Tech News Updates

As you’re probably well aware, the Wintermute-like intelligence known as Google has designs on your television. Not only is Samsung contemplating Android for its sets, but Eric Schmidt has stated that its Google TV service is on track for launch this autumn (as a beta, undoubtedly). Finally, Maps on your plasma! Unfortunately Samsung’s plans are far less certain, with company President Yoon Boo Keun offering little more than a “[w]e will have to see, but we are reviewing,” when asked whether the OS will make a suitable platform for coach potatoes the world o’er. According to Yoon, about half of the company’s 3-D TVs rock web browsers, a figure that will only increase over the next couple years. We only hope that if they do go with Android, the implementation is better than that of some of their handsets . Google TV set to launch this year, Samsung considering Android for its TVs originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 10:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Acer Chairman JT Wang is quick to say that he thinks that iPad sales are only going down from here , but maybe he should listen to that age-old idiom: people in fragile economies shouldn’t throw stones. According to iSuppli ’s latest report on the global PC market, Acer slipped down to third place after losing 6.2 percent of its market share compared to last quarter. Dell , meanwhile, lost a relatively slim 1.2 percent of its share, bumping it back up to second place — a position it had previously given up to Acer . Meanwhile HP still sits on top, commanding 18.1 percent of the market share, though that too is down, 6.3 percent over last quarter. Still, all three are well up over last year, an encouraging sign in these supposedly troubling times. Dell moves back up to #2 position in global PC sales, Acer slips to 3rd, HP still reigns supreme originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 23:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

“Rugged” is one of those terms thrown around pretty loosely by the consumer electronics industry. So when Klipsch, a name that’s not exactly synonymous with husky men in the saddle, rolled out a rugged version of its S4i in-ear speakers under the Image S5i Rugged moniker, well, we just had to put them to the test. But first we had to give these $129.99 ‘buds a listen… from the very noisy floor of the Messe Berlin convention center. Fortunately, the oval ear tips did an excellent of job of isolating most external sounds, thus allowing us to hear a rich reproduction of lows and mids with a noticeable emphasis on bass. Not a surprise since the Image S5i headphones feature the same acoustic characteristics as the Image S4i and Image S4 headphones that came before them. But what we really wanted to know was how that “moisture-resistant” (not waterproof) Apple-compatible three-button remote / mic would hold-up to a torture test. Fortunately, the Image S5i Rugged managed to keep the music playing and under control even after a generous bath of bottled water. Rugged and classy? Looks like iPod, iPhone, and iPad owners just made a new friend. Continue reading Klipsch Image S5i Rugged in-ear headphones earn our respect (video) Klipsch Image S5i Rugged in-ear headphones earn our respect (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 10:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

