Google!!

Google

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Virtual Palm OS on your Nokia N-Series tablet


You read that headline right, now you can run a Palm OS Garnet VM on your Nokia N-series N770, N800, or N810 tablet. Access just released a beta copy of their Garnet Virtual Machine software. Yes, Snappermail, DateBk5, Pocket Tunes, whatever -- all 30,000+ Garnet applications are supported. Free to download now and free when it hits production status at the end of the year.

Nokia's 8800 Arte and Sapphire Arte for the nouveau riche


Are you a "style-conscious consumer?" Yeah, then the 3G Nokia 8800 Arte and Sapphire Arte are for you toots. Just as long as you've got a €1,000 pre-tax bounty saved up for the Arte or €1,150 for the Sapphire Arte when they ship in Q4 2007 and Q1 2008, respectively. For that you get a 2.0-inch QVGA OLED display, 3.2 megapixel camera, 1GB of built-in memory, an anti-fingerprint coating on the metal and glass, and a leather pouch with linen-lining to keep things tidy. A turn-to-mute feature allows owners to quiet their phone by simply turning it over -- the phone equivalent of a huffy, raised-palm pirouette. It also ships with a Nokia BH-803 noise-cancelling Bluetooth headset which should help to minimize the "new money" whispers from behind your back

Samsung rolls out second generation WiMax devices in Korea


While Sprint teases us with their beleaguered WiMax offering, Samsung is already shipping product for KT's and SKT's year-old WiBro service in South Korea. In fact, they've already moved onto their second generation of devices available starting today. The list includes the SPH-9200 HSDPA, WiFi, and Mobile WiMax totin' butterfly XP device we've seen before. New, is that pair of SPH-H1300 and SWT-H200K USB Mobile WiMax modems and CDMA SPH-M8200 candybar running Windows Mobile 6 on EV-DO and Mobile WiMax data beneath that biggie touchscreen display. Now please Google, just cut to the chase and acquire Sprint so that we can get a taste of that high-speed mobile data on a homegrown frequency, too. Pretty please, with sugar?

Official Nokia N82 press shots!


Straight from the source and about 21 hours early, we've got the 5 megapixel Nokia N82 press shots. No detailed press release but really, what more do you need to know that you don't know already? Ah hell, we'll run down the rumored specs for you one more time: quad-band GSM, 2100MHz HSDPA for Europe, WiFi, GPS, FM Tuner, Bluetooth, 3.5-mm headphone jack, Carl Zeiss lens with Xenon flash, automatic rotating 2.4-inch QVGA display, and microSD expansion.

IOGEAR intros SRS WOW-equipped Bluetooth Audio Transport

It looks like SRS Labs has found yet another outlet for its sound-enhancing technology, with the company today announcing that it's signed up IOGEAR as its latest partner. What's more, it seems that IOGEAR isn't wasting any time in getting its first piece of gear out the door, as it's also taken the opportunity to introduce its new Bluetooth Audio Transport device, which promises to "dramatically improve the audio performance of content played on any Bluetooth-enabled audio device." The unit also boasts a microphone to let you get in some SRS-enhanced calling, and it should last you around six hours before it needs a recharge. If that's enough to get you to ditch your current headset, you should be able to grab one of these right now for $80.

Unannounced Zune "Citron" color unearthed


Digging through software resource files to find hidden tidbits about upcoming iPod and iPhone features has become almost as automatic as the unboxing ritual these days, and apparently the Zune 2.0 software hasn't been spared this treatment. Long Zheng did some hefty digging, and unearthed a citrus yellow "Citron" flavor of 4GB / 8GB Zune. Obviously Microsoft has announced no such Zune, so perhaps they're holding onto it for a holiday surprise. The player does have the odd distinction of being the only one with a black touchpad instead of a consistent color across the device, so maybe Microsoft just axed this one early on and forgot to pull it from the software. Only time will tell, but here's hoping that Microsoft doesn't bore us to tears this time around with incessant color updates while the software is left to rot.

Keynetik's motion tracking prototype handset spotted in the wild


Let's face it: the device pictured above isn't likely to arrive in America (in that form, anyway) anytime soon, but apparently, the hardware is the least important aspect. InfoSyncWorld was able to get its paws around Keynetik's prototype handset, which currently sports the same name and relies on a user interface with (surprise, surprise) the very same title, too. Apparently, this mobile -- which looks like a cross between a mobile gaming unit and a PDA -- includes a UI that is surprisingly intuitive thanks to the motion tracking support and its ability to take commands from two joysticks and four buttons. For instance, users can select icons by simply tilting the device in the desired direction and subsequently pressing a button, which reportedly makes browsing through tunes and contact lists a lesson in simplicity. Unfortunately, there's no telling if or when Keynetik's creation will ever go commercial, but feel free to check out a few more glimpses of the first edition after the jump.

Philips and Lite-on announce a $199 Blu-ray drive

All the action in the next-gen format war might be at the front lines of cut-rate players, but the battle rages on across the entire spectrum of devices -- which is why we've seen the poor $199 DH-401S BD-ROM drive from Philips and Lite-on touted as the answer to those $200 HD-A2s in a couple places. That's quite a stretch, obviously, but it's still much cheaper than any other BD-ROM drives we've seen. The read-only SATA drive pulls data off BD media at 4X, single layer DVDs at 12X, DVD-DL and DVD±RW at 8x, and CDs at 32X. Giving up write capabilites is obviously limiting, but for those of you building out HTPCs, this bad boy might be just the ticket.

Actiontec's zControl router extends networks to TVs, cellphones

We really, really wish we knew a bit more about Actiontec's ZCHAV1, but our interest has been officially piqued, regardless. Following in the footsteps of a few niche products already announced, this "router accessory" claims to extend home networks to televisions, cellphones and "other devices," and it will reportedly enable users to "control all network components from any display platform." Granted, this firm is no newcomer to cranking out multifaceted networking gizmos, but it looks like we'll be playing the ole wait-and-see game with the zControl.

Sunday, November 4, 2007

DiskGO 32GB USB 2 Flash Drive

DiskGO Flash Drive (Image courtesy EDGE Tech Corporation)

If you think the 160 GB External Drive I posted earlier is still too big to carry around on a daily basis, then your only other option for a decent amount of storage on-the-go is a flash drive. I can remember when 32MB on your keychain was mind-blowing, but that seems absolutely minuscule when you can now get a 32GB version instead.

At that size, USB 2.0 almost seems too slow for copying data if you intend to completely fill the drive. The DiskGO also includes a copy of Cryptarchiver Lite, which can be used to encrypt your data up to 128AES. When you consider how much data can be easily lost with a drive this small, encrypting your files is really not a bad idea.

The 32GB version of the DiskGO is available from the Edge Tech EDGE Tech website for $399.95, but smaller, more affordable versions are also available.

EZfetch Wireless HD Digital Media Player gets official


We certainly haven't been starved for media streamers of late, and if you reckoned the feature-packed EZfetch Wireless HD Digital Media Player would be priced right out of your league, guess again. This multifaceted unit, which appeared just days ago on the FCC's website, is now officially available to anyone interested -- and for $249, no less. Yep, for the price of a (likely sold-out) Wii, users can pick up a snazzy streaming box that pulls in content from Nokia N-series mobiles, PCs, NAS drives and a slew of WiFi-enabled devices in order to light up your living room TV. Furthermore, the gizmo plays nice with more formats than you can shake a stick at, and it's shipping now to those who simply can't resist.

Latest MP4 wristwatch sports an FM transmitter


We're all but convinced that nobody actually wears these video-playing watches out in public, but just in case there's some otherworldly group out there that takes pride in adorning their wrists with timepieces that are utterly heinous, you're in luck. This iteration sports a 1.8-inch 160 x 128 resolution OLED display, integrated media player that handles MP3, WMA and MP4 files, a built-in Li-ion, 4GB of internal memory, voice recording capability, USB 2.0 connectivity and an FM transmitter for good measure. All this can be yours for the above average price of $126, but if you have any respect for yourself whatsoever, you'll glide right on past this one.

Pure Digital intros Highway in-car DAB radio


Pure Digital is probably already bringing that DAB goodness to your dwelling, but we know how bad the withdrawals can be once you head out to the car. No worries, though, as the firm is cranking out "the world's first in-car DAB digital radio that doesn't require complicated installation," which is a fancy way of explaining that this unit relies on FM transmission to get DAB signals into your vehicle's stereo. As expected, the Highway gets its juice from a cigarette lighter adapter, and users simply affix a small DAB antenna on their windshield, find an open FM slot and tune their in-dash radio to match the station. Furthermore, the unit can even be used on-the-go, as it includes a built-in headphone jack and can go for six hours on a pair of AA cells. It even sports an auxiliary input along with Pure's ReVu technology to pause / rewind live content, and if any new features crop up in the future, owners can update their device via USB. Thrill someone you love (yeah, that can be you) this holiday season when it lands for £69.99 ($146).

Onda's VX888 PMP gets its shine on


Onda's not exactly known for its originality, and even though the VX888 doesn't do much to buck the trend, it's not a half bad media player on paper. Aside from featuring an oh-so-trendy chrome backside, a glossy face and a strange connection with Absolut, this unit boasts a two-inch LCD, 1GB of storage, an FM tuner, photo viewer, built-in equalizer and support for XviD / AVI / FLV / APE / FLAC / WMA / MP3 files. Additionally, this player reportedly utilizes Microsoft's PlayFX for 3D headphone effects and volume normalizing, but we're not entirely sure we believe the claim. Nevertheless, those in China can press their luck for just 299 CNY ($40).

Monday, October 29, 2007

3Skypephone launching November 2nd?


We aren't etching this in stone just yet, but we've seen numerous reports claiming that the recent partnership between 3 and Skype will soon lead to an actual piece of hardware. Reportedly, the 3Skypephone will be available on October 29th "for a pre-launch," and will be officially official on November 2nd. Specs wise, it should feature free calls to other Skype users / 3Skypephone owners, a two-megapixel camera, video capturing and an MP3 player. Interested consumers can supposedly choose from three different colors, and it should be available on the "£12 ($25) Mix and Match 100 tariff which offers 100 minutes or texts or any mix of the two." Ah well, at least we've but a few days left to find out for sure, eh?

Boynq rolls out Wake Up iPod speaker / alarm clock


Yeah, what you see above actually is yet another iPod speaker / alarm clock mashup, but being that it's from Boynq, it looks noticeably better than most of the alternatives. The interestingly designed device does quite a few things aside from wake you from your slumber, as it also includes an FM radio and line in / out ports to compliment the built-in equalizer and 20-watts of amplification. Best of all, this thing plays nice with every dock-connecting iPod ever created (including the iPhone "on models produced after January 1st"), and the remote controllable snooze practically guarantees that you'll never be on time for anything again. Talk about user friendly..

Vero ENB-100 Bluetooth kit offers solar-powered hands-free calling



Those that make a habit of chatting it up all day in their vehicle may want to consider Elan's new Vero ENB-100 device, which the company claims is the "world's first" solar-powered Bluetooth hands-free car kit. As you can no doubt surmise, it promises continuous charge-free operation as long as there's sunlight, and it'll even give you 15 hours of operation on a single charge if the weather isn't cooperating. Otherwise, you can expect the usual array of hands-free calling features, including a noise-canceling, omni directional microphone, a 1 watt "high-performance" speaker, and a voice dialing feature to let you keep your hands on the wheel. From the looks of it, however, this one's only available in the U.K. at the moment, where it'll set you back £60 (or about $120), although there's nothing to stop you from ordering one.

The T-Mobile Shadow

T-Mobile today has announced the long-rumored Shadow, a Windows Mobile 6 Standard device that looks not just better than its Wing stablemate, but arguably better than just about any comparably-equipped smartphone on the market today. Besides the "slick, slider design" and a juiced version of the standard Windows Mobile 6 UI, the Shadow features a rotating jog dial front and center, 2 megapixel camera, WiFi, and a new version of T-Mobile's myFaves interface allowing users to call, email, text, or MMS the peeps in their "fave five." Like what you see? If you do, good, because it turns out this is just the first in a whole line of upcoming Shadow-branded phones for the carrier -- a line that'll be focusing on multimedia connectivity and slanting the work / life balance a little more to the "life" side than some of HTC's and T-Mobile's other smart devices (ahem, Wing, we're looking straight at you). Grab the Shadow starting this Wednesday in "sage" or "copper" for a surprisingly reasonable $149.99 on two-year contract.

