Section: Gadgets / Other, ebooks  Barnes & Noble looks to be having a bit of difficulty with releasing its first gadget. There certainly has been no dearth of pre-orders, people seem to really want to get their hands on the Nook. The trouble seems to be Barnes & Noble itself, not communicating well with customers, and constantly changing its plans.
Now, hopefully for the last time, we have the official word on the status of the Nook in B&N stores. According to Barnes & Noble, rather than having Nooks available at high-traffic stores with limited quantities to sell, every store will now have demo units starting Monday December 7. No store will have any Nooks to sell, however. Pre-ordering is still the best and only way to get yourself or somebody else a Nook. If ordering today, the shipment date has been pushed to January 15, 2010. Still way outside the holidays, but it is only about a five to six week wait. The reason for the lack of units to be sold in stores seems to be to ship Nooks to those who pre-ordered early, and probably so everyone outside of those “high-traffic” stores will get a chance to see the device. Those early pre-orders should be receiving their Nooks by the middle of next week as stated in the emails that some, possibly most received this week. As noted earlier in the week, my email has still not come, and the Barnes & Noble Unbound blog has had several comments from others who have received no email, and still have an “expected ship date” of November 30. Presumably Barnes & Noble will be shipping our Nooks along with everyone else, and we can put all this drama behind us all when the first shipments are sent out and received. Read [Barnes & Noble Unbound] Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Haven’t caught all of the Gadgetell news this week? Here's your chance to catch up on this week’s top 10 articles! - Chromium OS gets slimmed down, now fits and runs on a 1GB flash drive
” Been wanting to check out and run Chromium OS and felt left out because you did not have a spare 4GB USB flash drive or SD card laying around.…” MORE » - Bell officially releases the MiFi 2372, available for $99 on contract
” As we heard last week, Bell was rumored to be preparing to release the Novatel Wireless MiFi 2372.…” MORE » - Dell shows off their new phone—the Android-based Mini 3iX
” Brazillion website Zumo managed to get their hands on one of the new Dell Mini 3iX’s in Brazil earlier Tuesday afternoon. What they got to play with was a phone that: Has a completely button-free face giving it a very…” MORE » - Black Screen of Death is the new BSOD
” Windows 7 users are now being plagued by an error that was supposedly released in the latest security update by Microsoft. Victims find their computers freezing up and display a black screen, or in rare cases showing only “My Computer” Explorer window.…” MORE » - Microsoft Office 2010 slated for June launch: battle over what to hold back from web app
” A Microsoft spokesperson has confirmed Office 2010 will launch in June of 2010. One of the new directions for Office 2010 will be a web apps component, allowing users to access a limited Word or Excel experience online and is expected to be free. Microsoft sounds…” MORE » - Mobile phone payment service Square is just around the corner
” Jack Dorsey, the creator of Twitter, has unveiled the company website for Square. Square is a mobile phone payment service which essentially means that you attach this thing to your…” MORE » - Walmart’s Black Friday deception draws flood of complaints
” Customers from around the country are complaining that the deals Walmart promised on Black Friday were given away ahead of time in a pre-sale procedure many are calling a scam because it was not made known to the public. In Tracy, CA,…” MORE » - Intel netbook app store seeing a lot of interest
” Next year looks to be a good year for netbooks in terms of hardware and software. Intel’s newest version of the Atom, “Pine Trail,” will see the light of day sometime later this month or next, giving the small…” MORE » - Google phasing out Gears for HTML 5
” One of the biggest features of many of Google’s web apps has been their ability to work offline. Through Google Gears we’ve been able to use Gmail and Google Docs among others without having an Internet connection. The offline feature isn’t going away any time soon,…” MORE » - Google Wave goes on a manhunt
” Since it’s beta release, I have found Google Wave to be kind of like the iPhone. Without all the developer apps, it’s nothing special. So of course being in the limited beta phase, there…” MORE »
Full Story » | Written by NEWS for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Computers, Peripherals, Mice / Keyboards, Web, Google Most of the people I know use Gmail, but at the same time I am not sure any of them, or anyone for that matter needs a keyboard that was designed for Gmail. That said, the Gboard does have a strange nerd appeal for me. As for what the Gboard actually is, well it is a 19 key keyboard that will let you navigate through your Gmail account like a pro. Included on the keyboard are the most commonly used shortcuts to include search, stars, reply all, forward, archive, trash, next and so on. Of course, I should point out that this is not an official Google product, but one that comes courtesy of Charlie Mason, who is a film producer that has chosen to make the Gboard his first computer hardware product. As far as using the Gboard, it seems that it cannot get any simpler. Plus the keyboard into an available USB port, enable (if you have not already) keyboard shortcuts in Gmail and start enjoying your newfound simplicity. The Gboard will set you back $19.99 and can be purchased directly from the Gboard website. Product [Gboard] Via [CNET] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile  AT&T may be offering half-price BlackBerry Bold’s and Curve’s, but Verizon is also offering a deal of their own. Except in the case of Verizon, their offer is not half-off, but buy-one-get-one free.
