Param Tech Reviews

Time is running out folks! The nominations are in, the picks have been sorted, and now it’s time for you, the reader, to help us judge the best in tech from 2008! We’ve put together a long, long list of the top selections — all we ask is that you cast your vote for the gadgets nearest and dearest to your hearts.Votes will be tallied until Wednesday, March 25th, 11:59PM EDT. Just head over to our convenient and attractive landing page and do your thing. After we’ve checked for abuse (just say no!) we’ll publish the results alongside our own Editors’ Choice picks the following week. May the best gadgets win!
Keywords:   AnnouncementsGet your votes in for the 2008 Engadget Awards! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Fear not, Zune lovers, your beloved media player isn’t going anywhere just yet. Interviewed at the McGraw-Hill media conference, Microsoft’s head honcho Steve Ballmer said that the hardware will continue to improve, but reaffirmed that its future may be as software / ecosystem found on other devices. “I won’t say full steam ahead because that implies acceleration of investment,” he said, “but we’re going to sustain our investment.” It’s unclear from the transcription — much of it paraphrased by The Wall Street Journal — whether or not Ballmer had given any indication as to the future of the hardware itself. Of course, should one of those mentioned hardware improvements managed to take a notable bite out of Apple’s iPod business, we reckon those investments will see an uptick. We’ve already heard that the service would find its way on non-Zune devices sometime this year, but mum’s still the word on any details thereof.Keywords:   Portable Audio, Portable VideoBallmer: Zune’s future might be as software on non-Zune devices originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

This Skype conversation proves that there are internet scammers who are honest, despite their original intention. If you have any other funny or interesting internet scams exposed stories, please tips us or comment.
Anyway, I like how the scammer comes out of character at the end with a “thanks man”. That was great. Not as great as my love for you, but I have a big heart.
[via Geekologie]

From afar, this may look like a real Xbox 360 controller, but it’s actually soap. Weighing 7-ounces, it features raised buttons and “comes with the added addition of colors, so it looks even more realistic than the others.” Click here for first picture in gallery.
So naturally, I’m drawn to this $12 Xbox 360 soap spotted on Etsy..you could totally hand this bar to player two without them knowing the difference…until their hands became baby-soft and began to smell like freshly cut flowers and spring rain.
[via Gizmodo - Etsy]

Amazon has the Hauppauge TV Tuner Stick for just $49.99 shipped, originally priced at $136.32. It lets you “watch and record TV in a window or full screen using high quality MPEG-2.” Product page.
…the WinTV-HVR-950 offers you several recording options, depending on your play back needs. If you want the highest quality recording for playback through your HDTV, all you need is enough hard drive space to support high-quality recording.
[via Amazon]

Now that you’ve seen the Need for Speed SHIFT screenshots, we’ve got the first trailer, direct from EA for your viewing enjoyment. Yes, what you are about to see is actual in-game footage. Continue reading to watch.

Buffalo’s just unleashed some portable little iPod speakers that you might want to try to get your hands on. With an output of one hot watt, the Dice speaker series is sure to turn your morning commute into a tiny, slightly louder micro-party in an instant — or, at the very least, it’ll cool up your look a few notches. They’d make a perfect gift for the gambling addict in your life, too, but sadly, they’re going to be a Japan-only release when they come out sometime next month for ¥ 2,814 (about $33). Check out another shot after the break.
Continue reading Dice speakers sure to be a fashion gambleKeywords:   Portable AudioDice speakers sure to be a fashion gamble originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Possibly not surprising, but certainly to be filed under “subtly disappointing” is the news that has just recently been confirmed: Adamo’s battery is not able to be replaced by the user. No fun, you say? Well, it is, of course, replaceable, should the need arise, it just has to be sent into Dell for the procedure, though we don’t yet know how much the company is going to charge for all that. Guess if you have to get a new juice pack for your laptop your “lifestyle” will have to be temporarily put on hold, huh?
Keywords:   LaptopsDell Adamo battery not user-replaceable, says bearer of harsh truths originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

So much for the “last stand,” huh? After getting pictured way back in August of last year, Motorola has quietly let CES, Mobile World Congress and (almost) CTIA slip by with nary a peep on why this thing has yet to ship. We’d initially heard that Q4 2008 was the window, and then Q1 2009; just last week, we heard that Moto could be shooting out ten new smartphones in the latter half of this year, but evidently this one won’t be included. According to the always questionable DigiTimes, Motorola has inexplicably “canceled the planned launch of the Alexander handset and also reduced the number of markets in which it will sell its A3100 smartphone,” though it gave no reason as to why. Is it sad that we’re not at all saddened? Onward and upward, we say.[Via WMPowerUser]Keywords:   CellphonesMotorola cancels Alexander smartphone? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Calm down, vaquero. You’ve definitely seen this sucker before, but it was rockin’ the BeamBox Evolution R-1 label and headed for a release across the pond. Epoq’s iteration, however, is on track for a US release, and in fact, it can be ordered up right this moment for those interested. Specs wise, you’re looking at a 640 x 480 resolution, 30 lumens of brightness, a 100:1 contrast ratio, SD card slot, a USB port and a size of 108- x 59- x 28-millimeters. Get in line for “just” $339.95.[Via AboutProjectors]Keywords:   DisplaysEpoq’s HH07 pico projector now on sale in US originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments