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Boy, we’ve gone from rumor to hands-on experience in just a couple of days with this thing. Microsoft’s November 9-bound Xbox 360 controller refresh couldn’t escape the clutches of Joystiq, who have put together a neat photo gallery and video overview. That chrometastic new D-pad is clearly the headliner here, and the early feedback is that it works well — it takes a bit of effort to transform from a flat button to the elevated four-way navigator you see above, but that’s apparently a good thing as it means you’ll never flip modes by accident in the middle of a hot and heavy gaming session. The analog buttons have also been subjected to some nipping and tucking and there is of course a new desaturated color scheme to explore as well. You’ll find a shot of the retail packaging after the break and a lot more at the source.

Continue reading Xbox 360’s transforming D-pad controller gets handled on video

Xbox 360’s transforming D-pad controller gets handled on video originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keepin’ it varied, are we ASUS? Just a few months after we peeked a pair of WirelessHD-equipped laptops at ASUS’ Computex booth, in flies this — news that the company has aligned with Amimon and joined the WHDI Consortium to boot. It’s hard to say if the introduction of the WiCast EW2000 is in direct response to HP’s Wireless TV Connect, but it sure looks mighty similar in practice. The two-piece set connects to a PC via USB (it’s USB powered, too) and to an HDTV via HDMI. Once you’re setup, you can stream 1080p video (including Blu-ray and DRM’d material) straight to your tele with under a millisecond of lag, and better still, you could connect it to an HDMI-equipped set-top box or game console for cordless machine-to-device magic. Mum’s the word on price, but there’s a delightful promo video ready to get you amped up about it just past the break.

Continue reading ASUS teams with Amimon on WiCast EW2000 1080p streamer

ASUS teams with Amimon on WiCast EW2000 1080p streamer originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 04:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sure, that laptop you’re staring out might have been purchased by your company’s IT department, but who hasn’t snuck on a film or game to fill the desperate void between PowerPoint presentations and time sheets? Problem is, those teeny tiny tinny laptop speakers aren’t exactly immersive. That’s where Logitech comes in with its new Laptop Speaker Z305 ($99.99, pictured above). A compact USB speaker that hangs off the open display to deliver 360-degree audio that will “fill the room,” according to Logitech — no additional software required. Otherwise, why not untether with Logitech’s Wireless Speaker Z515 (pictured after the break) when it arrives for $59.99. The Z515 offers a range of about 50 feet (15 meters) over a 2.4GHz USB dongle with up to 10 hours of life from its rechargeable battery. Both will be available for purchase in the US and Europe begining this month. See the pitch in the video after the break.

Continue reading Logitech takes its wireless Z515 and tethered Z305 speakers on the road

Logitech takes its wireless Z515 and tethered Z305 speakers on the road originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We have to say it’s a bit odd for HP to be announcing its own wireless streaming peripheral — it seems like something more up IOGEAR or Belkin’s alley — but the $199 Wireless TV Connect is exactly what we’ve been waiting for in some respects. Sure, the box that you have to connect to your laptop via HDMI and USB for power is a bit on the large side, but it’s capable of streaming 1080p content, including Blu-ray movies or protected content, to your TV and there’s absolutely no lag when controlling the desktop on the big screen. We’re not exactly sure what technology HP’s using here — we’re thinking WHDI, though the company wouldn’t confirm — but the two box set can be used with any laptop on the market that has an HDMI port. Take that Intel WiDi! This is one we’re absolutely planning to test out, but in the meantime check out the pics below.

Continue reading HP Wireless TV Connect streams 1080p video, hits Intel WiDi where it hurts

HP Wireless TV Connect streams 1080p video, hits Intel WiDi where it hurts originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Neat little update for Pogoplug owners today: the latest firmware update adds printing support, allowing iPhones, Android devices, and anything else that can hit the diminutive home server’s web interface to print files. Any HP or Epson printer from 2005 or later is supported over USB — network printers just need to be on the same network — and the firmware is rolling out now. Pogoplug is also shipping that 802.11 b/g/n wireless adapter it announced earlier this month today, as well as the more enterprise-focused Pogoplug Biz. We’re also told the new firmware will enable some other features, but there’s no breakdown yet — we’ll let you know when we find out. PR after the break.

Continue reading Pogoplug adds printing support, wireless adapter and Biz start shipping

Pogoplug adds printing support, wireless adapter and Biz start shipping originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Surfing and science are something of an odd mix, but we’ve seen time and time again that the two subjects to together like, well, salt and water. The latest high-tech stick to hit that briney mix comes from a team at UC San Diego, who outfitted a board with eight sensors on the bottom that measure the speed of the water as it rushes beneath. All are controlled by a waterpoofed computer embedded in the nose, which transmits data wirelessly to an Eee PC left sadly on the beach while its partner splashes around in the waves. The goal is to attempt to determine what level of flex is optimal and, once determined, to create the ultimate board and rule the world… the surfing world, at least.

