VIA is planning to get some serious mileage out of its Eden X2 processor — in the most literal sense possible. It’s now producing the AMOS-3002, a Pico-ITX-sized PC intended for in-car infotainment and other situations where an embedded PC needs to have a little more juice for media tasks. The Eden X2 in question comes in a dual-core 1GHz flavor that’s completely fanless, but it’s fast enough to show 1080p video (when your car is parked, we hope) and can handle more intensive work like dual gigabit Ethernet jacks, optional 3G and even a 2.5-inch hard drive. That breadbox-sized shell can also take a lot of abuse, surviving temperatures between -4F and 140F as well as 50 Gs’ worth of shock. You’ll have to wait until your favorite car designer or digital sign maker uses the AMOS-3002 to see it in action, but until then, you can get the full details after the break.

Continue reading VIA unveils fanless, Eden X2-packing AMOS-3002, promises tiny dual-core PC in your car

VIA unveils fanless, Eden X2-packing AMOS-3002, promises tiny dual-core PC in your car originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 May 2012 18:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink

CSI: Waterloo? We’re not sure how compelling that spin-off would be (inexplicable popularity of the David Caruso-headlined Miami version aside). So, you’ll excuse us for scratching our collective tech head over this recently surfaced patent application filed by RIM in November of 2010. The claims of this bizarre USPTO doc describe an apparatus containing some form of a “display element” attached to a portable electronic device that would generate light on nearby objects, snap photographs and then display results indicating potential contamination. Sounds a lot like those UV wands forensics researchers use on crime scenes, non? Well, whatever it is Heins and co. may have brewing in their Canadian R&D labs, we just pray this isn’t BB 10′s killer feature. Hit up the source below to peruse the legalese for yourself.

RIM patent application shines a light on unseen filth, might make forensics mobile originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 May 2012 17:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink

We’ve received a boatload of tips that folks who have pre-ordered the EVO 4G LTE at Best Buy are now seeing a new release date of May 23rd. Does this mean Sprint’s flagship handset is getting close to leaving those dreaded customs halls? Here’s HTC’s take on the matter:

HTC is working closely with U.S. Customs to secure approval for shipments of the HTC One X and HTC EVO 4G LTE. We have not made any announcements about a new launch date and will provide an update on availability as soon as we can do so confidently.

While it’s quite possible Best Buy knows something we don’t, perhaps it’s best to take this new release date with a grain of salt. Let us know what you think in the comments and hit the break for a screenshot of an updated pre-order.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Best Buy expects EVO 4G LTE to land May 23rd, HTC remains cautious

Best Buy expects EVO 4G LTE to land May 23rd, HTC remains cautious originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 May 2012 17:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink

We’ve received a boatload of tips that folks who have pre-ordered the EVO 4G LTE at Best Buy are now seeing a new release date of May 23rd. Does this mean Sprint’s flagship handset is getting close to leaving those dreaded customs halls? Here’s HTC’s take on the matter:

HTC is working closely with U.S. Customs to secure approval for shipments of the HTC One X and HTC EVO 4G LTE. We have not made any announcements about a new launch date and will provide an update on availability as soon as we can do so confidently.

While it’s quite possible Best Buy knows something we don’t, perhaps it’s best to take this new release date with a grain of salt. Let us know what you think in the comments and hit the break for a screenshot of an updated pre-order.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Best Buy expects EVO 4G LTE to land May 23rd, HTC remains cautious

Best Buy expects EVO 4G LTE to land May 23rd, HTC remains cautious originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 May 2012 17:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink

Last February, Apple came clean about its efforts to clean up the environment, detailing intentions to make its Maiden, NC data facility a greener place. That site, already home to one solar farm, is now set to host a second 20 megawatt photovoltaic array spanning 100 acres, a one-two power punch that’ll jointly generate 84 million kWh annually. Combined with the company’s in-development biofuel cell plant, scheduled for opening later this year, that theoretic yield should hit the 124 million kWh mark — an amount sufficient to power nearly 11,000 households — providing 60 percent of the center’s electric demands. Still, that’s not enough to adequately keep operations afloat, so for that very necessary, leftover 40 percent, the house that Jobs built plans to purchase similar clean energy from outside local sources. When all is finally up and running smoothly, the southern facility will earn the distinction of “most environmentally sound data center ever built.” Or, at least until another well-heeled competitor comes along to contest that title. Now that’s a friendly competition we can get behind.

Apple breaks ground on second solar farm for North Carolina data center originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 May 2012 17:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink