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.