21st Century Gadgets

ASUS Designo MS Series LCD Monitors Introduced

2009-09-09T10:41:00.001-07:00

ASUS today came out with a new LCD monitor series. Dubbed as the Designo MS, the newest Asus LCD monitor family features five monitors. The Designo MS is an ultra-slim (16.5mm Profile) family consisting of MS246 (23.6") / 236 (23") / 227 (22") / 226 (21.5") / 202 (20") LCD displays, each boasting "exceptional style and picture quality". Asus reports, the design concept behind the Designo MS Series is inspired by the binary state, incorporating a series of contrasting elements like the numbers 1 and 0, straight lines and circles, and black and white into an ultra-slim monitor with a 16.5mm profile. The unique spherical ring stand features Ergo-Fit Technology that lets users adjust the monitor's tilt angle with just one finger.

Lady Gaga earphones are definitely not the prettiest

2009-09-09T10:40:00.002-07:00

Dr. Dre and Monster have announced the launch of their latest in-ear earphones which are being promoted by singer Lady Gaga. The earphones have a special design which would not appeal to many and even if it does then there is the price tag of $ 100 to $ 150.

iRiver Story an uber cool e-book reader

2009-09-09T10:40:00.001-07:00

The Amazon Kindle sure has some competition first it was Sony, Asus and now iRiver is the latest entrant to grab some market share. Aptly named 'Story' it packs in a 6 inch screen powered by E-ink technology, QWERTY keyboard, 2GB onboard memory, SD card slot, speakerphone, microphone and compatibility with MP3, WMA, OGG, PDF, EPUB, TXT, PPT, DOC, XLS, ZIP formats. The battery is good for viewing 9000 pages of text or listening to 20 hours of audio. The iRiver Story measures 127×203,5×9,4mm, weighs 284 grams and will be available from September 16 in Asia for $280.

Navy scientists develop underwater laser communication technology

2009-09-09T10:39:00.001-07:00

A better tool for underwater acoustics has been developed by the researchers at the Naval Research Laboratory. The new system will use laser light to create sound underwater from a distance. If this works properly then the floating buoys will be a thing of the past if planes will have to communicate with submarines. Well how is this done? Well, for efficiently converting light into sound, light has to be concentrated to ionize a small amount of water which will absorb the laser energy and superheat. This will result in a small explosion of steam which is capable of generation atleast 220 decibel pulse of sound. Wow!
[Slashdot]

Samsung Armani W820/8200 makes Korean appearance

2009-09-09T10:38:00.002-07:00

The gold trimmed slider W820/8200 is a testimony to Samsung’s continued partnership with fashion designer Armani. The phone has a 3.1 inch WVGA AMOLED touchscreen display, HSDPA, T-DMB, Bluetooth, 5MP primary camera and a secondary front facing camera for video calling. It will be launching in Korea in the near future. No news on the price and the launch date but I am pretty sure how much the price is going to be. Hopefully Samsung releases one for the common pocket without the gold trim.
[Boygeniusreport]

Peregrine gaming glove turns your hand into a controller

2009-09-09T10:38:00.001-07:00

This was seen at the Arcade Expo in Seattle. The controls of the Peregrine gaming glove are a little bit complex and attacks are often performed by hitting certain keys simultaneously. Sometimes by having a hot key on the glove would give the player an excellent advantage. What I meant to say is that the glove could in future become an alternative to the gaming keyboard. So if you want to do some extensive damage in Warcraft, you would need a mouse in one hand and the Peregrine Gaming Glove on the other. There is no information about the availability but it should cost around $129.95 when available.

Hooked to World of Warcraft forever? Spend $14,000 to get off the addiction

2009-09-09T10:37:00.001-07:00

Washington State's ReSTART clinic is a rehab center that aims to help World of Warcraft players to get rid of their addiction to the game which might not be good news for Blizzard and it will cost you only $14,000! I just love the way these experts make money out of these World of Warcraft addicts. The center offers a 45-day program that employs a cold-turkey approach to help people get away from pathological computer use. It does not restrict to gaming itself but also includes other forms of addiction like video games, texting, social networks, online auctions and other technological time-killers. Whether such programs work in the long run remains to be seen.
[Destructoid]

Timetable adds more ‘visuals’ to meeting tables

2009-09-09T10:36:00.002-07:00

A fantastic idea by Wieden + Kennedy has given some hope to all those dragged executives who face a lifetime of meetings. Besides snoring through the whole dragged explanation about what caused the economic slide last quarter, they have come out with a new design for a meeting table that has 10 RGB LED panels that broadly divide the meeting into 10 sections. Each panel lights up and plays a sound, thus determining every tenth of the meeting. The panels are sequentially switched off as time passes by.

LG’s first Android phone will have 5 MP camera, 3G

2009-09-09T10:36:00.001-07:00

Keeping alive the hopes of an Android offering from their garage, LG drives forth their first venture with a bit of veil still hanging over it. Besides the pseudo name, ‘Etna’, and the bunch of tempting specs we don’t have too much to lean back on for more on this one. It’s a QWERTY slider with a 5 megapixel camera, GPS, Wi-Fi and 3G. The other suspects make it into the spec sheet comfortably. The keypad looks good and so does the 3 inch touchscreen. Fans will still have the mystery of the GW880 in mind as they hope for another Android wonder.

HTC Tattoo is anything but a needle impression

2009-09-09T10:35:00.001-07:00

When you name something ‘tattoo’ you can well expect sharp edges or sweet, aesthetic design to be the driving force in its appearance. However, HTC think completely otherwise, atleast as far as design is concerned. Their new offering a. k. a. the Tattoo is sleeker than anything they’ve offered before. The buttons are placed gently along the palm area of the phone and the circular trackball (is it?) gives a serene impression on first look. The specs include 3.2 megapixel, 3.5 mm headset jack and a microSD expansion slot. The HTC Tattoo should be expected by October this year in Europe.
[Crunchgear]

Soak in Nirvana Bathtub and float in galaxy

2009-09-09T10:34:00.002-07:00

Bathtubs come in many shapes and sizes, tagged with haunting price tags. Red Diamondtub is too gaudy for my taste and why would I need a Bullet proof tub? But I certainly am dreaming about soaking in the Nirvana Bathtub. Shaped out of i-Crylic, a translucent acrylic layer, it features 360 LED lights that glow to mesmerize all. Such an illumination fitting renders chromotherapy too. Designed and manufactured by Bangkok based Bathroom Design, it is also a winner of Product Design Award at Red Dot 2009. And it not only boasts of looks to kill but also claims to save 60% water than its counterparts. Ergonomically shaped, it appears to be made out of single piece. Also the control system is discreetly integrated beneath the bathtub to avoid any disturbance in its seamless form.

The ring shaped ORB Bluetooth headset

2009-09-09T10:34:00.001-07:00

The ORB Bluetooth headset is designed and developed by Hybratech and Absolutely New. When you look at it first it will look like a ring but by giving it a simple twist it turns into a Bluetooth headset. There are two models available the standard model and the deluxe edition. The deluxe edition boasts of Flexible Organic Light Emitting Diode that shows off the caller id as well as calendar reminders and also features voice-to-text for communication purposes without having to remove the ring from the finger. Both the models are waterproof and come with a range of 30 feet. It also comes in different sizes ranging from small to extra large. It will be arriving next year at a price of $129 for the standard edition and $175 for the deluxe edition.

Philips SPM9800 - A wired Bluetooth mouse

2009-09-09T10:33:00.001-07:00

Philips SPM9800 is an odd ball. It is a mouse equipped with Bluetooth technology but also has a USB cord cleverly hidden under it. The mouse has Philip's proprietary 360°TouchControl technology with which it can work even when there is no surface. It is available in select European markets for around $80.

The next generation Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwig

2009-09-09T10:32:00.000-07:00

A Merc is always a class apart. Yup! No doubt about it! And getting back to it, Mercedez-Benz has spilled the beans on the highly-anticipated, mouth-drooling SLS AMG which is going to take the iconic 300SL Gullwig to the next generation. At the first look, it has a retro-inspired shape but does contain unique design elements. To start with, you can choose from nine different paint shades including two matte finishes. The head lamps and taillights are LED so that means your beauty is visible at all times for the public to drool on. The cockpit of the car is airplane-inspired. Nappa leather, real metal trims and optional real carbon fiber helps to set the interior apart from the traditional offerings and Mercedes-Benz will be offering you five interior shades to choose from for personalizing the interior. The gullwing doors, a direct link to the 300SL, swing up 70 degrees to allow for access to the interior.