You may never have heard of auto electronics provider Rydeen Mobile, but it certainly knows of you — or more specifically, your desire to obtain a slick new tablet PC — and has thus created an 7-inch Android tablet that integrates the dedicated map functionality of its GPS machines. The “gPad” GCOM701 won’t be a terribly high-end device, mind you, with an 800MHz ARMADA 166 SOC , 256MB of RAM, bring-your-own-microSD-storage and what we’re led to believe is a resistive touchscreen, but it sounds like at least Rydeen isn’t being stingy on the software front. You’ll find a full suite of Google Apps, Adobe Flash Lite 4 and AVI support, not to mention 4 million points of interest thanks to the integrated Navteq client. Connectivity include GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, both mini and full-sized USB ports, plus a front-facing camera for video chat, and there’s a 2400mAh battery the company claims will provide six hours of solid use. Find it this November at an unspecified price, no doubt alongside the pictured (but not mentioned) car dock. Continue reading Rydeen hopes to cash in on tablet fever with Android-based, Armada-powered PND Rydeen hopes to cash in on tablet fever with Android-based, Armada-powered PND originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Silicon oxide has long played the sidekick, insulating electronics from damage, but scientists at Rice University have just discovered the dielectric material itself could become a fantastic form of storage. Replacing the 10-nanometer-thick strips of graphite used in previous experiments with a layer of SiOx, graduate student Jun Yao discovered the latter material worked just as well, creating 5nm silicon nanowires that can be easily joined or broken (to form the bits and bytes of computer storage) when a voltage is temporarily applied. Considering that conventional computer memory pathways are still struggling to get to 20nm wide , this could make for quite the advance in storage, though we’ll admit we’ve heard tell of one prototype 8nm NAND flash chip that uses nanowires already. Perhaps it’s time for silicon oxide to have a turn in the limelight. Silicon oxide forms solid state memory pathways just five nanometers wide originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Calvin, who needs a replacement for his recently broken Switztool 6-piece screwdriver kit. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com . “I’ve always used a Switztool 6-piece screwdriver for my computer work. I love how it retracts all the bits into the screwdriver. But it just bit the dust after a very heavy fall. Just want to know from other fellow readers: what’s the best screwdriver (or kit) out there for DIY computer work and electronics hacking?” Quite an interesting question, indeed. We’d probably recommend a kit with a 00-sized Philips screwdriver for getting those laptop bolts out from the casing, but desktop-specific ones are certainly allowed. And… go! Ask Engadget: best screwdriver kit for DIY computer work? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Forget the numbers, here’s what matters: Globalfoundries’ new production capabilities will lead to “smooth production ramp-ups and faster time-to-market” for its customers. Now consider that this promise relates to scrumptious 28nm Cortex-A9 SOCs and feel free to rejoice. The chip fabricator has just declared itself ready to take orders for ARM’s systems-on-chip built using its high-k metal gate 28nm fab process. This fulfills its pledge for mass production in the latter half of 2010, but lest you think Globalfoundries is resting on any nanoscale laurels, it also has a 20nm roadmap to tell you about. It’s very simple, really: expect even smaller, even more power-efficient silicon in 2013. We don’t know if the future will be bright, but it sure looks like it’s gonna be small . Continue reading Globalfoundries takes ARM Cortex-A9 into 28nm land, looks forward to 20nm chips in 2013 Globalfoundries takes ARM Cortex-A9 into 28nm land, looks forward to 20nm chips in 2013 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 03:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

You may not be familiar with the Internationalen Funkausstellung Berlin — better known as IFA — but it’s a positively massive consumer electronics trade show with a European slant, and this year marks its 50th in the game. 3D television technologies and Android tablets are the early favorites to be the big themes at the show, but with LG, Samsung, and Sony all figuring prominently into the equation, it’s anybody’s guess what kinds of surprises we’re going to see over the next few days. Though the show officially kicks off this Friday, some press conferences actually start today — so keep a keen eye out for coverage! Protip: Use our “ifa2010″ tag for all the IFA news this week! We’re live from IFA 2010! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 07:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Perhaps you’ve heard that Apple’s investing in digital video distribution at the moment? Perhaps you’ve read that Amazon’s working on a subscription video network , too? Sony makes number three, as the Financial Times is reporting the electronics giant is looking to launch a multimedia platform of its own. Starting with the PlayStation 3 and PSP, and then later extending to internet-connected Sony TVs, Blu-ray players, Vaio computers and phones, the service will reportedly offer both music and video sometime next year in what’s no doubt an attempt to work out deep-seated guilt at the death of Connect . You won’t have to wait nearly that long, however, to find out what’s what — the publication says Sir Stringer intends to preempt Apple’s six-string reveal by announcing the PlayStation Network-based service from IFA 2010 in Germany. Call us crazy, but this sounds like a perfect fit for the Sony’s out-of-the-blue $130 Netbox . [Thanks, dedparrot] Sony’s scheming a streaming music and video subscription service, too? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Perhaps you’ve heard that Apple’s investing in digital video distribution at the moment? Perhaps you’ve read that Amazon’s working on a subscription video network , too? Sony makes number three, as the Financial Times is reporting the electronics giant is looking to launch a multimedia platform of its own. Starting with the PlayStation 3 and PSP, and then later extending to internet-connected Sony TVs, Blu-ray players, Vaio computers and phones, the service will reportedly offer both music and video sometime next year in what’s no doubt an attempt to work out deep-seated guilt at the death of Connect . You won’t have to wait nearly that long, however, to find out what’s what — the publication says Sir Stringer intends to preempt Apple’s six-string reveal by announcing the PlayStation Network-based service from IFA 2010 in Germany. Call us crazy, but this sounds like a perfect fit for the Sony’s out-of-the-blue $130 Netbox . [Thanks, dedparrot] Sony’s scheming a streaming music and video subscription service, too? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink