All posts from SlashGear

The storm of iPad preorders this morning has reportedly been “so overwhelming” that Apple’s customer services team are apparently warning would-be buyers that there may not be stock to pick up in-store come April 3rd.  According to multiple MacDailyNews readers, buyers who have contacted Apple’s customer card team to change their order from delivery to in-store collection are being told that the tablets may in fact be in short supply at their Saturday launch.

That’s because, to change from delivery to pick-up, the order must in fact be cancelled and then re-placed as an in-store collection.  However, the “overwhelming” number of orders have seemingly left Apple uncertain as to whether they’ll have sufficient store units to satisfy that demand.
It’s unclear whether this is a US-wide situation or limited to certain stores, and Apple themselves are yet to officially comment.  Previous rumors and leaks suggested that iPad production had faced issues and that initial numbers of devices would be limited; however they were quickly followed by reports apparently from component suppliers that production was on-track according to schedule.
Relevant Entries on SlashGearApple Store down: iPad incomingApple iPad up for preorder nowApple iPad pre-orders from February 25th?Apple iPad Keyboard Dock won’t ship until mid-ApriliPad dropping March 26th; “special gift” for store campers?

How long does it take to get an 8GB memory card to the market?  If you’re Eye-Fi, and the card is the WiFi 802.11n-toting Eye-Fi Pro X2, then it’s a couple of months; the company has announced that its latest wireless-enabled memory card is shipping from today, promising faster transfer speeds and improved overall performance.
According to the Eye-Fi blog, that’s all down to their new X2 engine, which bundles together a 200 MHz ARM926 processor with an MMU, dedicated flash and radio interface engines, and encryption acceleration hardware.  Combined, they’re good for improved WiFi-triangulation geotagging accuracy and “Endless Memory”, Eye-Fi’s new system whereby images and video are automatically deleted from the X2 once the card has verified that they’ve been correctly uploaded to the server.

The Eye-Fi Pro X2 will also come with Eye-Fi Center, the newest version of the company’s desktop manager app for PC and Mac.  Eye-Fi Center will also be available for existing Eye-Fi owners, though so far we can’t find it to download on their site.  As for the Eye-Fi Pro X2, that’s available for $149.99.
Relevant Entries on SlashGearASUS Eee Box EB1501 shipping today [Updated]iPod Shuffle 2nd Generation Now ShippingNow shipping: the Apple TVSamsung Spinpoint M6 500GB 2.5-inch notebook HDD – big things can come in small packagesToshiba ships AMD-based Satellite A215 notebook line

As expected after this morning’s report, Plastic Logic have officially confirmed that the launch of the QUE ebook reader will be delayed until Summer 2010.  In an official statement from company CEO Richard Archuleta, the decision is described as “to fine-tune the features and enhance the overall product experience.”

Plastic Logic are promising free shipping to preorder customers as an apology for the delay; the QUE was originally expected to ship in mid-April 2010.  The device – which uses an E Ink display like other ebook readers, but paired with a unique plastic backplane of Plastic Logic’s own design – is being positioned as a business device, with pricing to match.  The entry-level model kicks off at around $650.
Plastic Logic statement:
From: Richard Archuleta
Subject: QUE proReader Shipping Update
Thank you for being one of the first customers to order a QUE proReader from Plastic Logic. We appreciate your business.
Today, I wanted to personally inform you that we are postponing the first QUE proReader shipments until this Summer in order to fine-tune the features and enhance the overall product experience.
Within the next month we will send you an email with more details about your order. If you also ordered accessories for your QUE proReader, we plan to ship them at the same time as your QUE proReader.
I can imagine that you want to get your QUE proReader as soon as possible. We are sorry for the delay. For your inconvenience, the shipping charges will be on us.
Please note that we will not charge your credit card until your order is ready to ship.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email us at QUEhelp@PlasticLogic.com.
Once again, thank you for being one of our first QUE proReader customers.
Best regards,
Richard Archuleta
CEO
Plastic Logic
Relevant Entries on SlashGearPlastic Logic eReader displayPlastic Logic deny B&N color ebook reader in 2010Plastic Logic ebook reader video demo: touchscreen & page refreshSpring Design Alex on sale Tuesday March 16th?Plastic Logic e-reader gets 3G, new UI [Video]

From one delayed ebook reader to another, and it’s now the turn of the Spring Design Alex to throw some grist into the rumor mill.  According to our tipster the company’s Android-based dual display ereader – which has an E Ink panel up top and an LCD touchscreen underneath – will go on sale at the company’s site come Tuesday March 16th.

Spring Design had previously been promising early March 2010 availability for the Alex, though that time period came and went.  In fact, at time of posting the company’s store page still reads “Thanks for your patience. We’re almost ready with our Alex store. Keep checking in and by the first week of March you’ll be able to order your Alex online.”
Before that, a February 22nd release had been suggested.  We’ve got a request in with Spring Design for more information, and will update as and when we hear back from them.
Spring Design Alex hands-on demo:

[Thanks Alex!]
Relevant Entries on SlashGearAlex ereader preorders in early March say Spring DesignSpring Design Alex set to launch in “early spring”Spring Design and Google team to bring content to Alex eReaderSpring Design to officially unveil Alex eReader at CESSpring Design reveal NDA details over B&N nook copy case

If we’re being honest, we far prefer clever renders of what designers think the next-gen iPhone should look like rather than so-called “leaked” shots that smell unduly fake.  Italian design firm ADR Studio have thrown their oar in with this, the iPhone Pro, coupling iPad styling with some Transformer-like slide out panels offering gaming controls.

Video demo after the cut

It’s not the first time we’ve seen designers attempt to cater to gamers with their iPhone concepts.  Given Apple’s attempts in recent months to position the smartphone – and its iPod touch cousin – as a legitimate gaming handheld we wouldn’t be surprised if the company themselves were looking at how to make the control experience better, though we don’t imagine they’d quite take the step to giving the next-gen phone wings.
Elsewhere in the iPhone Pro concept there’s a MagSafe connector for easier charging, a bigger display and a front-facing camera for video calls.  The power button slips from the top to the back and gains some MacBook Pro style too.  We doubt this is what Apple really have lurking in the wings for release later this year, but it’s good enough to tide us over for a while at least.

[via Recombu]
Relevant Entries on SlashGearSmaller MacBook Pro MagSafe Power AdapterNokia iPhone-rival conceptApple recalls MacBook Pro MagSafe adaptersThe Replug – It’s like a MagSafe Adapter for your headphonesPSP Phone concept, I think I like this one the best

It’s been a rough few weeks for the folks at Palm. First false rumors about Palm shutting down production lines, followed by less than stellar results have once again started the usual suspects putting Palm on either some death watch or have them about to be sold to (insert vendor’s name here _____). Regarding the second, I don’t believe Jon Rubenstein came out of retirement to build a world class product only to have it sold to (insert vendor’s name here _____). But with regards to the whole death watch theme, Palm reminds me a lot of TiVo these days. It’s not just the death watch meme that’s plagued TiVo for years, it’s the fact that Palm suffers from their own version of the TiVo paradox.

What’s the TiVo paradox? It’s a term I coined to explain how hard it is to market the contextual value of features. A distinct conflict existed between consumer understanding of TiVo features and their ability to value the functionality. This was the TiVo paradox. While the purpose of TiVo features was clear and consumers valued features exclusive to TiVo, they don’t learn to appreciate the entire package of features until they used them. The net result was a rabid fan base of users who loved and praised the product and other users who couldn’t understand the cost of a $500 “digital VCR”.
TiVo’s features were relevant to the TV viewing experience based on a user’s immediate contextual need; the pause and rewind live TV feature is the killer feature for a sports fan, while remote access to the electronic programming guide is key to the busy traveler’s DVR experience. Without trying these features, users are unaware of their overall value as they come together as a whole. Want to pause TV when the phone rings? That’s the killer app at that moment. Recording a show using an EPG to simply search for it? That’s the killer app at that moment. Skipping commercials when you watch recorded content? That’s the killer app at that moment. Contextual functionality ONLY comes together when you get to see the whole, not a piece or part. When you see only pieces, you just get a very expensive VCR not a TiVo.
This is exactly the issue I think Palm is having right now.
Palm’s features by themselves are not “killer applications”. In fact, they look a lot at the surface like most of the other phones that are out there. There are, however, a multitude of features related to things like Synergy that are totally contextual, that at a given moment in time BECOME the killer app for using the device. It’s something you see reflected in the base of the webOS user. Those who use webOS are totally fans of the experience and don’t discuss issues such as a lack of applications. They focus on the contextual experience that delivers on the notion of mobile social context.
The problem for Palm (as TiVo learned) is this is a nasty marketing problem since there’s no good way to get the message across in 30 seconds. It’s important for Palm to start focusing it’s marketing on getting the message of mobile social context out there; at the same time Palm needs a better way to leverage the fan base that make up webOS users, since those are the folks who have made the leap of faith and for whom the light bulb has already lit up. I don’t think Palm is anywhere close to being down and out but they need to re-think how to tell a great story of engineering and technical achievement and break the Palm Paradox.
Relevant Entries on SlashGearParadox will give your game the edge you needPalm delays upcoming OS – Is this the beginning of the end?Sprint Palm Centro launch date is Sept 27?One-million Palm Centro sold – Youngsters and Woman love itPalm’s New Treo 680

Rumors of a Sony PSP Go relaunch seem all the more believable this week, as the latest – unofficial – sales figures for the handheld are released in Japan.  According to market watchers Media Create, Sony sold a mere 1,275 PSP Go devices in the first week of March; contrast that with Sony’s own PSP, which sold 64,808 devices in the same period.

In fact, in the ten week period between December 28th 2009 and March 7th 2010, Sony are believed to have shifted a grand total of 17,618 PSP Go units.  Again, that pales in comparison to the regular PSP, of which 667,961 were sold.

[via CrunchGear]
Relevant Entries on SlashGearWii remains king in the Japanese market, outsold PS3 6-to-1 last monthPS3 sales are up 135% since Sony announced price cutSony finances still dire: PS3 and PSP sales crashSony PSPgo is selling well in US after allSony cuts price on UK PS3, sales go through the roof

A trio of new Lenovo LCD displays have been outed, though so far they’re yet to show up on the company’s own site.  The Lenovo L2261 Wide and L2361p Wide are 21.5- and 23-inches in size, while the Lenovo L2461x Wide with Multitouch is 23.6-inches and, as the name suggests, offers a multitouch-capable touchscreen layer.  All three support Full HD 1080p.

The Lenovo L2261 Wide has 250cd/m2 brightness and a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, along with an anti-glare screen coating and an integrated PSU.  Connectivity includes VGA and HDCP-compliant DVI-D, though no HDMI, and the display adjusts for tilt and swivel but won’t rotate for portrait use.
As for the Lenovo L2351p Wide, that looks a whole lot more like an LCD HDTV and gains an HDMI input too; it also has a 0.3-megapixel webcam, speakers and a microphone, along with a three port USB 2.0 hub.  It too offers 250cd/m2 brightness and a 1,000:1 contrast ratio.
Finally, the Lenovo L2461x Wide with Multitouch has a 2-megapixel webcam, speakers and microphone, along with HDMI and VGA, a four-port USB 2.0 hub and an LED lightbar that’s controllable from a capacitive touchstrip.  There are also various Windows shortcut buttons on the front panel, while specs include 300cd/m2 brightness and 1,000:1 contrast.
According to the three datasheets (in the gallery below) all of the new monitors will arrive in March 2010.  No official word on pricing, but Thinkpads have dug up a couple of listings ranging from $549 to $1149 for the L2461x.

Relevant Entries on SlashGearLenovo 22-inch widescreen HD monitor an WUXGA industry-firstLenovo opts for widescreen-only in mainstream notebook rangeOne evening in Vegas with Lensbaby’s composer and 0.42x Super Wide LensEpson unveils Two Entry Level D7 LCD PanelsLenovo Introduced D221 Widescreen LCD

If you’re still wavering about slapping in your credit card details for an iPad preorder, perhaps some new tidbits about functionality might change your mind.  Apple have quietly added a few new details to their iBooks and 3G pages, including confirmation that readers will be able to load non-DRM ePUB format titles to their iPad via iTunes.