According to the details, which are coming by way of the Boy Genius, this offer is valid only for a short time, December 4 through December 7. As far as what you can get for free. It looks like those that pick up a Motorola DROID or an HTC Droid Eris will be able to get an HTC Eris for free. Granted it would be nice if you were able to get a Motorola DROID for free, but still, the Eris is a more than capable phone—especially for free. Other handsets that are included in the BOGO sale are the enV Touch, and the enV 3. Finally, although the BOGO pricing for the Android handsets ends on December 7, it was noted that the enV deal will be valid though Christmas Day. Via [BGR] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Gadgets / Other, Household  We have recently seen a little trick floating around the Internet showing off how to switch a standard power outlet to a few USB ports, which honestly was a little bit of a hacked together job. But that does not mean we cannot still have a wall outlet with a built-in USB port or two. And on top of that, this latest version comes complete with the two USB ports as well as two standard power outlets.
The product is coming courtesy of TruePower and can be found at FastMac, but unfortunately it is not yet available for purchase. The good news is that it looks like the wait will not be all that long as it was noted as shipping in early 2010. Of course, they are available as of today for pre-order, that is as long as you are willing to part with $9.95. Sign me up for a few. Product [FastMac] Via [Iyaz.me] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Computers, Mobile Computers, Netbooks, Wireless, Features, Originals, Columns, Who's On Crack This weeks Who’s on Crack has been specially formulated and optimized for tablet computers. Here at WOC (what we call ourselves for short), we believe this tablet thing is really going to catch on someday and we want to be ready for it. Our designers are also hard at work for on a free standing touchscreen PC and a flexible/roll-up style screen that will one day seem as common as weeds in my lawn. Enjoy this special version aimed at our readers using these uber-secret products. - World preps for iTablet
- Unsubstantiated rumor mill says Apple already working on iTablet 2
- CrunchPad - will it or won’t it?
- “Shockingly inexpensive” Apple iTablet
iTablet: the world is beating a path to your door Who needs an actual platform to design for? Not big name magazines such as Conde Naste’s Wired or Sports Illustrated, they’re already showing off tablet versions and are light years ahead of the competition. Whipping up a tablet version of your content will surely take longer than the 3 month lead time the FCC document release usually grants, right? If we step back for a minute, these guys might as well be designing new headlights for nuclear powered cars that Ford is sure to invent in the next century. Do these big magazines really sit in a room and confess: we need hype: “let’s build something that is hot.” Then the geeky guy at the back of the room reading dirtyapplesecrets.com says, this iTablet thing is going to be huge. Boom, the idea is born. Or are these magazines so excited for a tablet they are deliberately trying to shame Steve Jobs into making one? As if to say, “Steve, look how awesome the world would be if you just followed the photoshopped renderings of a product you really should make. It would be your legacy, your ascension to mythical status (as if he needs the nudge). Can Apple be shamed into producing the thing? Apple heard to be working on iTablet 2.
