Gadget 4.86

Virtual Palm OS on your Nokia N-Series tablet

2007-11-14T12:48:00.001+05:30

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

2007-11-14T12:47:00.001+05:30

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

2007-11-14T12:45:00.000+05:30

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!

2007-11-14T12:44:00.000+05:30

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

2007-11-14T12:03:00.001+05:30

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

2007-11-14T12:01:00.002+05:30

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

2007-11-14T12:01:00.001+05:30

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

2007-11-14T12:00:00.001+05:30

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

2007-11-14T11:58:00.000+05:30

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.

DiskGO 32GB USB 2 Flash Drive

2007-11-04T12:00:00.000+05:30

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

2007-11-04T11:44:00.000+05:30

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

2007-11-04T11:41:00.000+05:30

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

2007-11-04T11:26:00.000+05:30

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

2007-11-04T11:25:00.000+05:30

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).

3Skypephone launching November 2nd?

2007-10-29T15:52:00.000+05:30

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

2007-10-29T15:51:00.000+05:30

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

2007-10-29T15:50:00.000+05:30

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

2007-10-29T15:47:00.000+05:30

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

2007-10-29T15:45:00.000+05:30

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.

SanDisk announces Sansa TakeTV, Fanfare video download service

2007-10-23T12:30:00.000+05:30

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

2007-10-23T12:28:00.000+05:30

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

2007-10-23T12:24:00.000+05:30

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

2007-10-23T12:23:00.000+05:30

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.

Motorola Announces Special Edition Razr 2 V8 for Holidays

2007-10-19T22:05:00.001+05:30

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

2007-10-19T22:05:00.000+05:30

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

2007-10-19T22:03:00.000+05:30

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

2007-10-19T22:02:00.000+05:30

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

2007-10-19T22:00:00.000+05:30

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

2007-10-19T21:59:00.000+05:30

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

2007-10-19T21:58:00.000+05:30

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

2007-10-19T21:57:00.001+05:30

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

2007-10-19T21:56:00.000+05:30

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.

Iqua Solar-Powered Bluetooth Headset

2007-10-07T20:15:00.000+05:30

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

2007-10-07T20:06:00.000+05:30

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

2007-10-07T20:04:00.000+05:30

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

2007-10-07T20:02:00.001+05:30

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

2007-10-07T19:57:00.000+05:30

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.

Euri's multimedia ring box

2007-10-05T14:56:00.000+05:30

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

2007-10-05T14:55:00.000+05:30

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

2007-10-05T14:54:00.000+05:30

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

2007-10-05T14:53:00.001+05:30

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

2007-10-05T14:51:00.000+05:30

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.

Dell gets official with webcam-packing SP2008WFP monitor

2007-10-01T11:18:00.000+05:30

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+

2007-10-01T11:17:00.000+05:30

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

2007-10-01T11:15:00.001+05:30

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).

Vertu :Ferrari phone

2007-09-28T17:27:00.000+05:30

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

2007-09-28T17:24:00.000+05:30

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

2007-09-28T17:20:00.000+05:30

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.

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

2007-09-25T16:43:00.000+05:30

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

2007-09-25T16:40:00.000+05:30

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.

Medion's GoPal P4425 navigator

2007-09-25T16:37:00.000+05:30

For those worried aboutcrooks swiping their GPS while it's left alone in the vehicle, Medion is introducing a new navigator that becomes utterly useless if the owner's fingerprint isn't around to get things going. The GoPal P4425 is also equipped with the usual amenities found on a higher-end GPS including Bluetooth, RDS-TMC, voice activation, text-to-speech, and an FM transmitter. Additionally, you'll find a 4.3-inch widescreen display, a rechargeable Li-ion that's good for four to five hours before needing a boost, and full western Europe maps complete with "a preloaded safety camera database with major route speed limit warnings ." Set to hit shelves in November, the GoPal P4425 carries a £299.99 ($604) pricetag, while the pared down GoPal E3410 that was simultaneously announced will run you £189.99 ($383).

Simple 9-Volt Battery Flashlight

2007-09-22T11:43:00.000+05:30

When it comes to an LED flashlight I’m pretty sure this design is as simple as it gets. Three super-bright LEDs (are there other versions of LEDs out there? somewhat-bright? relatively dim?) are housed in a small plastic cap that attaches directly to the top of a 9-volt battery. A small power switch is also included allowing you to leave the light connected at all times without draining the battery.

The design obviously borrows quite a bit from Richard Lawson’s own but where as those look and function like miniature table lamps this version provides a directional beam making it a bit more useful to carry around with you.

iHome intros the iHC5 mobile phone dock

2007-09-22T11:39:00.000+05:30

Looking for a totally elaborate, complicated, and kind-of-ugly dock for your iPhone or media-playin' mobile device? You're in luck, becauseiHome is about to deliver the goods... big time. Enter the iHC5, a remote-controlled, Bluetooth-equipped, 4-speaker-sporting pile of accessory goodness. The system -- which is made to handle all kinds of phones -- features AVRCP and A2DP profiles, has dual alarms for getting you out of bed, and has a line-in for hooking up your CD or MP3 player. Sure, it's not the coolest looking thing in the world, but if you really need a self-contained docking solution for your mobile phone, you could do worse, couldn't you? No word on a release date, though it'll cost you $149.99 when it hits shelves.

Sony PSP 1-SEG digital TV tuner hands-on

2007-09-22T11:36:00.000+05:30

Just launched in Japan, Sony's got high hopes for its a 1-SEG digital TV tuner -- and with over seven million Japanese PSPs now capable of viewing high quality video over the air (complete with EPG), we can't blame Sony for it's optimism. The only way you'll get one of these, though, is if you pack your sorry self up and move on overseas -- or find a way to set up a pirate 1-SEG cell, anyway. It'll might just be worth it though, the whole mobile TV experience we saw on this tuner was pretty smooth, with near-instant channel changes and that slick guide, to boot.

Belkin starts shipping the Network USB Hub

2007-09-21T13:50:00.000+05:30

It was supposed to Ship in June, but it looks like Belkin is finally shipping the Network USB Hubthis week. The five-port USB hub "simulates a direct USB connection" that allows you to use all your USB devices over the network -- and special caching software even lets you use USB 2.0 devices at full speed. Looks like Windows users can nab one of these now for $129 -- Mac users are still waiting on driver support.

2007-09-21T13:45:00.000+05:30

Venzero LINQ mini Has Wi-Fi Streaming From Windows Media Player 11

Never mind that the Linq Mini has only 1GB of flash memory—the thing can stream music directly fromWindows Media Player 11, giving it essentially unlimited (or at least PC-levels of) storage if you're hooked up to Wi-Fi .on the LAN. Why is this cool, again?

Other than this, there's a monochrome LCD (wha?), MP3/WMA support, 20 hours battery life in MP3 mode, 5 hours battery life in Wi-Fi mode and the ability to record music being played back from the car's radio, Starbucks speakers or the GAP and identify it the next time you sync your player. All this for $99 means that if you don't mind the black and white screen, the odd combination of features makes it a tempting buy

iPod classic and an Energi To Go Charger

2007-09-21T13:43:00.000+05:30

What could go better than an iPod classic and an Energi To Go Charger to provide power while on the road? Nothing.

Nokia launches business-minded E51 handset

2007-09-20T15:13:00.000+05:30

While Nokia didn't exactly choose the Quietest day launch its latest handset, the E51 is getting official, regardless. This candybar-styled device was designed with the suits in mind, as Nokia even touts its ability to "integrate tightly with corporate telephony systems (PBX) through Nokia Mobile Unified Communications solutions." Specs wise, you'll find a two-inch 320 x 240 resolution screen, two-megapixel camera, video streaming / playback with support for H.264 and Real codecs, video calling capability, integrated 802.11g, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, FM tuner, miniUSB, IrDA, GPRS / EGPRS and HSDPA compatibility, up to 130MB of memory, a microSD expansion slot, quad-band GSM and WCDMA 850/2100 support, and up to 4.4-hours of talk time (or 13 days in standby). The E51 is slated to ship globally in Q4 for €350 ($485) sans a contract, and if you're craving more pics, just hit up the gallery below.

Fujitsu LifeBook U810 tablet reviewed

2007-09-20T15:11:00.000+05:30

Fujitsu attracted a fair bit of attention back in August with its $1,000 U810 convertible tablet, and it's now out to prove its worth when it comes to reviews, one of the first of which looks to have come from the folks at Laptop Magazine. While it's apparently not without its faults, they found quite a bit to like about the device, saying "you can't beat the price for a unit with a usable built-in keyboard and tablet functionality." They also especially dug the tablet's sharp 5.6-inch screen, and it's long battery life, which wound up around 5 hours and 14 minutes in their tests. On the downside, they were less impressed with the performance from the 800MHz A110 processor (no surprise there), and by the lack of integrated mobile broadband, not to mention the somewhat lackluster keyboard and mouse. That apparently wasn't enough to keep it from getting a decent 3.5 out of 5 rating, however, with that $1,000 price tag working considerably in its favor.

Wacom celebrates 25 years with Intuos3 Special Edition pen tablet

2007-09-20T15:07:00.000+05:30

Hard to believe that Wacom has been around for a quarter century, but this month marks its 25th year in business. To celebrate, the firm is introducing a trio of Intuos3 Special Edition pen tablets in a variety of sizes including 6- x 8-, 6- x 11-, and 9- x 12-inches. touts "a refined and sophisticated black and gun metal gray color scheme," Wacom's Classic Pen to compliment the Intuos3 Grip Pen, an accessory kit, and a transparent overlay "to substitute with the traditional gray overlay." All three units play nice with both Macs and PCs and can be snapped up for $369, $409 and $489 from smallest to largest.

Denon offers up Smart S-302 / S-102 systems

2007-09-20T15:05:00.000+05:30

Denon has loosed a pair of new semi-HTIBs on the world, with the compact (and admittedly stylish) 2.1 systems catching most of our attention. These additions to the S-series both tout DVD playback (sorry, no Blu-ray action here) and 1080p upscaling via HDMI, but the higher-end S-302 adds WiFi for streaming audio and a slightly more powerful amplifier. Reportedly, the DVD player within is the same drive found in the firm's DVD-2930 player, and while both units reserve 100-watts for the subwoofer, the S-102 pushes 35-watts to its satellites while the S-302 cranks out 50. Both sets are scheduled to land soon for $1,699 (S-302) and $999 (S-102)

Cheap keyboard boasts handwriting recognition

2007-09-20T15:03:00.000+05:30

Initially, the thought of having a Keyboard a built-in writing pad seems pretty nifty, but when you realize that this particular one is understandably missing a numerical keypad (not to mention any signs of quality), your opinion may change. Nevertheless, this interesting hybrid device, labeled by A1Pro, reportedly touts the ability to recognize your handwriting and withstand the expletives that are sure to fly when fishing about for the incredibly tiny Backspace key. 'Course, that about rounds up its feature list, but hey, what else would you expect for a mere $25.48?

Haier's crazy / crazy expensive laptop

2007-09-17T15:48:00.001+05:30

Apparently, in other parts of the world, Haier (a minor brand here in the States) is busy manufacturing highly expensive and totally bizarre laptop computers. The cats over at Engadget Chinese have gotten their hands on info concerning this totally outrageous laptop / tablet PC, apparently an offshoot of the Flybook line, which rocks a Core Duo U2500 processor (coupled with an Intel 945GM chipset), 2GB of RAM, an 80GB hard drive, 802.11a/b/g, an 8.6-inch widescreen tablet display, plus a fingerprint scanner, Bluetooth, and an option to go all 3G wireless (should you so desire). Apparently, the system folds down into a tablet, replete with handwriting recognition and all, and can be yours for the fantastically low price of 35,999 Yuan (or about $4,790). We wish you nothing but good luck on finding one, and even better luck on footing the bill.

HP to debut bumper crop of new Pavilions and Presarios

2007-09-17T15:46:00.000+05:30

HP has a whole lotta' new laptops to launch, possibly at a press conference this Tuesday if Notebook Italia is on the money. The designations are a real mouthful, so brace yourself: in all, we could be looking at Pavilions numbered dv2600, d6600, dv9600, and tx1300, and new HP G7000 and HP G6000's also coming in the form of Compaq Presario F700 and F500 models. There are a crazy amount of specs here, so it's probably safe to say that there is a machine to suit your requirements. Screen sizes range from 12.1 inch with the tx1300 up to 17 inches with the dv9600, CPUs range from 1.6GHz Core Duos and 1.7GHz Athlons up to 2.2GHz Core 2 Duos and ... well, you get the point. Most notably, the new dv models include HDMI among their image output ports, with the dv2600 featuring some kind of fancy new print on the outer casing (pictured above). For a more detailed listing, check the read links below. Fortunately, spec sheets don't require translation.

Meizu's M8 MiniOne shipping January 17th

2007-09-17T15:44:00.000+05:30

Alright, so this isn't straight from the horse's mouth, but this potential ship date for the Meizu M8 definitely vibes with what we've heard up until now. This one has a new price too, at $788.50, which is a fair amount less than the $989 number floating around. Anyway, sounds like we'll have a few months yet until the 16GB iPhone influenced phone hits. Why so long, Meizu?

Dash Express redesigned for Q1 2008 launch

2007-09-17T15:43:00.000+05:30

More than a year after its initial tease, the Dash Express receives a much needed makeover in preparation for its overdue commercial outing. The WiFi, cellular, and GPS packing navigator with two-way traffic updates and travel-time forecasting now features a larger 4.3-inch display, louder speaker, beefier internal battery, and power connector on the dash mount instead of the navigator. They've also axed the button clutter up front by introducing a pair of touch-sensitive buttons along top: one makes a volume button appear on the touchscreen while the other brings up the menu. Although well behind their initial launch projection, the fact that they have the time to fine-tune the design is a pretty good sign that a revised Q1 2008 launch date is in the bag.

Samsung's SGH-F700 gets (really) official on Vodafone

2007-09-15T16:17:00.000+05:30

Those paying attention should know full well by now that Samsung's SGH-F700 (you know, the Croix) is set to make everyone not a Vodafone customer uber-envious here soon, but just in case you missed it, Sammy is making sure you're up to speed. The handset will boast a three-megapixel camera, a 3.2-inch 432 x 240 resolution touchscreen, QWERTY keypad, Bluetooth 2.0, USB, a microSD expansion slot, HSDPA, and an integrated media player that handles H.263 / H.264, MP3, and AAC formats. We know what you're really after, so check out a bit more eye candy after the jump.

Razer cranks out Pro|Click Mobile Bluetooth mouse

2007-09-15T16:11:00.000+05:30

Razer has certainly been on a tear of late, and the firm is keepin' the new gear flowing with the Pro|Click Mobile. Shipping worldwide today (to retailers, we presume), this diminutive critter touts an ambidextrous design, Bluetooth 2.0, an optical sensor, and four interesting titled colors including "naughty, nice, sugar, and spice (black, white, pink and red respectively)." Unfortunately, interested customers won't be able to get their hands around one until "mid-October" for $49.99

iPhone firmware v1.1.1 with "international" support coming soon?

2007-09-15T16:09:00.000+05:30

With the launch of the iPod touch and the iTunes WiFi Music Store this week, it's pretty obvious that the iPhone is due for an update soon -- Apple can't leave all those iPhone users wondering what song is playing in Starbucks, after all -- but what's not certain is how much of an update we're going to see. The eagle-eyed posters at HowardForums might have spotted a clue, though -- the iPhone early-adopter $100 credit signup page clearly shows an iPhone running firmware v1.1.1, with a couple interesting additions: a setting for "Home Button," and another marked "International." The Home Button setting will likely bring the iPod touch's nifty double-tap music controller to the iPhone, but we have no idea what the International menu is for -- maybe for reducing some of those crazy roaming bills? Either way, we should know soon.

Wacom shipping Bamboo tablets in the US

2007-09-15T16:05:00.000+05:30

We'd heard about Wacom's small and inexpensive Bamboo input tablets a few months ago, but it looks like the company is getting ready to ship both the $79 Bamboo (aimed at casual photo retoucher) and the $99 (small) and $199 (medium) Bamboo Fun, which costs more because it comes with a mouse and is apparently more fun. Both models feature four ExpressKeys, the "touch ring" zoom / scroll controller, and a textured surface designed to emulate the feel of a real pen on paper. Both models should work well with both OS X's InkWell and Vista's Tablet features, so those of you interested in eating up Martha should keep your eyes open.

Savit Micro's Cinedisk CD26HD media player

2007-09-13T02:52:00.001+05:30

Chicks and dudes -- the Korean electronics maker Savit Micro wants to make you the talk of the town. How will they do such a thing, you ask? Well, for starters, they're serving up the Cinedisk CD26HD pocket-sized, HD media player that can handle MPEG2, WMV9HD, or DiVX video formats, plays MP3, WMA, and OGG audio, and does AC3 and DTS audio processing. Your precious, friend-making files are stored on a 2.5-inch, 120GB hard drive, and you can hook the miniature-media-center up to your favorite HDTV via its component outs for 1080i playback. The player also comes with a remote control, so you can really show off your movies like a champ, though it won't mix your cocktails or make charming small talk. Available now if you can get to a Korean dealer for 219,900 KRW (around $235)

iPod nano

2007-09-13T02:52:00.000+05:30

Yeah, you're not reading this so you can hear me give the iPod another pat on the back. You know that the new model has Cover Flow, video capabilities and a bigger screen, making it the most functional nano ever made. I want to talk about the design. And man, were we wrong when we called it a Fatty and made fun of its looks. It fits in the palm perfectly, although it seems to me that this layout comes at a cost. You'll be shocked at how small full 16:9 video is on this thing.

Logitech Releases Cordless Headset and Keyboard for PS3

2007-09-13T02:50:00.000+05:30

PS3 fans will be happy with Logitech's new headset and keyboard. The Cordless Vantage headset and MediaBoard keyboard both have Bluetooth technology, and will be out Stateside in time for the Holidays. Prices and more info, plus a purdy picture of the piano-black keyboard, are after the jump.

The Cordless Vantage features native PS3 support, and has large-diameter audio drivers and advanced noise-filtering circuitry, which means top banana audio and sound playback. The rechargeable battery headset gives you 12 hours' gaming, and is ambidextrous, meaning you can wear it on either your right or left ear. There's also an adjustable noise-cancelling microphone to reduce background noise.

The Cordless MediaBoard Pro Bluetooth Keyboard has a dedicated Menu button that gets you straight into the PlayStation Network Help menu, and there are dedicated circle, square, X and triangle buttons to make life easier. A built-in touch pad with vertical scrolling and Left- and Right-click buttons means no mouse is needed. You can use the keyboard up to 30 feet away from the PS3, and two AA batteries will give you more than 200 hours of battery life.

The headset and keyboard cost $79.99 each and will be available in the US in November and Europe the following month.

Samsung WEP500 Quarter-Sized Bluetooth Headset Available Now

2007-09-13T02:47:00.000+05:30

Samsung's just announced the availability of their tiny quarter-sized WEP500 Bluetooth headset for the US. It's definitely small—weighs less than 9 grams and is the size of about a quarter—but suffers in low battery life because of it. 3.5 hours talk time and 80 hours standby time isn't fantastic, but it does have 2 microphones and noise reduction, which still isn't standard in Bluetooth headsets for some reason. All this can be yours for $119, and an extra $119 when you lose the first one because it's so miniscule.

Microsoft Natural Keyboard With Covert Keylogger (Not An Official Feature)

2007-09-12T12:52:00.000+05:30

When I first read about this Microsoft Natural Keyboard that had a secret keylogger inside I assumed it was just an official feature that MS never bothered to mention. (For obvious reasons.) But in reality this keyboard has been specially modified to include the keylogger inside so that it’s completely undetectable by either the user or a piece of anti-virus or anti-spyware software.

And from what I can tell this keyboard is actually a few years old since it boasts a massive 2MB of storage (which can capture up to 2 million keystrokes) and requires a computer with a PS/2 port. I particularly like that in order to access the keystroke logs you have to open a text editor like Word, Notepad or Wordpad and type in a secret password you previously assigned. While the password can easily be changed you’ll want to go out of your way to ensure it’s not something your intended spy victim would ever type. I suggest phrases like “happyworkenvironment” or “wholeheartedlytrustmyboss” etc.

Unfortunately the keyboard is a one-off design so once it’s bought there’s no additional stock. But again, given how old the keyboard appears to be (PS/2) I guess the $434 price tag is too much for even the most mistrusting of persons.

Logitech Announces AudioHub for Notebooks

2007-09-12T12:50:00.000+05:30

Logitech announced a new product today called the AudioHub that combines two things that most notebook users will need like a USB hub and a set of decent speakers. The system uses a three-chamber speaker system that has an integrated subwoofer.

The AudioHub draws power for the speakers, the built-in three port USB hub and gets sounds from your PC from one single USB connection. This also means that disconnecting the AudioHub to take your notebook on the road requires only one plug to be undone.

The device is designed so that the speakers are width adjustable allowing you to position them to the sides of your notebook, rather than behind it for better sound quality. On the rear of the device is a cable organizer to help keep things tidy. Logitech says the AudioHub will be available in October for $99.99.

TicTalk Mobile Phone For Kids

2007-09-12T12:48:00.000+05:30

The must-have kid’s toys of the past like Cabbage Patch Kids in the 80’s and Tickle Me Elmo in the 90’s are being replaced by high-tech must-have items such as cellphones these days. Of course no parent should give an irresponsible 10-year-old a completely unrestricted phone so kid-friendly cellphones are becoming more popular. Like the Firefly or Migo the TicTalk is a fully working GSM/GPRS capable cellphone that is only restricted when it comes to how the child can use it.

The phone uses a pay-as-you-go rate plan that runs about $25 for 100 minutes but the parent can also limit how many of those minutes the child can use on a daily basis. These restrictions including a pre-approved phone book can all be setup by logging into the TicTalk website since the phone itself only has a minimal set of buttons. (No keyboard.) Syncing is all done wirelessly but you can connect the TicTalk to a PC via USB in order to upload photos. But given it only has a black and white screen that functionality seems rather pointless.

As an added incentive to entice parents the TicTalk also includes a set of educational Leap Frog games for teaching math, spelling, science and social studies. And to encourage the kids to actually touch those games they can earn additional reward minutes by playing them.

The TicTalk runs about $99 in addition to the pay-as-you-go rates but the activation is free.

Apple confirms: iPod touch cannot add calendar appointments

2007-09-11T16:07:00.000+05:30

Late last night some eagle-eyed Engadget readers spotted some disparities in Apple's international sites, with some claiming the iPod touch would be able add calendar appointments with its calendar app, and others omitting that language. We got in touch with our people down in Cupertino who just confirmed the (somewhat) bad news is real: "Like current iPods, the touch can only view calendar entries created on your computer". In other words, no, you can't make new calendar entries on the fly. Why Apple would want to remove this simple feature that's already built into the mobile OS X calendar experience is really beyond us, but we guess they're doing their damnedest to draw the line in the sand between iPod and iPhone. Still, makes you wonder what other minor, useful features Apple pulled from the touch.

Philips' new Prestigo SR-M8015 remote control "tablet"

2007-09-11T16:04:00.000+05:30

Have you ever wanted to control things? Lots of things? How about everything? If you've been answering yes while psychotically nodding your head and smiling, you may like to know about the Philips Prestigo SR-M8015, the remote control with the crappy name and totally out-of-control footprint. The new addition to the company's Prestigo line is actually a large "tablet" remote, with a plethora of buttons at your two-handed disposal (including access to 15 separate devices), a color LCD screen in the center, and the totally antiquated / sexist "his and hers" option -- just in case you can't agree on any presets with your spouse / lover / good "buddy." Apparently the finish will go from drab, black plastic, to ultra-sexy chrome with "hot-stamped" detailing. No word on price or availability, but the SR-M8015 is expected in the next few months for around $150.

Sony Reader Leaked out

2007-09-11T15:59:00.002+05:30

Given the many opportunities Sony's had to demo new gear in the past month, you'd think we'd have seen this earlier, but it looks like the company's latest ebook reader, the PRS-505, will be making its grand debut on the website of Chicago's own Abt Electronics. The update to the original Sony Reader will come in either silver or blue, feature a slightly redesigned layout, twice the internal memory, and may potentially rock what seems like an updated display. No word on any other changes, but it looks like the price is the same at $299.

PSP Slim

2007-09-11T15:59:00.001+05:30

Well kids, you won't have to wait too long to be hacking, cracking, phreaking, duping, shooting, dumpster-diving, and generally getting biz-zay with your PSP Slim / Lite, as the outrageous tricksters known as Team M33 have just released their do-it-all custom firmware (version 3.6, for those keeping score at home), thus confirming Pandora's Battery as a "go" (amongst other things) on the new systems. If you understand what we're talking about, you'll be pleased to know that homebrews from the GAME, GAME150 and GAME360 directories load fine, though some homebrews written specifically for the 1.50 kernel won't run properly (due to some hardware and screen problems on the Slim). Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines, don your helmets, and get ready to seriously rumble.

iTunes now serving-up Ringtones

2007-09-11T15:53:00.000+05:30

If paying for ringtone snippets of the songs you already own is your idea of a good time, then get on over to iTunes trust funders, Apple's now serving up ringtones at $1.98 a pop. But they're only $0.99 you say? Nope, remember, you have to buy the rights to the song too. Fun. Keep it safe, kids.

Rip Roar Creation Station

2007-09-09T21:52:00.001+05:30

Like many kids my siblings and I made a lot of home movies when we were younger. I remember one time in particular when we set the video camera to a high shutter speed, filled the living room with every lamp we could find in the house and filmed Hot Wheels cars crashing into each other. It was definitely crude but watching the slow motion replays of the crashes was remarkably entertaining. Of course those ’special effects’ were pretty crude when compared to the home video technology today’s kids have at their disposal.

The Rip Roar Creation Station for example gives any kid with a drop of imagination the ability to shoot their own green screen footage and then easily replace the backgrounds with included software. The camera is apparently ‘full-rez’ capable which I assume means at least 640×480 and has a built-in LED light which to be honest is probably pretty useless. The kit also includes 2 fabric green screens, a tripod and the aforementioned software that also has basic editing and soundtrack functions. As someone who does this kind of stuff for a living I’m skeptical as to how great the results look but if I was a kid trying this type of thing for the first time I’d probably be thrilled.

The Rip Roar Creation Station will be available from Amazon near the end of September for $129.99.

USB Penguins Are Adorable

2007-09-09T21:51:00.001+05:30

These flightless bird USBs flash drives are truly adorable. The diminutive avian comes complete with tiny tiny scarves. Unfortunately, they also come with a comparatively tiny capacity. The flightless bird’s head flips open to reveal a shining USB connector; just as nature intended.

The USB Penguin is Mac-friendly, PC-friendly and small child friendly. It also comes with Vista Ready Boost functionality. Sadly the maximum capacity is 1GB and they cost ¥3980, or about 17$US. Is it really too large of a price to pay for cute?

Motorola RAZR2 Now Availalbe in U.S.

2007-09-09T21:48:00.000+05:30

Motorola announced yesterday that their new RAZR2 mobile phone is now available here in the United States. Motorola says the new RAZR2 is sleeker outside and more powerful inside. Three versions of the phone are available so users of all three major technologies will be able to use the RAZR2.

The MOTORAZR2 family will have a V9 version that runs on 3G HSDPA, a V9m version that runs on 3G EVDO CDMA, and a V8 running on plain vanilla GSM. Updates to the RAZR2 include a larger screen for full HTML web browsing and an external screen that allows viewing media, music and messaging without opening the phone.

Motorola also says that users will be able to get touch feedback on the external screen through a haptic key technology; and no I’m not sure what that means either. The phone will be equipped with up to 2GB of onboard memory and will support wireless music via headphones like Motorola’s ROKR S9.