Lenovo's Y410: their first consumer laptop hits the big box


US netizens can now call dibs on Lenovo's 3000 Y410 laptop for the home. That's right, a consumer laptop -- their first for the US market. Released without fanfare, the new 14.1-inch glossy 1,280 x 800 model starts at about $700 depending upon the configuration you track down at your local big box -- another first for Lenovo. That gets you a 1.46GHz Pentium Dual Core T2310 proc, 1GB of memory, 160GB 5400rpm disk, dual-layer DVD writer, 6-in-1 media card reader, 802.11a/b/g WiFi, ExpressCard, and Intel X3100 graphics with 1.3 megapixel camera, Dolby Home Theater speakers with sub-woofer running atop a Vista Home Premium OS. The 1.02-1.45-inch thick / 5.5-pound sled doesn't look half bad either... for Lenovo. Now we're just wondering if the build quality and support matches that of their ThinkPad lineup. If so, then Lenovo's got themselves a winner here.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

SanDisk announces Sansa TakeTV, Fanfare video download service




Sansa TakeTV
  • 4GB and 8GB sizes, $100 and $150 respectively
  • Supports DivX (including Home Theater profile), XVID, and MPEG-4
  • Up to 720 x 576 resolution
  • On sale immediately
  • Intended for use in downloading shows from one's computer to the TakeTV (which is then physically moved to the TV)
Fanfare online video service
  • Launching with content from CBS, Jaman, Showtime, Smithsonian Networks, The Weather Channel and TV Guide Broadband, including shows such as CSI, Survivor China, Dexter, and Sleeper Cell
  • Video downloads will be both ad-supported (free) and paid (not sure how much yet), depending on the wishes of the content creators
  • Fanfare video will also be playable on Sansa portable media devices
  • Yes, it's DRMed, and yes, it's proprietary: TrustedFlash, developed by SanDisk
  • Launching in beta today, officially launching in 2008

CTT-Net intros TouchSense-enabled navigation systems



It's been a while since we last heard about Immersion's Touch Sense technology for LCDs, but it looks like the tactile feedback technology has now managed to squeeze itself into one of its biggest potential markets, with CTT-Net now introducing a pair of TouchSense-enabled GPS units. Aimed squarely at the Korean market, the CSN-7040 and CIN-7000 models each boasts 7-inch touch screens, and support for DMB mobile TV, along with the usual array of GPS and PMP features. But, of course, the real selling point is that tactile feedback, which Immersion says will "minimize driver distraction" by reducing the time spent glancing over at the unit. No word on pricing or availability just yet, it seems, or any word of the technology making into GPS units outside of Korea, though we're guessing Immersion is far from giving up on that last point.

NEC busts out a Nissan X-Trail-themed laptop


NEC's Lavie laptops have never been the most exciting machines, and true to form, when the company decided to release one of those oh-so-hip carmaker branded versions, they turned not to Ferrari or Lamborgini, but to the Japanese Nissan X-Trail. Based on the 12.1-inch Lavie G Type J, the unit features custom panels in the same red paint as the X-Trail, a custom palmrest with X-Trail logo, a waterproof nylon case made from the same material as the X-Trail's seats, and membership in a special Nissan website, where you can apparently buy more X-Trail branded gear. Specs are pretty variable since the machine is primarily BTO, but a sample configuration lists out at ¥243,495 ($2113), which'll get you a U7500 Core 2 Duo, Vista Home Premium, and a dual-layer burner. Of course, it's doubtful that we'll ever see this bad boy Stateside, but something tells us there aren't that many of you clamoring to show your X-Trail pride anyways.

HP announces integrated Sprint mobile broadband for business laptops


Those looking for a little EV-DO with their laptop but not willing to put up with the protrusion of a USB modem will soon have a few more options to consider from HP, which has announced a bundle of new business laptops equipped with some embedded mobile broadband courtesy of Sprint. Those include updated versions of the HP Compaq 2710p convertible laptop (pictured above), the 6510b, the 6910p, and the 8510 series, along with a couple of other unspecified models expected "later this year." Each of those will boast support for EV-DO Rev. A technology, and each will also get a free month of Sprint's mobile broadband service if you sign up for a one or two-year contract. Of course, this isn't the first time HP has offered integrated EV-DO in its laptops, with its partnership with Verizon having already resulted in a number of mobile broadband-equipped models.

Friday, October 19, 2007

Motorola Announces Special Edition Razr 2 V8 for Holidays

Motorola Razr 2 V8 Luxury Edition (Image via Motorola)

Motorola announced a new special edition of its Razer 2 V8 for the holidays called the Luxury Edition. The special edition Razr is clad in 18K and 24K gold plated accents against a black slate, vacuum metal finish. Pin stripes on the CLI lens along with an engraved diamond-cut pattern on the sideband and etching on the navigation wheel with an embossed snakeskin effect make for a luxurious feel says Motorola.

