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Filed under: Cellphones

We already knew RIM’s BlackBerry Bold would sell for a stiff $299.99 on contract with AT&T, but if you′re one of the many AT&T users who’d rather not sign a new agreement (or renew your current one), you′ve probably been patiently waiting to hear an unsubsidized price. Here is it, but we’re warning you, you might want to sit down. The contract-free Bold is listed at $679.99 at Best Buy, and fittingly enough, the product page offers a convenient link for seeking financing. At any rate, it also tells us that pre-orders will typically ship out within one to two weeks, though we’d be hesitant to bet the farm on that. After waiting for, like, ever, for this handset to finally hit shelves, are you still so anxious to drop nearly seven bills to claim one as your own?

[Thanks, Christen]

BlackBerry Bold up for pre-order at Best Buy: $680 smackers originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 20:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Cellphones

One might think that the BlackBerry Bold and the BlackBerry Storm could get along together, but similar to twin brothers who both aspire to graduate Magna Cum Laude from an Ivy league school, these two aren’t exactly the most loving of siblings. Oh, and toss in that iPhone 3G — which played a huge role in helping Apple sell more phones than RIM last quarter — and you’ve got yourself a bona fide mess. Check out all three getting shoved up on one another in the name of comparison just after the break. It’s a little uncomfortable at first, but you’ll get used to it.

Continue reading iPhone 3G, BlackBerry Storm and Bold compared on video: awkward…

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Cellphones

digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/gadgets/Blackberry_Storm_Runs_iPhone_OS’; We can’t put our finger on it, but there’s something vaguely familiar about this new Storm 9500.

In case you’re reading this after these images get taken down — which they inevitably will be — this was the official marketing material posted tonight by RIM’s Storm launch partner, Vodafone.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Vodafone’s BlackBerry Storm art department all soon to be fired

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Original post by Joshua Topolsky

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Those already fearful of the Large Hadron Collider’s potential Earth-ending capabilities may want to turn away for this one, as it looks like the situation has managed to get a bit more perilous, with a team of hackers apparently successful in mounting an attack on a system that is “one step away” from the computer system that controls of one of the LHC’s massive detectors. According to The Telegraph newspaper, the group, calling itself the “Greek Security Team,” left behind a half a dozen files on the system and damaged one CERN file, in addition to displaying the page above on the cmsmon.cern.ch website, which still remained inaccessible as of Friday. Somewhat disconcertingly, one of the scientists working at CERN simply described the incident as a “scary experience,” with a CERN spokesperson further adding that they thought it was just someone “making the point that [the system] was hackable.” Um, okaaaay.

[Via CNET News]

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Original post by Donald Melanson

Filed under: Robots

Not that robots with emotions are anything new, but a project going on in Europe could perfect the art of crafting mechanical people that can “learn when a person is sad, happy or angry.” The Feelix Growing project is getting even more advanced with software that gives robots the power to understand how a person is feeling based on feedback from cameras and sensors. The bots look at a human’s facial expression and key in on their voice and proximity to determine what kind of mood they′re in. As with the recently announced UMass Mobile Manipulator, this creature too learns from experience, and there’s a video explaining just what we mean waiting for you in the read link.

[Via Physorg]

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Original post by Darren Murph

We all know how popular virtual worlds are, with the best known examples being Second Life and World of Warcraft.
These worlds are all very well, but they’re set in a fictional world. Not a bad thing for many people, but some players will hanker for more reality.
Get Real
This is where Twinity comes in. Twinity plan […]

Original post by Simon Perry

Filed under: Gaming

According to a report in the Economic Times, Sony will be introducing a slimmer (well, “slimer” if you want the direct quote), sleeker, and “more suave” version of the PS2 in Indian and European markets come Fall. If you believe what you read, the new system will include a built-in power supply, will make its debut by Diwali (which falls on October 28th), and will keep the current sticker price of Rs 6,990 (or about $162). The article also claims that Sony will bring its PlayStation Network to India by the end of the year, which should make a lot of competition hungry gamers very happy. Sony reps say that the move is driven by the belief that, “Console gaming is in its nascent stage in India,” adding, “We have no plans to phase out PS2 anytime soon.” The PS2: you just can’t kill it!

