Section: Computers, Hardware With the except of the Tegra and Ion platforms, we haven’t been hearing much from NVIDIA in terms of graphics cards lately. Mobile graphics are certainly important, but we still need great graphic cards on our desktops or laptops. Screenshots leaked on a Chinese message board show that NVIDIA is definitely working on fantastic graphics with the new Fermi hardware. The new graphic cards look to be able to render very realistic faces as well as realistic hair, lighting, and reflections. The captions on the pictures claim the new chips are “the most advanced GPU computing architecture ever built,” and given the results that could be hard to argue. The chips themselves will hold up to 512 separate cores to process all of the graphics. Word is these new chips, probably the NVIDIA GeForce 300 series could be out by the end of the year. These new chips, should the leaks prove to be true, will likely be expensive though the performance should be worth the price. Paired with a Core i7 CPU, machines packing these new Fermi GPUs should be able to do just about anything. GPU-accelerated programs like Photoshop CS4 will benefit greatly and experience very little slow down, if any. Even if they end up being priced too highly, there’s always that fact the the current chips will more than likely go down in price, making great (if not the best) graphics even easier to obtain. Read [Electronista] Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Smartphones  T-Mobile customers hoping to get their hands on the new BlackBerry Bold 9700 may have to wait a bit longer. Recent reports have surfaced revealing that the expected release date of November 11 has been pushed back to November 15th. T-Mobile has not confirmed this change or the reason for it. They will offer the 9700 for $200 with a 2 year contract. AT&T and Vodaphone will also offer the device.
The Bold 2 isn’t much different than the original Bold. It’s smaller, sports an updated OS and camera, and instead of a trackball offers a sleek new touchpad for navigation. The touchpad is expected to replace the trackball on all future BlackBerry QWERTY devices, something many BB users are looking forward to. The trackball on the hot BlackBerry Tour has been much maligned as its weakest feature. While RIM hasn’t officially said so, both Sprint and Verizon have admitted that there was a problem with the trackball on the first batch of Tours they sold. Don’t want to wait? Verizon just released the Storm 2, which it’s offering for $280. Other upcoming BlackBerry devices include the Tour 2, which will sport the trackpad and have Wi-Fi added. It’s set to launch on Sprint and Verizon later this year or early in 2010.
Read [Brighthand] Full Story » | Written by Sue Walsh for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Web, Online Music/Video, Google Google has partnered with several major providers of online music to launch a music search engine. Now when you type in the name of a song, artist or title, you can access audio or video previews of your music search query. The previews will be available via links to MySpace, Pandora, iLike, Lala and Rhapsody. Once you click on the link through Google, you can preview the music as well as review buying options for full downloads. Further options will include the ability to find tour information for the artist in question and buy tickets. The new search tool will also allow you to enter lyrics in order to look up previews of songs. Google will be rolling out the service over the next couple of days. These agreements are in addition to partnerships that Google already has with EMI, Sony, Universal and Warner Bros. As Google furthers these music partnerships, it could mean that they are poised to start their own music service. Read: [Google Blog]
Image Source: Google Blog Full Story » | Written by Heather Wood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Smartphones, Mobile, Computers, Desktops, Hardware, Laptops, Software / Applications, Gadgets / Other, ebooks, Features, Originals, Columns, Who's On Crack This week stands out for me and my mobile phone addiction. Big announcements in the tech world get us all excited until we stop to ask some questions. Then we get kind of pissed off and start turning on the hype. Behold the gems I turned up this week: - Sears says deals won’t wait for Black Friday
- Microsoft has trust issues
- Barnes and Noble doesn’t want to start fist fights
- HTC brags about being smart
Sears says screw the calendar Just the mention of Black Friday and shoppers pupils dilate just a bit, showing their arousal. Sears has decided the calendar is for suckers and has started their sale this weekend. Why not? Our Sue Walsh explains: Sears has announced it will be kicking off the holiday shopping season this weekend by offering special Black Friday deals. It plans to offer those special "Black Friday Now" deals every Saturday from 7am until Christmas.
The Saturday after Christmas Sears shoppers will be welcomed by 1,000s of Abe Lincoln impersonators as the store kicks off “President’s Day Now” sale. Feel free to move holidays around at home kids, it is the new marketing paradigm. Somewhere, Sears marketing team is giggling at duping the American public. 