Siemens VDO and Microsoft

2007-09-09T04:46:00.000+05:30

Siemens VDO and Microsoft just announced a deal to co-develop in-car entertainment systems and navigation products. The companies will initially develop a multi-media platform to more easily integrate mobile phones and music players into automotive systems. The first products based on the Microsoft Auto Platform are expected in 2009.

The BlackBox and BlackBox mini Bluetooth speaker

2007-09-09T04:45:00.001+05:30

See that? That's glossy black sex in stereo. The BlackBox and BlackBox mini Bluetooth speaker systems from Gear4 pump 24W and 4W from 2x speakers, respectively, with a front-facing red LED panel and blue capacitive touch-panel controls up top. Gear4 assures compatibility with your cellphone via its firmware upgrade feature -- link back to your computer via USB to download the "right profile for your mobile." Odd, since the Bluetooth profiles are supposed to be standard, eh Bluetooth SIG? Priced at £100/£50 (about $202/$101) when released in the next few weeks.

Apogee's Duet: pro audio at a mini size

2007-09-09T04:43:00.001+05:30

If you've been in the market for a small, handsome, and high-quality portable audio recording solution, Apogee (makers of some of the finest AD/DA converters and interfaces in the industry) may have just what you're looking for. Say hello to the Duet, a two-channel, 24bit / 96kHz interface that should make your next field job or impromptu jam recording nothing but net. The Duet's breakout cable provides two phantom powered, XLR inputs, two unbalanced instrument inputs, and two unbalanced monitor outs; a headphone jack, multi-function knob, LED meters, and Firewire port (for getting the audio to your computer) are located on the unit. Apogee is known for its rugged, low-noise, high-performance audio tools, and the Duet is likely no exception -- despite the fact that the need for an interface this small is certainly up for debate. Available in September for $495.

iTunes 7.4.1

2007-09-09T04:39:00.000+05:30

So last night iTunes 7.4.1 came out which, among other things, blocked off the custom ringtone renaming method, which allowed users to add their own ringtones to their iPhone without buying them on iTunes. Well, as posters in our own comments have already discovered, it's back, and here's how to do it:

First, follow the steps of the original method

Create your ringtone, save it as an AAC file.
Rename the m4a extension to m4r.
Double-click to play in iTunes.

Now, if you're upgraded to 7.4.1

Go back and re-rename that m4r file back to m4a. That's it.
Plug in your iPhone and that ringtone will be added to your syncable ringtones list -- and it won't pop up the error from before.
Play your ringtones constantly for the next 10 hours until 7.4.2 comes out.

Polk Audio I-Sonic ES2 features iTunes song tagging

2007-09-09T04:37:00.000+05:30

Already, new peripherals are popping up to take advantage of the new features in Apple’s updated iPod line-up, with Polk Audio’s I-Sonic Entertainment System 2 packing a poor man’s equivalent of the Starbucks song purchase feature over in-store WiFi. When songs are playing over the built-in HD Radio, users can press a tag button, which creates a custom playlist on docked iPods, allowing songs to be purchased later when at a computer. The ES2 also features XM Connect & Play capability, a CD/DVD drive for audio playback, an alarm clock mode, and 360-degree sound, whatever the hell that is. The ES2 hits next month for $499.

Crayola is coming with more than just Crayons

2007-09-05T21:07:00.000+05:30

From producing crayons and different school supplies like glue and Activity poser kits are now going to make some Hi-Tech gadgets for the kids. As the kids electronic market is rising Crayola not to miss their chance and created some totally cool gadgets for kids. Here are some of them

JBL's On Stage 3 Dock is now iPhone-Compatible

2007-09-05T20:56:00.000+05:30

The popular donut-shaped On Stage iPod dock is now in its third incarnation —and this time it will work with your iPhone. Its makers, JBL, have filled in the middle of the ring as well as supplying interchangeable trim, so that your On Stage 3 can match your Nano

MP3 Design goes modular

2007-09-05T19:25:00.000+05:30

It’s simply amazing what someone can do with Photoshop and a design oriented imagination. Yankoo Design has an interesting MP3 concept that incorportes modular add ons that work in a daisy chain fashion.

Designed by Danilo Mangini and called the “Lobster” due to it’s pieces forming a lobster like tail assembly, the LCD screen main body allows for modular additions that include an mp3 player, camera, gps, and even a cardiometer for those who love to rock out and exercise at the same time. The mods can be used either in concert or alone, but their best used with the main LCD screen . The main screen also acts as a cellphone and SMS text messenger.

Brian the Brain

2007-09-05T19:20:00.000+05:30

This is a great idea if you’ve got kids who get bored doing their homework. It’s also a great parent aide (particularly if you get asked those tricky questions like “how high is the sky?” or “when was Cleopatra born?”, or “how do you spell ‘prestidigitation’?”) As Brian has stored within his animatronic brain The Concise Encyclopedia from Britannica®, a dictionary and also a world history timeline, you should be able to ask him virtually anything and he should know.