Medion Life S47000 is a digital HD sports camcorder

2009-09-09T10:15:00.001-07:00

If you’re an outdoor person, you will definitely love to carry around one of the Medion Life S47000 digital high definition camcorder. It is splash resistant and hooks on to your belt too. You can record video with 720p quality H.264 videos but you have only 90 MB to store it on. So use it wisely. But all is not lost because it has a SD/SDHC slot for that extra memory. The screen is 2 inches wide and the build quality is tough enough to handle the extremes of sports. You can purchase it online for 99 Euros or US $ 164 approximately.
[Gearlive]

Regina a robot that lifts people at the hospital

2009-09-09T10:14:00.002-07:00

The advancement of robotics can be seen only in one country and that is Japan. A local company Japan Logic Machine has created 'Regina' a health care robot. The specialty of this robot is that it can lift people as heavy as 200 kg. This robot outperforms its existing peers who can lift only up to 80 kg. The robot is almost in the final stages and will be shipped to Japanese Medical institutions by the fall of 2010. One Regina robot can cost anywhere between $60,000 – 80,000.

AFGT gaming device is one step ahead of Project Natal

2009-09-09T10:14:00.001-07:00

Using tactility to enhance gaming experience is what AFGT gaming device is all about. It is made up of sensitive silicon that mimics the terrain in a virtual world and allows the gamer to feel through the environment. This is achieved by the individual silicon air pockets laid underneath and each of them is connected to air pressure actuator that changes the air pressure in each packet. Unfortunately still a concept but maybe this is something the folks at Nintendo are looking for?

Acoustic Research’s Xsight Touch and Xsight Color Universal remotes

2009-09-09T10:13:00.001-07:00

The Xsight Touch model has a 2.2 inch color touchscreen and also slider control for navigation and the Xsight Color gets only a 2.2 inch color display screen with hard keys and toggle bars. The Xsight Touch is capable of controlling 18 devices and has built-in RF for controlling RF-enabled components with 433.92 MHz capability. Only IR operations can be done with the Xsight Color and can control only 15 devices. The Touch and the Color is priced at $249.99 and $179.99 respectively.
[iTechnews

Swedish clock displays time as well as your energy usage

2009-09-09T10:12:00.000-07:00

We seen quite a few gadgets that display energy usage at your home. But most of them are in numbers which dont make sense immediately. But wouldn’t it be nice if it was displayed in some visual way so that it would actually keep your energy usage down. The Energy Aware Clock is designed by Swedish designers Loove Broms, Karin Ehrnberger, Sara Ilstedt, Erika Lundell and Jin Moen. That is a lot of brains for a clock-cum-energy usage displayer. The basic design of the clock will let you know how much energy is being used by simply visualizing that consumption on the clock’s face and that too automatically in real time. Numbers always don’t show how much electricity is being wasted but with this clock it will show you with a pattern. The larger it becomes, the more electricity you are using. The EA Clock is currently on display at the Visual Voltage exhibition at Design Vlaanderen in Brussels. The clock tells the time by using the energy usage graphic

USB Mosquito repellant

2009-09-09T10:11:00.001-07:00

Here is something really weird and I have no idea if this will work also. It is the USB powered mosquito repellent dongle. It is similar to the other electronic pest deterrents by generating a repellent field that is sensitive for some insects. The manufacturer also claims that by plugging this into any USB socket, it is capable of repelling most of the flying insects. Costing only $6, you could keep one around if you ever encounter such an incident.
[Everything USB]

Pictures and video of Samsung i5700 Galaxy Lite

2009-09-09T10:10:00.001-07:00

Samsung is flaunting its latest Android phone called the i5700 Galaxy Lite. Its pictures and videos reveal the colorful body of the phone with a spacious AMOLED screen adorning the front and the well placed, large buttons on the lower end. It’s got the expected ‘home’ button that takes you to the home screen of the Android OS. Other features include a 3.2 mp camera (without flash) and a gigabyte of internal memory.

Palm Pixi announced!

2009-09-09T10:09:00.002-07:00

Get a grip of all the great phones that are coming out into the open and that too with pictures and video clips of them. Take the Palm Pixi for instance. It’s here with an elaborate show of all the awesome things that come with it like the 2.6 inch display screen, QWERTY keypad and sleek chassis. Other features include Wi-fi, 8GB of storage, 3.5 mm jack, GPS and Exchange support. The Pixi is customizable to some degree.

Human Universal Load Carrier exoskeleton

2009-09-09T10:09:00.001-07:00

The Human Universal Load Carrier (HULC) exoskeleton doesn’t have just that awesome anagram for a name, it’s also an escape from all the heavy manual work that we’re condemned to sometimes. The sad part is that those who could really use this would never be able to afford it. Armed with lightweight hydraulics that make up the legs and a powerful titanium structure that can haul up a 200 lb backpack, the HULC is a fine example of our attempts to being superman. The downside is that the battery charge runs out faster if you’re running. However, walking at 4 kmph will keep the battery beating for 5 hours.

iida Polaris is a phone-cum-doc-cum-robot

2009-09-09T10:08:00.001-07:00

Making a complete encapsulation of all the phones and robots we have seen in the past, bringing them together and getting a smart docking solution for a phone that’s smart enough is what the iida Polaris robot is all about. Developed by Flower Robotics, the robot ‘learns’ how to respond to your ever changing physical conditions and accordingly suggests exercises, recipes and medical advice. Over a period of time the robot learns more about you. What’s more is that the robot houses a phone as well. So maybe he would suggest a call to a loved one when you’re low. It's all Japanese. Nice.

Video: Hard Rock Cafe Vegas Strip gets ginormous interactive Rock Wall

2009-09-09T10:07:00.001-07:00

We didn't think too much of Obscura Digital's multi-touch hologram when we spotted it last August, but evidently the company has been working overtime in order to outfit Hard Rock's newest cafe with a monstrous interactive video wall. Hard Rock Cafe Vegas Strip is the chain's second venue in Sin City, but it's far and away the one to hit if you're a self-proclaimed nerd. Aside from having access to a number of Microsoft Surface-based installations, you'll also spend a good bit of time navigating the Rock Wall. The 18- x 4-foot touch wall (video after the break) enables up to six guests to simultaneously surf through the outfit's expansive memorabilia collection, with options to zoom and flick through oodles of images. Obscura claims that it just might be the world's highest resolution interactive display available to the public, with a trio of HD projectors beaming the content from behind the glass. Not like you really needed another excuse to add one more HRC shirt / pin / glass to your collection, but feel free to express your gratitude in comments below

Microsoft and Tesco strike up 'virtual DVD' partnership

2009-09-09T10:06:00.001-07:00

Starting this autumn -- which is sort of like now -- Tesco stores in the UK will be offering "virtual DVDs" to customers who purchase certain home video titles. Promising no less than a "DVD-equivalent" experience, the new service will be replete with all the menus, copyright warnings and extra bits you'd find on the disc itself, plus additional exclusive content and movie viewing parties with online chat. We're not entirely sure films need all the added interactivity Microsoft has cooked up, but ambitions are to expand the bonus content and to offer the service in other markets "eventually." And hey, seeing as it's based on Silverlight, all that good stuff will be available on Mac too.

Grant Fidelity's $3,200 Impression II weds CD player, tube amp and overkill

2009-09-09T10:05:00.001-07:00

See that? That's a $3,200 CD player, which will be impossible to justify for pretty much anyone not featured on Joan Rivers' newest TV show. Designed and produced by Grant Fidelity, the CD-1000 Impression II packs a high-end Sanyo CD drive, tube analog output, tube headphone amplifier and a rather basic display screen, while the "anti-vibration aluminum chassis" tries as hard as it can to look both unorthodox and absurdly expensive. It's hard to say if your burnt MP3 discs will actually sound better on this thing (okay, so they won't), but at least you can rest easy knowing that shipping on this 50 pound beast is completely gratis.[Via OhGizmo]

ASUS gets classy with sleek UL series laptop range

2009-09-09T10:04:00.000-07:00

If ASUS' N61 / N71 laptops were just too -- shall we say, glamorous -- for you, how's about the ultra-classy UL lineup? Short for UnLimited possibilities (groan), the UL series offers up a variety of models, all of which rely on Intel's CULV platform for juice and can squeeze up to 12 hours of claimed battery life thanks to having both discrete and integrated graphics onboard. The 1-inch thin machines arrive in either black or brushed aluminum, with room for up to 8GB of DDR2 RAM, a dual-layer DVD burner, a Core 2 Duo CPU and hard drives as large as 500GB. Both 14- and 15.6-inch models are available, though your guess is as good as ours when it comes to pricing and availability.[Via HotHardware]

Philips sticks to its guns with 16GB GoGear Muse PMP

2009-09-09T10:03:00.003-07:00

Think you've seen this one before? Close, but no cigar. Philips' GoGear Muse doesn't deviate much from the path that has been chosen for it (and fittingly so, might we add), boasting a predictably glossy motif, 16GB of internal storage space and a 3-inch display. As it overtakes the Opus for the company's top-of-the-line player, it also gains support for BMP, GIF, PNG, OGG, APE, Real Video and Real Audio formats, and just in case you're curious, it'll also handle those ultra-rare "MP3" things as well. Philips asserts that users could see up to 25 hours of audio playback on a single charge, while watching Family Guy re-runs could suck it dry in just 5 hours. As with pretty much everything else that Philips produces these days, it'll first hit Singapore for S$349 (or around $244 in Greenbacks), with only a faint chance of ever seeing significant action here in North America. One more look is after the break.[Via CNET]

Archos 9pctablet hands-on

2009-09-09T10:03:00.001-07:00

We wouldn't want to jump to conclusions, but Archos might just be onto something with its upcoming 9pctablet, which is due to launch alongside Windows 7. The Windows 7 bit isn't an accident, since it's really the first OS from Microsoft that makes it conceivable to use much of the OS with a finger, rather than the stylus. It's not all there, of course: Archos had to build its own touchscreen keyboard to replace Microsoft's woefully inadequate implementation, and there's an optical mouse sensor on the side of the display and a stylus buried within to pick up the slack. Overall the hardware seems very solid and astonishingly dense, and despite the recent advancements we've seen in thin and light laptops, it's pretty incredible that Archos has a full Atom-based PC running inside this thin, fanless slab. What wasn't so incredible was the resistive touchscreen, at least on the unit we were playing with. Our touches kept getting misread inexplicably as an inch below where we were tapping, and it didn't feel like a "light touch" resistive model at all -- no confusing what we felt with capacitive, though perhaps we got a faulty unit. This is probably a scenario where resistive makes sense, but we'd say Archos has a lot of work to do on the drivers or **something to make this more usable. The good news is that there will be an optional, super-slim external keyboard, which should make input on the 9 a bit less of a chore.

Leica gets official with M9 and X1 cameras, hands-on ensue

2009-09-09T10:02:00.001-07:00

No surprises here (at all), but Leica's 09/09/09 event has just led to the formal unveiling of the full-frame, 18 megapixel M9 rangefinder and the compact X1. The former (which is shipping now) supports all Leica M lenses and ships with a "newly developed glass sensor cover designed to guarantee the suppression of the infrared portion of the light spectrum." There's also a quick-access ISO adjustment button alongside a few other hotkeys, a full metal housing, Kodak-sourced CCD, a fresh microprocessor-controlled shutter (which is supposedly "near silent") and a staggering £4,850 ($8,004) price tag. As for the X1, you'll find a 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor (APS-C), a fixed-mount Leica Elmarit 1:2.8/24mm lens, numerous "auto" modes for the newbies in attendance, a maximum ISO of 3200, 2.7-inch rear LCD and a Live View function that replaces the optical viewfinder. Expect to hear more regarding price when the January 2010 ship date nears, but for now, feel free to peruse the hands-on galleries linked below.

Altec Lansing's InMotion Classic has good looks, bad price

2009-09-09T10:01:00.002-07:00

There's a certain low-profile shindig going on today, and in its honor we thought we'd show off a new accessory you might need for your brand new something or other. Altec Lansing has updated its InMotion line of iPod / iPhone docks with the Classic, which takes the iM600, washes off most of the ugly, slaps on a multifunctional handle, and asks for the same $149 MSRP. An auxiliary input, FM tuner and rechargeable battery make it decently versatile, while the remote and the "cubby hole" for its storage score cuteness points aplenty. Unfortunately for Altec, the "cute" price range doesn't quite extend to the heights of its asking price, so it'll be down to sound quality to deliver the final verdict.

Zero Creative's 71-inch 3D LCD will make environmentalists weep

2009-09-09T10:01:00.001-07:00

As Sony's notoriously power-thirsty PS3 receives a major boost in efficiency, you might think the age of the gluttonous gadget is at an end. Zero Creative, however, is here to show us that some manufacturers just aren't interested in being green. The company has created a 71-inch version of its xyZ (not xYz) lineup, a 3D LCD that sucks down an impressive 1 kilowatt when turned on. Given your average eco-friendly display tends to require something like 20 to 50 watts to bring you an image, that's quite an energy premium to pay -- and that's on top of the €70,000 price tag (about $100,000). Of course, what those eco-friendly LCDs can't do is give you a 3D image without glasses, a feature that is the very specialty of the commercially-minded xyZ lineup. An inability to display anything in plain 'ol 2D is something of a shortcoming, but we're told switchable versions are coming -- as is an even bigger, 100-inch screen that will ship with a dedicated coal-fired power plant

Sony's MDR-DS7100 7.1 channel cans cut the cord

2009-09-09T10:00:00.003-07:00

Big, comfy, over-the-ear headphones will never go out of style if we have anything to say about it, but we could do without the thick, coiled cords that usually come with them. Sony's latest ditches the tether in favor of a 2.4GHz wireless system, capable of receiving 7.1 channels at a range of about 100-feet -- all without a single tap into your central nervous system. The broadcasting will be handled by what looks to be a the same bulky base station we saw in the MDR-DS7000, but the new 7100 offers a larger 50mm driver and 13 hours of battery life; a 30 percent boost. No word on pricing for when these ship in October, but the previous model is available for around $250, so we don't expect 'em to break the bank.

Last minute Apple rumor roundup: iPhone HD video out, no new iPod touch?

2009-09-09T10:00:00.001-07:00

Okay, we're in the final countdown to Apple's Only Rock and Roll event, and some interesting bits of info have hit the wires while we're waiting. First, AppleInsider claims a "historically reliable source" has leaked the entire new lineup of iPods, complete with model numbers, and it's somewhat surprising if true: not only do capacities remain the same apart from a 160GB iPod classic, the iPod touch is absent from the list -- leading some to believe its upgrade has been delayed due to rumored technical issues with the camera module. AI also says the nano is getting "significant changes" to Nike+, but doesn't go into further detail.There's also been an interesting press release this morning from Harmon Kardon, which is touting that its new Bridge III iPod / iPhone dock and AVR 2600 and 3600 receivers can "play back HD video from iPod or iPhone products." Seeing as there's no (official) way to even get HD video onto an iPod or iPhone right now, that seems to indicate there's a change a-comin' -- and seeing as we've already gotten the iPhone 3GS to play back 1080p video, the addition of HD video support to at least some of the i-line seems like a no-brainer. We'll see what's true and what's just wishful thinking soon enough -- the liveblog starts in just a little bit!Update: And just in case you couldn't get enough sketchy cases, Cygnett has some listed on its site that seem to show a new nano screen size, as well as a new touch with a camera. Things are definitely heating up, stay tuned.

IOGEAR unveils new HDMI Control Center for well-heeled A/V fiends

2009-09-09T09:59:00.001-07:00

Sure, for some folks a simple 4-port HDMI extender is all that's needed, but you're not playing around, are you? If "overkill" is the only way that you roll, check out IOGEAR's latest: the HDMI Control Center includes a wireless keyboard with built-in laser trackball, supports 1080p (1920 x 1200) and HDMI 1.3, is HDCP compliant, rocks Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio Support, and ships for the princely sum of $499.95. Definitely not for the weak-willed. PR after the break.

OLPC's XO Generation 1.5 Laptop handled, speed tested - on video!

2009-09-09T09:58:00.001-07:00

The lucky kids at the OLPC Learning Club DC got paid a visit by a man sporting a beefed up XO 1.5 laptop recently and was kind enough to put on a little show for the group. Featuring a VIA C7-M 1GHz variable speed processor, the update to the classic XO machine promises full screen video playback, faster eToys and scratch animation, more storage for a larger offline library, better image capture and remixing, and an all-around better Java experience. In an admittedly unscientific (but still pretty sweet) side by side comparison, the XO 1.5 (left) was able to boot up and launch eToys (a real memory hog) before the XO 1.0 had booted up all the way -- this despite the fact that the 1.5 was started a little later, and that the 1.0 is overclocked to 500MHz. We're looking forward to seeing more red hot XO 1.5 action as the release date grows nigh -- in the meantime, the video below will have to tide us over. Enjoy!

