Spicy Gadget

Sharp microchip enables dual-screen smartphones, e-readers and netbooks

2010-07-28T04:02:00.000-07:00

Judging by the fact that our lovely planet is home to the Libretto W100, the Kno, Onkyo DX and oodles of prototypes that utilize twin panels rather than a panel and a keyboard, Sharp's newest microchip is likely to draw some serious industry attention. Improving on an idea that began in 2008, the company has recently shown off a new chip (dubbed LR388G9) that can control two mobile LCDs and can simultaneously display a pair of different 1,024 x 480 pixel clips on a pair of screens; moreover, it can output full 1080p to any source connected via HDMI. Since '08, Sharp has increased memory capacity from 16Mbits to 32Mbits while boosting the image processing speed, and the company now intends to hawk this new guy to outfits who manufactuer smartphones, e-readers, digital photo frames and even netbooks. If all goes well, the chip will ship within a 261-pin WFBGA package this September, with volume pricing pegged at around ¥2,400 ($27).

HP crams Fermi-based Quadro 5000M GPU inside 17-inch EliteBook

2010-07-28T03:58:00.000-07:00

Gotta live up to the name, right HP? NVIDIA's new pro graphics solution for mobile creatives, the Quadro 5000M, was unsheathed only yesterday but HP appears to have been first in line to get some of that new 40nm goodness. Electronista reports that the world leader in PC shipments is readying a 5000M solution for its 8740w EliteBook, which will bring 320 CUDA cores and a jumbo 2GB of dedicated memory to the party. That comes replete with the latest DirectX 11 and OpenGL 4.1 compatibility, naturally, as well as a bunch of pro-friendly computational enhancements. Dell's also going to be offering a 5000M-equipped rig, but lest you get too excited, bear in mind that getting the current best Quadro-equipped 17-incher from HP costs north of $3,000, so affordability is clearly not a priority here. Skip past the break for NVIDIA's joyous press release announcing the new Quadro chips.

How would you change HTC's EVO 4G?

2010-07-25T03:26:00.000-07:00

It may be America's first 4G smartphone, but if we had to guess, we'd surmise that not everyone sees it as perfect. Even if we (almost) did. HTC's EVO 4G was (and still is) a showstopper of epic proportions, boasting one of the largest screens in the smartphone universe and offering blistering speed under the hood. But with phone innovation happening faster than anyone could've ever imagined just a few years ago, we're sure that some ideas have been planted in your head since its launch earlier in the year. For those who've been toying with this here phone, we're keenly interested in learning how you'd change things if given the chance. Would you offer a 3G-only version for those uninterested in paying that extra $10 / month surcharge? Would you be a lot more satisfied with Android 2.2 loaded on? Toss it over to another carrier? Go on and get vocal in comments below, cool?

Dell's ST2010 20-inch monitor to bring HDMI for about $120

2009-05-11T05:00:00.000-07:00

Regardless of its efforts, when discussing desktops, laptops, and even rumored smartphones, there are few brands in the business capable of inspiring a deep, consumer yawn as quickly as Dell. That can't be said about Dell's display business however, which has consistently provided sleek monitors offering some of the best bang for the buck in the business. Dell's newest 20-incher is already out in Hong Kong where we expect it will soon begin its journey west. This entry-level monitor speaks the new design language of Dell's XPS and Studio rigs and comes packing HDMI and VGA inputs with specs that include a 1600 x 900 (that's a 16:9 aspect) pixel resolution, 5 millisecond response, 1000:1 contrast and 250 nits of brightness with a 160-degree viewing angle. Not great, but decent specs for the HK$1,098 (tax inclusive) price which we expect to be about $120 - 130 by the time model ST2010 lands Stateside.

Samsung's HMX-H106 Full HD camcorder with 64GB SSD takes first peek at retail

2009-05-06T04:40:00.000-07:00

Here's one that might trigger an electrical pulse across the synapses, Samsung's HMX-H106. This tiny Full HD camcorder with a 64GB SSD tooling about its inanimate innards has been quietly preparing for May launch ever since its reveal back in January at CES. That's enough storage for an impressive 12 hours of 1920 x 1080 pixel video with further expansion by SD/SDHC card. Word has it that it launched this morning in its hometown Korea and is set for a May 22nd Stateside launch according Amazon.com. 900 bucks for a H.264 camcorder with an optical image stabilized Schneider Kreuznach Varioplan HD lens touting a 10x zoom and 37mm wide-angle focal length -- is that new baby worth it?

