Got Klout? You may qualify for a free Windows Phone originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony has just postponed the launch of its new NEX-7 mirrorless camera, due to widespread flooding in Thailand. According to the manufacturer, the flooding has impacted operations at two of its three factories within the country, thereby delaying production of both the NEX-7 and Alpha A65. Reuters is reporting that one camera plant has been completely flooded, while operations at a semiconductor factory have been suspended due to supply shortages. The NEX-7 was originally scheduled to hit the market next month, though Sony now says it has been delayed indefinitely. “It is difficult for us to say at this time when production will re-start in Thailand,” spokesman George Boyd told the BBC. “However, we are taking measures to move production to our third factory in Thailand which is operational and also to other sites.”

Thailand flooding forces Sony to postpone Alpha NEX-7 release, curb A65 production originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Just 20 kilometers to the east of Tokyo at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba, CEATEC is winding down, following a gadget-filled week where impressive prototypes appeared to outnumber consumer devices. Unlike IFA in Berlin, which is just as much for the public as it is for industry insiders, Japan’s consumer electronics show gives manufacturers a chance to show off their prototypes and components to a smaller, mainly local audience. Many products announced here will never leave the country’s shores, but can inspire future devices that will be marketed to a worldwide audience. Click through our gallery below for a broader look at the show, then jump past the break for a roundup of our CEATEC 2011 coverage. Arigatou gozaimashita!

Richard Lai contributed to this report.

Continue reading CEATEC Japan 2011 wrap-up

CEATEC Japan 2011 wrap-up originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 16:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You say Iceland, we immediately think Eyjafjallajokull — and no, we haven’t had a narcoleptic collapse upon these very keys. It’s been over a year since that volcano swept the headlines and interrupted air travel, providing outsiders with a skewed perception of the country’s geological constancy. Well, haters prepare to get served, because Verne Global is setting up data center shop in the homeland of a certain swan-wearing pop pixie, and leveraging the abundance of renewable resources at the ready. To do this, the company’s contracted UK-based Colt Group to build the separate pieces of its planned data center and put’em all together on the site of a former NATO base — chosen for its apparent stability. The location is ideal in that the region’s naturally cool climate’ll keep server temperatures down, in addition to providing the center with cheap hydroelectric and geothermal energy. Expect the data farm to be up and running in Keflavik this October when it’s scheduled to be completed — with the blessing of the little people, naturally.

Iceland gets a data center to call its own, still believes in fairies originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Well, after less than a year on the job as HP’s top dog L

According to Ma Bell, AT&T covers 97 percent of all Americans. Of course, that’s including those “one bar of EDGE” places that are uncovered so far as reality’s concerned, but regardless of all that — there’s no denying that AT&T’s LTE launch is on the subdued side. With Verizon rolling out five times more LTE markets this month than AT&T is even launching with, the country’s largest GSM carrier definitely has some catching up to do. Regardless of the standings, the company appears to have (quietly) gone live with five LTE markets as of today, with Chicago, Atlanta, San Antonio, Dallas / Fort Worth and Houston getting first dibs. The source link below takes you to the new coverage map, as well as to a promise from the carrier to expand “4G LTE” (not to be confused with the other 4G, more accurately known as HSPA+) to 15 major metropolitan areas by the year’s end. Notice how rural areas aren’t mentioned, despite plenty of grandstanding near D.C.? Don’t worry, guys — it’s just Rethinking Possible.

[Thanks, Marcus]

AT&T flips 4G LTE live, nearly 97 percent of America wonders where the party is originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Sep 2011 12:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When we reported that Bell’s LTE network would be deploying “soon,” the company happily obliged by launching it less than two weeks later. Beginning today, the Canadian carrier will have its next-gen services available to a limited number of markets, including Toronto, Waterloo, Hamilton, Guelph and Mississauga. The deployment will spread over the course of the next year, though no specific plans were mentioned aside from the obvious expansion to urban areas first, followed by rural and remote coverage as determined by the outcome of the country’s upcoming 700MHz spectrum auction. Sadly, the only device available at launch — contrary to our original report — will be the Sierra Wireless U313 Turbo Stick, available online today for $80, though “smartphones and tablets” should be expected to arrive later this year. Head to the presser for more details.

[Thanks, gjac0m]

Continue reading Bell begins rolling out LTE network today to trial markets

Bell begins rolling out LTE network today to trial markets originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 08:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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