Ford's inflatable seat belts headed to Explorer in 2010, other whips in due time (video)
by Darren Murph 
posted Nov 7th 2009 at 6:33AM
Safa Xing LED features MP3 playback, 27 pixel resolution
by Joseph L. Flatley posted Nov 7th 2009 at 4:44AM
Safa is a Korean firm that has put out quite a few forgettable DAPs in its day, and while this one isn't going to win any awards for technological advancement, it does look like "fun," for whatever that's worth. The Xing LED is a none-too-shabby 12mm thin and boasts 12 hours of playback time on a single charge. The company fails to mention little things like storage capacity and file format support, but that ain't why we're here: the face of the device features 27 LEDs that can be either programed to display the icon of your choice or used for a rousing game of Rock / Paper / Scissors. Sort of makes that Zune HD of yours look like overkill, eh? Price and availability yet to be announced.
[Via PMP Today]
[Via PMP Today]
Managed Copy hits Blu-ray Discs December 4th, but you still can't use it
by Ben Drawbaugh posted Nov 7th 2009 at 2:34AM
How would you change Windows Mobile 6.5?
by Darren Murph posted Nov 7th 2009 at 12:59AM 
The daily roundup: here's what you might've missed
by Ross Miller posted Nov 6th 2009 at 11:37PM
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Netflix instant streaming demoed on PlayStation 3 We've got to admit -- the whole thing looks exceptionally sleek, but given the PS3's multimedia prowess, we didn't really expect anything less |
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HTC Hero / Eris mega faceoff on video Any way you lean it's a pretty good handset with some perhaps overly bulky software, a wonderful pricepoint and probably a limited time in the sun with upcoming Android 2.0 devices rolling on in. |
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DROID mania sweeps the nation, so to speak And if riffraff like us can waltz into the store and get them, you should certainly be able to. Good luck being assimilated out there today. |
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Microsoft emancipates Digital Cable Tuners with second Media Center update today This half should enable all Windows 7 PCs to work with the CableCard tuners, sans-OEM requirement or inconvenient hacking. |
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Verizon confirms DROID tethering cost, will ask subscribers to double-down on their data plan $60 monthly for "unlimited" data, here meaning 5GB of data per, a total of 10GB split between the two $30 plans. |
Microsoft emancipates Digital Cable Tuners with second Media Center update today
by Richard Lawler posted Nov 6th 2009 at 10:19PM
Read - MCE: Digital Cable Advisor Tool Available Now!
Read - ATI DCT Firmware update pops up on Windows Update, DRM-free MCE recordings are a go
Guitar Hero and Rock Band drums combine for ultimate MIDI kit (video)
by Darren Murph posted Nov 6th 2009 at 9:09PM
[Thanks, Jordan]
iPhone coming to The Shack: Dallas and NYC this month, nationwide in 2010?
by Ross Miller posted Nov 6th 2009 at 7:52PM
Myka ION brings Hulu, Boxee and other web content to your TV
by Darren Murph posted Nov 6th 2009 at 7:12PM
Garmin ecoRoute ESP module gets priced, detailed further
by Donald Melanson posted Nov 6th 2009 at 6:33PM
Well, it looks like we won't have to wait until CES for more details on Garmin's new ecoRoute ESP module after all, as a listing for the device has now already turned up on GPSCity.com, and the site has even provided us with a few additional, as yet unofficial availability details. Apparently, the cable (which ties directly into your car's on board diagnostic system) will run $149.99 and might "possibly" be available by the end of the year, but is more likely to roll out sometime in the first quarter of 2010 --- and it'll supposedly only work with nuvi 1xxx series units that have Bluetooth. If that's not enough for you, the site also has what appears to be the first set of screenshots of the interface, which detail everything from speed and breaking to fuel economy and your carbon footprint. Hit up the link below for the complete rundown.
HTC Hero / Eris mega faceoff on video
by Paul Miller posted Nov 6th 2009 at 5:45PM
Make your own Bluetooth Star Trek Communicator (video)
by Joseph L. Flatley posted Nov 6th 2009 at 5:21PM
If you're looking for a project for the weekend and the Knock Lock seems a little naff, why not try building your own Bluetooth Star Trek communicator? This is definitely not a project for the faint of heart -- expect to custom cut a circuit-board, drill some holes, add a serial port, a Bluetooth module, and a microcontroller. That said, when it's all said and done you'll be placing (and answering) calls the same way they do in the 23rd century: by speaking through a small, distorted speaker. If this is your thing, hit up that read link to get the full step-by-step. But before you go that route, be sure to peep the video demo after the break.
Netflix instant streaming demoed on PlayStation 3 (updated with more video!)
by Darren Murph posted Nov 6th 2009 at 5:00PM
[Thanks, Otis]
Update: Our best buds over at Joystiq got some quality hands-on time with this (video is now after the break), so be sure and check it out!
