Joe R(AWR) http://www.joe-r.net/read back in the saddle again Fri, 17 Oct 2008 01:06:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en heh, oops http://www.joe-r.net/read/archives/58 http://www.joe-r.net/read/archives/58#comments Fri, 17 Oct 2008 01:06:42 +0000 joe_r http://www.joe-r.net/read/?p=58 aparently that plugin to rip posts from Engadget works really good.  heh.

i’ll clean up later.  Off to ABDC @ Nokia

]]> http://www.joe-r.net/read/archives/58/feed iriver SPINN review http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/iriver-spinn-review/ http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/iriver-spinn-review/#comments Thu, 16 Oct 2008 23:44:00 +0000 Paul Miller http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/iriver-spinn-review/ Filed under: ,


We've had iriver's SPINN laying around the Engadget HQ for a little while, and figure we've finally fiddled with the player enough to write down some impressions. If you're looking for the one liner, here it is: we're blown away by the beauty of the hardware, but the barebones player software, lack of an "ecosystem," and hefty price really hurt its chances with the mainstream. Full thoughts after the break.

Gallery: iriver SPINN review

Continue reading iriver SPINN review

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> Filed under: ,


We've had iriver's SPINN laying around the Engadget HQ for a little while, and figure we've finally fiddled with the player enough to write down some impressions. If you're looking for the one liner, here it is: we're blown away by the beauty of the hardware, but the barebones player software, lack of an "ecosystem," and hefty price really hurt its chances with the mainstream. Full thoughts after the break.

Gallery: iriver SPINN review

Continue reading iriver SPINN review

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/iriver-spinn-review/feed Help Engadget Energize Education in the 2008 DonorsChoose Blogger Challenge http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/help-engadget-energize-education-in-the-2008-donorschoose-blogge/ http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/help-engadget-energize-education-in-the-2008-donorschoose-blogge/#comments Thu, 16 Oct 2008 23:30:00 +0000 Joshua Topolsky http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/help-engadget-energize-education-in-the-2008-donorschoose-blogge/ Filed under:


Last year Engadget -- and its good looking, smart, talented readers -- took a break from the PC and Mac wars and endless discussion of which Linux distro rules the roost to put some cash towards a good cause: DonorsChoose, a fund-raising group dedicated to making kids' education needs a reality.

Here's how it works -- we've picked a handful of technology related causes that all need funding to get off the ground. You simply decide how much you want to give and which charity appeals to you, and the money goes directly to one or more programs that will impact high-need public schools. Still feel the desire for a little healthy competition? You can track our progress against other like-minded sites on the Blogger Challenge leaderboard, so you get to do something good for kids and shout "PWNED!"

You have until October 31st to make a donation -- either by clicking here, using the widget after the break, or by following the Read link -- and we sincerely hope that you'll consider helping out these projects that really do have a chance of giving kids a better future. Also, "PWNED!"

Update: C'mon guys, we know that times are tight, but these kids need a little help. We're fairly confident that the readers of Engadget are as generous and warm-hearted as we keep telling people they are... don't make us look like liars.

Read - Donate!
Read - Blogger Challenge leaderboard
Read - Opening news story on the Blogger Challenge
Read - About DonorsChoose.org

Continue reading Help Engadget Energize Education in the 2008 DonorsChoose Blogger Challenge

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> Filed under:


Last year Engadget -- and its good looking, smart, talented readers -- took a break from the PC and Mac wars and endless discussion of which Linux distro rules the roost to put some cash towards a good cause: DonorsChoose, a fund-raising group dedicated to making kids' education needs a reality.

Here's how it works -- we've picked a handful of technology related causes that all need funding to get off the ground. You simply decide how much you want to give and which charity appeals to you, and the money goes directly to one or more programs that will impact high-need public schools. Still feel the desire for a little healthy competition? You can track our progress against other like-minded sites on the Blogger Challenge leaderboard, so you get to do something good for kids and shout "PWNED!"

You have until October 31st to make a donation -- either by clicking here, using the widget after the break, or by following the Read link -- and we sincerely hope that you'll consider helping out these projects that really do have a chance of giving kids a better future. Also, "PWNED!"

Update: C'mon guys, we know that times are tight, but these kids need a little help. We're fairly confident that the readers of Engadget are as generous and warm-hearted as we keep telling people they are... don't make us look like liars.

Read - Donate!
Read - Blogger Challenge leaderboard
Read - Opening news story on the Blogger Challenge
Read - About DonorsChoose.org

Continue reading Help Engadget Energize Education in the 2008 DonorsChoose Blogger Challenge

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/help-engadget-energize-education-in-the-2008-donorschoose-blogge/feed Elmo Live! gets stripped of his dignity, red fur http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/elmo-live-gets-stripped-of-his-dignity-red-fur/ http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/elmo-live-gets-stripped-of-his-dignity-red-fur/#comments Thu, 16 Oct 2008 23:09:00 +0000 Darren Murph http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/elmo-live-gets-stripped-of-his-dignity-red-fur/ Filed under:


Heads-up: this post contains graphics unsuitable for viewing by not-yet-hardened 6 year olds. Now that you've read that (and hopefully shielded your youngin's innocent eyes from the image above), we're here to tell you that the unspeakable (though inevitable) has occurred. Yes, friends, dear Elmo Live!, which probably won't be seen selling for MSRP until January of 2009, has been splayed. Torn down. Stripped of every ounce of animality he had. All so that you could see what really makes this bizarre critter tick. You can tap the read link for more, but trust us, the worst is already staring you in the face.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> Filed under:


Heads-up: this post contains graphics unsuitable for viewing by not-yet-hardened 6 year olds. Now that you've read that (and hopefully shielded your youngin's innocent eyes from the image above), we're here to tell you that the unspeakable (though inevitable) has occurred. Yes, friends, dear Elmo Live!, which probably won't be seen selling for MSRP until January of 2009, has been splayed. Torn down. Stripped of every ounce of animality he had. All so that you could see what really makes this bizarre critter tick. You can tap the read link for more, but trust us, the worst is already staring you in the face.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/elmo-live-gets-stripped-of-his-dignity-red-fur/feed Lenovo ThinkPad X200s reviewed: it’s worth the splurge http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/lenovo-thinkpad-x200s-reviewed-its-worth-the-splurge/ http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/lenovo-thinkpad-x200s-reviewed-its-worth-the-splurge/#comments Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:38:00 +0000 Darren Murph http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/lenovo-thinkpad-x200s-reviewed-its-worth-the-splurge/ Filed under:


If the X200t is just too convertible-y for you, and the standard X200 just doesn't last long enough for your 18-hour plane rides, the X200s won't do you any good either. If you only need 10-hours of juice, however, this unit is just about perfect. The ultraportable does give up some raw horsepower in order to deliver such stunning life, but true road warriors will certainly make the sacrifice. Critics over at Laptop Mag were duly impressed with just about everything the pricey X200s was packing, noting that the keyboard was "excellent," the design was sturdy and the screen was clean and crisp. Additionally, they found that the power decrease wasn't too noticeable in real-world use, though they did lament the omission of a WWAN module (agreed!) and webcam. Bottom line? These folks found it well "worth the splurge," though we'd recommend giving the full spill a read if you're seriously on the fence.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> Filed under:


If the X200t is just too convertible-y for you, and the standard X200 just doesn't last long enough for your 18-hour plane rides, the X200s won't do you any good either. If you only need 10-hours of juice, however, this unit is just about perfect. The ultraportable does give up some raw horsepower in order to deliver such stunning life, but true road warriors will certainly make the sacrifice. Critics over at Laptop Mag were duly impressed with just about everything the pricey X200s was packing, noting that the keyboard was "excellent," the design was sturdy and the screen was clean and crisp. Additionally, they found that the power decrease wasn't too noticeable in real-world use, though they did lament the omission of a WWAN module (agreed!) and webcam. Bottom line? These folks found it well "worth the splurge," though we'd recommend giving the full spill a read if you're seriously on the fence.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/lenovo-thinkpad-x200s-reviewed-its-worth-the-splurge/feed Nokia’s N85 reviewed, called better than N96 http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/nokias-n85-reviewed-called-better-than-n96/ http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/nokias-n85-reviewed-called-better-than-n96/#comments Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:00:00 +0000 Darren Murph http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/nokias-n85-reviewed-called-better-than-n96/ Filed under:


We were always curious why a device that (at least on paper) was superior in a lot of ways to Nokia's N96 wasn't trumpeted as the outfit's flagship device, but nevertheless, an Italian reviewer has made us feel a touch better about our previously ludicrous thoughts. After spending a solid fortnight with the phone, the critic felt comfortable deeming the N85 a "very, very beautiful" handset, also noting that it was "definitely the best Symbian [device]" out there. He even went out of his way to recommend the N85 over the N96 so long as you're cool without DVB-H or a super-snazzy camera. As if you really needed more, he also found the OLED display to be spectacular, the audio quality very satisfactory and the GPS / multimedia functions to be top-notch. Wait, is that the N96 we hear crying? There's no crying in Espoo!

[Via All About Symbian]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> Filed under:


We were always curious why a device that (at least on paper) was superior in a lot of ways to Nokia's N96 wasn't trumpeted as the outfit's flagship device, but nevertheless, an Italian reviewer has made us feel a touch better about our previously ludicrous thoughts. After spending a solid fortnight with the phone, the critic felt comfortable deeming the N85 a "very, very beautiful" handset, also noting that it was "definitely the best Symbian [device]" out there. He even went out of his way to recommend the N85 over the N96 so long as you're cool without DVB-H or a super-snazzy camera. As if you really needed more, he also found the OLED display to be spectacular, the audio quality very satisfactory and the GPS / multimedia functions to be top-notch. Wait, is that the N96 we hear crying? There's no crying in Espoo!

[Via All About Symbian]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/nokias-n85-reviewed-called-better-than-n96/feed Vista, Server 2008 could get their SP2s before Windows 7 kicks them out of the house http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/vista-server-2008-could-get-their-sp2s-before-windows-7-kicks-t/ http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/vista-server-2008-could-get-their-sp2s-before-windows-7-kicks-t/#comments Thu, 16 Oct 2008 21:28:00 +0000 Samuel Axon http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/vista-server-2008-could-get-their-sp2s-before-windows-7-kicks-t/ Filed under: ,

Maybe you're running a six-year old pirated copy of XP because you still don't trust Vista -- "I'm waiting on one more Service Pack, just to be extra sure," you say. If that's the case, you might have to come up with a new excuse soon: Mary Jo Foley over at ZDNet is reporting that a beta build of Vista Service Pack 2 is already in the hands of some software and hardware partners, and that Microsoft intends to deliver both Vista SP2 and Server 2008 SP2 before it launches Windows 7 -- err, 6.1, no wait, yeah let's go with 7 -- which it supposedly hopes to release June 3rd of next year. At present we know very little about SP2's features, but we're sure you have a few ideas.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> Filed under: ,

Maybe you're running a six-year old pirated copy of XP because you still don't trust Vista -- "I'm waiting on one more Service Pack, just to be extra sure," you say. If that's the case, you might have to come up with a new excuse soon: Mary Jo Foley over at ZDNet is reporting that a beta build of Vista Service Pack 2 is already in the hands of some software and hardware partners, and that Microsoft intends to deliver both Vista SP2 and Server 2008 SP2 before it launches Windows 7 -- err, 6.1, no wait, yeah let's go with 7 -- which it supposedly hopes to release June 3rd of next year. At present we know very little about SP2's features, but we're sure you have a few ideas.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/vista-server-2008-could-get-their-sp2s-before-windows-7-kicks-t/feed Nokia’s Comes With Music gets scrutinized, sounds good so far http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/nokias-comes-with-music-gets-scrutinized-sounds-good-so-far/ http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/nokias-comes-with-music-gets-scrutinized-sounds-good-so-far/#comments Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:57:00 +0000 Darren Murph http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/nokias-comes-with-music-gets-scrutinized-sounds-good-so-far/ Filed under: ,


If you're not in the UK, chances are that you haven't really paid attention to the teeny, tiny fact that Nokia's long-awaited Comes With Music download service launched today. Regardless of your ignorance to the facts, the all-you-can-eat music service has been activated for users across the pond who forked over the poundage for a CwM-equipped 5310 XpressMusic. Early impressions are actually pretty great, with critics finding themselves pleasantly surprised with just how intuitive the navigation was. MusicAlly did point out that these "free" tunes weren't transferable to blank CDs -- when they tried, they got a message notifying them of epic failure. At any rate, the reviews are sure looking good for Nokia right out of the gate, though only time will tell if people will take notice and buy into yet another music service.

[Via CNET]

Read - MusicAlly impressions
Read - NetworkWorld impressions
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> Filed under: ,


If you're not in the UK, chances are that you haven't really paid attention to the teeny, tiny fact that Nokia's long-awaited Comes With Music download service launched today. Regardless of your ignorance to the facts, the all-you-can-eat music service has been activated for users across the pond who forked over the poundage for a CwM-equipped 5310 XpressMusic. Early impressions are actually pretty great, with critics finding themselves pleasantly surprised with just how intuitive the navigation was. MusicAlly did point out that these "free" tunes weren't transferable to blank CDs -- when they tried, they got a message notifying them of epic failure. At any rate, the reviews are sure looking good for Nokia right out of the gate, though only time will tell if people will take notice and buy into yet another music service.

[Via CNET]

Read - MusicAlly impressions
Read - NetworkWorld impressions
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/nokias-comes-with-music-gets-scrutinized-sounds-good-so-far/feed Cowon’s simply stylish O2 PMP gets hands-on love http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/cowons-simply-stylish-o2-pmp-gets-hands-on-love/ http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/cowons-simply-stylish-o2-pmp-gets-hands-on-love/#comments Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:26:00 +0000 Darren Murph http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/cowons-simply-stylish-o2-pmp-gets-hands-on-love/ Filed under: ,


We could tell by the press shots that Cowon wasn't taking the extravagant route with its O2 PMP, and these hands-on images really prove it. The touchscreen-heavy media player can digest enough formats to make your head spin, and considering that there aren't any front panel buttons to catch your attention, it's a good thing the screen quality was deemed "excellent." Thirsty for more? Head on down to the read link, and tell 'em Joe the Plumber sent ya.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> Filed under: ,


We could tell by the press shots that Cowon wasn't taking the extravagant route with its O2 PMP, and these hands-on images really prove it. The touchscreen-heavy media player can digest enough formats to make your head spin, and considering that there aren't any front panel buttons to catch your attention, it's a good thing the screen quality was deemed "excellent." Thirsty for more? Head on down to the read link, and tell 'em Joe the Plumber sent ya.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/cowons-simply-stylish-o2-pmp-gets-hands-on-love/feed Dell rolls out Vostro 220, 220s, 420 desktops http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/dell-rolls-out-vostro-220-220s-420-desktops/ http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/dell-rolls-out-vostro-220-220s-420-desktops/#comments Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:54:00 +0000 Donald Melanson http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/dell-rolls-out-vostro-220-220s-420-desktops/ Filed under:


Dell's Vostro line may not be everyone's cup of tea, but the company certainly doesn't seem to have any trouble moving 'em out the door, and it's now seen fit to give it's line of Vostro desktops a bit of a refresh. That includes new Vostro 220, 220s (pictured above), and 420 models, which start at a mere $319 but boast enough configuration options to push things up well past the $2,000 mark. The majority of those options are reserved for the full-size 420 model, which includes seven PCI / PCIe expansion slots and an eSATA connector to expand your external storage options. All three can also be configured with optional Blu-ray drives, and a whole host of processors ranging from a lowly Celeron or Pentium Dual-Core to a top-end Core 2 Duo, or even a Core 2 Quad on the 420. Hit up the link below to start configuring.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> Filed under:


Dell's Vostro line may not be everyone's cup of tea, but the company certainly doesn't seem to have any trouble moving 'em out the door, and it's now seen fit to give it's line of Vostro desktops a bit of a refresh. That includes new Vostro 220, 220s (pictured above), and 420 models, which start at a mere $319 but boast enough configuration options to push things up well past the $2,000 mark. The majority of those options are reserved for the full-size 420 model, which includes seven PCI / PCIe expansion slots and an eSATA connector to expand your external storage options. All three can also be configured with optional Blu-ray drives, and a whole host of processors ranging from a lowly Celeron or Pentium Dual-Core to a top-end Core 2 Duo, or even a Core 2 Quad on the 420. Hit up the link below to start configuring.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/dell-rolls-out-vostro-220-220s-420-desktops/feed