The technical specifications are quad-band GPRS/EDGE functionality with a size of 53 x 103 x 12.05mm. Talk time for the phone is 250 – 450 minutes and standby time is approximately 200-300 hours. The display on the inside is 240×320 pixel 2.2-inch with 262k colors. The external display is a 2-inch 240 x 320 pixel 262k color screen. The phone is expected to be available in Q4 2007 in select areas at an undisclosed price.

Hyundai W-100 - Watch Phones Get Smaller

Hyundai W-100 Watch Phone (Images courtesy PhoneDaily)
While it was inevitable, it’s nice to see that watch-sized phones have finally shrunk to something that’s reasonably sleek enough to wear on your arm. And even though it’s physically a lot smaller than a regular cellphone, it looks like the W-100 from Hyundai doesn’t compromise when it comes to features.

Not only does it function as a GSM phone, but it also includes a 1.3 megapixel still/video camera, an MP3/video player, a touch screen interface, bluetooth, MicroSD card slot and most importantly, support for the English language in addition to Chinese.

Bluetooth Speakers Resemble Strange Chocolate Candy


MBS-100

I’m sure you’re wondering what in the world that cool little ball is. Don’t worry, I had no idea either. This MBS-100 is Sony Ericsson’s answer to a portable cell phone speaker. The best part about this little guy is that it will actually stream music wirelessly from your phone via Bluetooth.

The internal battery will net you roughly 5 hours of music playback, which isn’t too bad considering that it runs off of Bluetooth. Unfortunately, the MBS-100 is only slated for an early 2008 launch in select Asia-Pacific markets.

Darklite DVD Remote Matches Your PS3

Darklite DVD Remote (Images courtesy Messiah Entertainment)
The PS3 hasn’t exactly become the runaway success SONY had hoped, and at the moment it seems like being able to play Blu-Ray DVDs is its most profitable feature. And if that’s the reason you picked one up you might also be interested in the Darklite DVD Remote from Messiah Entertainment.

Pelican intros Controller Charging Station for PlayStation 3


Nyko's SIXAXIS charging dock may serve the same purpose as Pelican's forthcoming device, but we'll give the sexy award to the latter. The Controller Charging Station for PlayStation 3 boasts a very unique, if not admirable design that holds two SIXAXIS controllers above ground and juices 'em up through the exposed mini USB plugs. Additionally, the base of the unit is home to two full sized USB ports (shown after the jump), so there's always the option of charging up four PS3 controllers at once should you choose. The price? $29.99 when it lands in just a few weeks.

Onkyo Announces Affordable 7.1 Home Theater System in a Box

Onkyo HT-SP908 Home Theater in a Box (Image via Onkyo)

When I hear the name Onkyo, I think of nice home theater products that are very expensive. Some of Onkyo’s AV receivers alone can run you into the $5000 range. When Onkyo announced their latest home theater in a box system I expected to see it priced well above what your average home theater fan is willing to spend.

Consider the specs on the HT-SP908 system with a full 1080p upconverting DVD player, 7.1 channel surround sound, XM and Sirius satellite radio ready, and an included iPod dock and the price of $1099 is a bargain.

The AV receiver is the Onkyo TX-SR605, which has a pair of HDMI v1.3 inputs and one output with the ability to decode Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS HD Master audio. The Onkyo DS-A1X remote interactive iPod dock is included. The speakers include a powered 10-inch subwoofer and each satellite has a pair of 3 1/8-inch woofers and a 1-inch dome tweeter inside. If you don’t have the space for a 7.1 system Onkyo offers the HT-SP904, which is a very similar 5.1 system selling for $899.

Nokia Officially Announces N810 Internet Tablet

Nokia N810 Internet Tablet (Image via Nokia)


Today Nokia officially announced its N810 Internet Tablet. The pocket-sized device connects to the internet via WiFi hotspots or your Bluetooth enabled phone. Using the N810, you can make VOIP calls, check web based mail services like Gmail and watch YouTube videos.

The N810 has a built-in VGA camera for video chat sessions. An integrated GPS receiver allows you to find local attractions with pre-loaded maps. You can also get voice-guided turn-by-turn driving directions with upgraded Wayfinder service.

An optional 10GB memory card allows you to store up to 7500 songs and the N810 can play the music for 45 hours. Maemo Linux is the operating system used and the web browser is Mozilla based with Ajax and Adobe Flash compatibility. The Nokia N810 is expected to ship in November at an MSRP of $479.

Sony Announces the HDMS-S1D Digital Photo Album

Sony HDMS-S1D Digital Photo Album (Image via Sony)


Sony announced a new digital photo album called the HDMS-S1D recently that features an 80GB internal HDD capable of storing up to 50,000 digital photos. The photo album connects to HDTV sets via HDMI and has multiple methods for importing photos available.

The S1D can import photos via virtually all memory card formats plus CD, DVD, and USB or over an Ethernet network connection. Once photos are imported, they can be managed with the included remote control. Organization options allow for grouping photos by date or events like birthdays and holidays.

Photos can be rotated, edited and deleted from the system via the remote. The S1D has the ability to arrange photos for a slideshow or into a digital scrapbook with Sony’s x-Application that is included. The application includes 30 pre-loaded music tracks to set your photos to and you can print photos directly from the S1D to your printer. Pricing for the HDMS-S1D digital Photo Album is around $400 and is available at Sony retailers or the Sony Style website.

SILVER SEAL Antibacterial Dishwasher Safe Mouse & Keyboard

Silver Seal Antibacterial Mouse and Keyboard (Image via Seal Shield)

If you have small kids or work in an office where several people share your mouse and keyboard you are probably aware that the mouse and keyboard of most computers are hotbeds for germs and viruses. Seal Shield has a new mouse and keyboard called the SILVER SEAL that have antibacterial properties and can be washed in the dishwasher.

This is the ideal mouse and keyboard for use in medical settings since the silver ion is embedded into the plastic so the antibacterial properties don’t wear off over time. When it comes time to clean the mouse and keyboard of dirt and debris, they are both completely submergible and dishwasher safe. The SILVER SEAL mouse and keyboard will begin shipping in November at an undisclosed price.

Sunday, October 7, 2007

Iqua Solar-Powered Bluetooth Headset

Iqua Vogue

A few days ago at 3GSM in Barcelona, Iqua (in partnership with Suntrica) showed off their solar-powered bluetooth headsets. Modeled on their existing Vogue headset (pictured above), I assume it’ll have some solar panels on the outside, which can be used to charge the internal battery. The only hard numbers available say it’ll weigh 14 grams (no details about talk time, charge time, or battery life), and if it’s got the same specs as the Vogue, it’ll be a pretty typical headset otherwise.

Joystiq's hands-on with the PlayStation Eye


The fanatical crew of card-and-video-game enthusiasts over at Joystiq have apparently had the unique pleasure of a hands-on with the newest and wackiest PS3 accessory, the PlayStation Eye and its bundled game Eye of Judgment. If you'll recall, the interactive, VGA camera is integrated with the Magic: The Gathering-like game, which uses real cards and a mat that the camera is aimed at. We understand the Joystiq team really put the game (and the Eye) through its paces in a 36-hour, pepperoni-pizza-filled, jolt-drinking marathon, which ended when one of the players' chaotic-neutral wizards cast "sleep" on everyone, but exhausted his remaining mana in the process. Browse on over to the Joystiq'ers pad and get all the nasty details.

HP offers up HD DVD / Blu-ray drives on select Pavilion desktops


Just last month, we heard rumblings that HP may begin offering up two-faced optical drives in its desktops, and sure enough, a variety of select Pavilions are now being served up with HD DVD and / or Blu-ray compatibility. The d4995t, m9000t and m9000z all give users the option of purchasing a vanilla dual-layer DVD burner, an HD DVD / Blu-ray combo player (that also burns DVDs), or a drive that burns Blu-ray / DVD and reads HD DVD. Additionally, a number of lesser-spec'd rigs also provide users the option of picking up an HD combo drive of some sort, and you can even snap up ATI's TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner on the d4995t and m9000t (among others).

Animated WiFi detector shirt keeps you single with signal

Life's great priorities -- human interaction and network access -- seem to exist in perpetual tension, but those of you who know exactly where you stand might want to check out this Wifi Detector shirt, which will simultaneously inform passerby that a WiFi network is nearby and that they probably don't need to speak to you. The detachable detector / display combo runs off three AAA batteries for "hours" -- just long enough for you to alienate the locals before heading back to your parents' basement. Scarily enough, it's already out of stock, but ThinkGeek should have more in a couple weeks for $30.

HP's iPAQ 110 and 210 PDAs


We know that you're all on pins and needles right now waiting to find out when you can get your hands on those new HP PDAs, the iPAQ 110 and 210, and how much it will cost you when you do. Well, you're in luck, because the company has just added shipping dates and pricing to its website, thus making your Fall plans a little bit easier. If you'll recall, both WiFi equipped, Windows Mobile 6 devices feature color TFT touchscreens, Marvell PXA310 624 Mhz processors, and Bluetooth 2.0. The devices will be shipping on October 8th, with the 110 selling for $299, and the 210 for $399.

