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- Daily Crunch: Back
- Potential Dell Ultrabooks Hit The FCC
- Apple Rumors: The MacBook Pro Shrinks, iPad And iPhone Grow
- Motorola’s Droid XYBoard 8.2 Spotted Wearing Verizon’s Logo
- TCTV: The TechCrunch Gadgets Webcast
- Microsoft And TechStars Launch Kinect Accelerator For New Kinect-Based Startups
- Bag Week Review: Timbuk2 Swig Backpack
- The Big Bag Week Giveaway: An HP OfficeJet Printer, An HP Laptop, And, Obviously, A Bag
- Bag Week Review: Incase Alloy Messenger Bag
- 30-50 Ultrabooks Are Expected To Launch At CES 2012, But Can They Break The CES Curse?
- Review: Saddleback Leather Thin Briefcase
- Onkyo Japan Announces Windows 7-Powered “Slate PC”
- Slingbox Facebook App Goes Live, Isn’t Great At Sharing
- Video: Japanese Robot Helps Humans Clean Offices
- Daily Crunch: Banana Boat
| Posted: 19 Nov 2011 01:00 AM PST  Here are some recent posts on TechCrunch Gadgets: Review: Saddleback Leather Thin Briefcase Bag Week Review: Timbuk2 Swig Backpack Microsoft And TechStars Launch Kinect Accelerator For New Kinect-Based Startups The Big Bag Week Giveaway: An HP OfficeJet Printer, An HP Laptop, And, Obviously, A Bag
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| Potential Dell Ultrabooks Hit The FCC Posted: 18 Nov 2011 04:52 PM PST  A couple of what appear to be ultrabooks from Dell have snuck into the FCC for a bit of quiet emissions testing. The devices, spotted by Wirelesss Goodness, are pictured only partially, and in schematic form no less, so it’s hard to draw too many conclusions. One thing you can tell for sure, though, is that these are thin buggers. That’s an ethernet port on the corner there, which puts the total height of the laptop at around 20mm. That doesn’t include the display, of course, but it’s still very much ultrabook material. The design is interesting: the HDMI and ethernet ports are diagonal to the body on the edges, there — personally, I think this would have made more sense for the power cord, but far be it from me to pass judgment. There is also a wealth of other ports, including what looks like some Mini DisplayPorts. And as you can see in the picture, there is a compartment conspicuously labeled “SATA Flash,” though whether the devices will be all-flash or only partially is anyone’s guess. The two models, which from what I can tell are mostly identical, are called the Dalmore 14 and 15. Dalmore, curiously, is the name of a single-malt Scotch whiskey. Maybe it’s what they were drinking when they decided to put HDMI ports on the corners. I kid, I kid. But really, it’s a little mystifying. We’ll be on the lookout for more info on these. Hopefully Dell is including the best of the Adamo DNA, but the aesthetic does appear to be much different.
