Hey, what's this? We just started hearing rumors this morning that Microsoft was planning a new Xbox 360 controller with an improved D-pad, and bang -- Major Nelson just went live with a YouTube video detailing the new piece. The new D-pad is a trick new patented design that's just as we heard from Joystiq: it's a disc in the normal configuration, but a quick twist raises the crossbars about a quarter-inch, making it eminently more usable. (That sound you hear is joyous weeping.) The analog sticks have also been slightly tweaked to be concave, and -- wonder of wonders -- the ABXY buttons are now translucent monochrome instead of colored. Wild. The new matte silver controller will only come bundled with the Play and Charge kit for $64.99 when it launches on November 9 in the States and replaces the existing wireless controller -- it'll hit Europe around February. Yep, it definitely seems like a major upgrade, but we've got a couple questions: when will it replace the packed-in controller? What about all the people who just bought new Stealthboxes and got the older controller? And, most importantly, when can we have one to try out? We're pressing for answers and we'll let you know -- check the video after the break in the meantime.

[Thanks, Bill]

Continue reading New Xbox 360 controller with improved D-pad confirmed by Major Nelson, $65 on November 9

New Xbox 360 controller with improved D-pad confirmed by Major Nelson, $65 on November 9 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We know the full-QWERTY, horizontal-slider C900 will be LG’s first Windows Phone 7 device to debut here in the States. However, it looks like a full touch-screen iteration of the C900, labeled the E900, exists as well; possibly headed to Europe. The E900 gets a 6:20 walkthrough on YouTube courtesy of Mr. BlurryCam. The top and sides of the device have that Samsung Captivate look to them while the bottom is more rounded and contains the required Back, Home, and Search keys. Hit the jump, check out the video, and let us know what you think of the hardware.

[Via WMPowerUser]

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Looking for yet another Mini 10 netbook? How's about one with a curvaceous chassis modeled after the Inspiron R series? Dell's just pushed out the Inspiron Mini 1018 across the pond, offering a £279 ($434) starting price along with a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N455 processor, a 10.1-inch WSVGA (1,024 x 600) resolution display, Windows 7 Starter, 1GB of DDR3 memory, 802.11n WiFi, a 250GB hard drive, inbuilt webcam and a fresh coat of Obsidian Black paint. It's available now for those in the correct region, but the outfit has already stated that it'll be shipping to other lands "soon." Stoked, aren't ya?

[Thanks, iamnotjamesh]

Dell ships 10.1-inch Inspiron Mini 1018 to Europe, heading elsewhere soon originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 04:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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That rumored white Galaxy S for Europe is looking closer to reality now that Samsung has announced a "Snow White" version of the M110S -- the particular flavor of the burgeoning Galaxy S series that it sells in its own backyard of South Korea. Notably, this puppy lacks the white bezel we'd seen in the European rumor, but regardless, it's still a whole lot paler than any version we've seen launch thus far. No word yet on what sort of space-age materials, science, and technology went in to getting this thing manufactured as of press time; if your interest is sufficiently piqued, SKT is the carrier you're going to want to hit up.

Samsung, it turns out, knows how to make a white Galaxy S originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 02:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The leaks weren't wrong, they just weren't the whole story. A 160GB PlayStation 3 Slim is indeed coming to the US -- Europe, too -- but additionally, there's a heftier 320GB Sports Champions Move bundle. The former standalone console is available now stateside for $299, and according to the GamesCom press conference, Europeans will have to wait until October for 299 Euros. As for the biggie, which includes the game and one-player Move package, that's due out September 19th in US (or September 15th across the pond) for $399 and 349 Euros, respectively -- just in time for holiday shopping sprees.

160GB PS3 Slim, 320GB Move bundle coming to US and Europe this fall originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First of all, don't worry, the spontaneously combusting Nano isn't among the pair of newly Euro-bound EVs from Tata. Going slightly more upmarket, the Indian company will be launching the Indica Vista EV hatchback for eco-conscious Brits and Scandinavians early next year, alongside the somewhat less exciting Ace, a commercial mini-truck. The Indica Vista has clearly had a few trials and tribulations in coming to market in an all-electric form, having originally been promised to Norwegian tree huggers for 2009, so let's just hope that this schedule is the one that sticks. It's about time this whole EV movement got some more affordable options.

