Engadget9/18/2012 4:33:00 AM Advanced Micro Devices' Senior VP and Chief Financial Officer, Thomas Seifert, has decided to leave AMD three short years after joining the company. As you may recall, Seifert briefly took the reigns of AMD as interim CEO in early 2011, until the firm found a permanent replacement in Rory Read later that year. No word on why Seifert has decided to depart the chip maker -- other than "to pursue other opportunities" -- but we do know that Devinder Kumar, AMD's current Senior VP and corporate controller will replace him on an interim basis. The full announcement awaits in the PR after the break. Filed under: Desktops, Laptops AMD CFO Thomas Seifert calls it quits, Devinder Kumar takes his place on an interim basis originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 16:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/amd-cfo-thomas-seifert-resigns/#comments 9/18/2012 1:08:00 AM Sure, all the talk of late is about Apple's shiny new iPhone 5, but let's not forget the company also unveiled a slew of fresh iPods back at the Yerba Buena Center this past week. And while the Cupertino outfit's had the music-friendly lineup for pre-order on its website from day one, folks can now start placing orders through Amazon as well. The only bad news is the revamped iPod touch shows an estimated shipping time of 3-5 weeks, while the "renanoed" nano and the tiny, colorful shuffle are both expected to be shipped in 2-5 weeks. As far as pricing goes, the MSRP tags are the same as Apple's -- though there is a better chance you could get them a bit quicker thanks to one of Amazon's renowned shipping options. Either way, you'll find 'em all at the source link below. Filed under: Misc, Portable Audio/Video, Mobile Apple's new iPod touch, nano and shuffle now up for pre-order on Amazon originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 13:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/apple-new-ipods-pre-order-amazon/#comments 9/18/2012 11:24:00 AM While Sprint's iDEN network is getting the axe in favor of a new CDMA setup, AT&T will soon be sprucing up its near absent push-to-talk services. Targeting a November release with plans starting around $30, Ma Bell's enhanced PTT will be compatible with smartphones running Android 2.3+, BlackBerry 7, Windows Phone 8 and even Java-powered feature phones. In addition to playing nice with a variety of mobile platforms, this new service will also work across laptops, tablets and smart cars. Continue reading AT&T ready to battle Sprint for push-to-talk supremacy starting in November Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile AT&T ready to battle Sprint for push-to-talk supremacy starting in November originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 23:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/atandt-to-battle-sprint-for-push-to-talk-supremacy/#comments Box Accelerator may triple cloud upload speeds versus its rivals, comes to syncing apps soon (video) 9/18/2012 2:15:00 AM Upstream speeds are frequently the bottlenecks for cloud storage: an entire company might be held back waiting for that last presentation video to go online before the big meeting. Box wants much more parity through Accelerator, a custom infrastructure that should make uploads hum. It uses Amazon's EC2 for help, but the real magic comes through a mix of Box's own network and special prioritization. Accelerator goes beyond just location to factor in the browser, OS and other criteria that could affect a data packet's journey. The company claims through outside studies that its average 7MB/s speeds make it the upload king by a wide margin, to the tune of 2.7 times its fastest worldwide rival and 3.1 times any of its American counterparts. Peak speeds are up to 10 times faster than before, if you go by the company's word. Most of the focus is on corporate customers and speeding up access near the provider's ten global access points, but Box is planning both to ramp up performance in more areas and bring Accelerator to the company's syncing platforms in the near future -- an obvious lure for would-be Dropbox customers. Filed under: Storage, Internet Box Accelerator may triple cloud upload speeds versus its rivals, comes to syncing apps soon (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 14:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/box-accelerator-triples-cloud-upload-speeds-versus-its-rivals/#comments 9/17/2012 11:35:00 PM A prerequisite for launching a cloud storage solution is a strange name, we understand that much. But where Picasa, Flickr and Box all at least hint at their intentions, Canon's new photo service sounds more like a plot device from Lost than an online repository for your snapshots. Project 1709 is actually named for the beta launch date (today, September 17th) and looks to take on the big players in the field with a slick UI and integration with social networks. The tiled design puts all your uploaded images in an easy to navigate and glanceable layout, with a focus on organization. Pics can be filtered based on tags you add, date or locations pulled from the EXIF data. All the camera's settings are also exposed, allowing you to figure out how exactly you captured each shot. There's even deep Facebook integration that makes it easy to not only publish photos to your profile, but pull them in from the social network along with comments. You can sign up at the source link, or simply learn more from the gallery and PR below.
Filed under: Internet Canon launches Project 1709: a strangely named photo service with deep Facebook hooks originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 11:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/canon-launches-project-1709/#comments 9/17/2012 10:47:00 PM Not completely sold on Canon's large sensor-packing PowerShot G1 X? The company's latest jumbo compact offers a comparable smooth focus effect, thanks to its super-wide f/1.8-2.8, 28-140mm optical zoom lens, with image stabilization that boosts your shooting capability by up to four stops. The camera, which is designed to replace the G12, features a 12.1-megapixel 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor paired with a DIGIC 5 processor, enabling RAW shooting, 1080p video and a top sensitivity of ISO 12,800 all in a body that's significant smaller and lighter than its predecessor. There's also a super-sharp 922k-dot 3-inch LCD (no touchscreen here, not that we miss it) and a built-in optical viewfinder. The $500 G15 isn't set to hit stores until October, but we caught an early peek at Photokina today. A Canon representative also clued us in on the camera's naming scheme -- that jump from 12 right to 15. As we know, 13 is an unlucky number in North America and Europe, but the 14 was also avoided because the number four "sounds like an unlucky word" in Japanese. So, there you have it. Regardless of what it's called, though, the G15 is one powerful shooter, with a very solid design to boot. Though it is smaller than the G12, it's still far too large to fit in a pocket -- you'll likely walk around with this guy dangling from your neck. There's a mode dial up top, along with a dedicated exposure compensation dial, enabling more precise EV control. We weren't able to examine samples in order to evaluate the camera's bokeh capabilities, but Canon reps said that the effect is on par with the G1 X. You'll be able to get your own mitts on the G15 beginning next month, and you can catch our hands-on photos just below, along with a video walkthrough after the break. Filed under: Cameras Canon PowerShot G15 features f/1.8-2.8 lens and DSLR-like controls, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 10:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/canon-powershot-g15-hands-on/#comments 9/17/2012 10:19:00 PM It seems like just yesterday that Canon announced its top-of-the-line PowerShot S100, and now the company is back to demo its brand new S110. This latest point-and-shoot flagship features a very similar body size and design, but adds WiFi functionality, enabling you to interface with a smartphone app to upload pictures and tag your images using your mobile's GPS (interestingly, GPS no longer comes built-in). Spec-wise, the camera's packing a 12.1-megapixel, 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor and an f/2.0-5.9, 24-120mm lens. It also offers an ISO range of 80-12,800, and includes a 460k-dot 3-inch LCD with touch functionality, letting you tap your way through menus instead of using the hardware controls (which, thankfully, are also still available). The S110 is still very much a premium product, with a solid metal construction and a $450 price tag to match. We went hands-on with both the black and white versions of the S110 at Photokina today, and were quite pleased with the design. The black version includes a matte black finish with a slightly rougher feel, which we preferred over the white's smooth, glossy paint job. Both cameras feel solid, and are clearly still pocketable. The display was bright and vibrant, and the touchscreen responded as expected -- we can't say it'll be our first pick when it comes to navigation, but it does allow for some useful shortcuts. We weren't able to shoot with the S110, but it does offer RAW captures, along with 1080/24p video shooting and an impressive 10 fps burst mode. It's set to hit stores beginning next month -- as always, you'll find hands-on photos below and a video walkthrough just past the break. Continue reading Canon PowerShot S110 packs WiFi and touch-enabled display (hands-on video) Filed under: Cameras Canon PowerShot S110 packs WiFi and touch-enabled display (hands-on video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 10:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/canon-powershot-s110-hands-on/#comments 9/17/2012 10:25:00 PM In amongst the deluge of new cameras at Canon's press event here in Cologne, Germany was this looker. It's the PowerShot SX160 IS, a nice-looking, if somewhat beefy mid-range superzoom point-and-shoot. The company was showing off three different colors -- the black, silver and red, and we spent the most time with the latter, the most eye-popping of the bunch. In spite of its large size -- the majority of the front taken up by the lens, plus a bit of a bump up top for the flash -- the camera's pretty light. It also doesn't feel particularly solid in the hand. On top, to the left of the pop-up flash, you'll find a settings wheel, power button and the knob for that 16x optical zoom, all positioned atop a textured black backing. On the back of the SX160 is that three-inch LCD, with buttons for recording, playback, menu, display and settings like macro and flash, to pop up the big bulb on top. The camera's not particularly quick on the snaps -- roughly what we'd expect from a mid-range point-and-shoot. It'll be hitting stores this month for $230. Filed under: Cameras Canon PowerShot SX160 IS appears at Photokina, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 10:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/canon-powershot-sx160-is-appears-at-photokina-we-go-hands-on/#comments 9/17/2012 11:35:00 PM Sure the SX160 is a bit of a bulky superzoom, but it's got nothing on Canon's beefy PowerShot SX50 HS. As with the similarly named SX500 IS, the SX50's got a big, protruding lens and flash, though the added girth make it look a bit more like a DSLR. Part of its width can no doubt be chalked up to its 2.8-inch vari-angle LCD, which can be swiveled away from the body of the camera to help vary viewing angles. Also, like the SX50, the SX500 has a devoted button for Zoom Framing Assist, which does a quick zoom out to help you reframe subjects on the fly. Above the display you'll find a play button and a cushioned viewfinder. To its right, you've got the Record, Display, Menu and access to settings like Macro and ISO. You'll find the rest to the settings -- plus ON / OFF and access to that big 50x zooming to the right of the flash. The PowerShot SX50 HS will run you $480 when it drops next month. Filed under: Cameras Canon PowerShot SX50 HS hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 11:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/canon-powershot-sx50-hs-hands-on/#comments 9/17/2012 11:02:00 PM
