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AP - Patrick Swayze says his yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer put him "through hell" while he pushed ahead on his new TV series.

It's been expected for months, now Asus has announced its Eee PC T91 convertible tablet ripe for a fresh Windows 7 tossing. The 2-pound (right, two!), 1-inch thick tablet features an 8.9-inch LED backlit touch panel riding atop Intel's Z520 Atom processor. It also features a TV-tuner and built-in GPS. No other details yet but it won't be long.Filed under: LaptopsEee PC T91 convertible tablet lives originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Pfff, forget those itty bitty Eee PC SSDs. Asus' 12.2-inch mini laptop weighs less than 3-pounds and offers 8-hours of unplugged freedom with some help from Intel's Atom Z520 processor and ASUS' own Syper Hybrid Engine tech. Most notable is that massive (price too we expect) 512GB SSD, a world's first in a laptop according to ASUS. No price or dates yet, expect those along side the official press release later today.Filed under: LaptopsAsus' S121 with world's first 512GB SSD originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gadgets/Asus_Eee_Keyboard_Back_to_Basics_in_an_Awesome_Way'; The Eee train won't stop until all consumer electronics have been assimilated. Today Asus introduced the world to the Eee Keyboard, a full-sized keyboard with built-in PC including WiFi (and Ethernet), speaker, mic, and 5-inch interactive display and touchscreen. It weighs less than 2 pounds and connects to existing displays. Well, it would if it was more than a concept, which, knowing Asus, means someday soon.Gallery: Asus Eee Keyboard revealed Filed under: Desktops, PeripheralsAsus' Eee Keyboard revealed originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

AP - Who's the fiance?

Ok, so it may not be quite the brain-wired contraption that the name suggests, but this so-called NeuroActive Bike is still pretty unique in its own right, and it could possibly be headed to a gym near you. Apparently, the bike has already turned up at a handful of gyms in Canada and France, and the company behind it, Brain Center America, has now announced that it'll be headed to some Lady of America Fitness Centers in the US. The bike itself is basically a standard exercise bike with a built-in Brain Age-type game, which BCA says includes 22 different "brain-stimulating exercises" that'll train different parts of your brain as you work out. No word on a home version just yet, unfortunately, but the basic software is actually available separately if you want to have a go at building your own rig -- and if you do, be sure to send us some pictures. Filed under: Misc. GadgetsNeuroActive Bike promises to train your brain as you work out originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

With Phil doing the honors, nobody really thought Apple was planning on revolutionizing anything this morning -- sure, there were plenty of rumors, like always, but most people weren't expecting the moon. What we were expecting, however, was for Apple to come clean on a few things, so bear with us as we file this missing persons report.Notably absent:

• Push notifications. This was supposed to roll out in September and is sorely needed.
• Snow Leopard. Last June Apple said the OS was due in "about a year," so we would expect to start hearing a bit more about it -- or at least notification of a delay.

Woulda been nice:

• Matte display options for other MacBooks. Pretty please?
• Mac mini refresh. The little box has become woefully underspecced -- especially for the price -- and is also lagging a little in the design department.
• A mid-range tower. This is just wishful thinking, but seriously Apple: the demand is there.
• iPhone 32GB. In pink, of course.

Dodged a bullet (for now):

• iPhone nano. Our hands aren't getting any smaller, and this SimCity isn't gonna get plumbing all on its own.
• iTablet. Sure, it's been every Netwton-head's dream since forever, but that doesn't mean the market for a UMPC-ish iPod touch-like device is there just yet.

Yeah, Apple doesn't have to do anything -- in fact, that yearly grind of expectation is probably one of the reasons the company is bowing out of Macworld altogether -- but would it really be too much trouble to at least drop some verbage on some of this stuff? Just wondering, is all. Oh, and in case you're more of a visual type, Apple's video of the keynote is now online, hit up the read link for all the non-action.Filed under: DesktopsMacworld '09: a show of no-shows originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Around 1.5 years ago, we were all sitting around in awe of the ultra-dense Barracuda 7200.10. Now, Seagate has doubled up on that gigabyte-per-platter milestone with the Barracuda 7200.12. As of this week, the desktop hard drive with the industry's highest areal density (329 Gigabits per square inch, for those curious) is shipping, as the firm's engineers have somehow figured out how to squeeze 500GB onto a single disk. The 3.5-inch 7,200RPM drive touts a SATA interface, a sustained data rate of up to 160MB/second and a burst speed of 3Gb/second. It's available as we speak in 500GB, 750GB and 1TB capacities, though there's no telling how much coin you'll be asked to lay down in order to take home the bragging rights.[Via TG Daily]Filed under: StorageSeagate's Barracuda 7200.12 HD packs 500GB per platter originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Little known Lok8u has traveled all the way from the UK to be in Vegas this week, but it's certainly not for the despicable reasons you think. In fact, the locations services company is setting up shop at CES in order to debut its Nuo.M8 GPS child locator, a so-called "innovative new best friend for parents and children." The device is said to be the first of its kind created specifically to be worn by children with the technology "cleverly concealed within a child's digital watch." Granted, the styling is questionable for youngsters over 9 or 10, but by that age they ought to be toting their very own beeper, right? Of note, the watch will also send an alert if it's ever "forcibly removed," though it'll cost you £149.99 ($218) for the peace of mind come Spring.Filed under: CES, GPSLok8u launches Nu•M8 GPS child locator watch at CES originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

3.5's the magic number with Pharos' new Windows Mobile-based offering: 3.5-inch display -- wide VGA, no less -- and 3.5G data. The Traveler 137 rolls deep with the best HTC has to offer (owing in no small part to their ODM partnership with Inventec, we figure) with 512MB of Flash, 256MB of RAM, AGPS, 7.2Mbps HSPA on T-Mobile USA (seriously!) and European bands, WiFi, 3-megapixel cam, and the kitchen sink thrown in for good measure. Kinda sounds like a keyboardless X1, doesn't it? Look for it to hit retailers this quarter for a nickel under $600.Filed under: Cellphones, HandheldsPharos rolls out Traveler 137, coming this quarter for $599.95 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

And, fortunately they are. These pics of the on-even-when-it-isn't Digital Photo TV and slimmer-than-the-slimmest 47-inch concept panels come straight from our inbox to your eyes. The Digital Photo TV, surprisingly, displays a picture, while this 47-inch LED backlit display undercuts LG's own just-announced panel with its mere 8.9mm depth. Go ahead, be amazed, we won't blame you. Check the full PR after the break for more of the surprises LG has in store.Gallery: LG Prototype Displays CES 2009Continue reading LG Digital Photo TV and slimmed down LED prototypes should be in picturesFiled under: CES, Displays, HDTV, Home EntertainmentLG Digital Photo TV and slimmed down LED prototypes should be in pictures originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Can you say "diversify?" WowWee can, and it's saying it loudly and proudly here at CES 2009. While the company has surely dabbled in areas outside of straight-up robotics before, it's never taken it upon itself to product a suite of pico projectors nor pets designed solely as sleeping companions. No need to wipe the sand from your eyes -- the same company responsible for Mr. Personality is dish out a Cinemin line of micro PJs (powered by TI's DLP technology) here in the desert. Moving on, we're also informed of the Spyball spy-cam, a remote controller, WiFi-enabled robotic ball that strangely reminds us of American Gladiators. The company's got plenty more in its bag of tricks too, including the Joebot and Roborover robots, FlyTech Lightstar flyer / Hoverpod racer, four new breeds of Alive Cubs and a fresh line of "pajama pals" dubbed Sleeping Cuties. Hop past the break for details on the whole crew.Gallery: WowWee mixes it up at CES: Cinemin pico PJ, new Alive Cubs and moreFiled under: CES, RobotsWowWee mixes it up at CES: Cinemin pico PJ, new Alive Cubs and more originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Buffalo's hard drives and other devices haven't always been the most eye-catching products out there, but the company looks to be making a respectable showing with its new MiniStation Cobalt drives, which pack all the features you'd expect in a stylish and apparently shock-resistant package. You can also get 'em in your choice of 160GB, 250GB, 320GB, or 500GB capacities (ranging in price from $80 to $170), and in your choice of the three different colors pictured above. Those that prefer of bit of networking with their storage will also soon be able to get their hands on Buffalo's latest LinkStation NAS, the LinkStation Pro, which will be available in both 500GB and 1TB versions ($210 and $300, respectively), and includes Buffalo's Web Access 2.0 feature, which will let you access your files via any web browser, among other standard NAS feature.Read - PDAToday, Buffalo MiniStation CobaltRead - PDAToday, LinkStation Pro Filed under: Storage, NetworkingBuffalo debuts stylish new MiniStation hard drives, NAS device originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

