東西 | dongxi

In yesterday’s developer’s conference, RIM revealed their tablet, named the “Playbook.”

Specs-wise, the Playbook has a 7 inch LCD capacitive touchscreen. With only 0.4″ in thickness, the device weighs under a pound. It uses a 1GHz dual-core chip and has 1GB of built-in RAM. The tablet features a front and back-facing camera, 1080p video playback, (micro) USB 2.0 and support for Flash 10.1. While the Playbook will support WiFi, the initial model, according to CNET, will not have a 3G nor 4G antenna. Users will need to pair the tablet to their Blackberry phones (via Bluetooth).

While’s it’s easy to quickly draw comparisons to other tablet devices, especially the iPad, RIM’s device is clearly aimed at the enterprise market. The device will work to sync with Blackberry phones while testing has already begun with developers and certain corporate “customers.” The USB port can potentially be a useful addition, allowing users to transfer files between the Playbook and other devices. RIM is looking to expand their app store as well, providing new tools (and ad-support) to developers. While there might actually be a chance of getting (a non-texted based parody of) Angry Birds for Blackberry, don’t expect anything close to the Apple App Store, at least not yet.

There’s no word on pricing or exact release date. Currently it’s slated for early 2011. For most consumers, the Blackberry PlayBook probably won’t be the ideal tablet device, but if you’re a heavy Blackberry user (or need your fix of BBM on the road), you may want to keep close watch.

Here’s the preview video from RIM:

Andrew and Aric of TheGMenShow fill in for Iyaz to talk the latest and greatest of the week. The Verizon iPhone rumor refuses to die – will the latest comments from Verizon do it in? We also talk about the Facebook phone rumors, Netflix, and some important tips on protecting yourself online, especially on social networks like Twitter and Facebook. One of my favorite PC game franchise, Civilization has a new sequel too! Check all this out and more on this week’s Gigawhat!

Don’t forget to subscribe to us on iTunes with the link below and follow us on Twitter (Derrick at @derrickc82, Andrew at @frontline99 and Aric at @phatemokid).  Leave a comment and check out the links to the show on the blog post at dxstuff.com.

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Verizon iPhone Rumors: http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2010/09/verizon-ceo-throws-wet-blanket-on-iphone-rumors.ars

Zuckerberg Talks About Facebook Phone: http://techcrunch.com/2010/09/22/zuckerberg-interview-facebook-phone/

iPad at Target: http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/206187/ipad_comes_to_target_on_october_3.html

NBC on Netflix: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-20017517-17.html

Instant Netflix: http://www.zdnet.com/blog/gadgetreviews/netflix-ceo-streaming-only-option-for-us-could-be-coming-soon/18329

Ping Update: http://techcrunch.com/2010/09/25/ping-itunes/

Updated Gmail App for Android: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/21/gmail-for-android-updated-becomes-market-app/

Twitter Hack: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2010/sep/21/twitter-hack-explained-xss-javascript

Civilization 5 Released: http://pc.ign.com/articles/112/1121614p1.html

Angry Bird Plush Dolls: http://kotaku.com/5647278/angry-birds-plush-toys-spotted-in-manhattan

Source: Twitter

Unfortunately the first initial run of the episode never recorded properly, but don’t fret, we’re still got your weekly dose of Gigawhat, though sans Iyaz.  This week we look Twitter’s new redesign – too bad no one has it yet! What you can get though, is the new IE9 Beta – does it have what it takes to compete with Firefox and Chrome?  We also take a look at the Playstation Move and some exciting announcements from the Tokyo Game Show.

Don’t forget to subscribe to us on iTunes with the link below and follow us on Twitter (Iyaz at @iyaz, Derrick at @derrickc82).  Leave a comment as well on the blog post at dxstuff.com.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

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Show Links

Twitter Redesign: http://arstechnica.com/web/news/2010/09/twittercom-redesign-mirrors-useful-parts-of-ipad-client.ars

IE Beta: http://windows.microsoft.com/ie9

Google Chat Enhancements: http://lifehacker.com/5640871/gmail-labs-adds-enhanced-video-chat-get-the-newest-features-first

Google Voice App Back in Apple Store: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/18/google-voice-apps-begin-returning-to-iphone-app-store/

Windows Mobile 7 GSM Only for 2010: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-20016752-56.html

Playstation Move Released: http://gear.ign.com/articles/111/1117286p1.html

Tokyo Game Show

Finding iTunes to sluggish and slow on your computer? Check out CNET’s “How To” guide below on how to install iTunes without all the extra (and unnecessary) bloatware.

