Laptop, notbook, tech news

Palm is currently demonstrating Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 3 running on a Palm Pre Plus at the Game Developers Conference this week. The company managed to get the engine working on webOS just two weeks after receiving a test version of the Unreal Development Kit, according to CNET. The technology is currently used in PC and console games such as Gears of War 2 and Unreal Tournament III.

Although the same engine gathered attention when it was previewed running on the iPhone, the webOS variant allows users to multitask while keeping the game running in the background. A thumbnail even shows the game view, with images refreshed once a second.

Palm recently announced its Plugin Development Kit, a set of tools designed to make it easy for developers to convert iPhone games to webOS. The system is said to enable users to recode games in a “matter of days.”

It is unclear when the final version of Unreal Engine 3 might be on the way, although Epic claims the project represents a high priority.

Sony at its GDC keynote this evening finally unveiled the PlayStation Move, the finished version of its long-in-progress PS3 motion controller. The end product has the design shown from before but lets players pick one of four colors for the “orb” the PlayStation Eye camera uses to track movement. It now also has a companion Move Sub-controller with a directional pad that, much like Nintendo’s Wii nunchuk, provides regular control for menus or games that need a d-pad and motion at the same time.

The system is claimed to be much more appealing to “hardcore” gamers as it’s much more accurate than Nintendo’s system. Move can recognize exact angle, position and speed and can therefore afford to be much more challenging. Multiple motion controllers can be combined for specific games, such as anything with two-handed weapons.

Games are already in development and include Wii-style game compilations like Move Party as well as regular games. A demo at GDC showed a version of LittleBigPlanet where the MC of a session could change the game environment by pointing to, grabbing and rotating objects to help Sackboy characters. SOCOM 4 when it ships will also have Move support out of the box, and third-party games are expected on launch.

Sony expects to ship the Move this fall and plans to offer multiple kits to accommodate different levels of users, including just the Move by itself for those who already own an Eye, a Starter Kit that also bundles the camera and a game, and a full PS3 bundle that includes the console and everything needed to play. Prices aren’t fully ready, but Sony has already said it expects a full Starter Kit to cost below $100.

Following several teasers, Pentax has finally announced availability information and detailed specs for its upcoming 645D medium-format camera. The DSLR integrates a 40 megapixel sensor manufactured by Kodak, along with a SAFOX IX+ autofocus system providing 11 sensor points. Like many other Pentax cameras, the 645D features a semi-rugged body with 70 seals for resistance to dust, water and low temperatures.

Internally, the new camera features the company’s Real Image Engine, Dust Removal II system, glass prism viewfinder and 14-bit A/D converter. Users will be able to load two separate card slots, both holding a single SD/SDHC memory card.

Pentax will launch its D-FA 645 55mm F2.8 AL lens alongside the camera body. The lens is equivalent to 43.5mm in the 35 format, while providing weatherproof protection similar to the body. The design is Pentax’s first to feature a completely rounded diaphragm. [via Photography Blog]

The 645D is due to ship sometime in May, with expected prices of ¥850,000 (~$9,500 USD) for the body and ¥100,000 (~$1,100) for the lens. It is unclear when the camera will be coming to the North American market, as initial availability will be limited to Japan.

Goldman slashes has slashed its sales forecast for Google’s Nexus One smartphone, following lackluster performance in the first few months of availability. The analysts initially expected sales of approximately 3.5 million units through the end of the year, however the figure has now been reduced to just 1 million handsets in the same time period.

“Initial data-points were disappointing, possibly due to limited marketing and customer service challenges,” reads the Goldman note.

The mobile analytic group Flurry estimated first-month sales of just 80,000 units for the Nexus One. In the same timeframe, the Verizon was believed to have sold approximately 525,000 Droid smartphones. Many analysts expect Nexus One sales to accelerate once the device is available through Verizon.

“We assume that Google rolls out a second Nexus handset, markets it more aggressively, and makes it available offline, and therefore forecast that Google sells 2 million handsets per year in 2011 and future years,” Goldman concludes.

A recent report suggests Verizon may already be preparing to launch the CDMA-equipped Nexus One. The carrier represents a much larger customer base than T-Mobile, while sales could be further boosted if the devices are sold directly through brick-and-mortar locationshas slashed its sales forecast for Google’s Nexus One smartphone, following lackluster performance in the first few months of availability. The analysts initially expected sales of approximately 3.5 million units through the end of the year, however the figure has now been reduced to just 1 million handsets in the same time period.

“Initial data-points were disappointing, possibly due to limited marketing and customer service challenges,” reads the Goldman note.

The mobile analytic group Flurry estimated first-month sales of just 80,000 units for the Nexus One. In the same timeframe, the Verizon was believed to have sold approximately 525,000 Droid smartphones. Many analysts expect Nexus One sales to accelerate once the device is available through Verizon.

“We assume that Google rolls out a second Nexus handset, markets it more aggressively, and makes it available offline, and therefore forecast that Google sells 2 million handsets per year in 2011 and future years,” Goldman concludes.

A recent report suggests Verizon may already be preparing to launch the CDMA-equipped Nexus One. The carrier represents a much larger customer base than T-Mobile, while sales could be further boosted if the devices are sold directly through brick-and-mortar locations.

