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F.P. Journe Vagabondage II Watch Hands-On

Posted: 29 Sep 2010 04:42 AM PDT

What will amaze you about the watch is the straight forward, simple presentation of the information and the complication. While not an easy watch to make, F.P. Journe makes it seem easy by having it all work so well, and smoothly. The watch features the time in a digital display, with jumping hours and jumping minutes. Mechanical digital watches are proving to be quite popular, and the mechanism is usually governed by a constant force escapement that makes sure the power from the mainspring barrel is used properly. The movement itself is the in-house made and designed F.P. Journe Calibre 1509, and is really gorgeous.


Borders Announces Kobo Wireless Reader Coming To Stores

Posted: 29 Sep 2010 03:00 AM PDT

Borders just announced the release of the wireless version of the Kobo ereader. The Kobo Wireless joins the Sony e-readers as well as the non-wireless Kobo, but has improved hardware and software, and is priced at a quite reasonable $139.99.

The new version of the Kobo expands on the previous hardware, including a new wireless connection, a new processor that means faster page turns, and three new colors (onyx, porcelain with metallic silver back, and porcelain with a pearlized lilac back. The new Kobo also works with EPB and PDF documents, and has a SD card slot for memory expansion. The new device is available for pre-order starting today, and will be in stores by the end of October. MSRP is $139.99.

From the press release:

Borders® Advances eReading Offerings with Kobo Wireless eReader

Borders Rewards members can now earn Borders Bucks twice as fast on the purchase of the Kobo Wireless eReader and Kobo™ eReader

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Sept. 29, 2010 — Borders® today announced the addition of the new Kobo Wireless eReader to its digital assortment that now includes an industry leading selection of seven eReading devices. The addition of the new Kobo device advances Borders as a preferred destination for eReaders for virtually every household. Counting among its successes the recent launch of the Borders eBook store, powered by Kobo, and mobile applications — and its rapidly growing selection of eReading devices — Borders is poised for significant growth in the eReading market.

Borders' new Kobo Wireless eReader comes with a built-in wireless connection, upgraded hardware in three new colors and a new processor that drives faster page turns. Just .4 inches thick and 7.8 grams, the lightweight eReader is available in three sleek color combinations: onyx, porcelain with a metallic silver back and porcelain with a pearlized lilac back.

The new Kobo Wireless eReader allows consumers to browse more than 1.5 million books in the Borders eBook store and update their digital library wirelessly, directly from the eReader device, a smartphone or the Borders Desktop Application. With the intuitive control pad and a built-in-library management system, customers can easily navigate and organize their library by title, date last read and author. In addition, customers can add documents using an SD card, Adobe Digital Editions, or drag-and-drop. The eReader also supports EPUB and PDF documents, so customers can enjoy the option of borrowing and reading free eBooks from their local library.

Designed by book lovers for book lovers, the new Kobo Wireless eReader reads like print on paper with its specialized E Ink® screen for a true book-like reading experience. With 16 grey scale levels to choose from, the device offers sharp graphics and crisp text that are easy on the eyes. The device also comes pre-loaded with 100 free classics so customers can immediately begin reading.

Priced at $139.99, the device can be pre-ordered beginning today at www.borders.com/kobowifi and will be available for purchase in Borders stores by the end of October.

Borders' Industry-Leading eReader Selection
In addition to the new Kobo device, Borders also offers the Aluratek "Libre" eBook Pro, Velocity Micro’s Android-based Cruz Reader™ R101, Cruz Tablet™ T103 and the original Kobo™ eReader. The Sony®Touch and Sony®Pocket round out Borders' "good-better-best" selection of devices, which are aggressively priced from $99 to $299. Customers can now test-drive and purchase eReaders as well as choose from more than 1.5 million titles from the Borders eBook store, powered by Kobo, within the company's newly unveiled Area-e digital sections. Trained Area-e staff are available to assist customers through the eReader discovery experience, providing demonstrations and answering questions.

