info gadget

Gigabyte G1 Assassin motherboard is a last-gen gamer's dream come true

For a motherboard, the G1 Assassin from Gigabyte sure is gaudy and actually rather interesting. First off, that Killer E2100 networking solution from Bigfoot has been integrated into the board, as has Creative's X-Fi audio. The three-year-old X58 chipset at its heart is starting to look a little long in the tooth but, with support for three-way SLI or four-way CrossFireX, 24GB of RAM, and Intel's Extreme Edition processors, you probably won't miss Sandy Bridge too much. Starting at around $450 the Assassin isn't for everyone, but hardcore gamers determined to squeeze every ounce of performance from of their setup will not be disappointed. The one unfortunate fault of the G1 is timing -- the next-gen of high-end performance parts from Chipzilla are right around the corner. Though, that banana clip-shaped heat sink has to count for something. We know you like benchmarks, so check out the reviews below.

Read - HotHardware

Read - Legit Reviews

Read - Overclock 3D

Read - TechRadar

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/25/gigabyte-g1-assassin-motherboard-is-a-last-gen-gamers-dream-com/

Images of official Facebook for iPad app leaked

Images of Facebook’s unannounced iPad application have been leaked by TechCrunch. Reportedly, the official application has been hidden inside the iPhone app all along. We’re impressed by what we see in the leaked photos so far; there is clearly a robust gallery feature and the news feed is rich with profile photos and status updates. TechCrunch‘s MG Siegler, who has already tested the application, says that it offers an “HTML5-rich experience” and that Facebook for iPad is a vast improvement over the mobile Web interface currently available. Facebook for iPad is expected to launch soon but an exact release date is still unknown. At least we now know the social network didn’t just skip out on one completely. Read on for two more images and check the read link for a full gallery.

Source: http://www.bgr.com/2011/07/25/images-of-official-facebook-for-ipad-app-leaked/

Motorola MOTOKEY XT, MOTOKEY Mini EX108 and WX294 hit Brazil

Motorola has released three new feature phones in Brazil - the TIM's exclusive QWERTY bars MOTOKEY XT EX118 and MOTOKEY Mini EX108 plus the dual-SIM WX294.

The two QWERTY bars MOTOKEY XT EX118 and MOTOKEY Mini EX108 are available only through the carrier TIM both on one-year contracts or with pay-as-you-go plans.

The MOTOKEY XT EX118 is the mightiest of the three, featuring a 2.4-inch capacitive QVGA touchscreen, a 3 megapixel camera, FM radio, a five-row portrait QWERTY keyboard and a microSD card slot. If you decide to get it on a pay-as-you-go plan, it will set you back R$336 (150).

Motorola MOTOKEY XT EX118

Motorola MOTOKEY EX108 is a cheaper version of the EX118 model with a mere 2-inch non-touch display of 220 x 176 pixels resolution, a 2 megapixel camera, FM radio and a microSD slot with 2GB pre-installed card. It costs R$252 (113) on a pay-as-you-go plan.

Motorola MOTOKEY EX108

The last Motorola phone is not a carrier exclusive and is available everywhere in Brazil. The WX294 is a dual-SIM, dual stand-by candybar with an 1.8-inch display with 128 x 160 pixels resolution, a VGA camera with LED flash, FM radio and microSD slot with 2GB bundled card. The WX294 doesn't come cheap though - if you want it, you'll have to pay R$249 (111).

Motorola WX294

As we mentioned above, all handsets are already available in Brasil and most probably won't be released elsewhere.

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/brazil_gets_motorola_motokey_xt_ex118_motokey_mini_ex108_and_wx294-news-2923.php

Leaked Sprint release table bears a tablet: the unknown ZTE V55

There's a whole batch of previously unsuspected launch dates on this leaked Sprint document, but our looking glass is drawn to the very bottom of the list. Here you'll spot a red arrow, subtly added by us, pointing at the words "ZTE V55 TABLET." Could it be the very same 10-incher we spotted at CTIA? It certainly could, but there are two irksome discrepancies. Firstly, the CTIA slate was scheduled for the second half of this year, which is earlier than the 2012 date suggested on the leak. Secondly, the CTIA tablet was LTE compatible, whereas Sprint isn't -- at least not yet. Our attempts to make a connection must therefore be abandoned for the time being, leaving our intellectual appetites to dine on a weevil-infested question mark.

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/25/leaked-sprint-release-table-bears-a-tablet-the-unknown-zte-v55/

MacBook Air review (mid 2011)

There comes a time when that giant, corporate-issued laptop stops fitting into your lifestyle. When dragging around a Kensington roller case just won't do. When you start to hear the siren lilt of something thinner, lighter, and maybe a bit more alluring. For years the MacBook Air has been that svelte temptress hollering your name, but it's always been a bit too slow -- all show and no go. It didn't have the power and the longevity to make it a serious contender for your serious affections.

