I really don’t know how to start this. I mean, these kinds of things are hard enough without, y’know, sharing them with the entire internet. Which, now that I think about it, is sort of a cold move on my part. Sorry about that, man, but I’ve come too far to turn back now.
The stylus, as you might have noticed, is making a slight comeback this year, and it’s now also moved into throwback territory with the Big Big Cursor. Available in both arrow and pointer varieties, the cursor is designed for use on capacative touchscreens, and it packs some handy magnets that let you affix it to certain magnet-friendly tablets or cases — or your fridge, for that matter. and it’s yours — video is after the break.
Continue reading Big Big Cursor: the tablet stylus that’s also a fridge magnet
Big Big Cursor: the tablet stylus that’s also a fridge magnet originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Sep 2011 01:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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We’ve seen our fair share of uncomplicated (and under-featured) GPS units, but the Bushnell BackTrack D-Tour throws in just enough tricks to make our inner techno-mountain-man salivate. The D-Tour does away with onboard maps and turn-by-turn directions for five simple waypoints and a digital compass. Lose your way? Just follow the arrow back to the campsite. When you get home, you can dump your hiking data into Bushnell’s map application, which will show you exactly where you’ve been, how far you traveled, and how fast you trekked. Its also a built in digital compass, clock, thermometer, and altimeter. Not too shabby, but a bit steep at 0, considering you’ll still need to provide your own maps. Hit the break for a video of the doodad’s track recording and mapping software.
Continue reading Bushnell BackTrack D-Tour personal GPS takes you home, shows you how it got you there
Bushnell BackTrack D-Tour personal GPS takes you home, shows you how it got you there originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Jun 2011 04:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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There is much excited talk right now about Eric Schmidt letting slip that Google is indeed working on a tablet. Yeah, I think we all knew that. The only real surprise is that it’s running Android, possibly with Chrome tacked on as the browser. Why not ChromeOS? I suppose Google thinks it would be pretty ridiculous to debut a new OS with a new device, with only web apps available, when the competition will have a million-seller with 180,000 apps already available. Android is the only arrow in their quiver that can strike at iPhone right now. In fact, Google Chrome OS as a separate entity might be a smokescreen.
Stay with me, here. I mean, we can all admit that a Chrome OS tablet would be pretty limited if it really was to be just Google web apps. In the meantime they’ve got all this support for Android… but Android isn’t built for tablets. I guess if anyone can bridge the gap, it’s Google. A sort of crossover OS with access to Android apps but suitable for the larger form factor, multi-touch capabilities, and browser-centric tablet platform would be a natural step to take.
Unfortunately, it’s a bit like aping Apple there — grow your mobile OS to fit the needs of a tablet OS. The best you can come up with is a sort of melange, as Apple seems to have shown. But can they sell that melange? I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
People at work know you even though they haven’t met you. “Oh, Carl? Yeah, the keyboard guy. Dude LOVES keyboards. Won’t shut up about them. I heard he’s crazy. Like, Judo crazy. Like, don’t say anything bad about keyboards or he’ll put you in some weird Judo hold.”
If that sounds like you, Carl, then get $14 ready.
Actually, sorry, you’ll need $56 – please don’t put me in a Judo hold! That’s because there are four USB keyboard lights, each with a different whimsical keyboard key adorning the top. And being that everyone at work knows you as The Keyboard Guy, for you to not buy all four would arouse suspicion in everyone at work from Accounting to Zoology.
All your favorites are here: Del, Esc, Ctrl, and Shift. The Shift key even has the little arrow!!! The lights are powered via USB and a simple downward press illuminates the built-in LED bulb.
USB Keypress Light [USB Geek]
Short Version: T-Mobile’s 4th Android device has a lot going for it. 5.0 megapixel camera, all the smartphone basics, WiFi, 3G, GPS, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. But it feels kinda cheap, runs Android 1.5, and for $229.99? No thank you.
I remember when Android was the cool hip new thing. Well, it still is, but the Behold II marks the end of when Android phones are unique. Every feature on this phone has already been done the same or better by someone else. 
Let’s start with the body. The phone is a bit heavier than my HTC Hero, but for some reason it feels cheaper. It’s just a hair taller and about the same width and thickness. You have 6 dedicated function buttons on the front, along with a 8-way directional selector. The left side has a volume rocker, and the right holds two buttons. One for the camera and one attached to the screen lock. The top holds the microUSB port and headphone jack. An expandable microSD slot is behind the battery door, and there is no physical keyboard.
The interface was nothing to get excited about. You get three customizable home screens and a Google search bar. But the tab to access your apps is that arrow on the left side of the screen. It takes some deft maneuvering not the hit that when you’re trying to go the left screen. Perhaps the most unique feature on this device is the Cube. 
I’ll just let that sink in for a moment. The Cube is, as you might have guessed, a cube with a different multimedia function on each face. With a flick of a finger you can spin the cube and select the function you wish to activate. You can’t customize it however, so you’re stuck with YouTube, the Amazon MP3 store, Facebook, your photo folder, your audio player, and the video player. About the funnest thing you can do is swing the phone, and since the Cube is tied to the accelerometer, it’ll spin. Good for maybe two minutes of chuckles.
So at the end of it all, its just another Android phone under T-mobile’s belt. It hit stores last week if you want to go grab one, but why when you can get the Droid for cheaper? The Behold II is $229.99 with a two-year contract.