen-ioio-in-the-works/

Ytai Ben-Tsvi's IOIO board is quite the hit with the Android-hacking DIY crowd. But, that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement on the $50 dev board. A second-gen version is in the works that adds the ability to connect to a computer as a USB device (not just as a host) or via Bluetooth, without the need for a intermediary controller like an Arduino. Perhaps most exciting for those interested in tinkering with DIY Android phone accessories, is the plan to cut the price of the new IOIO. How much less the next version will cost isn't clear yet, but even just $5 could make a major difference. For more details check out Ytai's blog post at the source link.

Second-gen IOIO in the works: embraces the wireless revolution, cuts cost originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 17:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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