Giant Archive

  • HP files for ‘Zeen’ and ‘Airlife’ trademarks for handheld devices

    HP files for ‘Zeen’ and ‘Airlife’ trademarks for handheld devices

    Having only recently marked its return to the handheld computing space with the iPAQ Glisten, HP seems intent on forging ahead with more hardware in the coming year. The above trademark applications -- filed in September and October 2009 -- mark out some very broad categories, but we can narrow them down a little with the help of some context. Given all the industry excitement over tablet devices, the Zeen could well be the name of a forthcoming slate-shaped machine and accompanying software, while Airlife seems to be planted firmly in the smartphone arena. The moniker suggests a software ecosystem rather than actual hardware, but that would make little sense with just one handset out there; if we were the betting type (and believe us, we aren't), we'd probably expect to see more mobiles coming from the computing giant in order to take advantage. Of course, companies don't always follow through on trademark applications, but it sure seems as if HP is casting a wary eye over the burgeoning handheld market (and / or planning to not get left behind in the months ahead).

    HP files for 'Zeen' and 'Airlife' trademarks for handheld devices originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Giant Gundam statue to make a comeback next year

    Giant Gundam statue to make a comeback next year

    He'll be back: The awesome 1/1 scale Gundam statue that was erected on Tokyo's artificial island Odaiba in June and that was deconstructed in September this year, will be seen again in its full glory. We reported several times about the statue, which stands 60 feet tall and shows some cool special effects (see video below).

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  • UFC releases ring girl Logan Stanton, makes the life of UFC Undisputed 2010 developer all the more difficult

    UFC releases ring girl Logan Stanton, makes the life of UFC Undisputed 2010 developer all the more difficult

    Terrible news, friends. It looks like UFC has chosen not to renew the contract of famous ring girl Logan Stanton (and Natasha Wicks, bit she's not germane to this here story). Her contract ended with UFC 107, which took place last week. Rumor is that she'll be replaced by former Playboy Playmate (is Playmate a proper noun?) Chandella Powell. There's a tech angle here, believe me, and it has to do with the next UFC game, UFC Undisputed 2010, which is due out next May.

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  • Google files for Nexus One trademark

    Google files for Nexus One trademark

    The mystery of the Nexus One continues to grow ever deeper, but we can pretty much confirm Google's planning to sell something under that name: the search giant filed an intent-to-use trademark application for "Nexus One" on December 10th, and in order to be granted the trademark registration it'll have to use the mark in commerce at some point in the future. Now, don't get too carried away -- sure, that could mean free unlocked GSM Android sets for all, but it could also just mean Google's planning to sell the Nexus One as its next-gen Android Developer Phone. Considering everything we've heard points to the device being limited to T-Mobile 3G, we'd say the developer phone theory is still the most likely, but it's all up in the air until Google provides a sample of the Nexus One mark being used in commerce to the USPTO -- or, better yet, announces something official.

    Update:
    Ruh roh. As we're sure you're aware, the "Nexus" name is a riff on Philip K. Dick's Nexus-6 replicants in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and ultimately in Blade Runner -- and his estate is none too pleased that Google's using it without permission. According to the New York Times, Dick's daughter -- who is in charge of licensing his work -- was never told of Google's plans, and she's contacted the lawyers now that she's found out. We're guessing Google can still make nice though: she says she would have been open to an agreement had contact been made earlier. So... let's get on that, guys.

    [Thanks, Amit]

    Google files for Nexus One trademark originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Nokia rumored to be eyeing Palm buy yet again

    Nokia rumored to be eyeing Palm buy yet again

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    We've been around this rumor pretty much since Palm started looking competitive again, so take it for what you will -- but a bunch of fat cats down on Wall Street have been going ape today over renewed "chatter" that Nokia might be taking an interest in acquiring Palm. Palm's share prices are up well over 5 percent on the day, though we wouldn't be the least bit surprised if there was some behind-the-scenes manipulation going on here -- an acquisition would make less sense now than ever with suitors on the hook for $2 billion or more, a hefty sum even for a giant like Nokia, never mind the fact that they've still got two smartphone platforms of their own in the mix. Licensing webOS is being floated as a possible alternative to an outright Palm purchase -- but we're having such an exceedingly difficult time picturing a 5800 running webOS that we'll put this one on ice until we get the joint press release.

    Nokia rumored to be eyeing Palm buy yet again originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Samsung pays Qualcomm $1.3 billion to secure wireless licenses

    Samsung pays Qualcomm $1.3 billion to secure wireless licenses

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    Samsung and Qualcomm have wrapped up a cross-licensing deal with ten figures of US currency in it, which will permit the Korean giant to continue producing 3G- and 4G-enabled wireless devices for the next 15 years. In exchange, Samsung is letting Qualcomm make use of its own 57 patents on mobile technology and splashing out a further $1.3 billion as a down payment. Further royalty payments are involved, but not detailed, but just as a reference point, that's more than the new Dallas Cowboys stadium and its ultra-huge scoreboard cost to build. The move is a renewal of the two companies' current arrangement and Samsung has boldly claimed the terms of the new contract are more favorable to it, but we get the feeling the champagne will be flowing in San Diego this week.

    [Via MobileTechWorld]

    Samsung pays Qualcomm $1.3 billion to secure wireless licenses originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Finally: Panasonic to convert Sanyo into 100% subsidiary next month

    Finally: Panasonic to convert Sanyo into 100% subsidiary next month

    The deal has been in the making for months now, but yesterday Panasonic finally announced a tender offer for Sanyo Electric, paving the way to convert Sanyo into a wholly owned subsidiary as early as the middle of next month.

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  • Heated slipper looks downright dangerous

    Heated slipper looks downright dangerous

    There are a few areas of concern to point out about this $24 “USB Paw Heating Slipper” from Brando. For starters, you're sticking both your feet into one giant slipper. What happens if you get an e-mail saying that there's free bagels in the break room? In your haste to save $2, you could very easily trip and fall down.

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  • Rumor: Nokia working on a keyboard-less N920?

    Rumor: Nokia working on a keyboard-less N920?

    Don’t let today’s news of Nokia’s financial failures troubles fool you. Just because the mobile powerhouse isn’t raking in profits at the moment, doesn’t mean the Finnish giant has stopped working on future devices…at least according to Pocketables. Unlike its soon-to-be-released sibling, the N900, the rumored N920 will supposedly be keyboard-less, but will make up for [...]

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  • Giant Android eclair delivered to Google by even bigger nerds (video)

    Giant Android eclair delivered to Google by even bigger nerds (video)

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    By now you should be familiar with Google's confectionary codenames for its Google Android OS: version 1.5 (Cupcake), 1.6 (Donut), 2.0 (Eclair) and version x.x (Flan). What you probably didn't know is that Google honors each release by dropping a steaming hot foam facsimile onto its front lawn. Historically, the arrival of the giant Donut at the GooglePlex was followed by the 1.6 developer release of Android just a few days later. Don't get too excited though, last we heard Eclair wouldn't arrive until Q2 of 2010 for consumers. Video and another view of the nerds "gone wild" just after the break.

    [Via TechCrunch]

    Continue reading Giant Android eclair delivered to Google by even bigger nerds (video)

    Giant Android eclair delivered to Google by even bigger nerds (video) originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Rumor: HTC working on new flagship Android device – the Dragon

    Rumor: HTC working on new flagship Android device – the Dragon

    What do you get when you mix HTC, Android, and Qualcomm’s powerful Snapdragon mobile processor together? No, it’s not the amazing (recycled from an old Snapdragon post) image above…but it’s close. According to the rumor mill, this mythical combination will yield…the HTC Dragon. Based on the tip / leaked screenshots (below) over at DroidDog, all we [...]

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  • Canon will not be attending PMA 2010

    Canon will not be attending PMA 2010

    According to this weeks issue of Amateur Photographer, Canon will not be attending PMA 2010. The company is apparently shifting focus away from niche trade shows in order to focus shows like CES that reach more consumers. After all, that's the way Canon's products are going anyway. We've seen a huge shift in the last five years as the DSLR has moved from the prosumer market to clearly an everyday Joe-type camera. Sure, there will always be high-end products which could be showcased at shows like PMA, but money is tight for everyone including the photography giant and so they need to focus on shows with the furthest reach.

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  • Tokyo Game Show: Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 for PS3 (gameplay video)

    Tokyo Game Show: Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 for PS3 (gameplay video)

    Koei Tecmo has a giant at this year's Tokyo Game Show, and their flagship title surely is Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 for PS3. It was playable and looked pretty cool. The same is true for Quantum Theory by the way (another Koei Tecmo action game) whose early version was impressive graphics-wise (but pretty buggy unfortunately).

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  • Magellan embiggens GPS line with new 7-inch RoadMate 1700

    Magellan embiggens GPS line with new 7-inch RoadMate 1700

    Giant-fingered technology enthusiasts, lift up your hearts! Magellan has a 7-inch GPS system on the way: the $299 RoadMate 1700. The touchscreen has a resolution of 800x480 and there’s a video input jack so you can hook up your iPod or DVD player. Sounds safe!

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  • Tokyo’s Gundam statue is history, but you can now buy a 1/60 replica

    Tokyo’s Gundam statue is history, but you can now buy a 1/60 replica

    The giant Gundam statue that has been protecting Tokyo for a couple of months is gone, but now you have the chance to bring back memories in the form of a smaller version you can put in your living room. The original 1/1 statue stood 20m tall, while the replika [JP] is 1/60th of that size (30cm) and weighs 4kg.

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