Announced -- and subsequently unveiled -- alongside the PowerShot SX160 IS, Canon's PowerShot SX500 IS is the pricier of the two superzooms, clocking in at around $100 more than the lower-end point-and-shoot. And certainly the camera feels a bit sturdier than the more plastickey model, with a black body and protruding lens that resemble higher-end mirrorless models. Along the top you get the retractable flash, a large On / Off button, function wheel and access to that 16x optical zoom. As with the SX160, the back features a three-inch LCD, to the left of Record, Display, Play and settings like Macro, Flash and ISO. Aside from simply feeling more solid that the cheaper model, the SX500 also offers up features like Zoom Framing Assist, which can be accessed via a devoted button on the front of the camera, letting you zoom out to help find your shooting subject -- a function it performs quite quickly. Like the SX160, the SX500 is hitting this month, though it'll carry a somewhat loftier $330 price tag. Filed under: Cameras Canon PowerShot SX500 IS hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 11:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/canon-powershot-sx500-is-hands-on/#comments 9/18/2012 12:23:00 AM Innovation. According to one Mads Thimmer, it's a word that held a great deal of mystery some 10-plus years ago, but today, "it's thrown around as a cliché." When you really get down to it, though, the art of innovating is a hugely delicate and complex one, fraught with frustration and a curious passion for never settling on the here and now. In covering the world of consumer technology, I've come to form my own understanding of what innovation is, what it isn't and how companies are embracing (or outright shunning) the idea. After an evening with the cofounder of Innovation Lab, however, I was rightfully ready to toss my own preconceived notions aside. Filed under: Misc Dreams, curiosity and a passion for what's next: picking the brain of Innovation Lab's Mads Thimmer originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 12:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/innovation-lab-mads-thimmer-interview-strategy-business/#comments 9/18/2012 3:20:00 AM
The iPhone 5. It is taller, and has incremental improvements under the hood, and is shiny. (I'm staying away. Typing on glass is wrong.) Of more import, the smartphone you carry is more than a communication device; it is potentially a government surveillance enabler. To whatever extent that is the case (depending on whose public pronouncements you believe), latent digital snooping was reinforced on the same day as the iPhone event. Two days after that, Google announced its intention to build a "Do Not Track" option into the Chrome browser, giving users some shielding from a different type of rampant surveillance -- the type that creepily delivers knowingly targeted ads. The two issues differ in seriousness, but are related as privacy concerns. As our mobile and desktop devices get sexier, we become increasingly naked. Continue reading Editorial: We, the digitally naked Editorial: We, the digitally naked originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 15:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/editorial-we-the-digitally-naked/#comments 9/18/2012 2:38:00 AM Google makes a lot of acquisitions, some of them more important than others. Its latest purchase might skew towards the grander side, as it just bought imaging app developer Nik Software. While the company is known for pro photography apps like Capture NX and its Efex Pro series, the real prize might be Snapseed, Nik's simpler image tool for desktop and iOS users. Both Nik and Google's Senior Engineering VP Vic Gundotra are silent on the exact plans, but it doesn't take much to imagine a parallel between Facebook's buyout of Instagram and what Google is doing here: there's no direct, Google-run equivalent to Instagram's social photo service in Android or for Google+ users, and Nik's technology might bridge the gap. Whether or not Googlegram becomes a reality, the deal is likely to create waves among photographers of all kinds -- including those who've never bought a dedicated camera. Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software, Mobile Google buys Snapseed developer Nik Software, raises the eyebrows of Instagram shutterbugs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 14:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/google-buys-snapseed-developer-nik-software/#comments 9/17/2012 10:54:00 PM Developers have their work cut out. Even if we (impolitely) sidestep the likes of Windows Phone, BlackBerry and the rest, those coders often have to pitch their work across web, iOS and Android. Google's trying to make that job a little easier, introducing a new tool that automatically converts Java source code into Objective-C, which is used in iPad and iPhone apps. While the J2ObjC tool can't tackle the UI for these, it does allow developers to craft other parts (including data access and nuts-and-bolts programming) into an easily shareable code without editing. Some existing Google projects already utilize the new translator, but its results remains a little temperamental -- the tool hasn't translated all possible paths just yet, and many Java devs have, according to the project page, "a slightly different way of using Java." Google releases new Java to iOS source code translator originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 10:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/google-releases-new-java-to-ios-source-code-translator/#comments 9/18/2012 5:37:00 AM It's been a full decade since the first Roomba scuttled off the assembly line and onto the floors of slatternly geeks. Understandably, iRobot's looking back over the period, revealing that since then, it's sold over six million of the units -- with each one covering an average of 705 miles in its lifetime. Along the way, that army of Wall-Es-in-the-making have consumed around two million pounds of dirt, including the odd Lego brick, pet snake and wedding bands -- although, as the videos below demonstrate, it's normally quite friendly to children and animals. Continue reading Happy 10th Birthday, Roomba! (video) Happy 10th Birthday, Roomba! (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 17:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/roomba-birthday/#comments 9/18/2012 2:59:00 AM Something big has been brewing at HTC, most often referred to as the DLX or by its less-than-flattering 6435LVW name. While there have been unconfirmed photos of prototypes floating around, a Sina Weibo user has posted what we have reason to believe is an authentic press image of the finished result: meet the One X 5. As the name and image suggest, the phablet-class device should be dominated by a 5-inch (and possibly 1080p) screen that makes even a regular One X look dainty. Internal details haven't been nailed down alongside the looks, although previous benchmarks have had it using a Snapdragon S4 that might ultimately be a quad-core S4 Pro. There's no immediate signs of a stylus or other tricks besides that sea of glass. We may not have long to wait before we find out, however. HTC just happens to have a New York City event planned for this Wednesday, and previously detected links between the 6435LVW and Verizon could see the One X 5 quickly reach the US if it's meant to show at that gathering -- although it might get another name change to fit into the Droid family. Update: We've been given a heads-up that this is a device posted as a "concept" by Danny Tu on Flickr, which raises doubt that we'll see exactly what's on show here (or see that name). However, it still lines up with earlier photos and what we've heard. We'll keep you posted as to whether or not it reflects reality in the end. Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile HTC's 5-inch behemoth phone spied in press render, may be called One X 5 (update: some caution) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 14:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/htc-5-inch-behemoth-phone-may-be-called-one-x-5/#comments 9/18/2012 5:14:00 AM It's Monday, which means it is time for you to listen into the recording booth when the Engadget HD podcast goes to mp3 at 5:30PM. Please be a part of it by reviewing the list of topics after the break, and then participating in the live chat too. Continue reading Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET Filed under: HD Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 17:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/join-the-engadget-hd-podcast-live-on-ustream-at-5-30pm-et/#comments 9/18/2012 4:55:00 AM
Do you need a stylish, undoubtedly expensive German camera early in 2013? Perhaps right now? Leica's got you covered on both fronts, announcing today that its Leica M line is finally getting an official followup to the venerable M9 rangefinder in "early 2013." The new M is outfitted with the company's first 24-megapixel (full-frame, naturally) Leica Max CMOS image sensor (à la the A99 and D600) -- what Leica calls "a completely new development in sensor technology." That sensor will snag you a sensitivity range of IS0 200 to 6,400 (expandable to 100). Even more exciting, this latest M can mount Leica's legacy R glass (!) with a new adapter (available separately) and it can also shoot video in 1080p HD with 24 / 25p frame rate. While it retains the classic M-series styling, rear now features a 3-inch 920k-dot display, protected behind a layer of Gorilla glass. Leica's also making special note to highlight that the new M features live view functionality on the embedded screen and with an optional EVF. The M-E model (which appears to be a refresh of sorts on the M9) comes paired with a slightly less-potent 18-megapixel full-frame CCD sensor. Beyond that, it doesn't appear to pack any video functionality and features a much smaller 2.5-inch 230k-dot display. Neither model comes with any additional numbers in their titles title, however -- that's a conscious decision on Leica's part to rework its naming policy. "In [the] future, Leica M and S model names will omit the number suffix to emphasize the enduring and long-term significance of the respective systems," the announcement says. We're calling it "The iPad 3 approach." The cameras were revealed along with a slew of new products that Leica's showing during Germany's Photokina convention, including a range of new accessories (the Leica R-Adapter M, the Leica EVF2 electronic viewfinder, the multifunctional handgrip-M with optional finger loops, and the Leica Microphone adapter set). Although there's no word on pricing for the new M, we'd expect it to sell for somewhere between a cool 7 to 10K given the $5,450 price of the M-E and the approximately $7,000 sticker tag on the M9 -- hey, at least both snag you the prestige of the red dot and a pro-bono copy of Adobe Lightroom. The M-E will be be available from Leica dealers before the month's out, while the M will ship out early next year -- both in your choice of black or black / silver. In the meantime, hit up the source link below for the full tech specs on both shooters. Joe Pollicino contributed to this post. Continue reading Leica launching new Leica M in early 2013, stripped-down M-E available this month Filed under: Cameras Leica launching new Leica M in early 2013, stripped-down M-E available this month originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 16:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/leica-m-series-m-e/#comments 9/18/2012 5:17:00 AM Leica wasn't about to let everyone else hog the spotlight at Photokina this year. The company took the wraps off more products than you could possible cram into one post (or two, or three...). But among the more intriguing is certainly the new S-System -- an update its pro-series medium format line. The sensor and accompanying board have all been refreshed, with the 30 x 44mm sensor cramming 37.5 megapixels into its expansive CCD surface. The 16-bit color depth is complimented by a wide ISO range of 100 to 1600, which should cover you for almost any imaginable application. A dual shutter design gives photographers the choice between the camera's built in shutter or the integrated one on the CS lens line, which allow for flash sync at shutter speeds as high as 1/1,000 of a second. Leica is touting the improved speed of its medium format internals, but with the ability to capture just 1.5 fps in continuous mode, it might not be the ideal action shooter. Still, the ability to capture 32 consecutive RAW images at full resolution, thanks to the 2GB of buffer memory, is quite impressive. The digital viewfinder is a three-inch LCD, capable of displaying 16 million colors representing the full sRGB color space. Of course, the VGA resolution isn't anything to write home about, but it should get the job done. The integrated two axis leveler, displayed on the viewfinder, should help avoid oddly angled portraits, while the integrated GPS receiver will let you keep track of every remote mountaintop you capture in full resolution majesty. Of course, no new camera product line would be complete without some lenses as well. In total four are launching alongside the new body, including the first zoom (30-90 MM F/3.5-5.6) and tilt/shift (120 MM F/5.6) members of the family. Rounding out the lineup is a 24mm superwide angle lens and a close-up accessory that shortens