"We are committed to offering our customers the best of the physical book and eReading worlds," said Mike Edwards, CEO of Borders, Inc. "For decades readers have known Borders as a trusted destination for exploring and discovering traditional paper books — and now as the only major book chain with a comprehensive selection of eReaders and digital content, we are meeting our customers' reading needs on all fronts. Nowhere else can you browse a selection of more than 82,000 paper books, walk over to Area-e, our new digital hub, where you test drive a variety of e-Reading devices, and then search for your next favorite book in our e-Bookstore."

Customer Support on Facebook
Borders has created a dedicated eReading tab on its newly revamped Facebook page. The tab includes an eReading "tip of the week" as well as an eReader/eBooks "deal of the week." Understanding that eReaders are still a new concept to many customers, Borders has created an application to help readers decide which device is right for them. The application includes a series of lifestyle questions, such as "How price conscious are you?"; "How much do you read?"; and "How tech savvy are you?" After the customer completes questionnaire, the system recommends five devices and ranks them according to the customer's preferences.

Borders Editorial Voice
For decades Borders has maintained a strong editorial voice, guiding millions of customers to enriching and entertaining books. Now Borders is applying that same authoritative voice to eBooks. When customers visit Borders.com, they immediately see eBooks grouped according to various themes for easy purchasing. For example, they may see featured memoirs, famous series, best in eBooks under $3 and Oprah's Book Club picks. The company is also redesigning its title detail pages so customers can quickly find a book and purchase it in traditional print format, eBook, audiobook or in other available formats.

Special eReading Offers for Borders Rewards Members
Borders Rewards members can now earn Borders Bucks twice as fast on the purchase of any the Kobo Wireless eReader and Kobo™ eReader in store and online.  In addition, Rewards members can enter for a chance to win a Velocity Micro’s Android-based Cruz Tablet™ T103 plus a full year of eBooks in Borders' Cruz Tablet giveaway sweepstakes going on now through October 19th on Borders.com. Announced earlier this month, the Cruz touch-screen device also plays video and music, and provides a full color web browsing experience. The Cruz Tablet gives consumers Wi-Fi access to the Borders' eBook store and comes preloaded with 100+ books and access to the Cruz Market with downloadable apps.

Earlier this month, Borders unveiled its new Rewards loyalty program, bringing customers more choices, richer benefits and better savings. For complete information on Rewards or to sign up to become a Rewards member, visit www.Borders.com/Rewards

About "Powered by Kobo": Kobo, Inc.
"Powered by Kobo" is an eBook partner program from Kobo, a global eBook service backed by Indigo Books & Music, Borders Group, REDgroup Retail, and Cheung Kong Holdings.  The ‘Powered by Kobo’ program provides a flexible solution for hardware manufacturers and retailers worldwide to launch an eReader or eBook store. "Powered by Kobo" partners have access to Kobo's catalogue of more than two million titles and applications for smartphones, netbooks, laptops, tablets and dedicated eReaders.  Kobo's vision is to deliver any book on any device and is a strong voice in the eBook industry supporting open standards for eBooks and eReaders.  For more information, visit www.kobobooks.com.


Nintendo 3DS: First Titles, Final Design, And More Details Revealed

Posted: 29 Sep 2010 12:58 AM PDT

As we just posted, Nintendo revealed at its 3DS press conference in Tokyo today (which is now over) that the new system will hit stores in Japan on February 26 (price: $300, including a 2GB SD card), followed by the US and Europe one month later (price yet unknown). But that wasn’t all, as big N also showed the final design of the hardware, listed up quite a few cool game titles and made some other interesting announcements.

And if what Nintendo revealed today at the press conference is any indication, the 3DS looks like another home run for the company – although it’s pricey. But what did they say?

1) Virtual console
The 3DS will feature a Virtual Console that will allow you to download Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games. Super Mario Land and Link’s Awakening were the two titles demo’d.

2) Wireless capability
Tag mode: 3DS systems will be able to exchange data with each other, transferring data for multiple games at once (you don’t have to be playing the game at the time to receive data). In tag mode, the 3DS auto-exchanges information like last game played, when you met the other player, etc.

With Wi-Fi turned on, the 3DS can auto-download various data (rankings, entire games etc.) at hot spots even in sleep mode.

3) Final Hardware design
Not many surprises here, it’s just the stylus that looks sexier than before, and the slidepad is now in a different color. The first two colors are blue and black, but others are sure to follow soon.

You’ll be able to tweak the depth of the 3D effect for games and content through a 3D slider on the right side, as pictured below (that feature was already known and is likely to be taken over by competitors in the future):

4) Mii Studio
Make a picture of a person with the camera, and it will be automatically turned into a Mii. Mii pictures can then be saved on SD cards. It’s also possible to exchange Miis with people who you meet out on the street (in tag mode).

5) Other bits and pieces

  • The 3DS comes with a function that merges two pictures into one, for example to create one face out of two.
  • Japanese TV stations are preparing 3D content specifically for the 3DS.
  • Nintendo seems to be ready to stress web browsing capabilities stronger with the 3DS and has demo’d a web browser.
  • Nintendo didn’t announce this before but plans to use the cameras in the 3DS for augmented reality games.

6) List of top games currently in development (hit this link for a video – sorry, wasn’t able to embed it here)

  • Resident Evil: Revelation
  • Resident Evil: Mercenaries
  • Mega Man Legends 3
  • Super Street Fighter 4 – 3D
  • Dead or Alive
  • Super Monkeyball
  • Ridge Racer
  • Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater
  • StarFox64 3D
  • Steel Diver
  • Paper Mario
  • nintendogs + cats
  • Mario Kart
  • Pilot Wings Resort
  • Paper Mario
  • The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Daily Crunch: Deal Edition

Posted: 29 Sep 2010 12:00 AM PDT

Japan Gets Nintendo 3DS On February 26 (For $300), US And Europe Follow In March

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 11:12 PM PDT

Two months ago, Nintendo announced it will announce the release date and price for the Nintendo 3DS today, and that is what just happened. During a press conference here in Tokyo, big N said Japanese gamers will be able to lay their hands on the new system on February 26 next year, which is later than expected/rumored. The retail price: 25,000 Yen ($300).

Nintendo also said that the US and Europe will get the 3DS in March but didn’t mention a price. At launch, the 3DS will be available in two colors, “Aqua Blue and Cosmos Black”.

The hardware will come bundled with a 2GB SD card. Similar to the Wii, 3DS owners can also expect a virtual console for playing GB and GBA games. Nintendo also said the 3DS can exchange data with other systems (tag mode) and auto-download files via Wi-Fi in sleep mode.

Please click here for a lot more details and game titles.

Star Wars To Get 3D Makeover, As Millions Of Fanboys Suddenly Cry Out In Terror

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 08:26 PM PDT

Lucasfilm has been teasing us for years about a 3D release of the Star Wars saga, and apparently Lucas has decided to come back to the trough one more time. All six movies are due to get their time in the theater, starting with The Phantom Menace, due in early 2012.

Lucasfilm as said that they are going to make sure that the conversion process looks as close as possible to a film shot on 3D originally. Variety reports that while ILM is overseeing the process, the conversion will be done by outside vendors. The spokesman from Lucasfilm went on to say that there are no plans to change or fix any of the visual effect on the movies for this release. I don’t know about you, but I’m not entirely sure I want to see Jar-Jar in 3D.

Onkyo Announces Three Windows 7 Tablets For Japan

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 02:50 PM PDT

Onkyo (yes, that Onkyo) just announced that they are producing three different Windows 7 tablet computers for Japan. The bad news is there’s no word on if they will ever show up in the US.

There’s three different models of course, two with 10.1 inch displays, and one with a 11.6 inch screen. The TW11A4 has a 10.1 inch screen, 160GB hard drive, and a 1.66 GHz CPU with a GMA 3150 graphics chipset. The TW217A5 has a 1.6GHz Atom Z530 CPU, Intel GMA 500 graphics, and a 32GB SSD. This model weighs in at a mere 1.9 pounds. Finally, the TW317A5 has a 11.6 inch screen, an Atom N450 CPU, and Intel’s GMA 3150 graphic chipset. This model also has a 32GB SSD, and 1GB of RAM.