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| Apple Rumors: The MacBook Pro Shrinks, iPad And iPhone Grow Posted: 18 Nov 2011 02:37 PM PST  I suspect we’ll have to start picking and choosing our Apple rumor posts carefully in the coming months as the speculations begin flying fast and free, but until then a bit of gossip portending the next year’s changes won’t hurt anybody. iLounge is hawking some intel from their “most reliable source,” who claims to have the inside scoop on Apple’s upcoming revisions. It’s nothing mind-blowing, but it might be enough to make you unconsciously start saving money. The MacBook Pro redesign we’ve heard about before. Other sources have it rolling out in March, but supply line data is unreliable unless bulk orders are indicated. The flatter, more Air-like redesign is practically a certainty at this point. The question is a few of the system details: storage (I’m guessing hybrid), processor (Ivy Bridge and a discrete GPU), ports (two Thunderbolts, one USB, one Ethernet, one SD), and optical drive (none). Most interesting to me personally is the report that the iPad will be a little thicker, in order to allow for the extra lighting necessitated by the high-resolution screen I’ve been crowing about at every opportunity for almost a year now. Any indications of this mythical high-definition screen are welcome, as I think it will make the device a far, far better one for all kinds of tasks, consumption and creation. The increase in thickness is said to be only 0.7mm, so still thinner than the original iPad by several millimeters. Whether this change is too much for iPad 2 accessories is probably a case-by-case thing. More suspicious is the report that the iPhone will be getting a size bump to a 4″ screen, making the device as a whole 8mm longer. Not only that, but it’s supposed to hit in the Summer. Now, Apple has worked very hard for years to make the iPhone an iconic device, and part of that is its size, now petite compared to many Android phones. But in a case like the iPhone, Apple doesn’t feel pressure from outside. Or at least it would never admit it. Jobs (probably channeling Ive) was always very vehement about the design choices they’d made with the iPhone and iPad: lots of testing went into it, and 3.5″ and 9.7″ were the perfect sizes. But four years on, it could be that they must acknowledge changes in the market (towards streaming media consumption, for instance, and photos) and the benefits of a larger screen. Still, 4″ is rather a big jump, and the resolution question is also a factor. One thing I am optimistic about is the metal case, reportedly aluminum. The original iPhone was a wonderful piece of human-centered design and the backs developed a beautiful patina. We need to bring that back. And Apple has probably had enough shattered iPhones to last them for a while. No doubt these rumors will be corroborated or contradicted in the coming months, and we’ll sound our own sources as well. None of these items are set to break cover for a couple months, at any rate, so there’s plenty of time for evidence to appear.
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| Motorola’s Droid XYBoard 8.2 Spotted Wearing Verizon’s Logo Posted: 18 Nov 2011 01:32 PM PST  While I think Motorola’s marketing team really dropped the ball with the name, the 8.2-inch XYBoard has just become a little more official today. The team at PocketNow were able to get their hands on an image of the smaller XYBoard clad in Verizon’s heraldry, along with what could be the device’s new logo. I know, I know, the name “XYBoard” makes me irrationally angry too. Don’t let that color your perception of the tablet too much though, as the Xoom 2 is still a pretty respectable piece of kit. To wit, it sports a 1.2GHZ processor, 1GB of RAM, a 5-megapixel rear camera, and 16GB of internal storage. Oh, and unlike its international cousin, it comes packing support for Verizon’s 4G LTE network. But (and this is the big question) will all that be enough to draw an audience? That I don’t know. As Matt Burns pointed out, specs for these things are becoming less and less relevant (or they could already be dead, if you believe MG). It’s all coming down to the sort of experience tablets can deliver, and hopefully Motorola’s got a winning formula ready. Still, that’s not all it takes to create a success. Strong branding can help drive purchasing decisions, but there’s such a thing as a bad kind of strong, and that’s what I think Motorola has going with the XYBoard moniker. That coupled with the historically lame performance of the Xoom means Motorola (and Verizon) may still be facing an uphill battle with their new tablets.
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| TCTV: The TechCrunch Gadgets Webcast Posted: 18 Nov 2011 01:22 PM PST Welcome to another exciting episode of the TechCrunch Gadgets Webcast. This week we talk about the Kindle Fire, the Nook Tablet, the Nexus, and SOPA. Plus, we have a special surprise for all those who prefer sound to moving pictures. This is the first week I’ve extracted the audio from the video webcast and saved it to a downloadable MP3 podcast that you can subscribe to via RSS or iTunes. Hopefully you enjoy this version as well.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Microsoft And TechStars Launch Kinect Accelerator For New Kinect-Based Startups Posted: 18 Nov 2011 12:51 PM PST  The Kinect has proved fertile ground for hackers and innovators all over the world, from individuals to student teams to established researchers. But as yet there haven’t been many commercial applications. Microsoft and TechStars are hoping to turn the creativity and momentum associated with the Kinect into some functioning startups. Applications are being taken through January 25th; ten will be chosen and given the opportunity to participate in a three-month incubation program at Microsoft — and get $20,000 in seed funding. Got an idea for a new device, service, or method of using the Kinect’s low-cost real-time depth sensor? This could be a good opportunity — if you can afford to move to Seattle for a while this Spring. Don’t worry: the program is in the downtown area, not Redmond. There are minor catches. TechStars, in exchange for funding and leading the program, will be getting a 6% stake in your new company (in common stock). And it’s not just a way to put the finishing touches on a game you’ve been working on. The goal is “to create businesses that leverage the Kinect for Xbox or Windows.” And since the Accelerator is based in South Lake Union, there will likely be daily rumbles with Amazon employees, who consider the area their exclusive territory. Clearly, the idea is to package and monetize some of the creative energy going into the platform. It seems like a good fit for the student engineering teams we’ve seen that likely put their devices together with university tools. Travel to the Emerald City, get some expert help and learn your way around the SDK, and get a shot a creating a business. Microsoft doesn’t get to keep any of your IP or anything, but it’s no secret that you’re essentially working for them. What’s good for the Kinect is good for Microsoft. There are more details and a FAQ at Microsoft, and TechStars has a blog entry as well. The application form is here.