the focal length of one of the existing mounts by about three and a half feet. For more info, check out the source link. Filed under: Cameras Leica reveals S-System medium format digital photography lineup originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 17:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/leica-reveals-s-system-medium-format-digital-photography-lineup/#comments 9/18/2012 6:02:00 AM Leica has its more unique creations, but some of its more affordable cameras are usually upscale parallels to Panasonic models -- and that's undoubtedly true for the newly official (and previously leaked) V-Lux 4 and D-Lux 6, which respectively echo Panasonic's FZ200 and LX7 shooters. We can't object too much. That similarity gives the 12-megapixel V-Lux 4 superzoom (seen up top) a 25-600mm equivalent lens with a constant, wide f/2.8 aperture to snap bright images at long distances. The D-Lux 6, meanwhile, combines its large 1.7-inch, also 12-megapixel sensor with a 24-90mm, f/1.4-2.3 lens and that distinctive aperture control ring. What you're really getting over the Panasonic equivalents is a subtler, all-black Leica color scheme and a copy of Adobe Lightroom 4 to manage the imminent flood of photos. Photographers who don't mind knowing their luxury cameras' true roots can swing by Leica dealers in November to buy either design; we don't yet know prices, but it's safe to assume that the V-Lux 4 and D-Lux 6 will carry premiums over their more pedestrian equivalents. Filed under: Cameras Leica unveils V-Lux 4 superzoom, D-Lux 6 compact to mirror their Panasonic counterparts originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 18:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/leica-unveils-v-lux-4-superzoom-d-lux-6-compact/#comments 9/18/2012 8:19:00 AM Let's say you've been considering a Leica X2 for the mix of a big APS-C sensor and retro styling, but a $1,995, fixed-range compact camera just isn't exclusive enough. Leica has you covered with two extra-rare editions that rise above the pack. Provided you don't mind someone else designing for you, the Edition Paul Smith spices things up with a mix of black, green and orange that reflects the UK fashion designer's love of stripes and wilder colors. Is the small 1,500-unit batch of Paul Smith cameras still too common? There's now an à la carte X2 option to limit the production run to exactly one. After picking from black, silver or new titanium colors for the main body, you can choose from a set of leather trim colors and get custom engraving to hedge against the unlikely event that anyone confuses your X2 with someone else's. Prices aren't immediately available for the October launches of both cameras. Not that it matters much -- if you're willing to even consider a special edition Leica, you already know that it's within your price range. Filed under: Cameras Leica X2 gets à la carte, Paul Smith editions to help you stand out from plebeian photographers originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 20:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/leica-x2-gets-a-la-carte-paul-smith-editions/#comments 9/18/2012 9:30:00 AM It's official! Today in Seoul LG is announcing its latest flagship smartphone, the Optimus G. The 8.45mm (0.33-inch) thin handset -- which has been rumored for weeks -- packs Qualcomm's Fusion 3 chipset which pairs a 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro SoC (APQ8064) with a 2G / 3G / LTE radio (MDM9615). It features 2GB of DDR RAM and a 4.7-inch 1280x768 (320ppi) True HD IPS PLUS display with Zerogap Touch (in-cell touch) technology. A sealed 2100mAh Li-polymer battery rated for 800 charge cycles powers this Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) device. The rear camera sports a 13-megapixel backside-illuminated sensor with 1.1µm pixels, an f/2.4 autofocus lens and a single LED flash -- along with a more pedestrian 1.3MP shooter in front. There's 32GB of built-in flash storage, but no microSD card slot. Other specs include WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, A-GPS, NFC and MHL. Aesthetically, the Optimus G marries LG's Chocolate and Prada design-languages into a sleek 145g (5.11oz) unibody smartphone. The front is all glass with three capacitive buttons while the back indroduces the company's Crystal Reflection process which gives the handset "the ability to display different patterns depending on the viewing angle and lighting". LG's placing a lot of emphasis on how the user experience benefits from the Optimus G's quad-core Krait CPU and Adreno 320 GPU -- something it calls "cross-tasking". This includes capabilties like QSlide Function, Live Zooming, Dual Screen Dual Play, QuickMemo, Screen Zooming, Application Link and Icon Personalizer, plus camera funtionality such as Time Catch Shot, Cheese Shutter, Smart Shutter and Low Light Shot Noise Reduction -- all of which are detailed for your reading pleasure in the PR after the break. Stay tuned for hands-on pictures, video and first impressions later today... Update: Unsubsidized pricing will be 999,900 KRW ($895 USD) when the Optimus G ships in Korea next week. That's pretty steep, even for an unlocked device. Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile LG launches Optimus G flagship smartphone: quad-core S4 Pro, LTE, 2GB RAM, ICS, 13MP camera (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 21:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/lg-launches-optimus-g-flagship-smartphone-quad-core-s4-pro-lte/#comments 9/18/2012 10:10:00 AM We're in Seoul for the launch of LG's latest flagship smartphone, the Optimus G, and we finally managed to spend a few minutes with a demo unit. This is a powerhouse -- the first handset built around Qualcomm's 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro. It features LTE, a 4.7-inch 1280x768 True HD IPS PLUS display, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of built-in storage, a 13-megapixel autofocus camera, a sealed 2100mAh battery, NFC and runs Ice Cream Sandwich. We like the simple and elegant design, which is reminiscent of LG's Chocolate and Prada models -- it's thin (8.45mm / 0.33-inch) and reasonably light for its size (145g / 5.11oz). The front sports a glass surface with three capacitive buttons and the back showcases the company's Crystal Reflection process -- an attractive patterned reflective finish that's a bit of a fingerprint magnet. Materials and build quality are excellent (better than the Galaxy S III) and the Optimus G feels pleasant in hand. You'll find a volume rocker and micro-SIM slot on the left edge and the power / lock key on the right. A standard headphone jack sits on the top side, with the micro-USB / MHL connector on the bottom. The speaker and main