No word on pricing on any of these models, and again, we have no idea if or when they’ll ever show up in the US. I suspect they might be based on another company’s design, and we might see them with a different brand name. You can see the press release here, but it’s in Japanese.

[via Liliputing and SlashGear]

Yet More Pics Of The HP Slate Leak

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 02:05 PM PDT

The HP Slate is turning out to be one of HP’s worst kept secrets as another round of honestly unflattering pics hit the ol’ tubes today. A good amount of time, so-called leaks are actually ploys from the market department, but the last few HP Slate leaks do absolutely nothing to create a positive buzz. (e.g. the hands-on video) These five pics aren’t any different. Either HP needs to come clean and announce the Slate 500 complete with specs and a generous photo gallery, or keep the damn thing locked up. Anyway, CNET has the whole photo set if you must see more. (You probably don’t)

Samsung NX100 Camera Shipping For $599

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 01:33 PM PDT

Remember the Samsung NX100 camera? It was announced during CES this year, and we’re finally seeing it ship. The NX100 is a micro 4/3rds camera with a 14.6mp sensor, 3″ AMOLED display, and the ability to record videos in 720p. You can pick one up for $599, and it comes with a 20-50mm lens that uses Samsung’s NX mount.

[via OLED-Info]

The MEpad Is A Modern Take On The Original Pad

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 01:00 PM PDT

[Insert ironic joke here about how the MEpad is an open platform and how there's no need for a battery, let alone a removable one.] $9.99 for a 50-sheet 5.5 x 8.5 pad. LobotoME

The First Pics Of Sony’s Google TV Break Cover

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 12:45 PM PDT

Gather around, gather round. Let’s take a few minutes and admire what the Internet pundits claim is the future of TV. The story goes that Best Buy was showing off this Sony NSX-46GT1 HDTV powered by a Google TV Dish Network box at the retailer’s holiday preview event in NYC today. HD Guru happened to be there and snapped these pics while a demonstrator gave him a tour. Everything sounds like it works as advertised. The universal search and full Internet is there as well. Hopefully the platform launches soon. I have high hopes for it.

Best Buy ‘Happy To Sell’ BlackBerry PlayBook

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 12:30 PM PDT

If you want that BlackBerry tablet, the PlayBook, your best bet may be to visit a Best Buy near you. Best Buy’s chief executive said that when the device hits the market (hopefully before the end of the year), "we’ll be happy to offer it to our customers."

The tablet won’t have any cellphone capabilities (unlike, say, the Samsung Galaxy Tab), so its traditional partners like Verizon Wireless obviously won’t have any interest in it.

Apparently Best Buy is going to go full bore when it comes to devices like tablets. Maybe they can clear out some of that shelf space where they have CDs to make room for all the tablet-y goodness?

And if you youngsters need a job this holiday season, know that Best Buy will be hiring some 29,000 seasonal workers.

Bose’s VideoWave: 46-inch TV With Built-In Sound That’s Actually Good (Plus Fancy Touch-sensitive Remote)

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 11:50 AM PDT

Ahem. Well, Bose also had some news of its own today. It announced the existence of something called the VideoWave. It’s a 46-inch LCD TV, which, by itself, isn’t so exciting. What is exciting is the fact that the sound the TV produces is actually… how should I put this? Really, really great. Yes, that’ll do.

VideoWave, which is scheduled for release on October 14 for $5,349. (That includes "white glove" delivery service, by the way.) Bose will only sell it in Bose stores because the company wants to make sure the people showing it off to you are as knowledgable as possible. You don’t want some blue shirted teenager saying something like, "Yeah, uh, it’s really bitchin’."

So, as I said, Bose thinks that home theaters systems have become entirely too complicated. You’ve got 18 different remotes, wires running all over the place—it’s a bit of a mess. By keeping all of the sound within the TV unit itself you eliminate at least some of that.

The other big part of VideoWave is the remote control+interface Bose has developed. The remote, seen here, only has a few physical buttons; everything else is controlled with the scroll pad, which is sorta like the old iPod third generation. As soon as you touch the screen an on-screen interface pops up, and you control the situation, for lack of a better word. Switching between sources is pretty simple: you tap the source button (one of the few physical buttons on the remote), then scroll down to the source on the on-screen menu.

Certainly an impressive system, but I only had maybe 15 minutes of quality time with it. Maybe we’ll be able to review it one day?

/me knocks on wood

Acer AspireRevo shipping

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 11:30 AM PDT

Acer’s AspireRevo has started shipping to the US. The new small form factor computer was announced earlier this month, and looks to be a viable machine for someone looking for an inexpensive computer.

The AspireRevo runs a 1.8GHz dual-core Atom cpu, with 2GB of RAM, an NVidia Ion graphic engine, and a 250GB hard drive. That hard drive is pre-loaded with Windows 7 Home Premium, and the computer is bundled with a wireless keyboard and mouse. The computer has a built in card reader, as well as 6 USB ports, built in Wi-Fi, and an HDMI port. The case is small enough that you can even mount it to the back of a VESA-compatible monitor. MSRP is $350, making it a decent deal for a nettop machine.

[via Electronista]

Hulu Officially Hitting Roku Media Streamers Later This Fall [Update: Coming To TiVo Premiere As Well]

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 11:17 AM PDT


We had a feeling this was going to happen. It just felt right and sure enough, Roku just issued a press release confirming that Hulu will hit Roku players later this Fall. It will come in the form of Hulu Plus and carry the standard $9.99 per month subscription fee. Apple TV? Yeah, this is certainly a bit of an Apple TV buzzkill. It pretty much changes the entire landscape for media streamers. It even sort of knocks the wind out of the $199 Boxee Box.

Look at the simple economics. The latest Roku hardware brings a bunch of features including 1080p video, USB playback, 802.11n wireless, and more for less than $100. But content is king and this is where the Roku players set itself apart from others like the Apple TV. There are over 75 media content channels already available. Sure, many of those are items you’re never going to watch, but Roku has all the big ones in: Netflix, Pandora, Amazon, Vimeo, Revision3, and now, most importantly, Hulu Plus. Even with the $10 monthly charge, it’s still a killer deal and makes the Roku devices perhaps the best alternative to traditional pay TV services.

Just like other Roku channels, Hulu Plus will hit the older models as well as the current crop. That’s one of the best characteristics of the Roku system actually. The company is committed to rolling out content for all its devices, not just the latest models.

However, there’s nothing in the press release indicating this deal is exclusive to Roku. There’s still a chance that it will hit other media steamers as well — including the new Apple TV and Boxee Box. But at least Hulu is on major device now. Can anyone smell that? There’s a hit of revolution in the air.

Update: Yep. The service is hitting TiVo Premiere boxes as well.

Roku Announces Content Partnership with Hulu

Hulu Plus Coming this Fall on All Roku Streaming Players

Saratoga, Calif. (September 28, 2010) Roku, Inc., maker of the best-selling and award-winning Roku streaming player, and Hulu™, the leading online TV service, today announced a partnership to offer the Hulu Plus™ service on all Roku players. The Hulu Plus channel will be available via subscription to all Roku customers later this fall.

Hulu Plus offers one of the deepest offerings of TV shows, both current and classic, on a streaming platform to subscribers in the U.S. Through Hulu Plus on Roku, TV lovers can watch every episode of more than 45 current hit programs from ABC, FOX and NBC like Modern Family, Grey's Anatomy, Glee, Family Guy, The Office and 30 Rock. In addition, TV lovers will be able to enjoy full series runs and numerous back seasons of dozens of classic shows like The X-Files, Law and Order: SVU, Arrested Development, Saturday Night Live, Miami Vice, Ugly Betty, Quantum Leap, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Roswell and Ally McBeal. The Hulu Plus channel will be available via subscription to all Roku customers later this fall.

"We are excited to bring Hulu Plus to all Roku users," said Pete Distad, VP of Content Distribution for Hulu. "With Hulu Plus on Roku, TV fans will have an easy way to stream to their TVs the shows they love, whenever they want."

Roku pioneered the streaming player category in 2008, and recently launched its new line of HD streaming players starting at $59.99, featuring the largest collection of streaming entertainment available for the TV, and the lowest prices in the industry.

"We're thrilled to be able to provide Hulu Plus subscribers with the most inexpensive device to stream Hulu content to their TVs," said Anthony Wood, founder and CEO of Roku, Inc. "Hulu continues to be an amazing innovator in online entertainment, and Roku is an ideal platform to bring their content back to the living room and high definition televisions where it is best viewed."

The Roku HD streaming player ($59.99) delivers video in high-definition and features built-in wireless and Ethernet for easy broadband connectivity anywhere in the home. The new Roku XD ($79.99) and XDS ($99.99) models add 1080p HD support (delivered over HDMI) and extended-range Wireless-N. In addition, the XDS model features dual-band Wireless-N technology and USB playback.

In partnering with Roku, Hulu joins major entertainment partners including Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX), Amazon Video On Demand (NASDAQ: AMZN), Pandora, MLB.TV, and Ultimate Fighting Championship®.

About Roku, Inc.

The market leader in streaming entertainment devices for the TV, Roku has always believed that anything you want to watch, listen to, and enjoy should simply be there on your TV, whenever you want it. Roku streaming players are renowned for their simplicity, variety of entertainment choices, and exceptional value. Roku is privately held and based in Saratoga, Calif. For more information on the company and its products, visit: http://www.roku.com.

About Hulu
Hulu is an online TV service whose mission is to help people find and enjoy the world’s premium content when, where and how they want it. As we pursue this mission, we aspire to create a service that users, advertisers and content owners unabashedly love. Hulu was founded in 2007 and is operated independently by a dedicated team with offices in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Beijing. NBC Universal, News Corporation, The Walt Disney Company, Providence Equity Partners, and the Hulu team share in the ownership of the company. (www.hulu.com)

TIVO WILL OFFER HULU PLUS ON TIVO PREMIERE DVRS
ALVISO, CA – September 28, 2010 – TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ: TIVO), the creator of and a leader in advanced television services including digital video recorders (DVRs) for consumers, content distributors and consumer electronics manufacturers, today announced that it has teamed with Hulu™ to provide TiVo® Premiere DVR subscribers with access to the full-array of Hulu Plus™ content streamed instantly to their TVs. The Hulu Plus channel will be available via subscription to all TiVo Premiere customers in the coming months.*

The agreement solidifies TiVo’s leading position as the only one-box solution on the market that delivers the most complete entertainment content to the TV with the unmatched ability to use one user interface and one remote to access a sea of broadband, linear and video on demand content.

Hulu Plus offers one of the deepest offerings of current TV shows on a streaming platform to subscribers in the U.S., including every episode of more than 45 current hit programs from ABC, FOX and NBC like Modern Family, Grey’s Anatomy, Glee, Family Guy, The Office and 30 Rock. In addition, TV lovers with TiVo Premiere DVRs will be able to enjoy full series runs and numerous back seasons of dozens of classic shows like The X-Files, Law and Order: SVU, Arrested Development, Saturday Night Live, Miami Vice, Ugly Betty, Quantum Leap, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Roswell and Ally McBeal.

“Adding Hulu Plus to TiVo’s content offering was really the key missing piece to the programming portfolio that TiVo needed in order to deliver a truly comprehensive advanced television offering on the market today – bar none,” said Tara Maitra, VP & General Manager, Content Services and Ad Sales, TiVo Inc. “TiVo is the complete TV entertainment solution. No other service is as robust or offers consumers the ability to access live TV, Web video, and video on demand content from one box like TiVo does.”

Pete Distad, VP of Content Distribution for Hulu, said, “We are laser focused on helping people find and enjoy the world’s premium video content when, where and how they want it. Our goal for Hulu Plus is to provide as much consumer choice as possible, and Hulu Plus on TiVo’s Premiere DVR offering is a compelling way for us to drive our mission forward.”

