Recent Comments:
Microsoft's Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000: barely thicker than a stack of hundies {Engadget}
Sep 9th 2009 12:49PM Oh yeah this'll go great with my Apple Tablet... 8D
Nice ergonomics by Microsoft here - I've always loved their keyboards and if this fits in my laptop bag it may be joining my MBPro for the road trips. $85 is not that much for a good wireless keyboard, considering how much you use it.
MacBook Pro 17-inch unibody review {Engadget}
Mar 5th 2009 11:39PM I have one and I love it. I got the "base" 2.66GHz version with the only modification being the faster 7200 RPM drive for an extra $50. I don't know why everyone's so down on the glossy screen, I LOVE it and use it in all kinds of lighting conditions with no problem. Some people have said they have a hard time focusing on the screen when there are other reflections that distract their focal range, I suppose that makes sense but I have no problem with it at all.
I'm surprised to hear comments that it's not aesthetically pleasing to some people. Everyone who's seen it in person falls in love with it. The only thing they (and I) aren't smitten with is the price. Still though, for the money you won't find any other notebook with this quality screen and battery life. Admittedly you could afford to buy a few more batteries for the difference and keep them in your pack, but long life batteries are heavy and you're adding a couple of extra pounds for each battery you lug around with you.
This is just what I wanted. Fast, light, great resolution and the battery lasts a crazy long time compared to every other notebook I've used. It's not uncommon for me to leave a 1.5 hour meeting and still have 85% battery life.
Xbox 360 Spring 2007 Dashboard update hands-on {Engadget}
May 9th 2007 11:55AM The high-quality videos at Gamespot.com and IGN.com are in WMV but they make great streaming examples of what the 360 can play.
Xbox 360 Spring 2007 Dashboard update hands-on {Engadget}
May 9th 2007 11:52AM I think you meant to say it doesn't support WMV files, which it doesn't and is a pain in the A** because most high quality downloadable videos (PS3 game reviews, etc.) are only available in WMV or Quicktime, NEITHER of which is supported on the PS3. They licensed WMA from Microsoft they need to license WMV too. I will say though that the PS3 supports DIVX which gives them a good advantage in what I would call "medium quality" video playback.
Microsoft thwarts Xbox 360 hacks with sneaky "update" {Engadget}
Mar 6th 2007 11:26AM I don't understand why this is even news. My PS3 has already had more updates than my 360 and it's been out a lot less time. Preventing unauthorized software from running on consoles has always been a part of the console market, this is just the first round companies have been able to do it online. Consoles are not computers, and they're not designed to be "open" systems. The entire console business model falls apart if the console makers can't make royalties off games, and let's be honest... The vast majority of users who hack their consoles aren't trying to run linux or just learn about hardware, they're trying to steal games. They just don't have the backbone to walk into a store and shoplift, they'd rather do it through mod chips and burned DVDs.
The only solution to this problem is already there, though - online. Since modded systems can't connect to online games (lest they be patched automatically or not allowed to connect) the hacked experience is only half or less what the full experience is. As games continue to move more towards online there just won't be many people who want a stand-alone experience - consider Warhawk, which as we just learned won't even HAVE a single player mode but will ONLY be online, and Crackdown and Gears of War allow online friends to hop in to the single player game in progress.
360 owners have it easy though - both PS3 and 360 require system updates to plug holes like this, but on the PS3, every time it updates I have to plug in my wireless controller to a physical USB port to hit a button to complete the update(!) I'm sure it's some wierd Bluetooth thing but it's really a pain when they update the firmware every few weeks.
The Apple iPhone {Engadget}
Jan 9th 2007 2:47PM Why in the world doesn't it support UMTS/HSDPA? EDGE support is OK, but PEAKs at about 200kbps (and usually I only get about 70kbps over EDGE in the Dallas area). I know Cingular can support UMTS/HSDPS because a friend of mine has the Blackjack on Cingular and it's already got it (averaging 400-700kbps in Dallas!) http://www.cingular.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-details/?q_list=true&q_phoneName=Samsung+BlackJack&q_sku=sku300002&_requestid=60888.
Why wouldn't they use 3G in this? It would have been a KILLER mobile browser which a lot of people would really like. Not to mention they would be in a better position to download movies and songs directly to the phone from iTunes.
Looks great though... Apple has always had good aesthetic taste no arguing with that!
Microsoft shows off Ana, says no HD DVD in Xbox 360... ever {Engadget HD}
Jan 7th 2007 3:15AM I agree with JD. I'd much rather have a bigger hard drive and HDMI and just download the movies I want. While I'm on the subject though, what I DON'T want is to RENT my HD movies, unless it was a flat monthly fee like Netflix, which I would gladly pay $29.99 a month for (I'd suggest $19.99 a month for SD movies only). If I could just have one or two movies "out" at a time I would jump on this and cancel my Netflix subscription. Even though it might take hours to download in HD that would still beat the days it takes to get a movie from Netflix (or the constant out of stock problems with Blockbuster).
I hope someone at MS reads this. I have not rented a single movie yet through the 360 Media Marketplace, although I have bought about 20 TV show episodes (Jericho is really great, BTW!) I would be open to buying HD movies outright like you get with the TV episodes, even though I'd prefer the monthly charge as stated earlier, but I will NEVER rent a movie pay-per-view. I'm not saying take away pay-per-view just add either a purchase or monthly way to buy the content and MS can have even more of my money :D
Xbox 360: HD-DVD Player Sells Out! {DV Guru}
Nov 3rd 2006 2:47PM As a 360 owner with a good HDTV (Samsung 56" DLP) I'll probably pick this up, even though I'll probably be buying a PS3 in a few years when the price drops to below $400 for the full-blown 60gb system. My decision is based on the hybrid DVD/HD-DVD discs that we still haven't seen but know are coming. When I buy a movie I want to be able to watch it on my big screen (HD-DVD), on my notbook (DVD), in my bed at night (DVD), or on the road (DVD). Since Blu-Ray doesn't even seem to have this as an option the choice for me is clear: HD-DVD - and this is the cheapest player by far.
My biggest concern right now is how much the studios will charge for the HD-DVD's and hybrid discs. My guess it that it'll be a premium for the next half year or so, and my plan is to just use NetFlix until the hybrid discs are commonplace and cost within a few dollars of a standard DVD.
Federal Court grants stay on EchoStar's TiVo injunction {Engadget}
Aug 18th 2006 2:45PM The whole idea that Tivo got their patent in the first place is rediculous. All that they did was make a digital VCR, clearly "prior works" - it's another example of why the U.S. Patent Office should be held responsible for monetary damages (to EchoStar in this case) if they erroneously grant a patent. I think I'll go patent recording media on molecular/crystal storage so someday I can sue Tivo...
Spring Dashboard update bugs out {Joystiq Xbox}
Jun 12th 2006 12:38AM No problems here. Background downloading works beautifully, videos, games and Media Center all operating at 100%...