Friday, October 5, 2007

Euri's multimedia ring box



We'd highly recommend spending a bit more time (and money) on the actual ring rather than the box it comes in, but for those looking to wow your tech-savvy fiancée even more when popping the question, take a look at Euri's multimedia ring box. This ring holder sports a two-inch LCD internally, along with a clock, calender and alarm, and is available in a number of hues. There's even an unspecified amount of internal storage included, and you can upload your favorite pre-engagement photos via USB and have them displayed on the big day. Granted, this snazzy box is $198.95, but you only get one shot (well, usually) to get a YES

Samsung's Armani and Serenata take a catwalk


Samsung's pair of uber designed Armani and Serenata cellphones were caught out on the town in a European paparazzi twist-up last night. Don't worry, we won't distract you from your vanity by running down the specs again. We will, however, swing open the stall door to more glamour than you can shake a rolled-up Benjamin at. Just click the read links for your fix. Go ahead, everybody's doing it.

Energy Sistem intros Ingenio 4000, 5000 PMPs


Energy Sistem may not exactly be the most household name, but its latest pair of PMPs looks to be decent enough to garner it a bit of notice, at least from those willing to tread in less-familiar waters. Of the two, the unfortunately-named Inngenio 4000 DUET HDP M-EX is the slightly higher-end model, with it boasting a 2.8-inch display, 6GB of storage, a miniSD card slot, an FM tuner and support for Xvid video files, among other more common formats. The Inngenio 5000 HDP M-EX, on the other hand, cuts the storage down to just 2GB, and relies on a standard SD card slot for expansion. It does, however, boast a slightly larger 3.5-inch LCD, although, despite appearances, neither display appears to be a touchscreen. From the looks of it, both are available in Europe now, with the Inngenio 4000 running €155 (or about $220) and the 5000 setting you back €120 (or roughly $170).

Sony's Cyber-shot T200


You may remember Sony's new Cyber-shot T200 from way back at IFA, where we had the great and terrible pleasure of getting our grubby mitts all over it. Well, CNET Asia has gotten their mitts on the device for a thorough review, and we thought we'd bring you the many, many highlights. Overall, they seem to like the design, but aren't crazy about the loss of some buttons, which they say makes the camera feel a little cramped, though the large, 3.5-inch touchscreen display makes up for it. The camera's smile detection -- which is one of its more novel features -- is reported to be inaccurate and touchy, and the speed of startup and first shot on the T200 apparently leaves something to be desired. CNET says that the camera's image quality is "decent," but that they detected noise at ISO 400, and anything past ISO 800 was a nasty mess. Overall, they're not in love, but they do seem to be feeling a strong "like." Browse on over and catch the whole review.

Nike's Amp+ watch


Quietly -- too quietly perhaps since Apple hasn't update their site yet -- Nike's $79.00 Amp+ Sport Remote Control just made its first appearance on Nike's online store. That "+" indicates that this device integrates with Apple's wee iPod nano receiver for Nike+ shoes allowing you to wirelessly track and monitor your runs and personal progress. Yes, it's a watch too; an LED display shows the time of day with those biggie, iPod icons appearing only when activated by the remote. It's also water resistant for you Mr. Sweaty McFaty, up to 50-meters in fact just in case your glands react unfavorably to your new Twinkie-free lifestyle.

Monday, October 1, 2007

Dell gets official with webcam-packing SP2008WFP monitor



Not that it'll come as much of a surprise to anyone that followed ourWeek o' Dell Scoops , but the company has now finally gotten official with its 20-inch SP2008WFP monitor, which is particularly notable for inclusion of a built-in webcam. That cam is of the 2.0 megapixel variety, and also includes a built-in microphone to let you get in some videoconferencing with minimal clutter. Otherwise, you can expect some pretty solid specs across the board, including a 1680 x 1050 resolution, a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, a 2 ms response time, a 300cd/m2 brightness rating, and both VGA and DVI ports (with HDCP), not to mention four USB 2.0 ports. One thing we didn't know before was the price, which has now been revealed to be just $289. No complaints there.