Panasonic Toughbook S9: The Lightest 12.1-inch Laptop With DVD Drive EVAR

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 11:00 AM PDT

Panasonic just announced the Toughbook S9, a 12.1-inch laptop with DVD drive and Core i5 processor. It starts at about $2,400 and offers 11 hours of battery life on one charge. Again, good old Kyp gives us the tour.

Panasonic Introduces the Toughbook® S9 – World's Lightest 12.1" Laptop with DVD Drive

Ideal Road Warrior Device Features Intel® Core™ i5 Processor, 11 Hour Standard Battery and 30" Drop Rating in 3lb Package

SECAUCUS, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Panasonic Solutions Company, provider of collaboration, information-sharing and decision-support solutions for government and commercial enterprises, today introduced the Panasonic Toughbook® S9, the world's lightest 12.1" laptop with an integrated DVD drive. Powered by the Intel® Core™ i5-520M vPro™ processor, delivering up to 11 hours of battery life with a standard battery and weighing only 3.0 pounds, the Toughbook S9 offers high performance in a lightweight and highly mobile form factor that is ideal for road warriors and mobile workers in a variety of markets. The new notebook offers exceptional durability, optional Gobi2000™ mobile broadband and a host of other features designed to maximize return on investment and reduce the total cost of ownership.

"Increased workforce mobility can improve efficiency and drive profit as long as the mobile device on which your business depends does not become a burden to your IT department"
Real World Durability

In order to withstand the demands of a highly mobile work environment, the Toughbook S9 has been designed to endure drops, bumps and spills. The notebook is engineered to survive a 30" (just over the typical height of a desk or table) drop to the base of the unit while operating. Despite its widescreen LED display, the Toughbook S9 successfully survives drops of 12" from any angle using the MIL-STD-810G drop procedure. The unique Panasonic spill-resistant keyboard design protects against liquid spills of up to 6 ounces (200 cc), and both the lid and base of the notebook are designed to withstand more than 220 lbs (100 kg) of pressure. In addition, Panasonic's commitment to quality—at both the component and finished goods level—results in a total of more than 500 quality checks and tests during and after production.

Embedded Wireless Connectivity

The Toughbook® S9 offers a variety of embedded wireless technologies, including Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth® 2.1 and optional Gobi2000™ mobile broadband technology from Qualcomm. Gobi simplifies complex multi-carrier wireless deployments for IT departments and allows mobile employees improved connectivity options while traveling at home or abroad. The Toughbook S9 will be certified on the Sprint and Verizon Wireless networks, allowing workers to stay connected at all times.

Security Options Vital for Mission-Critical Computing

The Panasonic Toughbook S9 notebook provides significant data security features including trusted platform module (TPM) security chip version 1.2, the Computrace theft protection agent in the BIOS, Intel Anti-Theft technology, a cable lock slot, password security and an optional fingerprint reader.

"Increased workforce mobility can improve efficiency and drive profit as long as the mobile device on which your business depends does not become a burden to your IT department," said Kyp Walls, director of product management, Panasonic Solutions Company. "The only way to ensure you maximize your mobile computer investment is to purchase a device with proven reliability. The Toughbook brand has an average annual failure rate in the low single digits, while most commercial-grade laptops have double digit failure rates. Not only will the new Toughbook S9 provide exceptional reliability, it will also deliver the light weight, long battery life, connectivity and performance needed to satisfy the most demanding mobile users."

