Dell to offer laptops with Qualcomm's Gobi EV-DO / HSPA chipset

Filed under: Laptops

HP's already jumped on board, and it looks like Qualcomm's now also managed to convince Dell of the merits of its Gobi dual-3G chipset, which will soon be finding its way into a variety of Latitude, Precision, and other unspecified consumer laptops. For those not up to speed, that welcome addition will let you connect to both EV-DO and HSPA networks the world over without having to carry two different mobile broadband cards with you, with switching between the two as easy as flipping a software switch. Unfortunately, there's no word on the exact models that'll be getting the upgrade, nor is there any word on how much extra it'll cost or exactly when it'll be available, with Dell only going so far as to say that they'll be available "later this year."

 

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Painting the town magenta

Filed under: Meta

After yesterday's very real and not-at-all-fake story about Deutsche Telekom demanding Engadget discontinue using the color magenta, and today being what it is, we're putting up some new wallpaper on all the Engadget sites and ever so slightly tweaking Engadget Mobile's logo. We hope you approve!

P.S. -In a related side note, our old pals at Phone Scoop pinged us earlier this morning to let us know they've gone magenta for the day in an act of solidarity. Much love, Phone Scoop! Oh, and now so did Phone Arena, Fitch, and GearBits! Also, myself and some other eds are in on the action.

 

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Microsoft announces Windows Mobile 6.1, device upgrades

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Though it's been circulating through the user community (and a Sony Ericsson lab or two) for a little while now, Windows Mobile 6.1 had never gotten officially official in its own right -- until now. Microsoft has taken the wraps off the latest rendition of its mobile platform at CTIA today, a small step on the path to Windows Mobile 7 that'll provide Microsoft-based smartphones with a breath of fresh air starting later this year. The changes are expectedly minor as 0.1 releases tend to be, offering a new Getting Started Center to ease the process of setting up a new device, home screen tweaks, and -- finally -- true, native threaded SMS.

Additionally, Microsoft has announced that a phalanx of carriers and manufacturers have thrown their support behind upgrading devices that are already in the marketplace, which is exactly what we were hoping to hear. Everything from the Pantech Duo, to the AT&T Tilt, to the Sprint Mogul is getting 6.1 love beginning this quarter of the year -- though exact dates haven't been announced. Follow the break for the full list of devices on the upgrade list or have a peep at our 6.1 gallery over on Engadget Mobile!

Continue reading Microsoft announces Windows Mobile 6.1, device upgrades

 

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Samsung lets loose Blue Wave 3 firmware update for P2, T10 PMPs

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Samsung's first two "Blue Wave" firmware updates for its P2 and T10 PMPs came in relatively quick succession, but it's taken a bit longer for the third one to make its way out the door. Those in Korea can now give their players another boost, however, with the new Blue Wave 3 update apparently available for the taking. On the P2, that'll give you four new GUI themes, along with a new full screen mode, a calculator and dictionary, and new brightness and speed controls for video playback. The T10, on the other hand, will get a full ten new themes, along with three new games, a video bookmarking feature, horizontal viewing and AAC support, and the ability to delete files on the device itself. No word on a similar release 'round these parts just yet, but we wouldn't expect it to be too long in coming.

[Via PMP Today]

 

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3D VisWall makes scientists drool, your flat-panel weep

Filed under: Displays, HDTV

Rest assured, we've witnessed quite a few astounding scientific displays set deep within university research labs, but it'd be mighty hard to cover up the $350,000 monolith residing at the Tufts University School of Engineering. The VisWall, unsurprisingly a product of Visbox, combines twin backscreen projectors and sophisticated software in order to display 3D imagery for DNA junkies and budding surgeons to swoon over. Aside from giving researchers and students alike the ability to investigate chemical structures and cellular makeups more closely, the 8- x 14-foot screen also dabbles in haptics, giving remote holders the ability to "guide the manipulation of virtual scalpels or surgical tweezers onscreen." Sheesh, it's like giving kids a reason to attend class -- imagine that.

[Via CNET]

 

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Toshiba redesigns four Satellite families, intros Sleep-and-Charge USB ports

Filed under: Laptops, Peripherals

Just in case a completely ho hum 17-incher wasn't enough to keep your attention this morning, Toshiba is trumpeting its "design prowess" by introducing four "re-imagined" Satellites. As of today, the 13.3-inch U400, 14.1-inch M300, 15.4-inch A300 (pictured) and 17-inch P300 have all been ever-so-slightly refreshed with the outfit's Fusion Finish, Feather-Touch multimedia keys, white LED accents and built-in Dolby Sound Room technology. Additionally, Tosh is unveiling its totally useful Sleep-and-Charge USB ports, which enable users to charge up their portable gadgetry via USB regardless of whether the laptop is powered on / off or in Sleep mode (so long as it's tethered to an AC outlet, of course). Check out the gloating in full below.

Read - Toshiba Demonstrates Design Prowess with Four Re-Imagined Satellite Laptop
Read - Toshiba Unveils Innovative Sleep-and-Charge USB Ports

 

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NVIDIA's GeForce 9800 GTX officially launched, officially fast

Filed under: Desktops, Gaming

If you checked into those NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX benchmarks and felt they met with your high standards, now you can actually get one (or a bunch) into your rig. According to reports, the brain-laser of a graphics card can now be had (in various iterations) for the low, low price of $329.99 (at least from Newegg). And before you ask -- Crysis: Yes. Doom: Yes. Overlords: Welcome. Will blend: Yes. Russia: Benchmarks you.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

 

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