No more. With its latest refresh, Apple has taken what was once a manilla-clad curiosity and turned it into a legitimate machine, not just a sultry looker. Good thing, too, because the death of the plastic-clad MacBook means the Air is now Apple's entry-level portable. Weary traveler looking for a laptop that will lighten your load and, it must be said, your wallet too? This might just be it.

Gallery: MacBook Air Review

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/25/macbook-air-review-mid-2011/

AT&T confirms Gingerbread coming to entire 2011 Android lineup (and Samsung Captivate)

The HTC Status was the only device with Gingerbread on AT&T's lineup for a small slice of time, but that's quickly coming to an end. The carrier has confirmed that Android 2.3 will be pushed to its entire 2011 postpaid lineup, beginning with an OTA rollout of the Motorola Atrix 4G today (though and the HTC Inspire 4G "in the coming weeks." In addition to the phones released this year, Samsung Captivate users will be able to enjoy the upgrade as well. There's no hard details on the timing for everyone else, but at least anyone with a 2011 model can breath a sigh of relief. Full press release can be found after the break.

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/25/atandt-confirms-gingerbread-coming-to-entire-2011-android-lineup/

Unnamed Samsung Android slider headed for AT&T

If Samsung’s Android lineup is feeling a little sparse on AT&T, don’t worry… there’s about to be a new flagship in town. We have just exclusively received a photo of an unnamed Samsung device complete with sliding QWERTY keyboard that’s headed to AT&T in the coming months. While we don’t have much to go on, the device will sport the four-button Android layout as opposed to Samsung’s typical three-button layout at AT&T’s request, and the QWERTY keyboard even reflects that.

Source: http://www.bgr.com/2011/07/25/unnamed-samsung-android-slider-headed-for-att/

AT&T confirms LG Thrill 4G pricing, release 'in the coming weeks'

Pricing for the LG Thrill 4G popped up on Radio Shack's corporate systems a few days ago, at $80 with a two-year contract. AT&T just shared its official Thrill pricing, however, with the glasses-free 3D smartphone commanding a healthy $99 at the company's retails stores when it ships "in the coming weeks." That timeframe meshes nicely with the August 7th launch date that a pair of Radio Shack insiders shared with us last week, though until we receive confirmation otherwise, it's within reason to expect that devices will begin to ship before or even after that date. Either way, it doesn't look like you'll need to hold out much longer for your Thrill, with only a few more days of tranquility to go before the excitement begins.

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/25/atandt-confirms-lg-thrill-4g-pricing-release-in-the-coming-weeks/

The Engadget Show returns today, July 25th -- win a ticket to the taping!

After a month-long slumber, the Engadget Show is back! We're taping today, on Monday, July 25th at 6:00pm ET! You can read up on what to expect right here, and if you're looking for plans in just a few hours, we've got a smattering of seats still available. Read below for all the nitty-gritty, and if you're angling to attend, drop an email to darren *at* engadget *dot* com with your name, how many guests you're hoping to bring (if any) and a contact number.

Here are the details if you win a ticket:

The event is all ages.
We'll open doors and begin seating at 5:15pm on July 25th, and the taping begins at 6:00PM. We'll be closing the doors at 5:50PM.
If you'd like a last-minute seat today, you have to email darren *at* engadget *dot* com with your name, how many guests you're hoping to bring (if any) and a contact number.
Please bring a photo ID with you to the taping.
The show length is around an hour.

If you're a member of the media who wishes to attend, please contact us at: engadgetshowmedia [at] engadget [dot] com, and we'll try to accommodate you. All other non-media questions can be sent to: engadgetshow [at] engadget [dot] com.

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/25/the-engadget-show-returns-today-july-25th-win-a-ticket-to-th/

Broadband claims another: France Telecom putting the kibosh on Minitel

'Tis a sad, sad day for fans of all things retro. In a developed nation dominated by high-speed connections, near-ubiquitous 3G and sub-$€300 computers, it's more than a little astounding that the Minitel is just now being axed by France Télécom. Originally, the aforesaid machine was ordered by the French government in the 1970s "as part of an initiative to get people to share information and, eventually, reduce the consumption of paper." In a bid to rapidly increase adoption, the terminals -- complete with a monochrome screen and bantam keyboard -- were actually doled out to denizens free of charge, with access billed on a per-minute basis. It obviously required a phone line, and things were kept understandably simple; users rarely did more than shop for train tickets, check the occasional bank account and peruse the phone directory. Astonishingly, France's precursor to the internet still raked in €30 million in revenue last year, but the time has finally come to push existing users onto more sophisticated solutions. As of June 30, 2012, "the Minitel will die." 'Course, the service itself will be the only thing shuttered -- those memories are bound to last a lifetime.

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/25/broadband-claims-another-france-telecom-putting-the-kibosh-on-m/