A world of change

We heard Dell was developing a couple of Android prototypes, the first being its Android phone. Is this mini-tablet with 5-inch touchscreen, 3G and Wi-Fi the second? Video, pics, and a size comparison after the jump.

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This apparent engineering sample was leaked by Vietnamese site, Tinhte.com, and appears fairly legit. It suggests the Streak has an 800 by 480 touch screen, 5-megapixel camera with dual LED flash, microSD card storage, and a 1,300mAh battery.

As you can see in the video, it also looks like there will be a front-facing camera for video calls. Slashgear also points out that the engineering sample is labeled as a US variant. You’ll know more when we do. [Tinhte via SlashGear]

Well, we just finished putting the Fitbit activity monitor through its paces, but it looks like Philips has now come out with a strikingly similar device of its own — which, like the Fitbit, promises to help you get more active by monitoring you all the time. From the sound of it, however, it seems that Philip’s so-called DirectLife monitor has a few more tricks up its sleeve, not the least of which is a full-fledged fitness program complete with its own online personal coaches (who contribute to the $12.50 a month cost). The activity monitor itself also seems to have a few advantages over the Fitbit, including some LED lights that show your progress at a glance, and a built-in USB plug that eschews the need for a dock. Then again, it does still make use of nothing more than a basic accelerometer to monitor your activity, which isn’t always the most foolproof option. It also packs the same $99 price tag as the Fitbit, but Philips will knock that down to $79 if you order this month, and even throw in a four-month membership for good measure.

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Wearables

Philips introduces DirectLife activity monitor / fitness program originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Specializing in PCI Express-mounted flash storage, Fusion-io has managed to not only survive in these tough economic times, but garner additional investments from some clearly impressed onlookers. Loathe to be left out of the loop, Samsung — the world’s biggest NAND flash manufacturer and also Fusion-io’s chief supplier — has thrown some cash at the young startup company, and declared that the pair are now officially dating. Or, in their parlance, they’ve agreed to “jointly evaluate technology for new SSD applications.” Samsung won’t have any board level influence, but providing a reliable supply chain and the clout of its name should ensure that Fusion-io is around long enough for us to eventually be able to afford an ioDrive.

[Via PC World]

Filed under: Storage

Samsung invests in Fusion-io, takes relationship to ‘a new level’ originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What happens when you launch a 7-pound (3.2-kg) PS3 Slim into a 46-inch Bravia KDL46X 3100 LCD at 50 miles per hour (80 km/hr)? A video destined to go viral with internet stardom, that’s what. Exactly the thing Sony Australia is looking for with a new ad campaign touting its buy a Bravia get a PS3 for free. Awesome, and after the break.

Continue reading PS3 crashes into Bravia TV at 50 MPH for fun and profit (video)

Filed under: Displays, Gaming

PS3 crashes into Bravia TV at 50 MPH for fun and profit (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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At this point you know pretty much all there is to know about the amazingly thin (0.6-inches), light (just 1.4 pounds or 2.2 pounds with extended battery wedge), and expensive ($1,299 base) VAIO X ultra-portable laptop from Sony. The only thing missing were tests to confirm or deny Sony’s claim that the VAIO X battery lasts “all day and well into the night and will set the new standard for battery stamina,” as proclaimed at its IFA unveil back in September in Berlin. A bold claim that Laptop Magazine has now put to the test. The result? Well, first of all, if you’re hoping to get anything close to the hype then you’ll have to opt for the extended battery — the standard 4-cell battery is only rated for about 3 hours of power. Fortunately, the extended battery bolt-on (literally, it attaches to the bottom with two screws) is included in the X-series price — smart move Sony. According to Laptop’s tests, the VAIO X merrily pumped away for nearly 10 hours using WiFi (GPS and 3G turned off) thereby easily laying to waste most 6-hour, 6-cell netbooks. Impressive. For booting and processing everyday tasks, the 2GHz Atom Z550 paired with 2GB of memory and 128GB SSD did very well against netbook-class machines but suffered dearly with regard to 3D graphics performance. Likewise, the X couldn’t handle full-screen flash video without chop. Sure, the mass market will ultimately shun the X as it did its VAIO X505 ancestor, but it will definitely find its niche amongst Windows 7 road warriors with pockets deep enough to afford it and egos fragile enough to by fed by the envious stares of others.

Filed under: Laptops

Sony VAIO X reviewed: outrageous battery claims tested, nearly vindicated originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looking to take 802.11n to places you never thought possible? You know — like your studio apartment on the Upper East Side? TRENDnet’s Wireless N Travel Router (which was announced way back at CES) is tailor made for cramped spaces, fitting within the palm of your hand and offering up a single WAN port, a carrying case and a USB socket. Unfortunately there’s no internal battery to keep this puppy alive in the wild, but for $79.99 we can’t kvetch too much.

Filed under: Wireless, Networking

TRENDnet ‘world’s smallest’ Wireless N travel router now on sale originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Barnes & Noble Nook is a singularly interesting piece of hardware, that’s for sure, and I would be negligent if I forgot to mention our exclusive unveiling and extended reporting. Here’s our Nook coverage, all in one place.

• Exclusive: First Photos of Barnes & Noble’s Double Screen E-Reader: In which we scoop the crap out of BN’s crazy two-screened reader.
• Barnes & Noble’s Dual-Screen Nook: $260, Eats the Kindle’s Lunch: In which the Nook leaks a few hours early.
• Barnes & Noble Compares Nook to Kindle 2: Biased But Fair: In which BN thoughtfully explains why the Nook whups the Kindle 2′s butt.
• Live From Barnes & Noble’s Nook Event: In which intrepid reporters John Herrman and Matt Buchanan bring you the Nook’s official announcement, live, with bonus Q & A.
• 8 Reasons You Can Finally Love Ebook Readers (Thanks to Nook): In which we explain why the Nook has finally gotten us excited about ebook readers.
• Barnes & Noble Nook Up Close: Yep, It’s Real Nice: In which we go hands-on with the Nook, and like it.

[Barnes & Noble Nook coverage on Giz]