Gadgets Control

by Nilay Patel, posted Sep 20th 2008 at 4:23PM Sony’s recent netbook angst doesn’t seem to be slowing the spate of VAIO updates we’ve been seeing lately — word on the street is that a new VAIO TT will replace the super-hot VAIO TZ on Monday. There’s not much to go on other than some FCC docs which confirm WiFi, Bluetooth and an EV-DO option, but expect the same 11.1-inch screen as the TZ. Now the real question — does anyone want Monday to actually get here? (Read the full post about ‘Sony VAIO TT to be announced Monday?’…)

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by Nilay Patel, posted Sep 20th 2008 at 4:23PM Sony’s recent netbook angst doesn’t seem to be slowing the spate of VAIO updates we’ve been seeing lately — word on the street is that a new VAIO TT will replace the super-hot VAIO TZ on Monday. There’s not much to go on other than some FCC docs which confirm WiFi, Bluetooth and an EV-DO option, but expect the same 11.1-inch screen as the TZ. Now the real question — does anyone want Monday to actually get here? (Read the full post about ‘Sony VAIO TT to be announced Monday?’…)

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by Darren Murph, posted Sep 20th 2008 at 2:05PMWait, what’s this? Intel’s shipping the dual-core Atom 330? Despite reports that the 1.6GHz chip wouldn’t actually leave the dock until Q4, Intel itself has stepped up to ensure everyone that it’s getting ‘em out in Q3. The brief points out the obvious — you know, that the 330 was designed with nettops in mind — while also confirming that it boasts 1MB of L2 cache, an 8-watt TDP and support for DDR2 667. (Read the full post about ‘Intel officially ships 1.6GHz dual-core Atom 330 processor’…)

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A company called Micromem is trying to develop some new kind of sensors that are based on something we are all familiar with: magnetics.  This technology, also known as Magnetic Random Access Memory, or MRAM, is planned to revolutionize sensor technology.  MRAM allows the user to see anything’s unique magnetic signature, very similar to the technology used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of most hospitals.  Micromem believes that there are many applications of this new technology, such as biometrics, with an ability to see beyond fingerprinting.  Additional uses include medical devices including sensors for blood sugar levels, as well as some new applications for defense and security.  Apparently, MRAM is perfect for explosive device detection and even more advanced metal detectors.  It can also “see” certain samples for drilling, mining, or production, so it is an efficient tool for the exploration of natural resources.  Right now, there is no projected date as far as when this MRAM will be out, but it can change the world as we know it.  Read [Business Wire Press Release] Keep up with the latest gadget goodness! (Read the full post about ‘MRAM from Micromem is a whole new kind of sensor’…)

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The Prius and other hybrids are just that - hybrids that use both electric and gasoline to greatly improve gas mileage. That means it uses gas to run as well. The Chevrolet Volt is a hybrid too, but a different one. It’s a Series Hybrid.

While it also has a gasoline engine, that’s only called upon when it needs to recharge the battery, which means the electric battery is what’s doing the powering most of the time. A single charge can get you 40 miles.

Well that’s the theory anyway. The gas engine is only a little 134HP one, but it should be enough to do the job. Certainly, the Volt will be a relatively very clean auto.

(Read the full post about ‘GM’s Chevy Volt looks to be an evolution of the Prius’…)

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by Stephanie Patterson, posted Sep 20th 2008 at 12:03PM Minox, we knew you wouldn’t let us down. We’ve seen a few bland cameras released by you over the years, but it warms our hearts to see you haven’t forgotten why we love you. This latest line of miniature cameras comes in three flavors: yuck, meh, and totally badass. The DC 1033 looks like every other camera known to man, with the slight improvement of being a mere 94 x 55 x 24mm with 10-megapixels of firepower. The DCC Leica M3 Gold Edition is nothing more than a rerelease of the silvery edition - tiny, cute, but no match for the classic 30s style DSC (Digital Spy Camera) — 86 x 29 x 20mm, 5-megapixels — to be showcased next week at Photokina in Germany. (Read the full post about ‘Minox nurtures the spy in all of us, dry martini not included’…)

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At this point, it is not a secret that the Ocean 2 will be coming. We have already seen the FCC approval come way back in March, and even saw a leaked and blurry shot show up a few months later in June. But sadly, up till now, we have not seen any real quality images of the upcoming device. Now, courtesy of the FCC we have a few shots and not only do they show off a good amount of detail they are also nice and clear. The Ocean 2 is not expected to hit the market until sometime in January of 2009. But the good news is that aside from these nice images, we also have a few new details. (Read the full post about ‘Helio Ocean 2, first clear images released’…)

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by Joshua Topolsky, posted Sep 20th 2008 at 2:33AM Screen grabs chronicles the uses (and misuses) of real-world gadgets in today’s movies and TV. Send in your sightings (with screen grab!) to screengrabs at engadget dt com. Sure, Knight Rider is probably the worst show ever in the history of the moving picture, but that doesn’t stop Sony Ericsson from wanting to throw some money in its direction (or not, seeing as the company’s logo has apparently been scrubbed). Between the nearly intolerable dialogue and absurdly fake green-screen car chases, check out a glimpse of the forthcoming Xperia X1… if you can tolerate even a moment of this abomination.[Thanks, Marco]Read PermalinkEmail this10 CommentsFiled under: cellphones, (Read the full post about ‘Screen Grabs: Mike Traceur needs to speak to his girlfriend… on her X1′…)

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by Paul Miller, posted Sep 19th 2008 at 5:19PM Yeah, barebones shots are fun and all, but we’re never ones to turn down some cleaned-up press renders. The newly-redubbed Optimus Aux (farewell, Pultius) has had its keys scrunched together for optimum hotkey action, and we’ve got a shot of the rear port configuration after the break, in addition to a comparison to the Maximus to round things out nicely. Face it, Art Lebedev loves you very much. Also, your wallet. (Read the full post about ‘New Optimus Aux shots show a sexier vision’…)

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by Darren Murph, posted Sep 19th 2008 at 6:46PM We know — it takes time to really dig deep within an open-source device (particularly a handset), but now that a few months have ticked by since OpenMoko’s Neo FreeRunner began shipping in North America, we figured there was never a better time to ask how your experience has been. The unorthodox mobile isn’t for the faint of heart (or the technology-challenged, truthfully), but for the hackers and tinkerers out there who splurged for one in hopes of finding their new favorite toy, how have things been? Is the interface friendly enough? Are there too many limitations? Is the design to your liking? Give it to us straight down in comments below — how would you change (Read the full post about ‘How would you change OpenMoko’s Neo FreeRunner?’…)

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