Tata bringing two all-electric cars to a Europe near you by March originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Clearwire has long said that they have the technology, spectrum, and expertise to move from WiMax to LTE if necessary, and a press released today seems to reiterate that. Clearwire announced that it would: “conduct 4G LTE technology trials [...] in the U.S., and [...] test multiple coexistence scenarios between LTE and WiMAX radio technologies.” The release goes on to state that Clearwire, “expects the technical trials to demonstrate that Clearwire’s 4G network can deliver significantly higher performance using LTE technologies than any other operator,” and that they plan to “conduct the tests in collaboration with Huawei Technologies.” Huawei is the company that provided the infrastructure to the world’s first commercial LTE network in Europe. Who’s ready for a Verizon Wireless v. Clearwire LTE speed war! Hit the read link for the full release.

[Via Phone Scoop]

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Nikon Rumors does its best to keep an ear to the ground on DSLR whispers of a certain company. This time, however, the whispers might resonate a bit louder as they bounce off the rocky walls of Page, Arizona-based Canyons. It's here that the site claims commercial shots are or have been taken related to the Nikon D3100, an oft-rumored memory-capturing device (at one time apparently was called the D4000) for the company that might include 1080p video with a continuous autofocus mode. NR seems pretty certain this camera will rear its interchangeable head for at least one of the multiple press events across Europe that Nikon has scheduled for August 19th. Then again, if it's not the D3100, we wonder what the camera maker does have in store for then.

Nikon D3100 shooting around Page, Arizona in run-up to August 19th press events? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 19:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC has released a statement to let all those Europeans owning an unlocked HTC Desire know that they will start getting Android 2.2 this weekend. The update will have the latest version of HTC’s Sense UI, improved 720p video capture mode, iTunes integration, and its enhanced Caller ID. For American owners waiting for their cone of Froyo, this is just further proof that HTC has Android 2.2, complete with Sense, ready to rock… it’s only a matter of time now! We’ve got the full statement after the break.

The Android 2.2 (FroYo) update for HTC Desire will start rolling out across Europe this weekend. As well as including the complete set of Android 2.2 features, the update will contain a few special additions of our own through the latest iteration of HTC Sense. The update will provide 720p video capture, HTC’s App Share widget, as well as our enhanced HTC Caller ID, and improved multi-language keyboard. Also, through the update, HTC Sync will allow HTC Desire users to sync their music with iTunes.

HTC Desire users will be notified that the over-the-air update is available to download when their phone automatically checks for software updates. The update won’t delete any of the phone’s content. However, due to the size of the update, we would advise using a WiFi connection to download it wherever possible to avoid additional data charges.

This update will initially roll out to unlocked HTC Desire handsets. Operator specific versions of the update are undergoing testing and we expect to make them available in several weeks’ time.

Folks looking to snag a Nexus One before the Android handset disappears into the sunset are encouraged to make their purchase as soon as possible. Google has received its last shipment of Nexus One handsets from HTC and is selling off its remaining stock. Though the Nexus One will still be available through Vodafone in Europe and KT in Korea, the developer stock available from Google will soon be gone. Login to your Android developer account and grab this piece of Android history while you still can.

[Via IntoMobile]

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We knew this was eventually coming, and here it is: Google is giving everyone the heads-up that it just got a fresh batch of Nexus Ones in stock, and once they've been sold through, they'll no longer be offered directly through the company's online store. For what it's worth, the customer service lines will stay open even after that happens -- and you'll still be able to buy a phone through KT in South Korea, Vodafone in Europe, and "possibly other [retailers] based on local market conditions" -- but by and large, your average American is going to have a hard time getting one pretty shortly. If you're a registered Android developer, though, Google's looking at continuing to offer the device through some sort of sales partner -- a wise move considering it'll be just about the only thing you can buy unlocked running a clean-slate latest build.

Google halting Nexus One sales through official store after current inventory depleted originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apparently Microsoft has come to the realization that, much like the hipsters it was targeting with the device, no one wants to be caught dead with a KIN. Microsoft has confirmed that the two devices are toast. Here is what their PR people said.