Microsoft's Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000: barely thicker than a stack of hundies

2009-09-09T09:57:00.000-07:00

It'd be downright appalling to ever tote around a keyboard that's thicker than your current laptop, and you can bet the suits in Redmond recognize that. To that end, Microsoft has introduced this ultraslim Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000, which is just barely thicker than an AAA battery at the rear. Naturally, the curved board gets even thinner as it slopes toward the front, though it's the optional number pad that really steals the show in terms of cuteness. The BT-only device utilizes a so-called Comfort Curve design to keep your wrists from cramping up after a few lines of text, and if you're interested in claiming one as your own, get ready to shell out $89.95 when it ships next month. Oh, and as for that number pad? $44.95. Yeah, ouch.[Via HotHardware]

Motorola i856 debuted

2009-09-04T14:01:00.001-07:00

The Motorola i856 is the first slider cellphone with a Boost push-to-talk service. But when you look at the rest of the features, it is more or same like an entry level phone as it comes with a 1.3 MP camera, stereo Bluetooth connectivity, a microSD card slot and a 3.5mm audio jack. I would say a normal phone and you can get it if you are interested at a price of $170. This could have the same build quality of other Motorola phones if they haven’t compromised on that yet.
[Ubergizmo]

Sony Bravia HDTVs with three tuners

2009-09-04T14:00:00.002-07:00

The new range of Bravia HDTVs for Europe was introduced by Sony – the V5800, W5800 and the Z5800. All the mentioned series come with three tuners for receiving (DVB-S2), over-the-air terrestrial (DVB-T) and also cable (DVB-C) channels in standard or high definition mode. What is the best part of this? You don’t require different set-top boxes. The output is at 1080p and also has CI+ slot for cards for the subscription channels. All of them come with light sensor that automatically adjusts the brightness of the backlight depending on ambient light to save energy. Four HDMI inputs and a USB port for viewing photos or videos are common to all three of them. It is DLNA compatible, which means you can stream content from your PC, PS3 or any other networked devices. All three have the same contrast ratio at 100,000:1. The only difference is that the V5800 has a traditional 60Hz display panel where as W5800 and Z5800 comes with 100Hz and 200Hz respectively.
[Electronista]

Sony’s ICF-CL75iP

2009-09-04T14:00:00.001-07:00

Sony ICF-CL75iP comes with 7 inches color WVGA, 1GB internal memory, Retractable iPhone/iPod dock, Audio and video playback support and integrated FM/AM radio. You have to the option to select your favorite tunes to wake you up by using the radio or nature sounds or a 10-second voice recording. No new still on when the release date and the price could be around $150.
[Ubergizmo]

Sony launches Limited edition Gran Turismo pack for PSP

2009-09-04T13:58:00.002-07:00

The limited edition Gran Turismo pack for the PSP was launched by Sony. This special run comes with a UMD-based PSP-3000 in silver with a copy of the racing game, a 2GB Memory Stick Pro Duo, and also download codes for the in-game version of the white Corvette ZR1 that you will see on the cover along with a free movie from Sony's PSN video store and 10 songs from its Mac- and PC-ready Music Pass service. All this for $200 and will be available from October 20th onwards which is few weeks after the release of the stand-alone game on October 1st.
[Electronista]

Creative Zen X-Fi 2 available with 32 GB, enhanced audio for $399

2009-09-04T13:58:00.001-07:00

Creative Zen has brought out the ever formidable Zen that’s always looking promising with a few tweaks here and there with each new version. This one’s called the X-Fi 2 and derives its name from the X-Fi audio enhancing technology that has been added to the player. Besides the quality of audio output, it also provides support for numerous file formats such as WMV9, MPEG4-SP, DivX** 4/5, XviD, MP3, WMA(DRM9), Audible4, AAC, FLAC and it can also read JPEG and BMP images. It will be available in three versions 8 GB, 16 GB and 32 GB. Other features include microSD expansion, built-in speaker, microphone, FM, preloaded tracks, synch support with MS-Outlook for contact information and a very spacious 3 inch TFT touch screen.

Japan wants a 1GW Solar Station in space!

2009-09-04T13:57:00.001-07:00

They’re done all they can to show that the tiny cranium that man has been blessed with is capable of more things that even the Gods of Greece thought about. So we have this cool solar space station that will generate about 1GW power. Thanks to a joint venture by Mitsubishi Electric Corp and IHI Corp, this may well seem to be a reality in the near future. What’s more is that they have the backing of almost a dozen more companies who share the excitement of realizing this dream venture. So far the project has got an approval for just 200 MW power purchase from state regulators.

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2 is officially announced, finally

2009-09-04T13:56:00.001-07:00

Coming in from the era of blueprints, pictures and sightings, the XPERIA X2 has come a long way and behold we have an official announcement to set everything else as insignificant. The phone will run on Windows Mobile 6.5 (which explains the possible time we can expect it in stores). Besides this it will also have a 3.2 inch WVGA screen, QWERTY, HSPDA, Wi-Fi, GPS and a lot many goodies, just as we had expected. I cannot wait to get my hands on this one and go clickety-clack with the 8.1 megapixel shooter.

Mint Select digital talking dumbbells

2009-09-04T13:55:00.000-07:00

Gymming can be fun, if you have fun items to gym with. Mint Select felt the same and they introduced to the world – the Digital Talking Dumbbell system. It is apparently similar to the Nike+ system with Wii elements. What it does is, register repetition, speed and posture while you are exercising. It has an internal speaker which motivates users to meet specific exercise goals with voice feedback. Then this data will be sent to the computer through Wi-fi. Also, it has a charging cradle dock also stores away additional weights. This is like electronic devices can tell you how to live and how to have a control over yourselves. It is good in most ways but can be in some. But who cares, talking dumbbells! How amazing is that?

Gresso Grand Monaco USB drives for racing geeks

2009-09-04T13:54:00.000-07:00

Close on heels of Gresso’s Formula 1 race inspired cell phones come the Grand Monaco flash drives. A part of the Gresso’s Grand Monaco Collection, these flash drives also derive their form and status from the racing world. F1 and/or Gresso fans can pick from any of the two models - Double Security and Classic. Crafted out of tough yet light weight titanium superalloy, the case is further toughened with high-tech ceramic. And since carbon is touted to be the gold/platinum for the racing world, these drives too sport carbon inserts. Double Security USB is designed to include two independent data sources. For $500, it has two flash drives with 32 GB memory capacity each. While the Classic sports a slim square shape and supports 32 GB $200. Via Luxurylaunches

Augmented lenses provide more than just the vision

2009-09-04T13:53:00.002-07:00

Given the technology in its entirety we can say that it isn’t going to make it to the common man’s eyeballs anytime soon, but with all the wonders of a contact lens that provides you with analytical information, you can well hope for one soon. Hoping isn’t a sin after all. After watching Doomsday I was pretty bowled over by the concept of an eye that could see things and figure out additional details about it. For instance, your eye functions like one of those all knowing monitors in the FBI offices. ‘Augmented lenses’ is the new term haunting the dreams of our future and for good measure. To sum up all the tiny things that will be accommodated in these lenses we have a prototype that shows single-crystal silicon components, compound-semiconductor components, radio chips, miniscule antennae and an LED or two. Neat setup.

Star Wars in the West Coast - Photoshop at its best

2009-09-04T13:53:00.001-07:00

We have seen Death Star blasting the USS Enterprise into oblivion when it entered imperial controlled San Francisco. Mike Horn, a Photoshop guru and the guy who created the video shows his love for the wars by photoshopping personal photos and Star Wars images.
(More images after the jump)

Toshiba JournE Touch a high-end MID

2009-09-04T13:52:00.001-07:00

Toshiba has announced the JournE a touch screen tablet PC at the IFA. The high-end Mobile Internet Device (MID) packs in a 7 inch touchscreen supporting a resolution of 800×480 pixels, full HD output via HDMI out, 1 GB internal memory, SDHC memory slot and Wi-Fi. The unit is powered by Windows CE 6.0 Pro and has applications for direct access to Flickr, Live Messenger, Facebook, Picasa etc. The JournE's has a mediocre battery which is good enough for 7 hours of music playback and 2 hours of web browsing. It is scheduled to hit stores by the end of this year, Toshiba is still mum on the pricing.
[Akihabaranews]

Samsung M1 PMP is powered by Nvidia HD mobile processor for brilliant visual experience

2009-09-04T13:51:00.000-07:00

Samsung’s new M1 portable media player is powered by the Nvidia Tegra ultra low-power High Definition (HD) mobile processor for a brilliant visual experience. The Samsung M1 player offers 720p HD video playback on its Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting (AMOLED) display, wireless mobile games in amazing 2D/3D graphics and advanced audio functionality.The Samsung M1 also features an intuitive, Flash-based 3D user interface accelerated by Nvidia’s graphics expertise.