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| Bag Week Review: Timbuk2 Swig Backpack Posted: 18 Nov 2011 11:02 AM PST  I chose this bag because it’s a bit smaller than the other ones I tested this week and it could be good for a younger person or a svelte, slim lady/man about town. It is a fairly standard backpack but is nicely outfitted with a number of useful features including, but not limited to, a bottle opener, a side zipper to access your laptop, a bottle opener, and a bottle opener. I’m starting to love bags with bottle openers. Timbuk2 Swig Backpack Type: Backpack Style Who is it for? Do you want it? Don’t forget to check out the rest of our Bag Week 2011 reviews.
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| The Big Bag Week Giveaway: An HP OfficeJet Printer, An HP Laptop, And, Obviously, A Bag Posted: 18 Nov 2011 10:14 AM PST  So I promised that Bag Week 2011 would be worth it. There were the naysayers, the no-no-never Nancies, the nattering nabobs of negativism, and the like but you stuck through Bag Week 2011 and now it’s nearly over. But before we go, we want to offer one final parting gift to you all – everyone except Adrian Scott, that is. Mr. Scott wrote, and I quote:
While I admit we only do this for the millions it brings us in Adsense revenue (bag makers are rich, FYI), we also do this because people who use computers and read this site like to put those computers into bags when they transport them. Rather than pepper the site with bag reviews, we picked some of our favorites and wrote them up. If that’s wrong, then I don’t want to be right, Mr. Scott. Anyway, here’s what everyone except Adrian Scott (unless he apologizes publicly) can win from Office Depot, the folks generously donating this final prize:
That’s right: essentially a whole home office/Bernie Madoff kit for you and yours. In addition to the bag, Office Depot is throwing in a brand new OfficeJet printer, a really nice laptop, and a shredder. Why a shredder? Heck if I know. They wanted us to talk up the printer so here you go:
Amazing, no? To win, comment below describing your ultimate bag, sac, purse, murse, rucksack, or container. Be descriptive. I’ll pick a winner randomly on Monday and, provided you’re not Adrian Scott, happy Bag Week 2011 and to all a good night.
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| Bag Week Review: Incase Alloy Messenger Bag Posted: 18 Nov 2011 09:26 AM PST  What is it? As far as style is concerned, the bag will certainly attract people with very specific tastes. That silver metallic finish certainly isn’t for everyone, so if you prefer a more weathered or classic look, this may not be the bag for you. Then again, its construction is super lightweight, making it easier to pack this thing full of goodies. In fact, since it’s a messenger bag instead of a backpack the material is much less rigid to where you can probably fit a few awkward shapes in there and still have no problem. The Incase Alloy Messenger Bag Type: Messenger Bag The Alloy Messenger Bag is one of the most comfortable shoulder bags I’ve used all week. No matter how much junk I packed in there, it was still comfortable to carry around all day long. A huge amount of credit has to go to the breathable mesh shoulder strap pad, which is way more comfortable than the shoulder pad on the Andy Warhol Shoulder Bag. Protection, on the other hand, became a bit of a concern. My laptop, cuddled comfortably in the faux fur-lined laptop sleeve had no issues. My camera, on the other hand, which was sitting in the roomy main compartment, hit the ground with a hard thud when I put down the bag. The main compartment doesn’t have any extra padding or cushion, so anything that goes in there need not be easily breakable. Otherwise, you’ll have a mess on your hands. The snap buckles that hold the bag closed are protected with some soft touch plastic, which seems like a tiny unimportant detail but it could actually prove quite useful. Those plastic buckles break all the time, and placed at the bottom of the bag they’re way more susceptible to harm. Any extra protection that can be offered to those buckles is much appreciated. The bag offers quite a bit of space, as I’ve already said, but I was disappointed not to see a rear magazine sleeve. I find that type of easy access to paperwork and the like pretty useful on messenger bags. The front zippered pocket, however, is super accessible and is a great place to store an iPod or iPhone thanks to that protective faux fur lining. Who is it for? Do I want it? Check out the rest of Bag Week 2011 here.
