Archive for March, 2010
64GB Zune HD Will Cost $350; Other Models Slashed By $20 [Zune]
March 31st, 2010
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Wireless-N shocker! Cisco announces E-Series line of home routers
March 31st, 2010
Continue reading Wireless-N shocker! Cisco announces E-Series line of home routers
Wireless-N shocker! Cisco announces E-Series line of home routers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
The 404 Podcast 549: Where we finally explain "PC Load Letter"
March 31st, 2010
Thanks to Jonathan and his girlfriend for bringing 404 stickers to the Ultra Music Festival in Miami!
(Credit:
Jonathan Diaz/The 404)
Wilson is out today supposedly covering the New York Auto Show for CNETTV, but we suspect that he’s at home still trying to get the Cheeseburger Dorito flavor off his tongue from yesterday’s episode. We ain’t mad at him either, because Natali Del Conte steps into his shoes to sort out a few stories on today’s episode, starting with a short explanation behind that “PC Load Letter” message you’ve probably seen on your office printer. Immortalized in the classic scene from Office Space, Michael Bolton probably wouldn’t have been so pissed if CNET’s prestigious printer Editor Justin Yu was around to show him that “PC Load Letter” means you have to load letter-sized paper into the Paper Cassette. It’s that simple, now put the bat down.
The next story might not be so easy to explain. “Security experts” suspect that terrorists have plans to smuggle explosives onto planes using bombs in fake breast implants. Since you can apparently hide up to five ounces of Pentaerythritol Tetrabitrate (yes, from Die Hard 3), airline officials will likely start more
“in-depth” examinations of women that have undergone breast augmentation surgery. No, this is not a ploy by Wilson G. Tang to make some money on the side, but we’re still wondering if it’s possible to feel the difference between silicone and Pentaerythritol Tetrabitrate…”Oh my!”
Cheesburger Doritos taste test before and after
(Credit:
Sean Shin/The 404)
Some people just can’t have a conversation online without punctuating their thoughts with a silly emoticon. In fact, as Natali tells us, there’s even a new emoticon out now that conveys sarcasm! Theo Watson adds his own twist on the funny faces with a new Auto Smiley program that uses a web cam to automatically insert a smileycon into whatever program you’re using. You can download the app and source code here and enjoy your hands-free smiling!
Keep the e-mails and voicemails coming everyone! Call us up at 1-866-404-CNET or send a message to the404(at)cnetcom and let us know what’s on your mind. We’re starting to read listener e-mails on the air now, so make them good! As always, sticker pictures are appreciated as well, and don’t forget about Steve Guttenberg’s ongoing “Audiophillie” awards–we’ve already received submissions but you still have plenty of time to send yours in before the April 12th deadline, so get to work!
EPISODE 549
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Check back later for a video of today’s episode!
…
Originally posted at The 404 Podcast
Smartphones Turn Into Assistants For The Blind [Accessibility]
March 31st, 2010
Cisco’s Valet routers take a cue from Flip’s design department
March 31st, 2010
Admittedly, we were a bit hesitant when Cisco contacted us with jubilation over a router, but now we can kind of see why. The company has pulled in design experts from its recently-acquired Flip for what it’s banking on is a much simpler and friendlier user experience, from the packaging to the set up and maintenance menus, with a new lineup of routers it’s calling Valet. The hardware itself is not too shabby — it’d probably be quite inconspicuous in a Tomorrowland exhibit — but the internals are nothing mind-blowing. Both the Valet and Valet Plus offer 2.4GHz Wireless N, while the latter model boasts a longer range and a quartet of Gigabit ports (the standard only uses 10/100).
Eschewing the usual CD installation key is what Cisco’s calling the USB Easy Setup Key. Similar idea to the other routers, just plug in and install the software. After two clicks of the menu, it auto-located our Valet and connected to a newly-minted, protected wireless service (in this case “BusyFish”) with the password saved in our keychain. Adjusting guest access and parental controls are easy enough, and nice part of the USB key is that you can write the settings onto it, letting you simply plug it into another computer and auto-load the settings. Manual controls are still available and should be fine for most readers. Nothing mind-blowing, but for the audience Cisco’s targeting, it’s definitely a step in the right direction. According to Cisco, availability is “immediately” and prices are $100 for Valet and $150 for Valet Plus. Press release and oodles (yes, oodles) more pictures after the break.
Gallery: Cisco Valet hands-on
Continue reading Cisco’s Valet routers take a cue from Flip’s design department
Cisco’s Valet routers take a cue from Flip’s design department originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Cisco takes the Flip approach to home routers
March 31st, 2010
The new Valet line of routers is designed to be straightforward and inexpensive, like the original Flip video camera.
Originally posted at Circuit Breaker
Pixel Qi and OLPC to share all current and future screen tech
March 30th, 2010
Our man Nicholas Negroponte was certainly excited about pushing the state of the art forward with future versions of the OLPC when we hosted him on The Engadget Show earlier this month, and now he’s got one more tool to help make that happen: the OLPC Foundation and Pixel Qi just signed a permanent and free cross-license on a slew of next-generation screen technology patents, including Pixel Qi’s sweet dual-mode displays. If you’re recall, Pixel Qi’s Mary Lou Jepson actually developed part of the 3Qi screen tech while at OLPC, so there was some mild confusion over who owned what — but the two organizations have solved that problem by cross-licensing all future and current IP covering multi-mode screens. See, it’s easy for two tech companies to get along… especially when one is actually a charity that’s not at all concerned with profits. Super simple. So — let’s get working on that OLPC XO-3, shall we?
Pixel Qi and OLPC to share all current and future screen tech originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 13:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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No iPad for case; make fake iPad
March 30th, 2010
If you think Apple gives iPad accessory makers get early iPads, think gain. They have to make their own.
Originally posted at iPad Atlas