We’ve already seen Symbian ported to an Atom-based PC for kicks, but it looks like Symbian Foundation boss Tim Holbrow already has some considerably grander plans, and says that we could actually see some Symbian-running netbooks in stores before too long. As TechRadar reports, when asked if we’ll see Symbian netbooks on the market, Holbrow replied “I think so, yep,” before intriguingly adding that he thinks the real question is “will netbooks carry on being netbooks?” Apparently, Holbrow sees netbooks becoming nothing more than a “single processor” that people carry around and use to access data from various sources — letting folks use a wireless keyboard and display at home and have the UI adjust automatically, for instance, or what Holbrew calls “superconvergence.” Of course, Holbrow isn’t making any firm promises just yet, although he does say he can “see world in two or three years’ time where mobile devices start to eat into the world of laptops and netbooks.”

Filed under: Handhelds, Laptops

Symbian Foundation boss talks up Symbian for netbooks, and more originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 May 2009 21:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Man, talk about a long time coming. The last time we saw a line of i:Virt watches from Citizen, it was a bright fall day in 2007, and obviously our style threshold was entirely different. Thankfully, the outfit’s latest line of Bluetooth-enabled timepieces are far sexier, though we have to say — the fact that they only support Softbank phones makes us shed a tear on the inside. As with most other BT watches, these too will display emails, alert you of incoming calls and even clue you in on the latest news (via RSS, we suspect). Both the TM84-0341V and TM84-0342V feature a stainless steel case and a life of around five days with a full charge; there’s no mention of price, but frankly, we’re too depressed to even find one. Poor us.

[Via Akihabara News]

Filed under: Cellphones, Wearables

Citizen unveils i:Virt M Bluetooth watches for loyal Softbank customers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 May 2009 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We already got a pretty good look at MSI’s new 12-inch Wind U200 at its debut at Computex in Taipei, but the folks at NewGadgets.de have had a chance to spend a bit more quality time with the not-quite-a-netbook, and they’ve thankfully provided a hands-on video (in both English and German no less). While they aren’t offering much in the way of actual impressions just yet, they do provide a fairly thorough overview of the device, and even discover a working SIM card slot in the battery compartment, along with a mysterious rubber plug on the side that may or may not actually conceal something. Head on past the break to check it out for yourself, or hit up the link below if you’re looking to practice your German.

Continue reading MSI Wind U200 gets the hands-on video treatment

Filed under: Laptops

MSI Wind U200 gets the hands-on video treatment originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 May 2009 23:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’d ventured a guess that the Pre would run close to $500 off-contract, and it looks like we were in the ballpark — Sprint customer service is apparently telling people that Palm’s first WebOS device will run $549 without a two-year commitment. That’s just off-contract, not unlocked, mind you, so don’t get any ideas about throwing this thing on Verizon. We’re guessing most people will sign the papers on June 6th and pay $199 after rebate, so don’t get too worked up — just know that living a life free of attachment and responsibility will cost you $549 upfront.

[Thanks, Dustin]

Filed under: Cellphones

Palm Pre to run $549 off-contract originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 May 2009 16:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The day you’ve been waiting for is here. Sprint just announced that the Pre will cost $199.99 after $100 mail-rebate and 2-year contract and will launch on June 6th as rumored this morning. The phone will go on sale nationwide at Sprint stores, Best Buy, Radio Shack, and select Wal-Mart stores.

Developing…

Palm launching Pre on June 6th for $200: It’s official originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 May 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yes, e-books and phones are awesome — but there are plenty of other applications for E-Ink tech out there, and Phosphor has been selling its analog / digital combo E-Ink wristwatches for a while now. The company’s now adding to that stable with a line of curved-display models available in your choice of leather, rubber, and stainless steel bracelets and one of two faces; one can be toggled between a large digit and graphical view of the time, while the other offers an always-on monthly calendar and a smaller time display up top. Prices start at $175 for the new designs and hit streets now — and stay tuned, because we’ll be giving away a few of ‘em!

We’ve had a chance to play with the watches, and the displays are as clear and crisp as E-Ink units we’ve seen; ultimately, we’d like to see what they could do with a matrix display, but segmented is a welcome first step. The models feel solid and well-built (the stainless steel versions, in particular, are pleasantly weighty on the wrist) and we get the impression that you could pass them off in virtually any social situation without the awkward “holy cow, you’re a geek of epic proportion” moments. Click on through to the gallery to see both face styles and all four bracelets in action.

Filed under: Wearables

Phosphor intros new line of curved E-Ink watches originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 May 2009 20:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You know what kinds of projects we especially love? The kind that save you seven hundred bucks, for starters. That was photographer and bon vivant Pete Tsai’s inspiration when he bought a $40 USB wireless dongle, a AA battery pack, and an angled USB adapter, with the idea of using it to tether his Nikon D300 to his laptop. According to the modster, Nikon’s Camera Control 2 software doesn’t seem to have any problem with the device, and the whole setup offers “very fast” transfers (about four seconds for a fine Jpeg, or eight seconds for RAW+ fine). Apparently this bad boy more than does the job of a Nikon’s WT-4a wireless transmitter, which sells at around $800. Are you a photographer on a budget? Hit that read link for all the red hot details.

[Via Wired]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Do-it-yourself WiFi tethering for your DSLR originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 May 2009 10:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Nokia Blog’s got it on good authority that the Finnish phone maker’s giving its North America distributors the heads up to expect the N97 to arrive on June 2nd for $699, although that price might end up lower. We’ve been hearing an expected June launch for some time, so it’s definitely not out of the question. This does, however, serve as both an exciting and somewhat painful reminder that, should a couple other rumors pan out, June’s gonna be a busy month for smartphones.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: Cellphones

Nokia N97 NAM launching June 2nd? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 17 May 2009 23:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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So about that apparently canned crimson red Dell XPS 16 laptop. We received a handful of pics from a tipster who claims to have gotten one about a month ago when he returned his other, decided un-red model for a screen replacement. We don’t want to say this is 100 percent legit without holding it in our hands, but if this is the beauty we once had the option to purchase, Dell, please, bring crimson back.

Filed under: Laptops

Crimson Red Dell XPS 16 in the wild? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 17 May 2009 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We don’t know a lot about driving cars really fast, but we do know one thing: this guy sure does seem excited about the prospect of a touchscreen-driven, QWERTY-equipped slider smartphone with webOS, from struggling handset manufacturer Palm. Apparently at some point during the race somebody from Sprint confirmed that they’ll be outing a launch date in the “next couple of days.” We like the sound of that.

[Thanks, Leo B. and Kenny]

Read – PreCentral forums
Read – Sprint’s NASCAR landing page

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Palm Pre makes conspicuous appearance at large gathering of cool people originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 17 May 2009 04:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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