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| 30-50 Ultrabooks Are Expected To Launch At CES 2012, But Can They Break The CES Curse? Posted: 18 Nov 2011 08:42 AM PST  Every year at the global electronic bazaar that is the Consumer Electronic Show, there is a product du jour. A certain product segment seemingly overloads the trade show. iPad killers were out in force at 2011′s show. 2010 was all about 3D TVs while netbooks was the popular product in 2009. It seems that utltrabooks might be 2012′s hot product. But can they break the dreaded CES curse (a term I coined for the purpose of this post) that plagued the previous hot products? Recently at a CES Unveiled event in London, a director of research for the CEA, Shawn DuBravac, forecasted a bunch of ultrabook debuts at the 2012 CES. He stated, “We expect to see 30 to 50 new ultrabooks launch at CES.” That’s a whole lot of MacBook Air clones. The term ultrabook refers to a ultraportible notebook built using a small footprint Intel chipset. These notebooks are just now starting to hit the market from nearly every PC manufacturer, but the first batch are just to test the market. The real fun comes yet later this year when Intel releases the 22nm Ivy Bridge CPU chipset that will offer a modest performance boost over the current Sandy Bridge chips as well as offer USB 3.0 and PCI Express 3.0. With Intel passing out these chips prior to 2012, expect most of the ultrabooks announced at CES 2012 to be built on this next-gen platform. It’s then that with these even more mobile CPUs that ultrabooks will hit the big time. That is, of course, if ultrabooks feature staying power greater than previous hot CES product. Last year, at CES 2011, nearly every major CE player debuted or teased their upcoming Android tablets. These slates were supposed to challenge the iPad, but now, not even a full year later, it seems some are ready to pull the plug on their tablets thanks to poor sales. CES 2010 was all about 3D TVs. Massive booths were surrounded by crowds of people waiting to see the future through several pairs of 3D glasses. Sony, Panasonic and others were preaching a message about buying a 3D TV now to use to watch all the upcoming awesome 3D content… 2009 was all about the netbook. But that wasn’t the star of the show. No, as the video embedded here shows, that title was earned by Greg and Doug during the SanDisk Rockband 2 competition. Ultrabooks are supposed to the answer to Apple’s increasingly popular MacBook Air. Intel designed the computing platform to be as thin as possible while keeping the price low. The first batch of ultabooks start at $899 and offer competitive performance. But they’re still not built as well as the MacBook Air. CES 2012 starts the second week of Janaury but most of the products are announced early. Prepare yourself for the ultrabooks. They are coming.
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| Review: Saddleback Leather Thin Briefcase Posted: 18 Nov 2011 08:24 AM PST  We covered Saddleback Leather’s products last year and we thought it would be fun to bring these guys back on stage one more time for an encore. As you can see from the images, these are, in a sense, your grandpa’s bags. They are made of thick, old-world, heavily-stitched leather and feature heavy duty hardware, delicate pigskin lining, and a lot of polish. While I wouldn’t go as far as to say you’ll hand this down to your children, the leather in this thing is so thick and luxurious there’s a good chance they’ll be able to eat it if they ever run out of food in the wild. Saddleback Leather Classic Thin Briefcase Type: Briefcase Style The bag has a large center compartment, separated into two by a thin sheet of leather. You can stick a full-sized laptop in here with room to spare and all of your legal briefs in the other pocket. It does’t expand as much as I’d like – it’s more of a briefcase size than an actual “bag” – but I fit a Macbook Air and two ereaders along with headphones and a power cable and it didn’t even look like it was full. You’re going to have decide if this bag is for you. It’s very polarizing. Either you like the “Hemingway At The Harvard Law Library” look or you don’t. That said, this huge bag is just that – huge. It’s heavy and thick and quite handsome and will hold almost any laptop with aplomb. Who is it for? Do you want it? This is a lot of bag for arguably a lot of money, at least when compared to the other bags in this round-up, but it may be worth it if the style, size, and pockets suit your needs. Don’t forget to check out the rest of our Bag Week 2011 reviews.
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| Onkyo Japan Announces Windows 7-Powered “Slate PC” Posted: 18 Nov 2011 07:43 AM PST  Onkyo Japan has been releasing quite a few Windows-powered tablets in the past months, and the company yesterday announced [JP] yet another model. The TW2A-A25Z7CK features Windows 7 Home Premium as the OS (32 bit), and comes with a stylus, a stand/case, and a Bluetooth keyboard. Onkyo’s so-called Slate PC has the following specs:
Onkyo plans to start selling the Slate PC in Japan on December 2 with an open price model (“over US$780″).
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| Slingbox Facebook App Goes Live, Isn’t Great At Sharing Posted: 18 Nov 2011 06:08 AM PST  Slingbox has made the act of watching your television from anywhere stupendously easy over the years, and now the company has added yet another way to catch up on Community on the go: now you can watch from your Facebook account. That’s right, if their Android, iOS, PC, and Mac clients weren’t enough to keep you connected, Slingbox has recently released their new SlingPlayer Facebook app. Not every Sling fan will be able to partake, though: the SlingPlayer Facebook app only works if you have a PRO-HD or SOLO unit running the latest firmware update. While cool, the Facebook app’s utility is a bit suspect considering users can already access their Slingbox’s streams from the Sling website. It could potentially see use in the workplace (though I’m sure none of our readers would ever do that) where IT departments can blacklist certain sites, but if that’s the case then they’re probably filtering Facebook out too. The app’s social features are pretty limited too; users can post potentially TV-related status updates from within the app, but that’s about it. Slingbox promises to bulk up their app’s social functions in the future, so we’ll keep our ears to the ground for any new developments. For now, current Slingbox users can get cracking by clicking right here. [via @davezatz]
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| Video: Japanese Robot Helps Humans Clean Offices Posted: 18 Nov 2011 06:07 AM PST  Fuji Heavy Industries and Sumitomo have developed a cute robot that can help human workers clean offices. It’s a follow up to a simpler model the two companies unveiled ten years ago. This new robot can navigate through spaces full of desks, office equipment and other obstacles (including humans). The battery-powered robot can move around at 30m per minute and is equipped with a laser range finder: before bumping into an obstacle or human, it says “Please get out of the way, I am cleaning this room!”. If nothing happens for 15 seconds, the robot will move around the obstacle and continue to do its job (at around 0:45 in the video below). According to Fuji Heavy and Sumitomo, the robot runs 2.5 hours on one charge and cuts cleaning time by around 50%. It’s already commercialized (in Japan, at least). This video shows the robot (and a human colleague) in action: Via Robonable [JP]
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| Posted: 18 Nov 2011 01:00 AM PST  Here’s a selection of yesterday’s posts on TechCrunch Gadgets: Bag Week Review: Incase Andy Warhol Shoulder Bag (Color: Banana) Microsoft And Samsung's Surface 2 Now Up For Pre-Order 50 Cent's Headphones By SMS Audio Get Priced Starting At $129, Available For Pre-Order Now Coda Automotive Taps GE To Sell Chargers Alongside The Coda Sedan
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