Continue reading Researchers use sensors to find the perfect surfboard, Gidget still looking for that perfect bikini (video)

Researchers use sensors to find the perfect surfboard, Gidget still looking for that perfect bikini (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oftentimes in this business, loyal customers simply get left in the dust when the latest and greatest hits the scene. Not so with Pogoplug, which just busted out an impossible-to-resist new offer concerning an impossible-to-resist new device. The simply titled Pogoplug Wireless Adapter is a USB dongle that plays nice with 802.11b/g/n networks, and for all intents and purposes, finally lets you place your Pogoplug somewhere other than next door to your router. Just plug this guy in, and your Pogoplug is instantly WiFi-enabled. The device is available for pre-order now at $29 (ships in “3 to 4 weeks”), but in a glaring act of awesomeness, the company’s handing ‘em out for free to existing Pogoplug owners. Details of the offer are parked in the source link, and if you’re looking to buy in for the first time, the Pogoplug unit itself has been reduced $30 to just $99. Try beating that with a stick… we dare you.

Pogoplug Wireless Adapter enables cord-free access, comes free to existing owners originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It wasn’t too long ago that we were pondering the relative scarcity of backlit desktop keyboards, so let’s all warmly welcome a new entrant into this niche category. The K800 from Logitech picks up where the wired Illuminated Keyboard left off: it has the requisite inflated price, adjustable and intelligent illumination to please functionalists, and a dagger-like profile for aesthetes. Ambient light sensors will align the keyboard’s brightness to your environment, while proximity detectors will only flip the switch when your hands are in position to start writing. There’s also a Micro USB cable to refresh your battery when it starts running low — it’s rated for up to 10 days of wireless use — but whether this whole package of smart convenience is worth the $99.99 we’ll leave up to you. The K800 should be shipping out later this month, and you can find out more about it in the press release after the break.

Continue reading Logitech’s Wireless Illuminated K800 keyboard boasts ambient light and proximity sensors, costs $100

Logitech’s Wireless Illuminated K800 keyboard boasts ambient light and proximity sensors, costs $100 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 06:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Network neutrality is the battle to keep companies from filtering your access to whatever you want on those great, united internets. But, as we explored in depth last week, Google and Verizon think they should only have to play nice when it comes to wired broadband — that wireless should be exempt from neutrality-related FCC regulation. The FCC wasn’t too pleased with that sentiment, but we found someone who is: AT&T VP Joan Marsh, who posted a lengthy statement entitled: “Wireless is Different.” In it she continues the theme of explaining how meeting demand on a wireless network is much more difficult than on wired, even going so far as to place some of the blame on local communities:

We are constantly striving to increase the efficiency of our spectrum resources, but the amount of available spectrum in any given market is finite. And while we regularly split cell sectors and add additional cell towers, there are very real limits placed on cell site construction by zoning and local approval boards.

This is surely a real problem, but what we haven’t heard yet is just how letting companies like Verizon and AT&T create premium tiers for wireless content will do anything other than allow them to make more money while still complaining about the same ‘ol problems.

Meanwhile, a company that has virtually no skin in the wireless game, Time Warner Cable, isn’t so keen on this stance regarding traditional, wired broadband. CEO Glenn Britt says his company would never throttle content in a way that would violate net neutrality, but still doesn’t want more rules put in place that would prevent them from doing so. Funny how everyone likes net neutrality until it threatens to cramp their style, isn’t it?

AT&T likes Google & Verizon’s wired-only net neutrality stance, Time Warner Cable doesn’t originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 08:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Look out, Sprint — if you aren’t careful, you might just end up pulling a Palm. Shortly after Dan Schulman, Sprint’s prepaid business honcho, announced that he’d be leaving The Now Network for a position at American Express, product development guru Kevin Packingham has announced that he’ll be packing out on Monday. The 39-year old is responsible for spearheading some of Sprint’s most highly sought after products, namely the HTC EVO 4G and Samsung Epic 4G. He’ll be leaving his Senior VP office in order to “run another company in Kansas City,” but Sprint’s remaining mum on what exactly that company will be. For what it’s worth, a spokeswoman for the carrier confessed to the Wall Street Journal that the departures aren’t a concern, and that “Steve Elfman, president of Sprint’s network operations and wholesale business, and Fared Adib, vice president of product development and Mr. Packingham’s lieutenant, will share oversight of product development.”

Sprint’s product development guru bolts from yellow pastures, heads to greener ones originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Aug 2010 20:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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