UMID's M1 gets reviewed: tiny and functional, but far from perfect

2009-04-29T06:47:00.000-07:00

Things weren't looking good a few months back for UMID's M1, pictures showing build quality of the sort you'd expect from toys dug out of cereal boxes. The company since issued a recall and, with the device now appearing for purchase, UMPC Portal has given one the full once-over -- with some decidedly uneven results. The 1024 x 600 touchscreen is said to be great, but the hinge won't let it open far enough or even keep it in place. Battery life is good (4 - 6 hours on average) and the keyboard quite thumb-able, but was deforming after a few days use the case is still apparently rather flimsy (the review suggests you just break the microSD cover off to avoid the inevitable). The final annoyance? No integrated 3.5mm headphone jack, meaning you'll need the included HTC-style adapter or a Bluetooth A2DP headset to listen to tunes. It's a definite mixed bag here, and with the Viliv S5 already scoring good reviews, it seems like that's the MID of the moment.

HP unveils ProBook s-series laptops for the businessperson who needs a bit more power

2009-04-28T00:42:00.000-07:00

HP unveils ProBook s-series laptops for the businessperson who needs a bit more power

HP's adding a little bit of freshness to its portable lineup this evening with the new ProBook s-series, designed as affordable business-centric laptops but should be capable of pulling off a decent game or two for those long flights. The 14-inch 4410s and 4415s pack Intel / AMD processors, respectively, optional Blu-ray drive, HDMI port, and choice of GMA X4500HD or ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4330. The 15.6-inch 4510s (Intel) and 4515s (AMD) includes an optional mobile broadband connectivity module and an integrated numeric keypad. Grandaddy of them all 4710s lacks the mobile broadband and AMD processor options but does sport a larger 17.3-inch screen. In what's being touted as a first for the company, you can have Linux preinstalled if you're interested in using Novell SuSE Enterprise Desktop 11. According to the presser, prices start around $529, and there's a USB 2.0 docking station available for $139.

Gigabyte T1028 netbook / tablet gets the hands-on treatment

2009-04-12T01:23:00.000-07:00

We've already seen Gigabyte's T1028 netbook / tablet up close, and even gotten a glimpse of the user manual, but the folks at UMPC Portal have now finally come though with a proper hands-on of the device, which looks to confirm that it does indeed deliver the goods, if not quite justify its $600+ price tag. What's more, as welcome as that swiveling touchscreen is, it looks like it's the little touches that really push this one over the edge, including an all too often omitted ExpressCard slot, built-in 3G, 802.11n WiFi, some actually accessible upgrade options, and an apparently faster than usual 2.5-inch hard drive.

Dream Cheeky's USS Enterprise webcam exudes charm and class

2009-04-12T01:11:00.000-07:00

Now that it's legal for George Takei to get married in Iowa, what better way to celebrate than by letting your "Trek flag" fly in your home or office? The USS Enterprise-themed USB webcam features an adjustable focus, and the red engine lights (or whatever they are) actually, you know, light up. For maximum realism, we guess. And the cable is adorned with the Star Fleet Insignia although, sadly, it will not function as a communicator. It is just a TV series, you know. No word on release date or price, but we're keeping our eyes peeled.

New fabrication technique uses amorphous metals for building computer chips and killing machines

2009-02-14T21:12:00.000-08:00

Sure, the march toward the ridiculous in the nanometer scale has continued unabated, but silicon can (probably) take us only so far. Some scientist types at Yale have developed a new fabrication process using bulk metallic glasses (BMGs), which are "amorphous metals" that can avoid crystalizing when cooled in a specific way. The upshot is that the metal -- while seeming solid -- acts as a slow-flowing liquid, with no structure beyond the atomic level. The BMGs can therefore replace several steps in the chip-stamping process, since they're more durable than silicon, but are more pliable than normal metals. Right now the folks at Yale are making patterns as small as 13nm, with better processes to come.

Second anonymous MP7 player surfaces -- MP3, MP4 shrug shoulders

2009-02-06T03:47:00.000-08:00

Finally, the world's second attempt to escalate the neverending MP arms race. This sexy piece is totally standard, feature-wise -- plays audio / video, has a 1.3 megapixel camera, FM tuner and voice recording feature -- but for just $70, it's pretty much the best deal ever, right? Right?

Panasonic's Toughbook 52 upgraded, shows its touchier side

2009-02-05T05:25:00.001-08:00

After watching its Toughbook 19 and 30 siblings get a makeover, Panasonic's CF-52 wasn't about to miss out on all the fun. The semi-rugged laptop has a few new tricks up its armored sleeve, chief among them an optional 13.3-inch XGA touchscreen with integrated stylus holder, dual overhead keyboard light, and Intel GM45 video controller. If you're not the touchy-feely type, the 15.4-incher is still around, swapping tactile interface for WUXGA resolution and an ATI Radeon HD 3650. Both models sport Intel Core 2 Duos with vPro technology, 2-4 GB DDR2 RAM, Bluetooth and 160GB HDD. Look for these babies to hit retail shelves -- and still work -- later this month for an estimated starting price of £1851 ($2677).