Microsoft says manufacturers can’t be trusted Our Heather Wood posted about Microsoft’s Signature PCs: “When you usually buy a PC, you have to spend time removing all of the pre-installed applications on the computer. These can include 30 day music trials, limited anti-virus protection software and photo editing tools you probably will never use. On these signature PCs, no crapware or trials will be included. “ Instead, Microsoft Signature PCs that they are selling direct to consumers will have only the basics installed. The take-away from this is Microsoft is attempting to control the experience consumers have with their products. Clearly, MS feels the crapware festival that greets most new owners is less than stellar. It is a good move for MS but you’ve got to wonder, if companies pay to get crapware there in the first place, will prices go up? Could this start a price war between MS and manufacturers at other retailers? This could mean the net result of MS adventures in retailing will be to lower prices in an ever-dropping market. Sweet. Barnes and Nobles averts reader wars What is likely to happen when folks who love hard covers and the smell of a new book mix with internet-loving einkers? Book fight! Imagine volume upon volume being flung about as screams of “tree killer” and “experience killer” get flung just as hard. It is a nightmarish scene typically reserved for winning an NBA championship. Our Robert Nelson commented on the plan: “Personally, it seems only logical that Barnes & Noble would have at least some Nooks in stock and ready for those that want instant gratification. But that is not the case, instead it looks like only select locations will have them available to purchase and take home.” Only a crackhead could come up with a crazy retail plan, right? Do they really fear book fights? Are they worried the Nook would convert masses away from physical books and drive them to their online bookstore? Sounds like some paranoid addict is afraid of losing retail locations over this. That’s embarrassing. HTC brags It’s been my experience that folks that are actually smart don’t need to say it, much less make it their new advertising campaign. So it goes with HTC’s new “quietly brilliant” as our Robert Nelson explains:
 HTC has just recently begun a new ad campaign which deems them as "Quietly Brilliant" and is simply going by the name of "You." While some may say that the quietly brilliant part is a bit self centered, the You campaign in general appears to be offering a welcomed push at showing consumers just how nice it can be to have a smartphone.
I am quietly brilliant too. Something along the lines of “keep your mouth shut and let everyone assume your’re an idiot vs. opening your mouth and proving it,” springs to mind. Wait, wasn’t this the plot to “Good Will Hunting”? Will HTC singlehandedly relaunch the career of Ben Affleck, (who was the bomb in Phantoms)? Doubt it. Robert focuses on the “You” side of the campaign and the “you don’t need to get a phone, you need a phone that gets you” but that troubles me. I don’t get me. How can I expect some engineers in Taiwan to get me? Should I be flattered if they do? Can I get a phone number if they do to talk about being penpals? Either way, I find the concept disturbing. How about you? Do you think they get you? Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile  Just yesterday, Sprint executive David Owens took some time and did a live chat for Sprint customers and in that chat were some interesting tidbits.
To begin, plenty of Android users have been wondering about the Hero. Well he confirmed that the HTC Hero, along with the yet-to-be released Samsung Moment would both be getting an update. With that the speculation is that it will skip the current version 1.6 and go directly to Android 2.0. Of course, we still do not have a firm timeline on when that will happen. Additional Android related news came in the form of an interesting product. It seems that Sprint is “considering an Android phone with a built-in MiFi-type router.” That last bit by itself is interesting, but at the same time it is good news because David Owens also mentioned that Sprint will never allow “tethering for phones that require Everything plans (such as all smartphones) from here on out.” Moving on, for those not interested in Android, we also have some BlackBerry and Windows Mobile details. The BlackBerry news included that the Tour will have Wi-Fi support added and that they will also begin offering other Wi-Fi equipped BlackBerry models in the future. As far as Windows Mobile, this was mentioned, but less than exciting. Sprint is currently in the testing phase for Windows Mobile 6.5 updates on the HTC Touch Pro2 and other Windows phones. So far nothing firm was given as to when you can expect to see that available, however it is planned for “early 2010.” Additionally, Windows Mobile 7 is coming, but as you would expect that timeline is still in the hands of Microsoft. Finally, Sprint is also looking to release some WiMax phones next year. Via [GearLog] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Gadgets / Other, ebooks  It looks like those once rumored ebook readers from Asus are going to become reality. Well, maybe not exactly like the prototypes (pictured here) that we first saw, but they still sound like they will be interesting, if not fully connected.
What we know so far is that Asus is planning to release a 6-inch and 9-inch model. Both of which will offer an E Ink display. Still unclear is to whether they will offer that dual-screen touch-friendly model. Additionally, is seems that the ebook readers will also come with 3G, WiMax and Wi-Fi support. Unfortunately, most details, such as the brand are still unknown. However a full announcement is expected before the end of the year. That said, Asus is expected to launch these ebook readers under the Eee branding. We also still have nothing in terms of price. But it would be safe to think that they will be priced competitively with the current kings including the Amazon Kindle and the Sony Reader. Of course we may be adding the Barnes & Noble Nook to that current kings list as well. Read [CENS.com] Via [Reg Hardware] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
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