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Sony's PSP Go post-mortem continues, Kaz Hirai concedes 'pricing is perhaps an issue'We’re still perplexed by the PSP Go’s failure. Who doesn’t want to pay more for a device that lacks the hardware to play UMD games, only compatible with downloadable versions that release days or weeks later and then cost more to boot? Sony’s Andrew House stepped up in June to put a positive spin on the situation, saying the PSP Go helped them “learn more about what the consumer wanted” — something they obviously didn’t do before shipping the thing. Now Sony Computer Entertainment President Kaz Hirai is giving a similar angle in an interview with MCV, addressing concerns of both price and content availability:

…we did get a lot of feedback, both good and bad. I think we need to make sure we have as many titles available to download as possible, to make the experience as easy as possible. But also pricing is perhaps an issue.

If nothing else the PSP Go has certainly generated a lot of consumer feedback, and encouragingly it seems like Sony is actually listening.

Sony’s PSP Go post-mortem continues, Kaz Hirai concedes ‘pricing is perhaps an issue’ originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hey, there little guy! That’s the Toshiba AC100 — an Android 2.1 smartbook with Toshiba’s custom user interface — on show in the UK, where you can now grab one up. The 10.1-inch, 1.9-pounder has yet to show its face anywhere near the US, but as for specs it’s got a 1GHz Tegra 250 SoC, a 32GB SSD, 512MB of DDR2 memory, 802.11n WiFi, optional 3G, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, a 1.3 megapixel webcam, and an HDMI port. While it’s listed on Amazon you still can’t actually order one of these bad boys stateside, but if you’re in the UK, you can grab one up for

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Lockheed Martin and Kaman's unmanned helicopter wins contract with Army and Marines

When developing an unmanned vehicle there are two paths to choose from: create an entirely fresh design with no room for a carbon-based pilot, or simply take an existing craft and make it self-sufficient. That’s the direction Lockheed Martin chose for its submission to the the joint Army Marines Autonomous Technologies for Unmanned Air Systems (ATUAS) program, and it turned out to be a winner. The idea is to create an autonomous helo that can resupply military forces, and Lockheed Martin started with a Kaman K-Max cargo chopper (demo’d after the break), capable of lifting 6,000lbs plus one pilot — who was made optional. This customized K-Max can place its cargo within a 10 meter drop zone after flying 200km or more, but a principle advantage of this submission is that you can still put a pilot in there and use it like a traditional heavy lifter, while the competition from Boeing was a bespoke UAV with no room for meatbags. It’s unclear when exactly this sentient K-Max will be hitting battlefields, but hopefully the Army and Marines come up with some other, rewarding jobs for their pilots, because between this and the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Roadmap released earlier this year that particular job market could be getting tight.

Update: Bo from Lockheed Martin wrote in to let us know of a different video we’ve added after the break featuring higher production values, more guitar solos, and plenty of autonomous cargo liftin’.

Continue reading Lockheed Martin and Kaman’s unmanned helicopter wins military contract (video)

Lockheed Martin and Kaman’s unmanned helicopter wins military contract (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s hard out there for a dedicated e-reader these days, and it looks like Foxit has now found that out first hand. The company has just announced that it’s killing off its eSlick e-reader, and says that it will instead focus on licensing its ebook software to other companies — it notes it won’t do both to avoid competing with its partners. That move doesn’t exactly come as a huge surprise, however, especially when you consider that the eSlick hasn’t received an update since it debuted back in December 2008, and has remained stuck at $199 amid the recent e-reader price wars. Foxit certainly seems confident that its now on the right track, though — head on past the break for its glass-half-full press release.

Continue reading Foxit kills off eSlick ebook reader, focuses on licensing software instead

Foxit kills off eSlick ebook reader, focuses on licensing software instead originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Find out what happens when consumer electronics news stops being polite and starts getting real: the Engadget Podcasters take your questions. Find out the real story behind Kin’s failure (hint: it was Josh’s fault), why the Engadget staff is Mac-based (hint: it has to do with nested stock options), and why Paul Miller is still playing Chrono Trigger.

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Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, Paul Miller
Guest: Michael Gartenberg
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Alejandro

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Engadget Podcast 204: Q&A Bonanza – 07.09.2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 15:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Brian, who just can’t help but think about the dreaded back-to-school season already. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“Hello Engadget. I’m currently scouting a calculator for school. What’s the best calculator to buy for around $200 dollars?”

We’re going to guess this guy’s majoring in poetry, but those blasted math courses that “they” make everyone take is driving this need. It’s funny to think how slowly graphing calculators have evolved (and how prices have fallen at an even more lethargic pace), but there’s just got to be something better out in 2010 than the tried-and-true TI-83. Right? Let the man know in comments below.

Ask Engadget: what’s the best graphing calculator for under $200? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 23:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As I see it, one of the most essential ingredients of a successful managed services operation is the services level agreement (SLA).  In fact, it’s so crucial that it’s part of our standard definition for managed services that I mentioned in my last blog post .

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Service Level Agreements for Managed Services

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The new RIM WebKit browser and Blackberry SuperApps are about to eat your lunch.

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3 Reasons RIM’s WebKit Browser Changes The Smartphone Game

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HP has renamed its MSA line as the P2000 G3, and upgraded it and the P4000 storage virtualization family with increased capacity and performance.


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HP Updates MSA, LeftHand Virtual Storage Offerings

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After second bounce-back quarter in a row, Hewlett-Packard CEO Mark Hurd says, ‘The market is better.’

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Strong HP Quarter Points To Recovery For IT

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