S1Digital intros P500 Media Center, updates ProLine Series of HTPCs

2009-02-05T05:22:00.000-08:00

It's been a hot minute since S1Digital tickled our attention with a new media center, but the outfit is hitting back this year with a new machine along with updates to a number of its ProLine Series rigs. The new kid on the block is the P500 Media Center, which is available with up to four CableCARD tuners (plus a QAM / ATSC tuner), support for internal RAID5 storage, HDMI / DVI, 7.1-channel audio output and Intel's latest Core 2 Duo processors. As for the refreshed bunch, you can catch the S800 and P600 with Blu-ray drives as standard, quad CableCARD tuners and support for home automation integration with Crestron, AMX, RTI, HAI and PC based-touchscreens over IP or RS-232. Every machine mentioned here can be ordered up now, with the new P500 starting at a staggering $5,999 sans tuners.

Toshiba readies three 1080p Camileo camcorders for Europe

2009-01-28T21:34:00.001-08:00

We can't say with any level of certainty why Toshiba chose to announce its new Camileo after CES and before CeBIT, but whatever the reason, we're sure it's a good one. Introduced today over in Germany are three new camcorders, all of which boast simple controls for the technologically challenged and easy uploading to YouTube. The whole lot captures in gorgeous 1080p, and they all feature a handy HDMI output for showing off clips as soon as you snag them. The higher-end Camileo P30 arrives with 128MB of internal storage, an SD card slot, a 3-inch LCD monitor and a 5x optical zoom; the H20 steps down to a 2.5-inch display, while the S10 remains mostly mysterious. As for the bits that matter most, the S10 and P30 will be available early next month for €149 ($197) / €199 ($263), respectively, while the H20 can be snapped up now for €249 ($329).

Cigarette lighter camera shows there's nothing more patriotic than espionage

2009-01-28T21:31:00.001-08:00

Sure, Lady Liberty and a bald eagle are great symbols of American freedom, but they're also perfect covers for keeping tabs on your friends. Ajoka's cigarette lighter video camera discreetly records 640 x 480 or QVGA in AVI format at 30 frames per second and supports microSD up to 8GB. It's got a lithium ion battery for 6 hours of filming and is charged via USB. Best of all, it's still a working lighter -- perfect for cheering up your favorite band's love ballads and simultaneously bootlegging the performance. Your local spy shop can order these wholesale for $150 apiece.

Projectiondesign debuts F32 1080p projector for "harsh environments"

2009-01-28T21:26:00.001-08:00

We're not quite sure what the folks at Projectiondesign consider to be a "harsh environment," but it seems a pretty safe bet that their new F32 projector should at least be able to hold up in even the dustiest conference rooms, and deliver a full 1080p image to boot. If that's a bit more than you need, the company has also just rolled out similar SXGA+ or WUXGA models, which boast 4100 or 3800 ANSI lumens, a 7,500:1 contrast ratio, and the usual full complement of ports, including dual HDMI inputs. Just don't plan on lugging any of 'em around too far, as they each weigh in at close to 30 pounds. Pricing, as you may have guessed, appears to be on a need to know basis, though all three are apparently shipping now.

AMD has no plans for Geode successor, retirement party

2009-01-28T05:20:00.000-08:00

You know that low-power Geode processor that powered a-many of OLPC XOs? Better stock up now, 'cause AMD isn't planning a proper successor. In the words of spokesman Phil Hughes: "There are no plans for a follow-on product to today's available AMD Geode LX products, but we expect to make this very successful processor available to customers as long as the market demands." Pretty straightforward if we should say so ourselves, but it'll be kind of weird with just VIA and Intel holding down the low-power CPU fort. According to Dean McCarron, president for Mercury Research, the Geode was "a nice niche market for [AMD]," but considering the current market, the chip maker is being forced to focus its efforts on fewer devices. It's been real, Geode -- way to go out on top.

KORG DS-10 synthesizer up for pre-order in America

2009-01-28T05:18:00.001-08:00

DS owners in Japan have been enjoying the spoils of the KORG DS-10 synthesizer for over half a year, but at long (long!) last, we Americans are about to receive equal treatment. The game itself, which is graciously priced at just $29.99, is now up for pre-order on GameStop's website. The listed ship date is February 9th, but we wouldn't go betting the farm on that being entirely accurate. Nevertheless, we're down to counting days and hours rather than months and weeks before we'll be able to shove a synth in our pockets without paying import prices. Huzzah!

