Author Archives: Stefan Etienne

Founded tech site LaptopMemo. 16-years-old, loves tea, tennis, reading, tech, gaming, + more.

Apple Patent for pen-based tablet input makes me feel suspicious

November 12, 2009 9:18 AM ⋅

apple-pen-based-tablet-ink-patent-application

Another Apple patent. This time it’s for pen-based tablet input. Translation: Apple has filed a patent for a pen that works in a special way with a tablet. Let’s take a deeper look in here:

“Upon the occurrence of an ink phrase termination event, the ink manager notifies the handwriting recognition engine and organizes the preceding ink strokes into an ink phrase data structure…The present invention, in large part, relates to the observation that client applications and handwriting recognition software in pen-based computer systems can make far more accurate ink-related decisions based on entire ink phrases, rather than individual ink strokes.”

That means that pen would be used with some tablet, and if you put them together, you could say “Apple Tablet”. Here we go again, which is why this is in the “Rumors” category. But hey, we all know Apple will make the tablet, right?

Posted in: Rumors, Tablets ⋅ Tagged: , , , , ,

Motorola DROID gets a teardown for your pleasure

November 11, 2009 7:34 PM ⋅

500x_gqfmkwfquxcsidmw.large

As usual a new gadget must be sacrificed so we can see its insides. iFixit usually takes on that task, so here’s iFixit’s teardown of the robotic, smart, and well-priced Motorola DROID.

[iFixit]

Posted in: Android, Mobile ⋅ Tagged: , , , ,

HTC Sprint Hero hands-on

November 11, 2009 6:53 PM ⋅

sprint-hero-front

Well, here’s something I wanted to post for a long time. HTC was kind enough to send in a Sprint Hero, and so far Android 1.5 aka “Cupcake” it’s doing its job. Battery life is an issue, but speed and multitasking overshadows these. HTC’s UI is just amazing, and then the heat generated from the back cover is another issue in another category. The looks aren’t too pretty, but the raw power is;  from the touchscreen to the 5.0 megapixel camera (which can barely take a shot without getting blurry). And did I mention the speed?  I’ll post a review up soon, in the meantime enjoy the shots.

Read More →

Posted in: Android, Exclusive, Hardware, Reviews ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,

3D games finaly come to Zune HD; they’re free

November 11, 2009 10:31 AM ⋅

pgr_zune

After nearly 2 months there are finally some games for the Zune HD. Project Gotham: Ferrari Edition is one of them. All the games are in 3D, and they’re all free. Other games including Lucky Lane Bowling, Vans Sk8: Pool Service, Piano, Checkers, and Audiosurf: Tilt. That’s right, everybody’s favorite audio surfing game is on the Zune HD.  So get downloading, what can possibly stop you now?

Read More →

Posted in: Breaking, Gadgets ⋅ Tagged: , , , , ,

Nokia N900 finally sees the light: It’s shipping

November 10, 2009 7:06 PM ⋅

N900

It’s about time! The Nokia N900 is now shipping, and there’s no stopping it.  Running off the Maemo 5 OS, the N900 will retail for 500€ ($749 USD), but some US retail sites have it for less. It’s a great day for Nokia smartphone fanboys and fangirls. The full specs:

  • Maemo 5 OS
  • 3.5-inch WVGA (800 x 480) resistive touchscreen display
  • 110.9 × 59.8 × 18mm, 181g
  • Portrait-orientation sliding QWERTY
  • Mozilla-based browser, full Adobe Flash support
  • ARM cortex A8 processor
  • 32GB internal memory
  • 5.0 MP Carl Zeiss camera with dual-LED flash, auto-focus and sliding cover
  • MicroSDHC support up to 16GB
  • FM transmitter
  • Quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE, WCDMA 900/1700/2100, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth with A2DP
  • GPS
  • 1320 mAh battery

Official video is after the jump.