Nintendo prepping a DS update for the 16th?

2009-09-04T13:50:00.002-07:00

Now that Macworld has played out, we're turning our rumoring prowess over to Nintendo and their possible DS update. The news comes from gamer importer Lik-Sang, stating that they're hearing from a "Japanese contact" that Nintendo will announce a NDS: SP on the 16th of this month. This comes in the wake of Reggie Fils-Aime's statement that a DS redesign was in the works, and jives with the word from Japan's Famitsu magazine stating that a current Nintendo console would be revised soon. SPOnG.com thinks Nintendo will go for a mix between an SP and a flip-phone form factor, and bring the VOIP action (DSpeak anyone?) with the update, but we'd just be happy for something a bit easier on the eyes and a few millimeters thinner. (Image is Ryan Cooper's entry in Joystiq's Nintendo DS redesign contest.)[Via Joystiq]

The A373 iPod nano from ever-e includes Bluetooth and FM

2009-09-04T13:50:00.001-07:00

Why just settle for any old iPod nano case when you could get ever-e's A373 case that, along with protecting your precious nano, brings along A2DP Bluetooth transmission and an FM radio tuner? It even sports an old school microcassette recorder look, along with its own 5 hour battery, so what's not to love?[Via Gadget Review]

Sanyo's A5520SA tracker phone can sound the alarm in emergencies

2009-09-04T13:49:00.003-07:00

Sure those child tracking phones are great for most situations, but sometimes what your kid might need most in an emergency is just a really loud noise, and Sanyo has their new A5520SA outfitted with a buzzer for that very purpose. You can also pair the phone with a number so that when the alarm button is activated a call is automatically made to you. The phone can also work with a GPS locater service, for a fee, and even has a decent 2.2-inch screen and a 1.3 megapixel camera, so your kid won't feel like some total lamer toting a ghetto handset -- because if there's anything more important than your child's safety, it's her social status.

B&O's Advanced Sound System for Audi includes pop-up speakers for the dash

2009-09-04T13:49:00.001-07:00

We're sure you can figure this one out on your own, because seriously, what's to know? Bang & Olufsen and Audi have teamed up to toss 14 speakers with 1000 watts of power into some Audi A8 and S8 vehicles, and then gone and named the whole mess Advanced Sound System. The big development in the "why would I want that" department is the Acoustic Lens speakers that rise up from the dashboard to do their thing. Their $7,000 sound system thing.[Via Gadget Review]

FCC's new spectrum auction to bring broadband to planes

2009-09-04T13:48:00.001-07:00

The FCC is gearing up for one of their spectrum auctions that always get the big telecoms in a tizzy. This new auction is for the airwaves currently being used to hit planes with incredibly expensive phone service. Verizon is the culprit there, but they'd like to get in on this new auction to be able to offer broadband to planes, which sounds good to us, though based on their phone charges, internet might cost more than the flight itself. And then, of course, there is the question of Skype usage, and once somebody does it everybody is going to be reaching for their cellphones, and we'll end up with one big noisy 747. Well, we've got until May 10th for the auction, and about a year after that for the services to get set up, so we'll try to get some traveling in soon and enjoy the sound of crying babies while we still can.

Acogito's ACO-200HD brings remote scheduling to HD land

2009-09-04T13:47:00.002-07:00

Sure we've seen remotely controlled PVR scheduling already, but Acogito is taking it all HD with their new ACO-200HD unit. Their control technology is called RCXML, and since it's based on XML it's nice and accessible -- and probably moddable -- and can be used by most any device that can access the internets, be it traditional or over WAP. We'd have to see this all hands-on to get a feel for its effectiveness, and since we can't find price or availability on 'em, no word when that will be, but so far their offering sounds pretty good, and, well, HD![Via PVR Wire]

The VOCO Voice Commander "personal voice assistant"

2009-09-04T13:47:00.001-07:00

If you're ready to enter that snazz 21st century we keep on hearing about and start using your voice to control your entertainment, VOCO has your back with their handheld "personal voice assistant," the VOCO Voice Commander. When bundled with a Vzone player, which can hook up to a stereo, you create a "Vzone" which can pump out the music you request with your Voice Commander, Sonos style. You can also get news, stocks, and sports info on your screen, with everything flowing over WiFi. You could of course be boring and just use the buttons to get the same results about twice as fast, but what's the fun in that?[Thanks, Mark]

Skullcandy's Mark Frank Montoya MP3 player headphones

2009-09-04T13:46:00.001-07:00

What's better than some $50 iPod nano headphones? Why, a $230 pair of MP3 headphones, complete with their own generic looking 512MB flash player, of course. We'll try not to spill the beans to Skullcandy that for $20 more you could get a nano and Macally's offering, but someone is going to break the news to them sooner or later. Of course, there's no telling how much better these cans might sound, and they look plenty comfortable. Also, the included MP3 can be used on its own, with the inclusion of a battery pack, but we're just saying, these Mark Frank Montoya MP3 player headphones have a steep hill to climb.[Via Gadget Review]

LTB's 2.4GHz wireless headphones

2009-09-04T13:45:00.002-07:00

LTB has some new wireless headphones (conveniently named LTB Audio Wireless Headphones) that get their job done using 2.4GHz wireless technology, besting the usual 900MHz you'll find in most wireless headphones. Nothing too fancy, the headphones have a built-in rechargeable battery, and can charge up at the base station, which houses the RCA and 3.5mm hookups. Also, multiple transmission channels can be selected from to get the optimum signal, since you will be competing with all the other crazy 2.4GHz technologies floating around your house these days. The Gadgets Weblog got to spend some quality time with a pair, and were quite pleased with the results, including the audio quality and range afforded by the cans. They did mention a slight lack in bass, but gave the pair an overall thumbs up.

Hauppauge's Wireless MediaMVP pumps media over WiFi

2009-09-04T13:45:00.001-07:00

We know these are hard times, what with the recent deluge of media connectors all scrapping to push those videos around the house for you. We're sure you're going to make the best choice for you and the MPEGs you love, but might we suggest a bit of wireless action to simplify the setup process? The Wireless MediaMVP from Hauppauge Digital does the 802.11g thing and pumps MPEG, DivX, photos and MP3s through the air, claiming DVD quality videos from PC to TV. Connections offered include S-Video, composite video and S/PDIF out, and the box should be available for $150 this month

Willcom's new WX310J biz phone with fingerprint scanner

2009-09-04T13:44:00.001-07:00

For your secure yet fashionable needs, Japanese Radio has a new phone for Japanese mobile provider Willcom, the WX310J, which includes a fingerprint scanner for use with your PC or for securing your handset. There is a miniSD card slot, but no camera to feed it, and few other details on the handset, other than the business centric e-mail capabilities and a 0.65-inch thickness to the body. It should be available now in Japan, for about $220 USD, but we shouldn't plan on seeing this looker around these parts anytime soon.[Via Ployer]

Sony's new VAIO TX2 line of ultra-portables

2009-09-04T13:43:00.001-07:00

Those crazies over at Sony have busted out another line of TX laptops, the TX2 series. Weighing in at 2.7 pounds and packing Double Layer DVD recording, there is a lot here to love in a quite a tiny package. What really gets our hearts all aflutter is the 11.1-inch widescreen LCD sporting an LED backlight, which manages to save battery life and brighten our lives at the same time. They claim a 7.5-hour batter life for this thing, which sounds great, though we'd love to see what this thing could do battery and performance-wise once moved beyond the Pentium M processor into Core Duo land.

PC Magazine reviews the 30GB Philips GoGear HDD6330

2009-09-04T13:42:00.001-07:00

You might have lost this sexy little DAP in the CES shuffle, but the ever-watching PC Magazine snapped up a Philips GoGear HDD6330 and put the 30GB player through its paces. They like the device overall, which weighs in at 5.3 ounces and measures 0.7-inches thick, but found the 15.5 hour battery life lacking and the interface lag -- including a 5 second delay when selecting a song from the menu while playing another tune -- pretty lame. They found the physical interface, which is a touch sensitive LED lit affair, to be responsive and functional, though the sexy smooth face of the player doesn't allow for any tactile feedback, and smudges up something fierce. The screen is a 2-incher with a 220x176 resolution, and doesn't sound like much to write home about, but PC Mag liked the included earbuds and overall sound of the player, which, second to sexiness of course, is really the whole point, right?

The IP Thinking VoIP phone: get your Skype on with a block of wood

2009-09-04T13:41:00.000-07:00

If you're not sure what's going on here at first glance (or second or third), you're not alone. The story seems to be that this is a IP Thinking VoIP phone, it runs Windows Mobile 2003 SE, and can do the Skype thing, or whatever Windows Mobile apps strike your fancy, including video playback on the 3.5-inch QVGA screen. Therefore we would have to deduce that the odd-shaped block glued to the left side of the unit is the Bluetooth handset, which seems to push against the acceptable boundaries of mod design, but we'll leave that for you to decide

Samsung Instinct HD spotted in the wild, powered on

2009-08-28T01:12:00.001-07:00

We've already seen one exceedingly blurry image of Samsung's Sprint-bound Instinct HD, and one seemingly official image courtesy of Best Buy, but Phone Arena has now gotten its hands on what looks to be the most complete set of pics to date. That includes a peek at the phone's mostly familiar-looking interface, a quick comparison with some of its predecessors, and a look at some curiously repositioned Sprint and Samsung logos, which now match the Instinct S30 (whatever that may signify). Hit up the link below to check out the whole set for yourself.

Sony Alpha 850 full-frame DSLR given the hands-on treatment

2009-08-28T01:11:00.002-07:00

Sony debuted three fairly high-end cameras earlier today, but there's no question that the full-frame, 24.6-megapixel Alpha 850 is the flagship of the lot, and sure to garner the most attention (if not necessarily the most purchases). Thankfully, the folks at Pocket-lint have managed to get their hands on the DSLR, and have naturally provided plenty of pics showing it off from every angle (paired with Sony's 50mm F2.8 Macro lens). Hit up the read link for the complete slide show, and a bit more time to contemplate the $2,000 price tag it'll be sporting come September.

FCC formally launches inquiry into wireless competition

2009-08-28T01:11:00.001-07:00

Well, we can't say we didn't see this one coming. At today's meeting, the FCC has said that it will be launching a formal inquiry into the wireless industry and specifically into certain business practices of the big four: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile USA , and Verizon Wireless. The commission hasn't yet detailed exactly how they're going to go about this, but you can bet they'll be looking into exclusivity deals between handset manufacturers and carriers. And who knows? They might be interested in the whole iPhone / AT&T / Google Voice conundrum, especially if it turns out that AT&T had a hand in dissing the app. According to Reuters, the agency is looking into "how competition affects consumers," with an eye towards further investigations into other areas, including cable and broadband.[Via Phone Scoop]

Switched On: Microsoft and Nokia trade posturing for pragmatism

2009-08-28T01:10:00.001-07:00

Few tech giants have circled each other as intently over the past decade as Microsoft and Nokia -- Big PC vs. Big Handset, not quite direct competitors but hardly partners, and only occasionally backing common initiatives such as DLNA. But this year there have been signs that relations between the two companies have been thawing -- the Finnish tundra's warmed to the Seattle rain. In March, Nokia announced that it would support Microsoft's Silverlight on its S60 handsets. And earlier this month, the two companies announced a "global alliance" that will begin with Microsoft porting Mobile Office to Symbian in order to compete more effectively against fast-growing Research in Motion.Just weeks after that announcement, however, both companies have made moves in each other's space that show they're willing to break with longstanding positions in order to capture a share of the other's opportunity.

Spotify for iPhone gets thumbs up from Apple, subscription music with offline playlists is a go

2009-08-28T01:09:00.003-07:00

Streaming and subscription music services are a dime a dozen on iPhone, and they seem to get past Apple's app store approval hurdles with relative ease. But Spotify was one whose fate wasn't so clear cut, given its offline playlist function -- which as the name suggests downloads songs ahead of time for you to listen to when there's no WiFi or phone service to stream from -- could very easily fall into the category of "duplication of core iPhone functionality" and get deep-sixed at the drop of a hat. Turns out that's not the case here, as an Apple spokesperson has told paidContent UK that the app's been given the metaphorical stamp of approval and would be hitting the store "very soon." A premium subscription will run about £9.99 ($16.20) per month, with an option to pay annually coming at a later date. Of course, there's a catch, as Spotify's service is only available in Sweden, Norway, Finland, the UK, France and Spain for now. The company expects to invade America sometime later this year, but that means another round of app store approvals -- and with Apple's track record on consistency, there's no telling how that'll turn out.

Video: Human-carrying robot bear gets cuteness upgrade

2009-08-28T01:09:00.001-07:00

The original RI-MAN may have had the whole human-carrying thing down while still managing to be somewhat soft and cuddly, but it looks like the robot-makers behind it have decided to go one step further with their new model, which has been given a complete bear makeover (sans teeth and claws, thankfully). Now dubbed RIBA (or "Robot for Interactive Body Assistance"), the new bot is still intended to more or less act as a robot nurse, and can reportedly lift patients up to 135 lbs out of bed or a wheelchair, while also making use of a full range of tactile sensors and some special "soft skin" material to ensure the short journey is as comfortable as possible. Did we mention there's a video? Of course there is. Head on past the break to check it out.[Via Pink Tentacle

Coby's netbooks seemingly real, taking pre-orders

2009-08-28T01:08:00.001-07:00

Sure -- we haven't seen or heard anything about Coby's netbook line since way back in January at CES, but that didn't stop them from showing up for pre-order, did it? Color us a little surprised, but here they are. Two models have appeared on Amazon for pre-order. The 12.1-inch Coby NMPC1220XPBLK apparently boasts a 1024 x 800 resolution, a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU, 1GB of RAM, and a 160GB hard drive, while the NBPC1022XPBLK is a 10.1-incher with identical specs. The first runs $423, while the 10.1-inch model is $318. So tell us: will you be ordering one?[Via Liliputing]

Xbox 360 with 250GB HDD and Forza 3 spotted on Amazon Germany

2009-08-28T01:06:00.001-07:00

Now that the Xbox 360 Elite has officially dropped in price and killed off the Pro, it was only a matter of time before there'd be a new rumor to pin on Microsoft's console. Amazon Germany, who previously listed the PlayStation 3 Slim a good 20 days before the official debut (it still has the same Amazon Stock Identification Number as it did when leaked), has gone ahead and posted a new Xbox 360 model, ASIN in tow, with a 250GB HDD, two wireless controllers, and Forza Motorsport 3. Price is listed at 279 euros ($397), a good 30 euros over the current Elite price. No release date, but Forza 3 isn't due out until at least October 23rd so we'd say you got awhile to wait and see if this pans out. Any chance we can get a built-in WiFi adapter along with that extra storage space?[Thanks, skipper]

Sony Alpha 500 DSLR gets a hands-on

2009-08-28T01:05:00.001-07:00

Sony's announcement of the three Alpha line cameras just came today -- but we're already seeing plenty of them. Pocket Lint's got a fairly extensive hands-on with the Alpha 500, which boasts an Exmor CMOS 12.3-megapixel sensor, an ISO range of up to 12,800, with a four frames per second continuous shooting. It also packs an HDR shooting mode, and an HDMI output. The Alpha 500 will be out in October, and it will run you $750. There's one more shot after the break -- hit the read link for the full set.

WPA networks cracked in just under a minute, researchers claim

2009-08-28T01:04:00.001-07:00

To think it was just a few months ago that we thought taking 15 minutes to crack WPA encryption was a feat. Researchers from Kobe University in Japan are claiming they can best that by a wide margin by cracking any WPA-protected connection using the TKIP algorithm within just one minute flat. The details will be revealed at a tech conference on September 25th. Feeling paranoid? Bump up your encryption to the still-secure AES algorithm or WPA2... and if you're just wanting to live life on the edge, consider downgrading to WEP -- it's as good as open at this point anyway.

Dual-screen gScreen laptop gets pictured, hopefully launching this year

2009-08-28T01:03:00.001-07:00

We were pretty skeptical of gScreen's plans to produce a line of dual-screen laptops rocking when we first heard about them in February, but here we are, looking at the first picture we've seen of the Spacebook laptop. We're told it has two 15.4-inch displays -- since the company knows you don't always need both screens, the second stows away behind the first and slides out when you need it, just like the Lenovo W700ds. Except, you know, with a full-size screen. Inside, you'll have a selection of Core 2 Duos, 4B of RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 900M GT graphics, and a 7200rpm drive -- all of which explain why it's expected to cost just south of $3,000. gScreen's planning on having this on sale by the holidays, along with a dual-13-inch model -- let's hope the company can pleasantly surprise us yet again.

Twitter and Facebook for Xbox Live will be free for Gold members, 'free trial' for Silver

2009-08-28T01:02:00.002-07:00

This shouldn't really come as too much of a surprise, but anyone wanting to enjoy Twitter and Facebook on Xbox Live will have to pony up for Gold member subscription, the same premium prerequisite currently needed for Netflix Instant Watch and pretty much all online gaming. Silver membership will be given a "free trial," but exactly what limitations that entails, or if they'll be an option to "upgrade" to the full version, is anyone's guess.

Squeezebox Touch unboxed and in the wild

2009-08-28T01:02:00.001-07:00

Well, what do we have here? Looks like someone got their hands on Logitech's Squeezebox Touch a little bit early and was kind enough to snap some pictures. According to the hapless owner and photographer, however, it's stuck in software update mode and the company's support line refuses to acknowledge its existence. Major bummer, but when it does work, here's what we've gleaned from the side of the box: a 4.3-inch 24-bit color LCD with capacitive touch, 802.11b/g WiFI, Ethernet, USB drive and SD card support, a variety of audio out including digital optical, and an infrared proximity sensor. Audio streaming support is still there, naturally, so you'll have access to Pandora, Sirius, Last.Fm, and pretty much every major provider. Hit up the read links to see the pictures and express your sympathy.[Thanks, Kris P]

China Telecom talking to Palm for the Pre?

2009-08-28T01:00:00.000-07:00

Nabbing a contract with a carrier pushing into nine-figure subscriber count territory would go a long way toward helping any manufacturer's woes, so it's reasonable to believe that Palm would be shopping its latest wares around the streets of Hong Kong and Beijng where China's big three carriers are headquartered. Intriguingly, the Financial Times has just casually mentioned in a somewhat-unrelated piece that "China Telecom is planning to offer the Palm to its subscribers," a perfect fit considering that rival Unicom is poised to launch the iPhone and Telecom runs CDMA with nascent EV-DO coverage in the works. The Pre already knows a thing or two about CDMA networks from its Sprint and Bell launches, of course, so they've already got that base covered -- beyond that brief FT mention, though, we've got nothing, so it's hard to say when this might be hitting retail.

Iomega introduces StorCenter ix4-200d NAS

2009-08-28T00:59:00.000-07:00

Iomega just expanded its StorCenter NAS line with the new-four bay StorCenter ix4-200d. Just like the smaller ix2, the ix4 can handle pretty much whatever you throw at it: filesharing over a laundry list of protocols, streaming to iTunes, an Xbox 360, handling your Time Machine backups -- it can even take video directly off Axis-brand IP surveillance cameras. On the hardware side, you're looking at dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, three USB ports for printer sharing and additional storage, and a "QuikTransfer" button that'll let yo copy files directly from a flash drive to the NAS without a computer. The downside? You'll have to pay for all that power: the 2TB version costs $700, and the top-of-the-line 8TB model will set you back a whopping $1,900. Yes, you can just get a dedicated server for that kind of money, but then you wouldn't be able to say you were rolling with NAS, now would you?[Via Yahoo]

Samsung Reclaim Corn-Fed Ecophone Impressions and Gallery

2009-08-14T03:05:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's a dumbphone, but it's a dumbphone with ideals. The Samsung Reclaim is as much an environmental statement as it is a slide-out QWERTY messaging phone. The first thing you'll notice about Sprint/Samsung's $50 green blue handset is its size—it's adorably small and pebble-like when it's closed. Actually wait, no, the first thing you'll notice is the packaging. Remember all that talk about minimizing cardboard waste, and not including a manual? This is what we got:

US Pays More For Cellphone Service, Carriers Insist That We Are Not Getting Screwed

2009-08-14T03:04:00.001-07:00

A survey by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) revealed that the US, Canada and Spain pay considerably more for cellphone service than dozens of other nations. Of course, the carriers were quick to spin the findings.
"On average, the OECD found that Americans pay $635.85 on cell phone service, compared to $131.44 per year in the Netherlands or $137.94 per year in Sweden."
As you might expect, the wireless industry issued a press release proclaiming the study was based on "flawed assumptions" that "just don't make sense." If you look at the data the way carriers would like, you're getting quite the bargain. The CTIA does have a point that the OECD's usage categories seem low — particularly when it comes to MMS use. Another reason U.S. prices seem high? Carriers charge a hell of a lot of money for service. They also spend millions on lobbyists who tirelessly work to eliminate consumer protections and price controls.
It does appear that OECD's findings are inflated—after all, the three countries mentioned on this list have bigger appetites for wireless technologies and services. Still, I have little doubt that carriers are sticking ti to us in one form or another. [DSLReports via Consumerist]

Qik Video Sharing Application Now Available for iPhone 3GS

2009-08-14T03:02:00.000-07:00

Prepare to share your naughty bits, boring landscape panning scenes, and most embarrassing moments, because Qik is available for the iPhone 3GS, allowing you to share video using email, SMS, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook, among many others. [iTunes via Qik]

"Take Back the Beep" Voicemail Crusade Takes Back Its First Beeps

2009-08-14T02:56:00.001-07:00

Who knew David Pogue's consumer insurrection against scummy, minute-hoarding voicemail messages would actually work? Sir David would like to report that most major carriers have at least responded to the campaign, and AT&T is cutting down on message length.
The collected responses provide an interesting glimpse of how each carrier deals with problems, and its customers. Pogue's results:
• AT&T is "actively exploring" how to make its messages shorter, and says that visual voicemail, which will make this issue moot in a few years anyway, is a priority.
• T-Mobile says the issue has their "attention," which is either a promising acknowledgment, or just a statement of an incredibly obvious fact.
• Sprint rightly reminds us that you can turn off extended messages on their service already, and explains how. Thanks, Sprint.
• Verizon would very much like David Pogue to shut his stupid face, please, because he said means things about them on TV Twitter. Everyone else was cool!
You can read the full carrier responses here, but there are two main takeaways here: the campaign is actually working, so, you know, good job everyone; and it's clearly not over yet, until AT&T follows through, T-Mobile clarifies what their "attention" is worth, and Verizon cools down a little bit. A reminder:

Solar Shower Heats Water In Two Hours, But You'll Need It Cold (Trust Me)

2009-08-14T02:55:00.001-07:00

Is there a solar shower in this image somewhere? My eyes are inexplicably drawn to the right.
Seriously though, somewhere in this image is an outdoor shower that heats water up to 140 degrees in two hours using solar power. Of course, now all you can think about is a cold shower right? Well, the product page will bring you crashing back down with the imagery conjured up by the following line:
"you and your family can take several showers consecutively before the tank needs to reheat."
That is so wrong. [Herrington viaRed Ferret via DVICE]

Dell Vostro all-in-one

2009-08-14T02:52:00.002-07:00

There are some pretty keen gadgets shipping out today, headlined by the Dell Vostro All-In-One. The desktop's good looks will be sure to please anyone in the market for a stylish PC to spruce up the office.
• The Dell Vostro all-in-one is now gracing North America after spending the last month exclusively in the Japanese market. The 19" desktop comes with a VESA mount or can be ordered with a nifty futuristic armstand. The base configuration includes a 2.6 GHz dual-core CPU, 2GB of RAM and a 160 GB HDD. Unlike its Japanese counterpart, the Northa American Vostro has a 1.3 mega-pixel webcam; pricing for the base configuration starts at $599 after $30 in instant savings and the armstand will add an additional $90. [Electronista]

iHome's iP1 iPod and iPhone speaker dock

2009-08-14T02:52:00.001-07:00

Today's available gadgets covers everything from speakers to smartphones. iHome's high-end iPod and iPhone dock is up for grabs, along with a new laptop from Lenovo. The HTC Touch Pro2 is out as well, but watch out for the price.
• iHome's iP1 iPod and iPhone speaker dock we saw back in May started shipping yesterday, and it's certainly a far cry from the clock radio docks that the company is known for. The iP1 is iHome's first to use Bongiovi Acoustics' Digital Power Station audio enhancement, although the feature can be switched off if you wish. The speakers have a total output of 100w from two 4" woofers and 1" tweeters. On the video side, the dock sports both composite and component outputs. The iP1's lucite panel looks great, and the specs make it seem like a solid performer on paper. As with any speaker system, though, it's best to try before you buy. Available now for $299. [iHome via iPod NN]
• Lenovo's IdeaPad U450p is up for order as of today. The light-but-not-quite-ultralight 14" laptop packs an anti-glare LED-backlit LCD and an Intel ULV processor into a swanky brushed metallic body. The computer is available today starting at $799, but don't expect it to be waiting on your doorstep next week. Lenovo's pegged the estimated shipping date for mid-September. [Lenovo via Engadget]