Blog Tang A+


While the Blog Tang A+ seems to fall short in the blogging department, there's plenty to make up for that. Like a 4.3-inch LCD, 30fps "high-def" video and up to 160GB of storage. Codec support is plentiful, including fan-faves like OGG in addition to the usual video and audio suspects, and there's line-in recording as well as TV out. The 40GB version starts the bidding at 1,299 yuan ($173 US), with prices up to 2,199 yuan ($293) for 160GB

Audio Technica's


Audio Technica's no stranger to high-end cans, and we must say, its flagship set for 2007 (its words, not ours) looks mighty sexy. The ATH-ESW9 Sovereign Wood Headphones are crafted from "Japan's finest Hokkaido cherry tree," feature 42-millimeter neodymium magnet drivers with fiberglass housing support, and come bundled with a carrying case to keep these beauties clean when not in use. You can pick these up to listen to (or just look at) come October 19th for ¥37,800 (or about $330).

Friday, September 28, 2007

Vertu :Ferrari phone


See, here's the thing about Vertu phones: anyone who's wealthy enough to afford one probably wants (and can afford) more than one, probably doesn't care about newfangled goodies like 3G or a large, high resolution display, and probably keeps a Ferrari or two in the garage. On that note we give you the "Ascent Ferrari 60," the Nokia division's second Ferrari-themed handset. Unlike the first -- which happened to also be an Ascent -- the Ferrari 60 features a shift gate on its posterior instead of a brake pedal, which clearly makes it worth the €18,000 (about $25,370) asking price. Of course, that hefty cost of admission also nets you an elaborately fashioned storage box, a Vertu Aerius headset, and an actual valve out of a Ferrari F1 car, so the 60 lucky sons of guns that grab this thing are in for a treat (if valves and outdated Bluetooth headsets are your thing). Check it out at Nokia's London, Paris, Singapore, and Hong Kong locations.

Kenwood's latest flash Media


Zoinks, Kenwood just loosed yet another Media Keg design into Japan. Two in fact, each sharing the same guts: the sophisticatedly-smarmy GD55 and whimsically-chintzy GD50. Both feature up to 2GB of flash, a 4-line OLED display, a USB mass storage mode and support for MP3 or DRM'd WMA audio with up to 21 hours of MP3 playback before needing a recharge. Yours in Japan starting next month for ¥15,000 or about $130 for the full 2GB treatment.

ASUS' R2E UMPC



ASUS' R2H UMPC -- one of the original trio of UMPCs -- has finally ditched that 900MHz Celeron in favor of Intel's latest A110 processor. Better yet perhaps, the new R2E UMPC now combines HSDPA with 802.11b/g WiFi to live up to its previously unrealized, "ultra-mobile" namesake. There's also a beefier 80GB disk option with up to 1GB of DDR2-400 memory now supported. Otherwise, its physical appearance remains unchanged as does that 7-inch 800 x 480 display and optional integrated GPS. €1,119 (incl. VAT) or about $1,586 when it drops for Europe next month.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Creative's 4GB, 16GB Zen players see price drops



Shortly after hitting has seemingly dropped the price of its 4GB and 16GB Zens -- in America, at least. Of course, you can make of all this what you will, but the facts are that the 4GB iteration has sunk from $149 to $129.99 on both Amazon and the firm's own webstore, while the 16GB version has dropped from $299 to $249.99. Interestingly, the 8GB version remains stuck (at least momentarily) at $199.99. So, if you've been eying a Zen for yourself but couldn't quite cough up the required dough, here's your chance to save some green.

Toshiba's 100GB Gigashot A100F: World's Smallest "Full HD" camcorder


Toshiba just announced their gigashot A and K series of video recorders in Japan. The A100F brings a shock-mounted, 1.8-inch 100GB disk with 1/3-inch CMOS sensor 2 megapixel stills or 1,920 x 1,080 recordings at 60fps with 16bit/48kHz Dolby digital stereo audio at a 384kbps bit rate. That equates to about 12 hours of MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 formatted video at the highest quality setting or about 23 hours in standard mode. It also features SDHC expansion, a big 3-inch LCD, 10x optical zoom, HDMI and component out, and USB linkup with your PC. According to Toshiba, its 78.1 x 135.4 x 79.0-mm measurements also give it claim to the title as the world's smallest "Full HD" camcorder with built-in hard disk drive. The gigashot K series rolls things back to 720p video and 0.92 megapixel stills stored in a maximum 80GB disk. The top of the line gigashot A100F starts shipping in mid November for ¥188,000 (about $1,628) while the lowest of the low 40GB K-series model starts shipping in late October for ¥108,000 or right around $935 -- you know, if the dollar holds steady which it won't.