Canon EOS 7D firmware update cures 'residual image' phenomenon
by Darren Murph posted Nov 6th 2009 at 4:49PM
Say what you will, but Canon's customer service / engineering department definitely looks out for consumers willing to spend just under two large on a new body. Merely days after the outfit made public that a "residual image phenomenon" was negatively impacting EOS 7D images under certain conditions, it has now published a firmware update to wipe all of those woes away. Firmware v1.1.0 specifically "corrects a phenomenon that in images captured by continuous shooting, and under certain conditions, barely noticeable traces of the immediately preceding frame may be visible." Hit the read link if you're looking to put said phenomenon to bed. Or don't. We don't care.[Via CNET]
Boxee shows off its new look at Beta Unveiling jam December 7
by Richard Lawler posted Nov 6th 2009 at 4:16PM
We won't cancel our trips to Vegas just yet, but Boxee is planning on giving users an early peek at its new beta release -- with all new UI, queue, navigation and search features -- December 7 at the Music hall of Williamsburg. Beta Unveiling visitors will be the first to get their hands on the new version and see new applications being launched by partners, leading to early access beta testers giving it a four week shakedown run before the planned wide release January 7 at CES. Any ideas what form Boxee might take in this next step on its road to commercial viability?U.S. Army and EnerDel team up for electric-hybrid Humvee
by Joseph L. Flatley posted Nov 6th 2009 at 3:46PM
EnerDel, who we last saw soaking up some of that Joe Biden stimulus money, is teaming up with the U.S. Army to develop a battery solution for a hybrid Humvee. Of course, your High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle is by its nature very large and very heavy -- great for dropping out of airplanes, perhaps, but not so great a candidate for electric power. Two of the company's battery chemistries will tested in the program, including lithium-manganese spinel (for extending electric vehicle range and electronic systems runtime) and lithium-titanate system (for the hard acceleration and braking required). In addition to "extreme performance simulations" that re-create battlefield conditions, a hybrid vehicle can also sport a "stealth" mode, which kills the diesel generator altogether, allowing the vehicle to run silently with a low thermal signature. And if that weren't enough, the vehicle is also being designed to perform as a highly portable, temporary power plant for field hospitals or command posts. The program is expected to last eighteen months. PR after the break.
[Via CNET]
[Via CNET]
The Engadget Podcast, live -- now!
by Nilay Patel posted Nov 6th 2009 at 3:32PM
It's DROID launch day and you know what that means -- we're doing the podcast live. Join Josh, Paul, Nilay, and a cast of USTREAM thousands just below the break -- it's been a wild week, don't miss it!
Update: A riot as always -- and if you missed it, don't worry, as our regular podcast post will be up tomorrow.
Unused Adamo XPS prototypes reveal touchscreen trackpads, key-less keyboard
by Donald Melanson posted Nov 6th 2009 at 3:01PM
Dell certainly managed to cram plenty of inventive, even far-fetched touches into its Adamo XPS laptop, but it looks like it went even further out on a limb during the prototype stage, as PC World was able to discover during a brief hands-on time with a few cast off concepts. As you might expect, one of the ideas Dell toyed around with was a full-fledged touchscreen trackpad, which was apparently rejected because Dell couldn't justify the cost of the panel based how much people would actually use it. Another, possibly even more ambitious concept is one that would have completely replaced the traditional keyboard with a series of capacitive-touch buttons (pictured after the break), which would have allowed for a true zero-profile design, albeit at some potential expense to usability. Hit up the link below for a look at a few more prototypes.
[Via SlashGear]
[Via SlashGear]
OpenOfficeMouse isn't free, isn't pretty
by Donald Melanson posted Nov 6th 2009 at 2:33PM
Think it's only gamers that require mice with more buttons than a scientific calculator? Then you've probably not met a die hard OpenOffice user, who now finally have a mouse to call their own in the form of the OpenOfficeMouse. Developed by WarMouse in partnership with the OpenOffice.org community, this corded point-and-clicker packs no less than 18 programmable buttons (each with double-click functionality), along with support for up to 63 separate profiles, a clickable scroll wheel, an adjustable resolution from 400 to 1,600 CPI, and, get this, a built-in analog joystick that can itself be used to store up to sixteen different keys or macros. Still no firm word on availability, it seems, but you can expect to pay $74.99 for this one.
Super cheap Archos 1 Vision DMP set for release this month
by Laura June posted Nov 6th 2009 at 2:02PM
Archos has been on a real PMP tear as of late, releasing the Archos 2 Vision, 3 Vision, and the Clipper all in one pop back in August. The company's now launched yet another Vision model, the entry-level 1 Vision. This tiny little 4GB dude has a 1.5-inch LCD and supposedly gets about 20 hours of battery life per charge. No video support in this puppy, but the €30 (somewhere in the realm of $45) pricetag should temper some of your crushing disappointment over its lack of features. The Archos 1 Vision should be available in Europe by the end of November.[Via PMP Today]