Apple during tonight’s Oscar ceremony showed the first iPad commercial (viewable below). The short promo more closely reflects the tone of recent iPhone ads and focuses on the interface, much of which reflects that which the company demonstrated in late January. It reiterates the April 3rd launch date without any slogan.

Alongside the tablet’s apprearance in the commercial break, Apple CEO Steve Jobs was himself confirmed to be a guest at the event. As is often the case at such events, Jobs chose to wear a suit rather than his characteristic mock turtleneck and blue jeans. He has not usually attended the Oscars in any publicly recognized fashion.

RIM may be dropping the SureType keyboard for the upcoming Pearl 9100 handset, according to the BlackBerry supplier Truesupplier. Images of an alleged Pearl 9100 keyboard, posted on Boy Genuis Report, show a full QWERTY layout downsized from the larger BlackBerrys.

The keyboard, which resembles a smaller version of the Bold 9700, appears to integrate raised edges between each row of keys. A cutout between the primary buttons surround a cutout that would presumably hold an optical trackpad.

Despite the claim that the keyboard is from the Pearl 9100, earlier image leaks show a layout that matches the current 8100 lineup. If the new keyboard will end up in a BlackBerry, it is unclear if the component is designed for the 9100 or another unannounced phone.

iLuv today made available the latest generation of its iPhone- and iPod-ready clock radios. Unlike nearly any other alarm clock, the iMM178 has a “bed shaker” pod that vibrates to wake those who either don’t respond to sound or need to keep the alarm quiet. The shaker also provides a less risky alternative to headphones in bed as it has a speaker for its own listening environment.

The system appropriately has one of the widest-ranging alarm configurations and can wake or sleep with the Apple device, shaker or radio as well as wake up to one of seven different alarm sounds. Alarms can be set either to trigger every day to automatically surface only on weekdays or weekends. iLuv supports most 2004 or later dockable iPods and iPhones, and it can use the time from the iPhone or iPod to update its own time in the event of a power loss.

Black is the only available color for the iMM178, which officially sells for $90.

HP began the week by launching a slate of new EliteBook and ProBook models, including the company’s first pro tablet PC. The EliteBook 2740p carries a 12-inch multi-touch display that also supports pens, but has a more durable body than mainstream PCs like the TouchSmart tm2. A combination of stainless steel outside and magnesium outside helps it meet the US military’s 810G specs for resistance to dust, humidity and vibration.

Inside, the system is also much faster and uses a low-voltage Core i5 or i7 that can still run for up to five hours on a single battery. HP hasn’t given a base configuration but expects the system to start at $1,599 and carry between 160GB and 250GB of disk space as well as up to 8GB of RAM. An 80GB or 160GB SSD is an option, as is a Qualcomm Gobi modem for 3G and a new Ultra-Slim Docking Base ($299) that includes a DVD burner, DisplayPort out and eSATA.

A second EliteBook with a conventional 12-inch display, the 2540p, is also joining the lineup. At just under 3.4 pounds, it’s considered the lightest EliteBook; it should simultaneously be faster as it can use full-power Core i5 and i7 chips in addition to the low-voltage i7. The absence of tablet hardware also gives it the option of desktop hard drives between 250GB and 500GB and a longer battery life that runs up to eight hours on a standard six-cell battery and 10.5 hours on an extended nine-cell unit. Those using the low-voltage i7 also have a secondary drive bay that can either take a DVD burner, a secondary 250GB drive or an empty space to save weight.

An specified base system will start out at $1,099.

The ProBook updates are more conservative but bring the 13.3-inch 4320s, 14-inch 4420s, 15-inch 4520s and 17.3-inch 4720s into the modern era with full-power Core i3, i5 or i7 processors as well as an optional Mobility Radeon HD 4350 for graphics and hard drives between 250GB and 500GB. Prices for the whole line haven’t been detailed but should start at $719.

All of the EliteBooks and the companion dock will be available in April, while the ProBook updates should be available later this month.

A leaked video allegedly shows the upcoming HTC Incredible smartphone. The device is believed to pair Android 2.1 with HTC’s own Sense UI, while matching the Nexus One with a Snapdragon CPU and 3.7-inch WVGA touchscreen. Other unconfirmed specs include an optical trackpad, 5-megapixel camera with dual-LED flash, and 256MB of RAM.

The Incredible was recently spotted in Verizon’s inventory system, pointing to an imminent launch, although HTC has yet to announce official details.

LG early this morning launched one of its smallest-ever touchscreen phones in the form of the GD880, or Mini. It has a unique waste-nothing design where the 3.2-inch display runs almost directly to the very edge, avoiding some of the bulk of other phones. At the same time, it’s relatively thin and minimalist yet should be relatively sturdy with metal accents and an overall solid body.

Inside, it echoes much of what LG has done before and uses LG’s conventional but customized OS, with the S-Class UI on top. It supports the company’s increasingly common feature set and brings 7.2Mbps 3G, a 5-megapixel camera, GPS and Wi-Fi. LG ships the Mini first to Europe, in March, and will send it elsewhere at a later date with prices to come as each region goes live.