We know it takes a while for Apple to get something right. Look at the iPod, how many generations did we have to endure before they struck gold with the Nano and Touch? Apple is learning from its ways and supposedly already has a team working on a secluded island on iTablet 2. Actually, that is incorrect, the rumor says Apple has 5 teams, each working in blind seclusion on different parts of iTablet 2, blithely unaware other teams even exist. This is how smart Apple is. Apple is always one step ahead (at least) of us. If they are late in getting the original iTablet out the door, as we are all building things that are optimized for the iTablet, then they need to have #2 figured out before 1 is out the door. Smart. Think different. Crunchpad -now with less crunch? Apple has competition in the vaporware category: Crunchpad. Or at least it did have potential competition in the unreleased product category. Mike Arrington make public the implosion, the crumbling of an idea gone bad: the Crunchpad was dead. Arrington cited the loss of a pet project due to greed. Greed, for lack of a better term is good (thanks to Gordon Gecko), usually. But here greed seems to not only have put a nail through the Crunchpad tablet but through a budding lifelong friendship. It gets better, the maligned Chandra, er Chandrasekar “Chandra” Rathakrishnan, founder and CEO of Fusion Garage, will be showing off a totally new tablet he designed, alone, in a dark basement without any help from any tech blog: the ChandraPad. The last part I made up, I assume he will show off the CrunchPad following a bushell of legal claims that will push the release date well past the product’s useful life. I quote the Fake Steve Jobs, “bitch, please. Get some guys, get in your *** cars, and drive over there and beat some *** with baseball bats. Do you not understand this? ... Good God, man, This is hardware.” Analyst says Apple tablet is “shockingly inexpensive” Let’s say you are on Diggnation and you want to wow the audience, what do you do? If you’re analyst Alex Albrecht you say, “I was shocked at how cheap the price point is going to be,” referring to the Apple tablet. Not only is this dude claiming he is “in the know” that the thing exists, but he knows its retail story. Is this confirmation that all our hours spent honing our magazines and even this post for tablets was not a complete waste of everyones time in a dark economy where we really all should be doing something more productive? Surely the bloggers will run with the confirmation, right? No moron, the bloggers key in on the low price point. How low? Will Apple give the thing away? We are so hyped up that $1,000 sounds like a steal! We are just thrilled the product we know Apple is keeping from us is reasonably affordable. We won’t be eating Ramen for nearly as long as we thought! Hooray. Can we really believe Apple will leave money sitting on the table? Yes we can. Please pass the rock. Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile  Those still looking to save a little on a new phone this holiday season may want to check out the new offer from AT&T, well, that is assuming you are interested in a BlackBerry.
This offer is effective immediately and as of now does not seem to have an end date. Or at least there was not an end date mentioned in the press release. That said, better not wait to long, or you will run the risk of missing out. Anyway, the half-off BlackBerry offer includes the Bold 9700 and the Bold 9000 as well as the Curve 8900, 8520, 8320 and 8310. Finally, at this point it should almost go without saying, but in order to get this half-off deal you will need to be willing to put up with some mail-in rebates and also sign the standard two-year commitment. But hey, the good part is that you will get a nice BlackBerry for half-price. Well, that is if a BlackBerry is your thing. Read [AT&T] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Computers, Mobile Computers Just when we think the CrunchPad is dead and gone, news comes that it will be given a real-world demonstration. Of course, this story now appears to be far from over and I am sure more talk of lawsuits will be coming in the future. However in the meantime, Chandra Rathakrishnan who is the CEO of Fusion Garage has announced that he will be speaking with reporters and also giving a demo of the device in San Francisco this coming Monday. Personally, I am still holding out hope of seeing this come to market, that is assuming it comes at the anticipated $300 (or lower) price tag. Via [Gizmodo] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Gadgets / Other, Green, Transportation With oil and gas prices soaring, the need for alternative fuel has been a must for every form of transportation. And this week, a major milestone was hit in the direction of solar powered flight. Now, it was only a meter high, but that’s still flight. Bertrand Piccard, founder of Solar Impulse, was the lucky guy to make this astounding flight in Switzerland. On Thursday, just two weeks shy of the 106th anniversary of Wright Brothers first flight, at about one o’clock local time, Piccard was given the opportunity to give his HB-SIA its first test flight. So his battery powered airplane got on the runway, started up its four motors(with batteries), and his plane sped down the runway, achieving flight for 28 seconds at one meter above sea-level. Now, after all that excitement, they must disassemble the HB-SIA and transport it to another airport; one with less restrictions. Spokeswoman Rachel Bros de Puechredon told Wired.com: There will first be longer flights and to higher altitudes. The next step will be the first day-night-day flight, a 36 hour flight next summer.
This flight is one of the first big steps in green airlines that we have seen. Hopefully we will begin to see more and more of these solar planes as we roll through 2010. And maybe some cheaper airline tickets too. Read [Wired] Full Story » | Written by Greg Billetdeaux for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Computers, Hardware, Gadgets / Other, Household, Lifestyle  1080p, LCD, 3D panel. Wow that’s a mouthful. But it’s the real deal. LG Display announced on Thursday the first LCD panel to utilize both 1080p and 3D capabilities in the same device; this monitor being the 23-inch LM230WF4. LG claims to be able to produce ultra-sharp images with the 3D shutter glasses that come with. This is possible because of LG’s high-performance 3D controller and copper bus line.
There is no price announcement nor a release date other then that they will start offering trial services of 3D broadcasting in the second half of 2010 in Korea, Japan, and the UK. My view on this though, is bleak. I saw a 3D movie once, or better yet, I tried to watch a 3D movie once. But the glasses wouldn’t stay on my face and even so, the 3D effects were horrible. Hopefully, this movie was just horrible in terms of 3D movies or they improve it greatly when transferring it to other devices. Luckily though, the monitor will come with a 2D option. Read [electronista] Full Story » | Written by Greg Billetdeaux for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
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