We have made the decision to focus exclusively on Windows Phone 7 and we will not ship KIN in Europe this fall as planned. Additionally, we are integrating our KIN team with the Windows Phone 7 team, incorporating valuable ideas and technologies from KIN into future Windows Phone releases. We will continue to work with Verizon in the U.S. to sell current KIN phones.”

Good riddance, we say.

The great thing about the HD2 is that it remains one of the most gorgeous pieces of smartphone hardware ever released -- but as long as it's saddled with the dead OS walking known as Windows Mobile 6.5, its stature in the power user community is perpetually stuck in first gear, no matter how pretty HTC has managed to make it. To that end, some of those very same power users have been working tirelessly to salvage the beast and shoehorn Android on there, but they've been tripped up by some errors involving the phone's Snapdragon core and the so-called HaRET tool used to boot Linux from Windows CE-based devices that have made a proper port seem all but impossible. Those hurdles have been overcome in the past couple days, though, which means a marginally consumer-friendly Android build might finally be within reach -- and considering that there's no proper EVO 4G equivalent from HTC in Europe yet, this project could have an awful lot of value.

[Thanks, Aaron H.]

Android port for HTC HD2 overcomes big hurdle, finally getting close originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Well, it's not June 1st, but Nike+ users now finally have a heart rate monitor to help kick their training up a notch in the form of the just-announced Polar WearLink+. That is naturally compatible with all Nike+ gear, and it will let you see your BPM at a glance on your Nike+ SportBand, or hear spoken feedback of your BPM while you run on your iPod nano. The heart rate monitor will even work with Polar's own range of training computers and Polar-compatible fitness equipment at the same time, and it has a soft textile chest strap that promises to "seamlessly adapt" to your body shape (it's also thankfully machine-washable). Look for the strap to be available in the US this month for $69.95, with a release in Canada and Europe set to follow in July. Full press release is after the break.

Continue reading Polar and Nike announce WearLink+ heart rate monitor for Nike+

Polar and Nike announce WearLink+ heart rate monitor for Nike+ originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Jun 2010 02:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This is going to be a wild one, folks -- the podcast crew is spread across the country and we've got Darren and Joanna live at Computex in Taiwan, so we're doing this one late-night style. Just call it Wake Up Europe with Josh, Paul, and Nilay. Buckle up and get cozy in the chat below, we'll see you at 12AM EST!

P.S.- And hey, don't forget that Ustream has Android and iPhone apps if you're out and about and can't join in on the Flash-based fun below.

Continue reading The Engadget Podcast, live at midnight EST!

The Engadget Podcast, live at midnight EST! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Jun 2010 23:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola's quirky square-shaped Android 2.1 creation has just become official, courtesy of the company's YouTube channel.The Flipout brings a 2.8-inch, 320 x 240 screen (Kin killer!), a 3 megapixel camera with "one-touch" uploads to Facebook, MySpace and photo-hosting sites, and a refreshed implementation of Motoblur, which now includes resizable widgets, feed filters, and push corporate email. We hear that last feature is a real must-have with the target audience of this device.Video of the Flipout can be found just after the break, and Euro readers can expect it imminently, as the listed Q2 2010 launch date basically means it'll be out by month's end. Wonder how they'll price a curious creature like this.

[Thanks, Martin]

Continue reading Motorola Flipout official: Android 2.1 and enhanced Motoblur coming to Europe in Q2 2010 (video)

Motorola Flipout official: Android 2.1 and enhanced Motoblur coming to Europe in Q2 2010 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 05:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There's no shortage of Motorola buzz going around lately -- thing is, nearly all of that buzz is focused on the Verizon side of the camp. What about the other six-odd national carriers in the States and Canada, five of which are using GSM? Well, for you guys, we submit this so-called XT502 -- a phone that may be codenamed "Greco" thanks to the naming of the image file found over in the Bluetooth SIG's certification directory. We can't gather much from the microscopic image the SIG is using, but they've kindly listed radio details, which indicates we can expect a triband HSPA setup working on the 850, 1900, and 2100MHz bands -- perfect for AT&T, Bell, Telus, and Rogers with a little dash of Europe thrown in for good measure. It'll also have WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, and AGPS; in other words, all the basics you expect on a modern Android device. No word on a release plan, but at least it'll be coming out with some totally legal Bluetooth, right?

Motorola XT502 another Android phone for North America? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 May 2010 22:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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