If you thought NEC's LCD2690WUXi² was a mouthful, you ain't heard nothin' yet. Debuting today at Macworld are the MultiSync LCD2690W2-BK-SV (26-inch) and LCD3090W-BK-SV (30-inch) displays, both of which come bundled with the SpectraView color calibration sensor and software. Of note, NEC's also taking this opportunity to launch the aforesaid kit as a standalone product (SVII-PRO-KIT; $329) for those who could use it, and it's fully compatible with both Windows and OS X-based systems. Oddly enough, NEC doesn't even stop to mention the native resolution on either IPS panel, though it spends a copious amount of time detailing exactly how awesome fully automated color calibration is. And it better be, given the $1,449 / $2,449 price points.Filed under: DisplaysNEC delivers 26- / 30-inch LCDs with SpectraView color calibration sensor originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

AP - Kara DioGuardi was fretting about being the new face of "American Idol," and she put the blame on hungry mosquitoes.

digg_url = 'http://digg.com/hardware/First_photo_of_Sony_s_VAIO_P_ultraportable';Chicklet keyboard, check. Tiny pointing nub, check. Looks like this is Sony's Vaio P series ultraportable on display at CES. By on display we mean, on display as these shots were taken off the display monitors here at CES. Engadget was first in the world to reveal the P from the FCC specs so it seems only fitting that we bring you the first authenticated pictures dontchathink? The Sony Picturebook... it lives again at CES!Gallery: Sony Vaio P revealedP.S. Sorry for the blur, best we could do before the security hammer came down across our knuckles.Filed under: LaptopsSony's VAIO P ultraportable revealed originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

We swore we wouldn't fall for tech demos of Toshiba Matsushita Display's sexy optically compensated bend LCDs and their CRT-like ultra wide viewing angles and high refresh rates ever again but by adding autostereoscopic 3D (read: no glasses necessary) we're falling in love all over again. By adapting a 3D film for use with 3- and 9-inch displays, this year's CES demo promises simultaneous 2D and 3D viewing on the same display in high res. How close is OCB's curved, rather than horizontally or vertically aligned liquid crystal approach to reality? Your guess is as good as ours but for now we'll wait for some eyes-on time and throw it on the wait-and-wait-and-see heap with SED and the rest.Filed under: CES, Displays, Home Entertainment, Portable VideoToshiba Matsushita Display teases handheld, high res, no glasses 3D originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

It's not exactly the first time Shure has dipped into sub-$100 territory with its earphones, but it looks like its new SE115 earphones could well attract a bit more attention than the company's other budget offerings, and not just because they're available in four snazzy colors. According to Shure, these sound-isolating phones make use of a new "breakthrough" dynamic driver that promises to deliver better sound than was previously possible in such a small form factor, with the usual Shure fit kit ensuring that the earphones fit just right. It seems that you'll have to wait a bit longer to actually judge 'em for yourselves, however, as they'll only be available at some unspecified point this spring. Filed under: Portable AudioShure debuts colorful new $99 SE115 earphones originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

We first saw Ostendo's sexy curved DLP display all dressed up in Alienware garb at CES last year, but NEC had a version as well, and it looks like it's going to be the one to finally bring it to market. Branded as the CRVD, there's really nothing new inside the slightly slimmer case, but the 42.8-inch, 45-pound screen is still eye-popping in person, with a 2880 x 900 resolution, .36mm pixel pitch, and sub-.02ms response time. Bad news? It'll set you back $6,499 when it ships in April. Pics in the gallery, video after the break.Gallery: NEC CRVD Display hands-onContinue reading Video: NEC CRVD display hands-onFiled under: DisplaysVideo: NEC CRVD display hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

The last time we ran into SMART Table, they were demoing a very sturdy multitouch table to a group of schoolkids in Chicago, but they're here at Macworld with some sexier tech -- 50-inch and 65-inch multitouch plasma screens that interface with any OS X machine. The tech allows you to use the screen just like the built-in multitouch trackpad on newer MacBooks, so it works in basically any app, and while it's super-pricey (they just smiled and said "thousands" when we asked), the main cost is the screen and not the touchpanel, so we could see it come down to earth sometime soon. Check the video after the break.Continue reading Video: SMART Table 50-inch multitouch Interactive Display PanelFiled under: DesktopsVideo: SMART Table 50-inch multitouch Interactive Display Panel originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments