Artificial Insite

Its all about Techonology

 

October 11, 2008

Filed under: Tech Blog — admin @ 12:31 am

Add to Technorati Favorites

 
 

iPhone 3G and firmware 2.0: one week later July 20, 2008

Filed under: Tech Blog — admin @ 12:02 pm

Filed under:

We know it’s been a whirlwind week of either: a) patiently sitting outside your local Apple store, b) losing touch with family, friends, and significant others while buried knee-deep in your new phone / firmware, or c) desperately trying to ignore the iPhone. But it’s time to come up for air and take stock. We’re all aware that things didn’t go quite as planned with Apple’s trifecta (iPhone 3G, firmware 2.0, MobileMe) launch last week, and we’re just starting to see the fallout from last Friday’s debacle.

The most prevalent complaint we’ve been hearing from users concerns ongoing issues with the phone’s new firmware, which has delivered on a lot of its promises, yet is also exhibiting frustrating bugs that make us think this one needed a little more time in the oven. In particular, we’ve experienced — and have been assailed with reports about — painful lag times when typing, as well as choppy, clunky behavior while scrolling through or searching contacts, calls which can’t be answered, and even outright crashes while receiving a call. Some owners have encountered repeated forced quits while trying to use the App Store, while a group of our editors vented about an SMS issue which not only grinds the phone’s performance to a halt, but makes the keyboard inaccessible altogether.

When you toss in problems other users are having with email, MobileMe syncing, and assorted minor kinks (trouble rotating Safari anyone?), it seems obvious that there’s cruft beneath this firmware creating hiccups in usability. Coupled with 3G reception concerns, the company’s continuing struggle to get MobileMe working as advertised, and rumors that 2.0.1 is already in the works, you get the impression that everyone is looking for a little relief here… Apple and its customers alike.

So, how’s your first week been?

Permalink | Email this | Comments

 
 

Ask Engadget: Best LCD monitor under $400?

Filed under: Tech Blog — admin @ 12:02 pm

Filed under: ,

Tired of looking at that tired old CRT monitor? Anxious to get a screen with a bit more screen real estate? So is Paul — have a look:

“I was wondering if you all could help me out in deciding on a monitor. I’d like it to be at least 19-inches, bigger is better, but the main thing is to have a nice resolution. I currently have a 1,280 x 1,080 17-inch LCD monitor, and really like it, but would like to go past the 1,080 to possibly 1,200. Thing is I’d like to spend around $300, going up to maybe $400. What’s the best choice out in this price range?”

We’d wager Paul’s quandary is one shared by many, and if you just recently solved this yourself, be sure to toss in your recommendation below. Once you’ve completed said task, feel free to shoot us a question you’d like help with at ask at engadget dawt com.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

 
 

Poll: How’s your iPhone 3G reception?

Filed under: Tech Blog — admin @ 12:02 pm

Filed under:

We’ve been getting scattered reports that Apple’s shiny new toy might not be snagging as many bars as it should for a lot of users. In our own tests, we’ve noticed the iPhone 3G fairing poorly in spots where other 3G devices exhibit strong signals, and the Apple support forums are alive with displeasure over what might be a widespread issue. We’re curious to know what you — the reader — are experiencing. How’s your mileage with the new phone? Let us know in the poll below.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

 
 

Rock Band 2 hands on, live shots, Ion drum kit, first impressions: woot!

Filed under: Tech Blog — admin @ 12:02 pm

Filed under:

RockBand 2 handson

If you’re jonesing to get your Rock Band 2 on like we are, you’ll be all over these new shots of the game’s upcoming controllers that we got all grubby on today at E3.

First, the new guitars not only look better, but they will include some welcome hardware tweaks. The new axe includes an optical sensor that will make syncing the game to your display a breeze. Rather than go through that annoying tap..tap…tap synchronization scheme, all you’ll need to do is hold up your controller to your display and it will figure things out with you based on your screen’s refresh rate. In addition, the new guitars have been updated with slicker fret controls that make it easier to slide from one to the other. Meanwhile, the strum bar has been tightened up a bit. No clicking, though — the guys at Harmonix say no one “dreams of playing a metronome” anyway. A dig at Guitar Hero? Perhaps, but if you’re looking for some click feedback from your controller, look elsewhere.

Continue reading Rock Band 2 hands on, live shots, Ion drum kit, first impressions: woot!

Permalink | Email this | Comments

 
 

Apple’s lawsuit against Psystar examined

Filed under: Tech Blog — admin @ 12:02 pm

Filed under:

So we just got our hands on the complaint Apple filed against Psystar for building off-label Mac clones, and as expected, Steve and friends aren’t pulling any punches — in addition to the eight total claims, request for a permanent injunction, and money damages, Apple wants a recall of every Psystar machine ever sold. That’s harsh, but it’s not like Apple to take this lightly. Like we’ve been saying all along, the suit is more about copyright infringement than EULA violations, since Psystar was distributing a modified version of Apple’s copyrighted code outside the terms of the EULA. Grab the complaint here [PDF], and then head after the break for a quick breakdown of what Apple says Psystar is liable for.

PS. - Somewhat charmingly, we’re quoted in the factual allegations section as calling the Psystar machine we reviewed “crazy loud” — aww, you shouldn’t have, guys. Maybe you want to throw in a citation next time, though? Just a thought.

Continue reading Apple’s lawsuit against Psystar examined

Permalink | Email this | Comments

 
 

SCEA CEO Jack Tretton dishes: DRM is in, backwards compatibility is out, and video UMD lives on

Filed under: Tech Blog — admin @ 12:02 pm

Filed under:

We got a chance to sit down with Sony Computer Entertainment of America’s CEO Jack Tretton, who gave us the lowdown about a few things we’ve had on our minds.

PS3

On backwards compatibility: Jack explained that Sony looked at how to “not take a greater hit on production cost, without losing PlayStation’s heritage … Hardware / software for backwards compat wasn’t all that expensive. … but we’re selling PS2 software to PS2 customers, and selling PS3 software to PS3 consumers.” Still, Jack seems to feel like it may have been the wrong move. “I would like to have had it in there, but Sony’s collective strategy determined we could afford to lose it. We’ve now gone down that road, and we’re not going back.”

On DRM and the video store: As of right now, Tretton is a firm supporter of the need to DRM content on the PlayStation platforms, and Sony believes that “the drm for a song maybe isn’t as important for a movie and a game… this is way too hard a business to make money in to allow people to own multiple copies for the price of one.” (That’s what they all say!) “I’m all for allowing an individual consumer having the freedom to do with their content what they want,” but Sony has no intention of opening its video up any more than it has to.

PSP
On drive or flash storage: Sony has “definitely thought about storage on the PSP,” and understands the inevitable “march towards digital content delivery device.” But in terms of a drive-based PSP, they have “nothing that’s imminent.” (Read: don’t hold your breath.)

On how downloadable video affects the already sad state of UMD: UMD “has struggled, and it wasn’t handled effectively from the beginning. … I firmly believe in a digital model” as they’re rolling out, but Sony is “still going to support UMD” as a device for movies.

What’s preventing PSP software sales: Three things. Title ports from PS2 games (people don’t want to buy the same title twice), and the PSP’s media functions. But Jack put the most emphasis on “piracy in the hundreds of thousands of units are preventing software sales. it’s a problem that affects our software sales right now.”

Continue reading SCEA CEO Jack Tretton dishes: DRM is in, backwards compatibility is out, and video UMD lives on

Permalink | Email this | Comments

 
 

iPhone 3G review supplemental: battery life and MobileMe tests

Filed under: Tech Blog — admin @ 12:02 pm

Filed under:

We spent most of the weekend putting the iPhone 3G’s battery life (and to a lesser extent, MobileMe implementation) to the test, and we’ve got far more encouraging results to report back than we had on day one. Pretty much everything we’ve found thus far jibes with Apple’s claims, if not exceeds them. (Our video results early on skewed low because we had mistakenly left on push and fetch data, which dropped the battery life by almost 25%. After re-testing, they’re back up to spec.)

All tested with 3G on, WiFi on (not connected), Bluetooth off, no data fetching enabled (unless specified otherwise). Media tested with stock headphones, medium volume, and medium screen brightness, auto-brightness disabled.

  • Music (continuous playback, large library, occasionally turning on screen): 31h 23m
  • Video (continuous playback, no push/fetch data): 7h 5m
  • Video (continuous playback, with push and 15 minute fetch data): 5h 24m
  • Daily data use (browsing, email, and GPS / maps): ~6h 30m

Those numbers definitely are not bad, but if you’re anything like us and you kill time on your phone reading feeds and checking email like a fiend, by 3 or 4pm you’ll likely be wondering if you’ll even make it home with any power left — especially if you leave on the 3G. Just be warned, the kind of prolonged usage on the original iPhone you used to get away with probably isn’t possible with the iPhone 3G. For some, this may be an issue, while others may never notice. Click on for more on our MobileMe testing and enterprise stuff, and, of course, check out the full iPhone 3G review.

Continue reading iPhone 3G review supplemental: battery life and MobileMe tests

Permalink | Email this | Comments

 
 

Lenovo IdeaPad hands-on

Filed under: Tech Blog — admin @ 12:02 pm

Filed under:

We got to mess around with Lenovo’s new IdeaPad lineup tonight — those new ThinkPads were mysteriously absent, however — and while we’d say Lenovo is playing it pretty safe at the moment, we still like what we see. The hinge design that first emerged in the U110 is now present in the whole line, and while the ThinkPad heritage has been hidden under mounds of glossy plastic, it’s still fairly evident in the build quality of the laptops, and particularly in those well-loved keyboards. The new Y-series laptops are rather serious contenders in their respective categories, with the 15-inch Y530 matching up nicely to any mid-tier 15-incher from the Likes of Sony, HP or Dell, while the 17-inch Y730 offers an easily hot-swappable second drive bay, a switch for graphics card overclocking, a performance-oriented secondary display and function buttons, and secondary arrow keys for rocking that dastardly “The World’s Hardest Game” — though most gamers will be sticking with AWSD for the other relevant FPS niceties those keys offer. We’d say our biggest disappointment is the U330, which loses the U110’s distinctive (and comfy) glossy-flush keyboard, and whose inclusion of a disc drive leaves it with none of the U110’s strikingly small stature. Sure, 13.3-inches and switchable graphics are nice, but it really hardly stands out from the Y-series IdeaPads, which is no good considering the premium prices Lenovo expects for its U-series laptops.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

 
 

Engadget & Joystiq live from Sony’s E3 2008 keynote

Filed under: Tech Blog — admin @ 12:02 pm

Filed under:

10:23: We’re en route to Sony now, stay tuned!

11:11: We’re waiting outside the entrance. Tons of people in front of the entrance to the show. Veronica Belmont is getting tons of fan response for Qore. People are taking pictures with her.

11:25: We’ve just taken our seats at Sony’s conference in front of what could only be described as a wall of screens: 7 main screens and roughly 64 smaller screens. OMG, Vaio LCD’s everywhere. You’d think this was a Sony event.

Continue reading Engadget & Joystiq live from Sony’s E3 2008 keynote

Permalink | Email this | Comments