The kids will think Brian the Brain is such a cool addition to their room and can also act as their own personal filo-fax, keeping all their important telephone numbers and dialing them on their voice command (when he’s plugged into the phone socket).

Brian will also interact with his owner by playing word, memory and trivia games. He will also ask you questions so he can get to know you and have conversations with you, about what you like and dislike. Brian also likes telling jokes (so it’s not all work, work, work!)

Brian the Brain has a digital clock, MP3 player socket, pull out keyboard, a calendar to record those important dates (like how many days until your birthday/Christmas/School Disco) and integrated speakers so you can listen to your favorite tracks whilst you’ve got your head in the books.

As it’s now a new school year (and homework will probably be getting that little bit more difficult), perhaps you can persuade your parents that Brian is an absolutely essential requirement – or they’ll have to brush up on their knowledge of Tolund Man and poets of the First World War!

Wi-Fi iPods Expected

2007-09-05T19:14:00.000+05:30

Though it is not official, those in the “know” say Apple is just hours away from announcing a new Wi-Fi enabled iPod designed to receive digital radio along with an option to buy content from the iTunes Store. It is not known whether the same functions will be included in the iPhone.

Other rumors about the new Wi-Fi iPod line suggest the inclusion of a wide-screen touch-screen interface like the iPhone, larger storage capacity, Flash based hard drive and a new version of the iPod Nano that can handle video.

On a personal note, I’m ready for a wide-screen iPod. Watching wide-screen formatted movies that I’ve ripped off of DVD on the small iPod screen has been giving me a headache.

Philips enters 3D realm

2007-09-05T19:08:00.001+05:30

Philips has paraded its new system at IFA 2007 in Berlin which is capable of displaying images in 3D glory on a wall-mounted display. This monstrous 132″ display was made possible courtesy of nine Philips 42″ 3D displays in a 3 by 3 grid, utilizing Philips’ very own WOWvx 3D technology that brings realistic images to the viewer without the need for those dorky-looking glasses. Since individual WOWvx displays cost around 12 grand each, having nine of these in one array would bring the price tag into the world of 6 digits, making it out of reach for most people.

iPod Trend

2007-09-05T17:40:00.000+05:30

This pair of Lederhosen, on display at IFA 2007, comes with a set of controls for your iPod. Made by all-weather wear German company Lodenfrey, these lederhosen will let you listen to music with a distinct lack of style. Made of high quality layered suede, the controls are unobtrusively located down the left side of the pants and the MP3 player is integrated into the pants.

Lodenfrey is apparently the leader in the design and production of lederhosen and other pieces of high quality traditional garb. The company also seemingly refuses to acknowledge the existence of these devastatingly ethnic pants on their home site, therefore further purchasing information is scant.

2007-09-05T17:36:00.001+05:30

Users of the Nokia 5310 Xpress music phone looking for a slick docking station to play their music from will want to check out the JBL On Call 5310. The dock is designed specifically for the Nokia 5310 Xpress phone, though it will work with any 3.5mm mini jack equipped device.

An integrated stand allows you to place the dock anywhere, but it can be hung on a wall as well. The On Call 5310 is powered by four AA batteries that promise power for up to six hours of music listening.

When the Nokia 5310 is docked, the phone is charged up as well. The device uses dual 3-watt Odyssey transducers, an integrated amp and a computer-controlled equalizer for improved sound. To save battery life the device goes into energy conservation mode automatically. The On Call 5310 will be available in November 2007 at an undisclosed price.

Apple to unleash "The Circle" concept

2007-09-05T17:36:00.000+05:30

Wow, it's 6PM and we're only on our third semi-substantial iPod Rumor for the day? Frankly, we're disappointed. The latest word to sweep the internets is that Apple is prepping to get all up in Zune's "The Social" grill with "The Circle." Unfortunately, that's the only word on the service / products so far, other than that it's going to be centered around video. So player-to-player video sharing? New branding for existing video products? Steve Jobs is starting a cult? Free Sesame Street song with every iPod? We really have no idea, but we'll be finding out soon enough.

A-DATA unveils 16GB SDHC Class 6 flash cards

2007-09-05T17:34:00.001+05:30

16GB SDHC cards aren't all that atypical these days, but A-DATA is claiming to have the "world's first 16GB SDHC Class 6" iteration ready to roll. Additionally, the firm is introducing an 8GB Super SDHC Duo (saywha?) card of the Class 4 variety, and for those still scouting a new CompactFlash card, it's cranking out a 32GB version for you. Regrettably, we've no idea how soon A-DATA plans to get these on the market (nor how much it plans to charge), but it shouldn't be long before we all find out.