The Gadget Geek

Font Bureau takes credit for Palm’s custom ‘Prelude’ fonts; our hearts melt

Normally we’re just happy to be able to read a bit of legible text on a mobile device — maybe with a bit of anti-aliasing tossed in — but we really have to hand it to Palm for the truly stunning and readable set of fonts in webOS. Apparently we have Boston-based Font Bureau to thank, who developed the all-new “Prelude” sans serif font family for the device, along with a related “Apres” set for print and marketing. The project was lead by Font Bureau co-founder David Berlow, who has also developed fonts for Microsoft and Apple in the past.

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Font Bureau takes credit for Palm’s custom ‘Prelude’ fonts; our hearts melt originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CES 2009: Digital Trends Outtakes
CES 2009: Digital Trends Outtakes

iPhone 3G S supports OpenGL ES 2.0, but 3G only supports 1.1 — will the App Store splinter?

When we were breaking down the meaty differences between the old-school 3G and the 3G S yesterday, we made an assumption about support for OpenGL ES 2.0 3D graphics APIs in the original iPhone 3G based on the fact that it had been available in the iPhone OS 3.0 SDK for several betas. Turns out, though, that the graphics processor in the 3G S — the PowerVR SGX — supports hardware acceleration of both OpenGL ES 1.1 and 2.0 while the more pedestrian PowerVR MBX found in the iPhone 3G supports 1.1 alone.

What does this mean to you? OpenGL ES is the lightweight version of OpenGL, a powerful library of real-time 3D rendering APIs; many modern phones and other handheld devices support the older 1.1 specification, but 2.0 is less common — it kicks things up a notch by supporting more complex textures and shading operations, which basically means games written to support it look more badass. Here’s the problem, though: because OpenGL ES 1.1 and 2.0 are completely incompatible with each other, apps need to be written to support both if they’re going to be maximally compatible. A 2.0-only app can’t simply run on a 1.1-only device and not look as good — it won’t work at all.

Here’s where it gets interesting. The App Store has already splintered a bit with certain applications being unavailable to iPod Touch users (dialers, for example), but language in Apple’s iPhone SDK documentation leads us to believe that the company eventually intends to begin allowing it to splinter even among iPhone models, maybe as soon as the 3G S is released. That is, they’ll allow apps that are only compatible with the 3G S because they’re written to take advantage of OpenGL ES 2.0 and don’t offer a 1.1 fallback:

“When designing your OpenGL ES application, the first question you must answer is whether your application will support OpenGL ES 1.1, OpenGL ES 2.0, or both… Your application should target OpenGL ES 1.1 if you want to support all iPhones and iPod touches.”

Realistically, it was bound to happen; platform aside, hardware is always improving, and it’s paralyzingly difficult to require that all apps be compatible with all of a platform’s devices regardless of age — particularly when it comes to gaming. We imagine this’ll be an issue with apps taking advantage of the 3G S’ other specific features like the magnetic compass and video recording support, too. Question is, what’ll be that must-have game (or compass, we suppose) that spurs stubborn 3G owners into shelling out a few hundred bucks they didn’t intend to?

Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Handhelds

iPhone 3G S supports OpenGL ES 2.0, but 3G only supports 1.1 — will the App Store splinter? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia N96 Smartphone
Nokia N96 Smartphone
Amazing Gallery of Retro, Streamlined Steam-Irons
The internet is supposed to be the place for niches. No matter how odd your interests, you ll almost always find something pertinent on the web. Paper books, on the other hand, need to aim at the mass audience and are therefore more mainstream, right? Then what the hell is Streamlined Irons? The book details the most [...]

EA VP says the Xbox 360 is “maxed out”
Microsoft might be busy extending and building on the Xbox 360′s capabilities with Project Natal and all manner of NXE and Live updates, but it sounds like some of their third-party devs think they’re running out of headroom — in an interview with the Official Xbox Magazine, EA senior VP Patrick Soderlund said that “we’ve maxed out the 360 but we haven’t maxed out the PS3.” That’s an interesting parallel to what Miyamoto was just saying about the Wii, of course, but it doesn’t seem like the situation is entirely dire: Soderlund also said that he’s “truly impressed” with the 360 and that he “would have a headache” if he were running Sony. Still, that doesn’t bode well for Microsoft’s planned 10-year 360 lifecycle if it’s true — we’ll see if Redmond has something new for us before 2015 after all.

Filed under: Gaming

EA VP says the Xbox 360 is “maxed out” originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 01:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Computex offers Chinese gadget kitsch aplenty

Computex may finally be winding down, but with most of the big product announcements now out of the way, that only means there’s a better chance for some of the hidden treasures of the show to shine, like this collection of Chinese-styled gadgets discovered by our pals at Engadget Chinese. That includes a stylish “Nah” box made of real china that actually contains a 1.5TB hard drive, a bamboo sheet that supposedly acts as a laptop cooling pad, a pair of vase-shaped speakers, various mice decorated with Chinese opera masks and, of course, no shortage of eye-catching USB drives. All of which are better demonstrated in pictures than words, so we recommend hitting up the gallery below.

Gallery: Computex offers Chinese gadget kitsch aplenty

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Peripherals

Computex offers Chinese gadget kitsch aplenty originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 06 Jun 2009 05:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Garmin “getting very close” to a US Nuvifone launch… or so it says

If you’ve a proven track record of delivering solid products to consumers (much like Garmin has), we’ll cut you some slack for awhile if you happen to hit a snag or two along the way while bringing a completely new device to market. But after more delays than we care to count and a 1.5 year gap between announcement and right now, the benefit of the doubt vanishes. To that end, we couldn’t be happier to report that Garmin’s president and COO Cliff Pemble feels that it’s “getting very close” to a carrier launch (AT&T, perhaps?) in the US. Said statement was given at a shareholders meeting today, and he also mentioned that the Asian market would see the Nuvifone “this month or in early July.” We appreciate the update, but at this point, the burden of proof is squarely on you, Garmin.

[Via Electronista]

Filed under: Cellphones

Garmin “getting very close” to a US Nuvifone launch… or so it says originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E3 2009: Microsoft Press Conference Part 3
E3 2009: Microsoft Press Conference Part 3
Questionable New iPhone Photos Leaked
Is this the new iPhone? It has the matt-finish back that has been rumored, along with the non-shiny metal bezel. It also has what looks like an extra button on the lower right side of the case, and an extra slot in the fascia at the top near the earpiece, along with a green LED. Speculation says [...]
Umbrella Chandeliers
As I’ve totally said before, the simplest combinations of two objects are often the most interesting industrial designs. This one is also quite pretty. What Shelly Sabel, lighting designer, has designed is the Umbrella Chandelier. It’s made up of some rather simple components: found umbrella pieces, aluminum, and porcelain sockets. …

Indicator-6 Nixie clock is handsome, functional, Khruschev-approved

Hoping to relive the days of the Cold War — you know, without the air raid drills? The handiwork of someone called Fred Niell (a character from a John le Carre’ spy novel if we ever met one — and we have), the -6 (“indicator-6″) uses gas-filled Nixie tubes to display the time. This timepiece is definitely more sane and sober in appearance than most of the clocks we see ’round here, and would look great in your study next to your cigar box and framed, autographed picture of Winston Churchill. What better way to keep track of the passing hours as you spend your twilight years writing your memoirs detailing your time in MI5? This hand-crafted chronometer sells for $275. Either hit the read link to order, or go to the safe house tonight at the stroke of midnight. You should already have the pass phrase. Video after the break.

Continue reading Indicator-6 Nixie clock is handsome, functional, Khruschev-approved

Filed under: Household

Indicator-6 Nixie clock is handsome, functional, Khruschev-approved originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 09:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Turtle Beach AK-R8 Headphones
Turtle Beach AK-R8 Headphones

SanDisk designs “netbook-specific” SDHC card, grossly overcharges for it

SanDisk, the company famous for making device-specific SD cards that are actually just regular SD cards with stupidly high prices tags, is back again — and this time, things are just too offensive to laugh off. Designed to provide “extra storage” to netbooks with a multicard reader, these Netbook SDHC cards are priced at $39.99 for 8GB and $79.99 for 16GB. Isn’t this kind of stuff criminal in some countries?

Filed under: Storage

SanDisk designs “netbook-specific” SDHC card, grossly overcharges for it originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Logitech Harmony 1000 Remote
Logitech Harmony 1000 Remote

AT&T CruiseCast in-car TV finally launches nationwide

Look, we know all about desperate — those youngsters are cute and all, but any self-respecting parent starts having some seriously evil thoughts about three hours in to any road trip. In a presumed effort to keep you off of the evening news and in good standing with your relatives, AT&T is launching its CruiseCast in-car TV service today. If you’ll recall, we knew the in-car satellite TV solution was being tested in various spots, but today marks the first day that the proverbial beta badge has been ripped off. Of course, such a unique offering ain’t running anyone cheap, with the initial hardware package totaling $1,299 and the monthly fee ringing up at $28. If those numbers have yet to faze you, hop on past the break for a look at the channel lineup.

Continue reading AT&T CruiseCast in-car TV finally launches nationwide

Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Video, Wireless

AT&T CruiseCast in-car TV finally launches nationwide originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ericsson’s fashion-forward W30 series 3G routers get detailed

It’s not every day that we use “Ericsson,” “sexy,” and “3G router” all in the same sentence, so you can understand our excitement upon learning everything there is to know about the company’s new W30 and W35 models. Calling it “3G” might be an understatement, actually — these bad boys will do a purely theoretical 7.2Mbps down and 2.0Mbps up on three hair-raising HSPA bands in addition to quadband EDGE. Both models offer 802.11b / g and four Ethernet ports for routing that high-speed WWAN data however you see fit, and the W35 ups the ante by throwing two RJ11 ports on board for VoIP connectivity. The W35 looks to be shipping in early June, so clear a nice little feng shui spot on your kitchen counter where it can sit, get friendly compliments from the neighbors, and enhance your calm.

[Thanks, Scott H.]

Filed under: Wireless

Ericsson’s fashion-forward W30 series 3G routers get detailed originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 May 2009 09:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CES 2009: Pioneer BD-Live and BDP-09FD Blu-ray Player
CES 2009: Pioneer BD-Live and BDP-09FD Blu-ray Player
Nerd Cushion for Really Simple Sleep
You can subscribe me to this RSS cushion right away. The best thing about this pillow is that you don’t need to go to bed to get your rest — simply put your head on the iconic orange cushion and any sleep will be delivered right to your brain, as soon as it becomes ready. This [...]