That accompanies support for Apple’s own, DRM-encrypted ebooks and digital content that will be purchased on-device through the iBookstore.  Previously, while we’d known which format Apple would be using, it was unclear whether titles from outside of the iBooks ecosystem would be supported.  Still, it looks like there’ll be no way to download such content directly onto the iPad itself.
Meanwhile Apple have thrown up some screenshots of the 3G management system by which owners of the iPad WiFi + 3G models will be able to control their mobile data usage.  As well as being able to sign up and cancel on-device, there’ll also be a running total – useful for those on the 250MB package ($14.99 per month) – and the ability to switch between that and the unlimited data package ($29.99) or add a one-off 250MB boost ($14.99).  It’s also been made clear that you can sign up and cancel as often as you like.

[via Everything iPad 1 and 2]
Relevant Entries on SlashGearFirst shots of an iPad game detailed and revealedHow Penguin envisions books on the iPad [Video]iPhone SDK 3.2 beta: “Start Developing Your iPad Apps”Adobe push ePUB tools in “closed Kindle” smackdownApple iPad accessories: Keyboard Dock, case & more

Bizarre PC cases are nothing new, but Lian Li’s PC-T1R Spider does manage to look different even in that unusual crowd.  Described as a “test bench” case – that is, one which leaves the components open and accessible for frequent tinkerers – the PC-T1R takes a mini-ITX board and a slimline optical drive, while looking like a spider with half its regular legs.

techPowerUp got their hands on a pre-production version, and they seem impressed.  It’s the distinctive looks which swung opinion for the Lian Li; they actually say it’s not much of a test bench case, since you need to do some serious cable tying if you want to keep them out of the way, and the whole thing flexes around the multiple joints.
Still, we can see the new Lian Li garnering the same sort of fanbase as flocked to the Antec Skeleton, one of the better known – and similarly eye-catching – test bench cases of late.  Lian Li are yet to announce final pricing, but the PC-T1R Spider is expected to come in at around €150 ($205) and be available in black or red.

[via CaseModBlog]
Relevant Entries on SlashGearLian Li add eSATA to front I/O bayThe Spider Universal Car Holder holds your gadgetsLian Li offers two new mid tower PC casesThe Karlsson Spider ClockLian Li XB01: quieter DVD playback but gaming still loud

The Apple Store is back, and as expected the iPad is available for preorder.  Apple’s touchscreen tablet is currently available to order in its WiFi-only form, priced from $499 with 16GB of flash storage.  Orders placed today are expected to ship on April 3rd in the US.

However, while Apple Stores worldwide went down, only the US one is actually accepting preorders.  In fact the updated store is still to confirm pricing for the iPad outside of the US, something which Apple have proved reluctant to tell us about.
Of course, if you want a 3G-enabled version of the iPad – which uses an unlocked GSM modem (with AT&T compatible bands, though not T-Mobile USA) and a microSIM card – you’ll have to wait a little longer.  Those models are set to arrive in late-April 2010, priced at $629, $729 and $829 respectively for the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models.  So, who’s preordering today?  Let us know in the comments.
Relevant Entries on SlashGearApple iPad Keyboard Dock won’t ship until mid-AprilApple Store down: iPad incomingApple iPad pre-orders from February 25th?iPad shipping announcement escalates Apple shares to record highiPad dropping March 26th; “special gift” for store campers?

Hoping to pick up one of Apple’s more useful iPad accessories along with your iPad preorder?  Unfortunately it looks like early-adopters will have to suffer with the onscreen keyboard for a while, as according to the Apple Store the iPad Keyboard Dock – while available to purchase now – won’t ship until mid-April 2010.

That’s in contrast to most of the other official iPad accessories, which are listed as set to ship in time for April 3rd.  The official Apple iPad case comes in at $39 while the iPad Dock Connector to VGA adapter is $29.  If you can cope without the QWERTY and just want a docking station, the iPad Dock is $29 and will also ship for April 3rd.
In fact, the only later accessory is the Apple iPad 10W USB Power Adapter, which is priced at $29 but not expected to ship until late-April.  Looks like heavy iPad users will have to get used to carrying their AC adapter between home and the office until then.
Relevant Entries on SlashGearApple iPad official accessories pricedApple iPad accessories: Keyboard Dock, case & moreApple iPad up for preorder nowApple Store down: iPad incomingiPad dropping March 26th; “special gift” for store campers?