[Via Joystiq]

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Original post by Joshua Topolsky

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

There are literally entire stores devoted to devices that detect drink spiking (okay, maybe not stores), but what about those of us concerned over food-borne pathogens? A crew of European researchers are addressing said worries by “creating one of only two prototype systems in the world that prepare samples and perform DNA tests on bacteria in a portable, easy-to-use and cost-effective chip.” Essentially, the EU-funded OptoLabCard project is aiming to concoct a small, disposable laboratory that humans could carry around and use to detect diseases such as campylobacter and salmonella before ingesting contaminated grub. Team members are suggesting that a commercial product could be ready to roll within three years, with prices for each “lab″ reaching as low as $0.50. ‘Til then, always make your buddy have the first bite.

[Via Physorg]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Remember how your curiosity level shot through the roof when Pioneer abruptly discontinued the BDP-LX70A Blu-ray player in the UK? We’re willing to bet this is why. Announced over on Pioneer’s European website, we’re being treated to three fresh faces — the Profile 2.0-compliant BDP-L⊻, Designer BDP-L≨ and BDP-L⊧ — along with one familiar face (the BDP-51FD). All of the new units will feature 1080p24 support, HDMI 12-Bit Deep Color support, KURO LINK, DTS-HD Master Audio / Dolby True HD compatibility and professional-quality Wolfson Digital Audio Converters (DACs). As for pricing and availability other than Europe, your guess is as good as ours, but we are told to expect the BDP-LX71 in September, the BDP-51FD / BDP-LX08 in October and the BDP-LX91 “later on in the winter.” For more on Pioneer’s European onslaught, head on over to Engadget HD.

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Original post by Darren Murph

New study suggest that networks will wobble like a jelly on a trampoline as demand rises.

Original post by Mike Slocombe

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

For the attentive in attendance, you likely noticed that none of Toshiba’s newly announced laptops (yes, even the absurdly powerful Qosmio rigs) have built-in Blu-ray drives. Like, there’s not even an option. When questioned about the obvious oversight (ahem), Tosh’s Europe CEO Alan Thompson noted that “Blu-ray was just one of the many ways that you can get HD content and is not required for accessing HD content.” Furthermore, it seems as if the outfit is continuing on in its pursuit to develop the best DVD upconverting technology in the whole wide world, as it explained to the press in London that its forthcoming technology would “fill in the gaps” and “add resolution.” Company representatives even remarked that “Blu-ray was only a storage medium,” and reiterated that BD “wasn′t the only way to view high-def content.” It’s one thing to bow out gracefully, pick up the pieces and get on with life. It’s another thing to douse yourself in ignorance and pretend that Blu-ray (let alone HD DVD) never happened.

Read - Toshiba’s London press event
Read - Toshiba Europe CEO comments

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Another month, another BRAVIA. Not that we’re kvetching or anything, though. On the docket today are four new ones from Sony which make up the all new 󋧐 family. Arriving in 26-, 32-, 37- and 40-inch sizes, the crew showcases Sony’s fresh “draw the LINE” design concept and features a deep piano black finish, clean lines, gently-rounded curves and a swivel base to boot. The largest of the four boasts a 1080p Full HD panel, 24p True Cinema mode and the outfit’s BRAVIA ENGINE 2 signal processing technology, while the other guys get stuck with the original BRAVIA ENGINE and “HD Ready″ panels. The whole lot gets a trio of HDMI sockets,an integrated DVB-C / DVB-T TV tuner and a dynamic contrast ratio at or above 22,000:1. No word on a price / release date, but we’re figuring that they land somewhere in Europe first.

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Cellphones

Not like we were really suspecting any issues or anything, but the European Commission has just made public its “unconditional approval” of Nokia’s “voluntary tender offer for all the shares in Trolltech ASA.” In other words, Nokia’s acquisition of Trolltech is officially complete, with today being the final day in which the latter company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. Such a cute couple, don′t you think?

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Laptops

You already know full well what these buggers look like, and you’ve even had ample time to roll that 8920 review around in your noggin. Now, the moment of truth has arrived. Both of Acer’s Gemstone Blue lappies — the 16-inch Aspire 6920 and 18.4-inch Aspire 8920 — are finally available in North America. Prospective buyers can snatch either up starting at $849 / $1,299, respectively, though real hardware junkies will insist on paying more for those high-brow components. Shamelessly, at that.

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Hear that? That’s the sound of dozens of Canadians rejoicing as they finally get a launch date for the Zune in Canada, a year and a half after Zune’s debut in the US. As rumored, Canadians will have a slightly limited lineup on offer, with no 30GB or green versions to puzzle over, but the red Zune 80 will indeed be making an appearance, along with the rest of the players. Prices range from $140 to $250 Canadian Dollars, which sources tell us is a real currency akin to salt traded by the ancients or a Starbucks Card.

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Original post by Paul Miller