Panasonic Toughbook® S9: Select Features and Specifications

Genuine Windows 7® (with XP downgrade option)
Intel® Core™ i5-520M vPro™ Processor (2.4 GHz)
Turbo Boost up to 2.93 GHz
3MB Intel Smart Cache
320GB shock-mounted flex-connect hard drive
2GB RAM (DDR3), expandable to 6GB
12.1" widescreen WXGA (1280 x 800) LCD display with LED backlighting
Anti-glare screen treatment
Up to 11 hours of battery life with standard battery (MobileMark)
3.0 lbs
DVD super multi-drive
HDMI and VGA video outputs
Business-rugged
30" operating drop (to base only)
26 sides 12" drop (non-operating)
220 lb compression-resistant
Magnesium alloy case
Spill-resistant keyboard/touchpad (protects against 6 ounces spills)
Embedded Connectivity
Optional integrated WWAN / Gobi2000™ mobile broadband (EV-DO and HSPA)
Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6200 802.11a/b/g/n
Bluetooth® v2.1 + EDR (class 2)
Gigabit Ethernet
Optional Integrated Security Features:
Fingerprint reader
11.1" (H) x 8.3" (W) x 0.9-1.5" (D)
Pricing and Availability

The Panasonic Toughbook® S9 is available in the United States at an estimated street price of $2,499 from authorized Panasonic resellers and distributors.

The Toughbook S9 includes a standard three-year limited warranty.

Tim Armstrong: We Got TechCrunch!

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 10:47 AM PDT

I'm very pleased to announce that we have acquired TechCrunch. Details are in the press release below, and I'm sure founder Michael Arrington will have a few words to say as well. This is a great complement to our continued investment in world class content. AOL TO ACQUIRE TECHCRUNCH NETWORK OF SITES Leading Authority on Tech News Will Expand AOL's Growing Offering of World-Class, Audience-Relevant Content San Francisco, CA, September 28, 2010 – AOL Inc. [NYSE: AOL] today announced that it has agreed to acquire TechCrunch, Inc., the company that owns and operates TechCrunch and its network of websites dedicated to technology news, information and analysis. TechCrunch and its associated properties and conferences will join the AOL Technology Network while retaining their editorial independence, further bolstering AOL's position as one of the world's leading providers of high-quality, tech-oriented content. The announcement will be made on stage at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco, CA.


Wattpad Will Launch With The BlackBerry PlayBook

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 10:20 AM PDT

The BlackBerry PlayBook hit yesterday and Amazon was ready with a presser announcing a Kindle app for the platform. Great news, no doubt. However, the WattPad app is the top eReading app in the BlackBerry App World so it should make a good amount of dedicated BlackBerry users happy to know that the app will launch alongside the PlayBook early next year.

Wattpad BlackBerry PlayBook app will be available when the tablet launches early next year

Wattpad, the world’s most social eBook community, is the number one eReading app in the BlackBerry App World and among the top 100 apps overall. With the recent announcement of RIM's PlayBook tablet, Wattpad expects to see a surge in downloads as readers continue to invest in tablets as their preferred electronic reading device.

Over the past year, the free Wattpad app has been downloaded an average of 1 million times per month as readers search out new content and ways to connect with authors and other readers.

Wattpad attributes the success of BlackBerry app to readers' desire to have a more enriched reading experience that integrates other popular online social tools. Known as YouTube for eBooks and Facebook/Twitter for writers, Wattpad has experienced explosive growth this summer, with traffic increasing 30% this August.

The Wattpad BlackBerry PlayBook app will be available for download on RIM's new tablet offering, when the PlayBook launches early next year.

QWERTY candybars may be the next Windows Phone 7 form factor

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 09:29 AM PDT

From the very beginning, Microsoft have insisted on keeping complete control over both the form factors and internal specs of any phone that wishes to run their upcoming OS, Windows Phone 7. So far, however, Microsoft have only given details about one of the promised two "chassis" of their phones: the slate-style phones that you've seen around. It should be noted that "Chassis 1" are allowed to have slide-out QWERTY keyboards, but no known WinPho 7 handset currently has one. So, what is "Chassis 2", then?


Apple’s Remote app gets a much need upgraded

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 09:18 AM PDT

Given that Apple’s Remote app is built by… you know, Apple, you might have assumed that it would’ve been one of the first out of the gate with support for the iPhone 4′s Retina display, the iPad, and other such Apple-made treats. You know what they say about assumptions, right?

As it turns out, the Remote app’s team is pretty small — in fact, last we heard, it was a one-man side project. Such things don’t take priority, you know? Fortunately, it looks like he managed to find some time: version 2.0 of the Remote app is here.
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