camera are in back, pretty much where you'd expect them to be. While the display is definitely high quality, it's not mind blowing (the One X screen still looks better) -- the viewing angles are decent, but we expected more from LG's True HD IPS PLUS and Zerogap Touch technologies. There's a notification light next to the 1.3MP front-facing camera. Enjoy our gallery below and our hands-on video after the break. Developing... Continue reading LG Optimus G: hands-on with Korea's latest powerhouse (video) Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile LG Optimus G: hands-on with Korea's latest powerhouse (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 22:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/lg-optimus-g-hands-on-with-koreas-latest-powerhouse-video/#comments 9/18/2012 10:47:00 AM While we still don't know exactly when Microsoft will unleash Office 2013 and Office 365 upon the world, we do know how much they'll cost. While standalone versions, licensed for use on a single computer, will still be available, the new strategy makes it more affordable for many homes and business to opt for a subscription package instead. Office Home and Student 2013 (with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote) will cost $139, while Home and Business adds Outlook for $219, and the top of the line Professional package includes all of those along with Access and Publisher for $399. Compare those to the two Office 365 packages, which promise customizations that follow their users around, expanded cloud storage, access to all of the apps and automatically receive any future updates that come out for them. Office 365 Home Premium will cost $99 per year, with 20GB of SkyDrive storage and 60 minutes of Skype calling per month and access on five computers, along with the ability to change out the devices at any time, and use "full featured apps" temporarily on any PC. It's a single subscription for up to 5 users, and will have a 30 day free trial available. Alternatively, small businesses with 1-10 employees could opt for Office 365 Small Business Premium that also comes with all the apps, but lets each user install it on up to 5 different PCs or Macs, along with 25GB Outlook storage, an organization-wide 10GB cloud drive plus 500MB for each user, online meetings and even website hosting. That also has a free trial, but costs $149 per user, per year. If you can't wait, buying Office 2010 or Office 2011 for Mac as of October 19th entitles users to a free upgrade to Office 2013 or one year of Office 365 free. Clearly, Microsoft would prefer it if users took advantage of the new pay-per-year offerings, but what do you think? Check out all the details from Microsoft's blog and check list linked below (or our preview) as well as a few of their examples after the break, and let us know if you'll be upgrading or switching over to an alternative like Open Office. Filed under: Software Microsoft announces Office 2013 and 365 pricing, nudges users towards annual subscriptions originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 22:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/microsoft-announces-office-2013-and-365-pricing-nudges-users-to/#comments 9/18/2012 12:01:00 AM It's been a long time coming, but Microsoft has finally sent out the invites for its Windows 8 launch event. As you can see, Redmond's new multi-faceted OS will be officially revealed in Gotham on October 25th. Microsoft isn't giving us any details about the celebration itself, but rest assured, we'll be bringing all the action to you live when the Win 8 party gets poppin'. Filed under: Software Microsoft sends out a Save the Date for Windows 8, all to be revealed in NYC on October 25th originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 12:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/microsoft-windows-8-launch/#comments 9/18/2012 5:49:00 AM Football is officially in swing, and this week we've got a couple of big college matchups with LSU taking on Auburn and Michigan vs. Notre Dame. Thursday is also one to keep an eye out for with Cam Newton taking on the Giants in prime time, NBC rolling out its usual slate of shows and a few season finales from FX. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames. Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventure The Mob Doctor Continue reading Must See HDTV (September 17th - 23rd) Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD Must See HDTV (September 17th - 23rd) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 17:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/must-see-hdtv-september-17th-23rd/#comments 9/18/2012 6:57:00 AM When Netgear teased a next-generation cable gateway with 802.11ac WiFi, it seemed like a natural fit: WiFi that was a perfect complement to 100Mbps-plus internet speeds. Its new D6300 (not pictured here) isn't necessarily in quite in such equilibrium, depending on just who you have as an internet provider. The hardware is billed as the first ADSL modem and router combo with 802.11ac built-in, but you'll need to use the gigabit Ethernet WAN jack with a fiber or cable internet link to get the most out of that fast wireless at home -- stick to the ADSL2+ and you'll face the wonderfully lopsided combination of a 1.3Gbps WiFi router with a maximum 24Mbps internet pipe. If home network speeds trump what you'll need for the outside world, you'll still get many of the benefits of Netgear's flagship R6300, including USB printer and storage sharing. Netgear starts selling the D6300 through stores in October, although it may be just as likely to come in the arms of a DSL install technician as your own. Continue reading Netgear D6300 mates 802.11ac WiFi with ADSL, risks one heck of a mismatch Filed under: Networking, Internet Netgear D6300 mates 802.11ac WiFi with ADSL, risks one heck of a mismatch originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 18:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/netgear-d6300-mates-802-11ac-wifi-with-adsl/#comments 9/18/2012 1:34:00 AM Well, Amazon is being pretty tight lipped about the details of its mapping service, but Nokia isn't afraid to spill the beans. A spokesperson for the Finish company, Sebastian Kurme, told The Next Web that Amazon is indeed licensing the Nokia Location Platform for its latest Google-shunning product. We reached out as well and were fed the exact same official statement, confirming that Nokia is becoming an even bigger player in the mapping sphere. The platform is already the basis for Yahoo! Maps and a large portion of Bing's offerings as well. Not to mention Nokia Drive, the company's navigation software, is one of the crown jewels of the Windows Phone world. Check out the full statement from Nokia below.