Gadgets Available Today

2009-08-14T02:50:00.001-07:00

The gadgets launching today will satisfy everyone from pill poppers to Trek junkies. The new internet enabled GlowCaps will help keep tabs on what drugs need to be taken while the Myvu Crystal EV provides the entertainment in between doses.
• Vitality is launching a new internet enabled version of their GlowCap prescription reminder system. Patients attach the device on to the top of their prescription bottles, and GlowCap will give a light and sound alert when the drugs should be taken. The new GlowCaps connect to an included wireless home system that sends out information to caregivers giving them a detailed log of what medicines have been taken, and if the patient has failed to keep up with a drug regimen; the home system can also determine how many doses are remaining and alert a pharmacy if the patient is running out of medicine. The GlowCap can be purchased for $99. [BusinessWire]
• Myvu is updating it's video eyewear line with the Myvu Crystal EV. The EV boasts a 64" equivalent screen (a 30% upgrade over the original Crystal) shown in full VGA. A new "glance down" feature allows users to see what's going on around them with a simple tilt of the head. In addition to the spec updates, the Crystal EV also has the distinction of being the first eyewear viewer with an Apple iPhone Certification and is a part of the Nokia Forum. You can start living your Geordi La Forge fantasy for $300. [PR Newswire]

Google Chromium on Mac Kicks Every Other Mac Browser's Ass

2009-08-14T02:49:00.000-07:00

Google Chromium 4.0, the pre-alpha version of Chrome, may still be buggy and crashy as all hell, but it's also incredibly fast, according to benchmarks: 34% faster than Safari, for one, and more than twice as fast as Firefox.
These numbers are based on Javascript benchmarks, which don't give a total view of a browser's speed but do tell us how adept a browser is at dealing with intensive code. Chromium scored 657ms on the test to Safari's 886ms. Firefox scored 1,508ms and Opera 10 Beta 3 (my personal browser of choice) lagged way behind with 5,958ms. Keeping in mind that Chromium is pre-alpha and thus better seen as a fun dev project than an actual candidate for a primary browser, we're pretty excited. Once Google irons out the bugs and gets some damn extensions, Chrome on Mac is going to be a stiff challenger to Firefox. [CNET]

Corsair's Flash Voyager GT: The World's Fastest 128GB USB Flash Drive

2009-08-14T02:44:00.000-07:00

Corsair, who seem to spend all their time finding speed records and then breaking them, announced their Flash Voyager GT USB flash drive at the droolworthy 128GB capacity. Even better, the speeds totally don't suck: 32MB/s and 25.6MB/s read/write, respectively.
The first 128GB USB flash drive we say, the Kingston Datatraveler 200, was mostly a proof of concept, with relatively slow read/write speeds of 20/10MB/s. It was also prohibitively expensive at nearly $550. Corsair's drive has the speed to be really enviable, and it comes in even cheaper than the Kingston drive. Note, however, that we didn't say it's affordable, at all—Newegg is selling it for $400. Still, it's pretty great to be able to carry around even a massive music collection in the change pocket of your jeans. [Corsair]

Dell's Android Smartphone: New Photos and Specs

2009-08-14T02:43:00.000-07:00

We've mentioned Dell's rumored phone could hit China in very near future, and if legit, this info backs up the impression of the device being all-but ready. Specs could include a 3.5-inch display (640x360), GPS, MicroSD slot, and 3Mp camera.
These new pics look pretty real, and match what we've seen before. Seems like the Ophone mini3i (as China Mobile may call it), is looking increasing like a done deal.
* Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE class 12* Size: 68.6cc* 103g grams weight* Dimensions: 58 x 122 x 11.7mm* Display: 3.5″ nHD 640×360 LCD, 18-bit, 262K colors* OTA capable* Microsoft Exchange support* Google, AIM, Yahoo and MSN IM support* 3 megapixel auto-focus, flash, 8x digital zoom camera with 30fps video shooting mode, built in photo editor* USB 2.0, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR* A-GPS* On-screen QWERTY keyboard, hardwriting recognition, multi touch UI* MicroSD slot
[Boy Genius Report]

Awesome Porcelain Speakers Are Too Classy for My Desk

2009-08-14T02:42:00.001-07:00

This 2.0 speaker set (the toaster-looking piece is a volume control, not a subwoofer) may not be the most powerful set at 10W per channel, but they promise excellent conduction (and style) due to the unusual construction of ceramic-wrapped cork.

Bluelounge's Refresh Station Charges Four Devices At Once, Looks Pretty In Pink

2009-08-14T02:40:00.000-07:00

The Refresh charging station is like a beautifully slimmed down version of Bluelounge's Sanctuary charger, with half the connections: 2x iPod/iPhone, 2x USB, plus single Micro USB and Mini USB plugs.

Power Plant Growing Machine to help you with your harvest

2009-08-10T12:28:00.000-07:00

Are you sick and tired of muddy gardening? Here is a very handy gizmo to save the day. NASA researchers have found the way that makes it possible to grow your favorite plants whatever season it is with no soil at all. Christened the Power Plant Growing Machine, this smart gadget operates based on so called “aeroponics” technique thanks to which plants are well grown

Shake Weight to take off weight in no time

2009-08-10T12:27:00.001-07:00

If your workout routine takes a lot of your free time but your desire for staying in good shape is extremely strong, the Shake Weight seems to fits the bill. This training gadget offers a smart technique to keep your shape effortlessly and in no time. With just 6 minutes a day, you will be able to build strong upper body muscles while saving your time. Shaped like a real dumbbell, this gizmo is easy to use. So all you need to do just hold it while the Shake Weight will operate for you intelligently

NVIDIA GeForce GTX GPUs liquid cooled by BFG

2009-08-10T12:26:00.002-07:00

Submerging a motherboard with all of the adapters and fans inside the case into vegetable oil is indeed not new and not very popular. This has fewer upsides than problems it may cause while assembling and using the PC. Makes it of course more exiting, but prime advantage of all this – liquid cooling – has found interest between overclockers and gamers. So, a liquid cooling kit for a processor alone is an average thing these days. And now we got an announcement from BFG which sais they will do VGA cards with liquid cooling.

Preorders of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard are available at Amazon

2009-08-10T12:26:00.001-07:00

Amazon has recently added long awaited Mac OS X Snow Leopard to a preorder list. Preorders of the upgrade pack to the 10.6 version are available now for 29 USD. This is not the only upgrade plan available – you can also choose a 49 USD five user "Family Pack" alternative (a lot like Microsoft's three-license upgrade variant). Server version will run up to 499 USD, Box Set up to 169 USD and Box Set Family Pack will set you 229 USD back.

Mouse Computer NextGear L720EV4-WS64 - another gaming PC from the East

2009-08-10T12:24:00.000-07:00

Mouse Computer is rolling out another hi-end personal computer. This is the second one in this month and a second gaming PC this summer. The first one is of course the MASTERPIECE V1200. The latest one - NextGear L720EV4-WS64 – is quite a lot less stuffed, but is also a lot cheaper. One thing about it warns me though – considering its gaming intensions, NextGear L720EV4-WS64 may not be future proof, as a momentary choice it's quite alright. Specs follow.

Live a digital life with the iTalk Voice Alarm Clock

2009-08-10T12:22:00.000-07:00

Have you ever imagined controlling your alarm clock without inputting anything? Named the iTalk Voice Alarm Clock, this smart alarm clock is designed to be as much intuitive as possible. This digital alarm clock boasts easy voice operation so you can verbally program it. No more need to set your alarm clock when you are drowsy.

HTC Hero Unboxed (with Gallery)

2009-08-09T04:58:00.001-07:00

In case you’ve forgotten, the HTC Hero has a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen, 5-megapixel camera, HSPA, WiFi b/g and GPS, together with the latest Android OS 1.5 “Cupcake”. Where it differs from HTC’s previous Android devices, however, is in HTC Sense, the company’s new UI which integrates with the open-source OS and adds numerous widgets and other usability improvements