Read More →

Posted in: Mobile, Nokia ⋅ Tagged: , , , ,

Nvidia Tablet: SOLVED. It’s a ODM protoype

November 10, 2009 4:36 PM ⋅

500x_nvidia-tablet

Earlier this morning I talked about the Nvidia CEO begging to provide the  GPU of the Apple Tablet. And while he was displaying his love for everything Apple, there was a tablet on the table. That tablet is only an Nvidia Tegra prototype called ICD.

It’s being sent to major carriers all over the world, and according to Engadget the supposed OS it’s running is Windows CE with a resistive touchscreen, upgrades which include Android and capacitive screens, and multiple screen sizes. Apparently,  the release date they’re targeting is March 2010, and T-Mobile has something to do with it. Maybe wireless coverage? Hmm. Boring.

[Engadget]

Posted in: Tablets ⋅ Tagged: , , , ,

Detailed HTC Dragon screens found; the name is actually Dragon

November 10, 2009 11:13 AM ⋅

dragon-learn-more

After some intense searching (and leaking), I’ve come across some detailed pics of the HTC Dragon running Android. It’s obvious that it’s running Android 2.0 with Sense UI. The codename is possibly “Zoom 2″, because of the high-res screen, which is 800×480 pixels. But what sucks, is that these pics are too small, and making them larger would distort them.

There is a screen though that gives the official URL for the Dragon, but redirects you back to HTC’s homepage.  So, what all of this means is that the HTC Passion is actually called the Dragon, it’s sporting a very pretty screen, 3G wireless, a 5 megapixel camera, and GPS.

[Thanks! - Anonymous]

Posted in: Android, Exclusive, Mobile ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Supposed pic of HTC Passion/Dragon screen shows up

November 10, 2009 10:17 AM ⋅

htc-dragon

This is only speculation, but at BGR the above pic is believed to be a shot of a Verizon handset, and that Verizon handset is believed to be the HTC Dragon/Passion. It’s also predicted the it will have a 5 megapixel camera, and Android 2.0. Okay, okay, this is still just a rumor, but it does look like Android 2.0 with Sense UI installed.[BGR]

Posted in: Android, Rumors ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , ,

Nvidia CEO dying to provide chips for the Apple Tablet

November 10, 2009 9:24 AM ⋅

nvidia_tablet_jen

2 new things we learned about the Apple Tablet. One, the Nvidia CEO is an Apple wannabee, two, he would get do anything to provide an Nvidia chip for it.

Here was his declaration of being a true Apple fan:

[In my home we are] all Apple. Apple uses the best technology for their [computers]. Apple says to their customers: if you buy a computer from us you can be sure we have selected the best technology inside for you. That is their promise to consumers. Their promise to consumers isn’t we’ve selected the best technology for you with the exception of what Intel allows us to use. That’s not their promise. And that’s why Apple uses the best technology where they want whenever they want. And that’s why I’m all Apple! At home it’s just Macs everywhere. It’s Nvidia’s technology in all of them but I use Macs. My son has two Macs, my daughter has a Mac, there’s an extra Mac just in case and my wife has a Mac. It’s just Mac, Mac, Mac! Because I know it’s got the best stuff inside.

He looks desperate doesn’t he? But what’s more interesting is that photo. He never said anything about the tablet that was on that table. It was a tablet that was on the table, right?!

[Shufflegazine]

Posted in: Apple, Tablets ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Google offering free Wi-Fi for the holidays in 41 airports

November 10, 2009 9:11 AM ⋅

logo_sm

This is Google’s gift for the holidays. Free Wi-Fi at 47 airports, across the country. The free service starts today and continues until  January 15. But just one thing:  When you connect to the network you’ll be poked with a little treat from Google. You’d be given the question if you want your homepage to be  Google and if you want to try out Google Chrome. The other option is making a donation to Engineers Without Borders, One Economy Corporation, or the Climate Savers Computing Initiative.  But, hey, it’s free!

In the meantime, Microsoft and Yahoo are both in freebie mode. Yahoo has been offering free Wi-Fi in Times Square, and Microsoft will giving out free Wi-Fi at other hotels and airports.

The list of hotels is after the jump. [Google]

Read More →

Posted in: Google ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,