Filed under: Software Nokia cops to powering Amazon's mapping service originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 13:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/nokia-cops-to-powering-amazons-mapping-service/#comments 9/18/2012 4:32:00 AM While folks are waiting for their precious new iPhones to arrive on their doorsteps, word has it that the leaky iPad mini has unsurprisingly entered mass production, but with a twist. According to today's front page news on Taiwan's Economic Daily News, reports from two local securities firms claim that Pegatron's managed to nab a staggering 50 to 60 percent of iPad mini orders from Apple, meaning Foxconn is finally no longer the sole assembler of iPads. Together (plus component suppliers Foxlink, AUO, TPK and others), both companies will apparently be able to churn out up to 5 million iPad minis monthly. Then there's the iPhone 5 as well: the paper says at least 53 million units are expected to be shipped this year, therefore Apple's adding Pegatron to the assembling front line as early as Q4 in order to maintain a steady supply of products. Obviously we can't use this information alone to deduce whether Apple is moving away from Foxconn, but as long as people get their iDevices then it's all dandy. Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets Pegatron reportedly nabs 50 to 60 percent of iPad mini orders, breaks up Foxconn's monopoly originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 16:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/pegatron-ipad-mini-iphone-5/#comments 9/18/2012 12:01:00 PM For the most part, the headsets we've seen from Plantronics this year have been aimed at gamers, but make no mistake, the outfit is still churning out Bluetooth earpieces for road warriors: the company just announced its fifth-generation Voyager headset, the Voyager Legend. In many ways, it's an iterative product, with longer battery life (seven hours, up from six), and more mics (three instead of two). It also has an elongated windscreen and is 25 percent smaller than its predecessor, though Plantronics claims the in-ear fit hasn't changed. Key internals include Bluetooth 3.0, not 4.0, and support for streaming over A2DP. All told, exactly what you'd expect from the latest and greatest BT headset. But even more important than enhanced performance and a more compact design, the headset responds to voice commands in a smarter way. Say, for instance, that you receive an incoming call and happen not to be wearing your headset (maybe you took it out to charge). You can put the earpiece in and the headset will automatically pick up the call. Or, if you're not wearing your headset you can have it route calls to the phone instead. As for answering calls, you can say "answer" or "ignore," and you don't even have to press a button to activate the voice recognition. The earpiece can also announce your caller's name, so long as it's in your phone book. Additionally, the headset responds to about 10 other commands such as "check battery" and "pair me," but in these cases you do have to press a button first. Rounding out the feature list is a new Android-only Find MyHeadset app that uses tones and geolocation to help you figure out where you last saw your earpiece. The headset is available today for $100, and the company is also selling a desktop stand and charging case, both priced at $30. Filed under: Peripherals, Mobile Plantronics outs Voyager Legend Bluetooth headset with enhanced voice recognition, improved battery life originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Sep 2012 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/18/plantronics-voyager-legend-bluetooth-headset/#comments 9/18/2012 7:41:00 AM Windows 8 tablets have had their specs bandied about for months, but their prices have continued to remain off the radar. Now, however, a purported ASUS holiday roadmap sent to ZDNet may give us a glimpse as to how badly bank accounts could be affected this fall. According to the slide, the ASUS Vivo Tab will carry a $799 price tag and its Windows RT counterpart will come in at $599, which matches the previously reported price difference between slates running Redmond's latest OS with Intel and AMD processors. The ASUS Taichi dual-screen notebook / tablet hybrid is said to ring up at a heftier $1,299. As for the firm's Transformer Book, it will supposedly set purchasers back $1,399. If these prices are any indication of what we can expect from other OEMs, Microsoft's Surface might be pricier than hoped. Filed under: Tablets Purported ASUS holiday roadmap pegs Windows 8 tablets at $599 and above originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 19:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/asus-windows-8-tablets-599-799/#comments 9/18/2012 1:51:00 AM It seems that there's more than two out-of-control computer viruses roaming around the Middle East. Security researchers think that a further three could be operating "at large," with one positively identified on machines in Iran and Lebanon. Teams from Symantec and Kaspersky have separately found that the Flame malware had the electronic equivalent of a "handler," a program called NEWSFORYOU, which is also in charge of three viruses that are code-named SP, SPE and IP. The two teams have been unsuccessful in finding a sample of the trio for analysis and despite finding a cache of data on a command-and-control server, decoding it is "virtually impossible." While both security companies have declined to point a finger as to their origin, Reuters' sources suggest the United States, while The Washington Post has been told that the project was a joint-enterprise with Israel -- in keeping with the existing narrative that the pair were behind Stuxnet. Filed under: Networking, Internet, Alt Security researchers dissect Flame's handling program, find three new viruses 'at large' originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 13:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/security-flame-newsforyou-viruses/#comments 9/18/2012 12:50:00 AM Shazam doesn't want to let GetGlue control all our couch potato time -- it just rolled out an upgrade to its TV component that lets the mobile app provide social sharing, soundtrack and trivia details for nearly any TV show in the US, not just those deemed worthy of special attention. The app mirrors the program it's looking at -- we'll see stats instead of IMDb if we're watching hockey, for example. Whether or not attention is locked on the bigger screen in the living room, Shazam's little screen is making Facebook more a centerpiece of the experience. Media mavens can comment on friends' tagging habits and post their own tags to their Facebook timelines for all to see. The wider universe of TV shows should be available today, although we'll have to wait for an update in the "coming weeks" to broadcast our tastes in media with the rest of the world. Continue reading Shazam now rides shotgun with any TV show in the US, gets cozier with Facebook Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Software, HD Shazam now rides shotgun with any TV show in the US, gets cozier with Facebook originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 12:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/shazam-now-rides-shotgun-with-any-tv-show-in-the-us/#comments 9/18/2012 1:26:00 AM Looking to save some coin on your tech purchases? Of course you are! In this round-up, we'll run down a list of the freshest frugal buys, hand-picked with the help of the folks at Slickdeals. You'll want to act fast, though, as many of these offerings won't stick around long. Still need to make some improvements to a machine you've got lying around after last week's group of component offerings? If so, here's another handful of discounted tech ready to meet your eager mouse clicks. For those not looking to alter their current setup, a 30-inch HP display gets quite the handsome price reduction as well. Don't get too comfortable, because these bad boys will be gone before you know it. Head on past the break to get started but just remember to include the requisite rebate forms should you need 'em. Filed under: Displays, Misc, Storage Slickdeals' best in tech for September 17th: 30-inch HP monitor, motherboard combo and SSDs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 13:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/slickdeals-best-in-tech-september-17th/#comments 9/18/2012 11:40:00 AM Good for over $1 billion at the box office, Christopher Nolan's third Batman movie is probably this year's most anticipated home video release (The Avengers next week may have something to say about that) and now Warner Bros. has given us a trailer for The Dark Knight Rises on Blu-ray. Previous movies in the series have always delivered on Blu-ray, as well as his other recent hit, Inception. Unfortunately the video maxes out at 480p, but we don't need any additional resolution to see the release date listed for both disc and digital download is December 3rd. Rumors have flown about different releases dates and possible extras like a director's cut, but recently sources have indicated no such extended offering is in the works. Whether you think the flick was long enough (or even too long), you can press play to check out the clip embedded after the break...and clear the first Monday in December on your calendar for a trilogy viewing marathon. Continue reading The Dark Knight Rises Blu-ray trailer appears, confirms December 3rd release date Filed under: HD The Dark Knight Rises Blu-ray trailer appears, confirms December 3rd release date originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 23:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/the-dark-knight-rises-blu-ray-trailer-december-3rd/#comments 9/17/2012 11:13:00 PM Before you ask: it looks like the real deal. Popcorn, Indiana has decided that it's just too much trouble to reach into that bag or bowl and has devised the Popinator, quite possibly the world's only smart popcorn launcher. A binaural microphone array on the machine's front listens for a clear "pop" command -- say the magic word and the Popinator will aim one of its many corn projectiles at your mouth, no hands required. We're still working to glean all the details, such as whether or not the snack delivery vehicle will be a commercial project and how much money it would take to install one at home (and, we'll admit it, the Engadget offices). In the meantime, you can hop past the break to catch one of the most appetizing and laid-back promo videos you've likely ever seen. Update: Popcorn, Indiana has answered back and says the Popinator is currently an in-house project, but it may well become something you can buy if everything lines up. We'll let the full statement speak for itself:
Filed under: Household The Popinator voice-activated popcorn launcher: because greasy hands are just so 2011 (update: yep, may become a product) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 11:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/the-popinator-voice-activated-popcorn-launcher/#comments 9/17/2012 11:56:00 PM TomTom has been continually upping its navigation game, what with its partnership with Apple in iOS 6 and the HD Traffic 6.0 upgrade and requisite Android app announced this summer. Far be it from the Dutch service to rest on its mapping laurels, though: it's now poised to take on Uber and other players in the taxi-hailing world. Last week, The Next Web reported that the company acquired the taxi-fetching app maker TXXI in an effort to roll out a TomTom cab-booking service, and today the site reports that the theory is now confirmed. Speaking with TNW, TomTom said it indeed bought TXXI to "help develop tools to support the taxi market," with initial efforts focusing on Amsterdam. Last month, the company began a trial program in that city to let restaurant and hotel guests order a taxi from a mini-kiosk called the Taxi Butler. On the cab side, there's the so-called Taxi Assistant, a TomTom-branded device which alerts drivers to incoming requests. No word on whether the company will eventually introduce mobile apps, but we'd say it's a pretty safe bet. Filed under: Cellphones, Software TomTom confirms new taxi-ordering service, beginning trial rollout in Amsterdam originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 11:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/tomtom-new-taxi-ordering-service/#comments 9/18/2012 6:31:00 AM ASUS is never shy at showing off its creative side. At Taiwan Designers' Week last Sunday, we spotted the company's above art installation dubbed "Palette": a mesmerizing circle of 50 overlapping Nexus 7 back covers, each in its very own shade of color. Interestingly, all of these were actually used in the development process of Google's Nexus 7, which just goes to show the kind of mad dedication ASUS had put into the joint project. But wait, there's more! To match the event's "Flow" theme this year, ASUS decided to also show off parts of the design process that determined the final appearance of its other hero products -- hence the title "Becoming" for the booth's own theme. For instance, much like what the company's lovely Michelle Hsiao showed us on the Engadget Show, the booth again featured a handful of tablet chassis parts and dummies (mainly of PadFone, Zenbook, Transformer Prime and a 7-inch device) at different stages of their development, complemented by a generous selection of colors and finishes. Only this time the designers used some of them to create gradient wall art that we wouldn't mind having at home. Check them out after the break.
Continue reading Visualized: 50 shades of Nexus, by ASUS Filed under: Cellphones, Laptops, Tablets, Alt Visualized: 50 shades of Nexus, by ASUS originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 18:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/asus-taiwan-designers-week/#comments 9/18/2012 3:51:00 AM Over the years we've come across a few signs that pointed to the possibility of touchscreen-enabled iMacs, but Steve Jobs had already dismissed this as a possibility for current Mac form factors. Quoting the man at the "Back to the Mac" keynote from two years ago: "It gives great demo, but after a while your arm feels like it's going to fall off. Touch surfaces want to be horizontal." So perhaps our fantasy's still stuck in the "research project" phase. Luckily, the more adventurous touchscreen lovers can look to third-party solutions. For MacBooks you have Axiotron's Modbook, except you lose the keyboard and you can't perform the modification yourself. As for iMacs and Cinema Displays, we've been following Troll Touch for its resistive touchscreen replacement panels, but they aren't exactly affordable and most of them have to be installed by the company. Even its user-installable SlipCover series starts from $899, anyway. This leaves us with the Zorro Macsk, a cheekily named iMac accessory hailing from TMDtouch of Shenzhen, China. The 21.5-inch model is priced at just $199 on Amazon with no modifications required. Plus, it supports multitouch -- a glaring omission from Troll Touch's Mac lineup. So is this truly a bargain? Or is it just a case of "you get what you pay for?" Follow past the break to see how we got on with the Zorro Macsk. Continue reading Zorro Macsk review: instantly add touchscreen functionality to your 21.5-inch iMac Filed under: Peripherals Zorro Macsk review: instantly add touchscreen functionality to your 21.5-inch iMac originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 15:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Commentshttp://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/zorro-macsk-review/#comments Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. |
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