Source: Apple

As autumn brings a myriad of colors across trees and leaves, Apple releases a whole new set of iPods in all their shades and colors. Iyaz and I dish out our thoughts on each line – what’s worth getting and what’s to pass? And what is this hideous icon on this blog post? What was Steve thinking?! Find out this and a lot more in this week’s Gigawhat!

Don’t forget to subscribe to us on iTunes with the link below and follow us on Twitter (Iyaz at @iyaz, Derrick at @derrickc82). What are your thoughts on the new iTunes icon?  Leave a thought or comment as well on the blog post at dxstuff.com. Feel free to send over any Dunkin Donuts donuts as well! I’m always up for a chocolate frosted or chocolate creme!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

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Show Links

New iPods: http://www.dxstuff.com/2010/09/01/apple-new-ipods/

CNET iPod Upgrade Guide: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12519_7-20015972-49.html

Ping: http://gizmodo.com/5627644/what-is-ping-apples-social-network-for-music

iOS 4.1 Bug Fixes: http://www.9to5mac.com/24521/complete-ios-4-1-walkthrough

iOS 4.2 for iPad: http://www.macrumors.com/2010/09/03/apple-details-features-in-ios-4-2-for-ipad/

Hate for the New iTunes Icon: http://techcrunch.com/2010/09/03/haters-gonna-hate/

Facebook Remote Logout: http://lifehacker.com/5630195/facebook-adds-remote-logout-feature

Gmail Priority Inbox: http://arstechnica.com/web/news/2010/08/gmail-aims-to-learn-from-you-sort-important-e-mail-to-top.ars

Google Instant: http://www.google.com/instant/

Twitter API Sign In: http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/204528/twitter_api_has_new_third_party_signon_method.html

As Google prepares their press event for the day, Google’s instant search product is already available to try out, though it’ll be rolling out in the coming days. Instead of receiving search results after you finish entering your keywords, the new Google search will produce results as you type. Try it out!

New Google Instant Search: http://www.google.com/webhp?sclient=psy

Apple announced their updated line of iPods at today’s big Apple event. While not exactly earth shattering, Apple still managed to wow the audience with their products. Here’s a line up of what’s new:

1. iPod Shuffle: Taking a step back to the earlier design, the new Shuffle offers button and voice control as well as a myriad of colors. At 2GB, Apple promises 15 hours of battery life at $49. You can pre-order it now, with it available at stores next week.

Credit: Apple

2. iPod Nano: The Nano takes a drastic redesign, losing the clickwheel entirely. It’s now touchscreen, offering a 2×2 “app” resolution.  Given the tiny size, it sports a clip now along with a built-in radio and 24 hours of music playback. According to Engadget, both camera and video playback functionality no longer exist.  The 8GB model is $149 and 16GB is at $179. Like the Shuffle, pre-orders start today with availability set at next week.

Credit: Apple

3. iPod Touch: Pretty much the phone-less sister of the iPhone, the iPod Touch receives the full retina display, 3-axis gyroscope, A4 core, as well as a front and back-facing camera. You’ll also be able to use FaceTime, with both iPod Touch and iPhone users. They’re priced at $229 for 8GB, $299 for 32GB, and $399 for the 64GB. Like the other iPods, shipping is slated for next week.

Credit: Apple

4. Apple TV: As expected, Apple is revising their video streaming service. Everything is “on the cloud,” meaning it’s streaming from a server – nothing will be stored on the device itself. You’ll be able to rent shows at $0.99 and movies at $4.99. Partners include FOX, ABC, Netflix, YouTube, Flickr, MobileMe, and Rotten Tomatoes. It’ll be streaming at 720p, despite having an HDMI output. Apple TV will ship out about a month from now at $99.

Credit: Apple

5. iTunes 10: The newest iTunes will include a new “Ping” functionality – pretty much it’s a social network on your iTunes that allows you and your contacts to share your music interests and purchases. It’s on the iTunes only so we won’t see any integration on the web or with other popular services (such as Facebook or MySpace).