Custom 'Resident Evil 5' Xbox 360 bundle on the way?

2009-01-24T04:02:00.000-08:00

"The Mole" -- a favorite Ars Technica source for all things game related -- has some curiosity-piquing info on the possibility of a Resident Evil 5-themed Xbox 360 headed to market. So says the site's Deep Throat, not only will a demo version of the game come to US Xboxen first (a move that must seriously unnerve Sony), but following the sneak-peak will be an RE5 package hardcore fans should die for. Literally. According to Ars, the bundle will include a custom red Xbox (with matching controller), a copy of Resident Evil 5, a special NXE RE5 theme, and a bonus Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD download.

Four Eyes: because nerds love USB specs

2009-01-23T01:21:00.001-08:00

Ah, horned-rimmed glasses. A style that simultaneously provokes taunts of "four eyes" from cruel children and squeals of muted delight from urban hipsters. Starting in March, this 2-mm thin, 2GB USB bookmark (yes, bookmark) can be yours for $29.

The portable, rollable X-mini II speaker gets a refresh

2009-01-23T01:17:00.000-08:00

The kids over at CNET have got their hands on the new X-mini II portable speaker for laptops, PMPs, and the like -- and they've been gracious enough to give us the lowdown. The speaker is an update to the X-mini, incrementally larger than its predecessor and packing a 40mm driver. Powered by a rechargeable battery, this bad boy can be juiced up via mini-USB cable (included) and boasts a pretty impressive eleven hours of run time before it needs to be recharged. And if that weren't enough, several of these guys can be daisy chained together -- so if you should find yourself in your dorm room with nothing to amuse yourself but your iPhone, an acoustic guitar, and some Dave Matthews Band MP3s, you can string up a half dozen or so of these things and have an old fashioned grape jam. Look for the speaker sometime in March, with a probable MSRP of $29.

Adapt MPJ-101 pico projector: tiny, cute, available

2009-01-22T04:32:00.001-08:00

Go ahead, you can admit it: you're really, really into picos -- the best of us are. Adapt's update to its pocket projector, the MPJ-101 -- which is nearly identical to the previous model -- shouldn't fill us with joy, but it does. This little (125 x 55 x 23 mm) monster's got 1GB of built in memory, an SD slot, and two .5 watt speakers. It projects up to 10 lumens of brightness at a resolution of 640×480 from around 6 to 50 feet. All this excitement doesn't come cheap, though -- expect to shell out about a thousand bucks for this teeny bundle of joy. Oh boy.

White Pentax K2000 now available for pre-order

2009-01-22T04:28:00.000-08:00

Pentax's convention-defying white and black K2000 DSLR may not be for everybody, but those wanting to stand out in a crowd of shutterbugs will no doubt be pleased to learn that the camera (complete with both 18-55mm and 50-200mm lenses) is now available for pre-order direct from Pentax. Best of all, it's available for the decidedly non-premium price of $679.95, which is actually a bit less than we were expecting when it was first announced. You'll still have to wait until mid-February for it to actually ship, however, but that should at least give you enough time to get the rest of your gadgets Colorware'd to match.

Bag TV debuts multimedia mistake

2008-12-22T21:45:00.001-08:00

Hey guys: if you're dating the kind of girl who covets a seriously hideous $700 bag with a useless LCD, you should probably call it off.

NEC's L series is back -- now in four exciting colors!

2008-12-22T21:43:00.001-08:00

The last time we saw a LaVie netbook we were seriously taken aback by the company's apparent decision to base its design on that of a ten year old Micron, so it's nice to see that NEC Japan will soon be releasing another of their (relatively) classy L series machines. Due out Christmas Day for about ¥175,000 (about $1,950) the LL750 sports a 15.4-inch, 1280 x 800 LCD display, a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo with Intel graphics, 4GB of memory, 320GB storage, HDMI out and a FeliCa port. No sure on Stateside availability, but lucky consumers in Japan will get their choice between white, pink, black, and red -- how debonair!

Nerf dart gun hacked into pulverizing chaingun

2008-12-22T21:38:00.000-08:00

Disintegrator, meet your match. The wild 'n zany hackers over at ManaPotions have taken the Vulcan EBF-25 to heights that no one at Nerf could have ever imagined by transforming a relatively harmless foam dart gun into a bona fide chaingun. Post-hack, the weapon could fire "about as fast as a 7.62mm M60 Machine gun," which -- for those rusty on their ammunition specifications -- equates to 500 rounds-per-minute.Check the vid just past the break for a scene sure to make your jaw drop.

iriver's 7-inch Framee-L digiframe handles multimedia just fine

2008-12-13T23:30:00.001-08:00

It's darn tough to pump out a digiframe that's not immediately forgettable these days, but if anybody can do it, iriver can. The subtly beautiful 7-inch Framee-L features a 720 x 480 resolution display, 1GB of inbuilt memory, an SD / MMC card slot, USB port and an alarm feature for waking you in the mornings (or nights, if you roll like that). Furthermore, you'll find a capable multimedia player that can handle photo slideshows, all sorts of audio files and even MPEG-4 AVC / H.264, AVI and Motion JPEG video formats. It'll hit Japan just before Santa takes flight for ¥17,800 ($196).

Thanko's latest MP4 watch boasts 1.8-inch display, video camera

2008-12-13T23:26:00.000-08:00

Thanko's last MP4 watch was, um, less than gorgeous, but this one can actually be worn in public without automatic public humiliation. Sure, it's still a bit stocky, but we're confident that fashion-forward nerds could still pull it off. In between the two (p)leather straps sits a 1.8-inch 160 x 128 resolution color display, a multimedia player with MP3 / WMA / AVI / JPEG support and a video camera capable of logging VGA-quality clips. You'll also find a mini-USB port and an internal speaker, and there's 4GB of internal memory to go along with about 3.5-hours of music playback time. All yours (if you live in Japan) for ¥14,800 ($163).

ThinkLogical debuts Velocity USB KVM -- with a 25-mile range

2008-12-12T05:33:00.000-08:00

Okay, we can't actually think of a single reason why you'd need a KVM switch with a max range of 25 freaking miles, but we do know it's pretty insane that such a product even exists. Built on top of an Icron ExtremeUSB chipset, the ThinkLogical VelocityKVM can pipe two 1920 x 1200 DVI signals, USB 1.1, serial, PS2 and stereo audio up to 40 kilometers over single-mode fiber with no loss in quality, and can be upgraded to support USB 2.0 as well. ThinkLogical doesn't even begin to list prices on its site, which probably means you'll need some deep pockets to get in on the action -- uh, yeah, we'll stick to VNC for now, thanks.

DIY "James Bond" laser gun won't make you anything like James Bond

2008-12-08T00:53:00.001-08:00

Well this is a nice little project for a lazy Sunday. The folks over at Instructables have given us the step-by-step how-to on making a James Bond style "laser weapon" -- though it's not actually a gun for killing people (thankfully), and it's not really very much like 007's weapon, either. Using a CO2 pistol, a laser guide, an Xbox 360 HD DVD drive, a housing for the laser and a circuit board, you too can build a blue laser gun that'll do things like light matches and pop balloons. Like we said, it's not going to help you achieve your goal of taking out all those who've wronged you, and it probably won't get you a date with Strawberry Fields, but you might impress your friend(s).

Is stripped user agent data pointing to a Google OS?

2008-12-08T00:50:00.000-08:00

Here we go again. It seems like just yesterday we heard the first whispers of a Google desktop OS, and products like Chrome stoke suspicions that the Mountain View-based company is setting itself up to invade the PC. Although Google insists that it's focusing on the cloud, since Android was announced, the feasibility of a Google-branded desktop OS has certainly increased. Now, market research firm Net Applications is reporting that it has seen a third of the traffic from Google's employees with intentionally blocked identification strings. This could be a real indicator that the big G is hard at work on a desktop OS -- or just a sign that folks at Google don't care to share their OS of choice. Hopefully, we'll be hearing more sooner rather than later, but feel free to chime in with your Google global domination theories and rabid speculation in the comments.

Secret iPhone video-out features hacked, used for video games

2008-12-06T04:56:00.001-08:00

Hey, just because using secret undocumented iPhone SDK calls might get you booted from the App Store doesn't mean it's not a good time -- Ars Technica commissioned Freeverse to mod its Moto Chaser game to use the hidden video-out features in iPhone 2.2, and we have to say the results turned out pretty decent. It's not perfect -- it looks like it only works in landscape mode, and rendering to TV resolutions strains the processor and slows framerates down on all but the faster 2G iPod touch -- but it works, and it's a taste of where iPhone app development could go if Apple ever opens up the gates. Or you could just be Google and do whatever you want, we suppose. Watch the Video below...

Logitech G9 Laser Mouse ID Grip takes customization to a new, annoying level

2008-12-06T04:52:00.001-08:00

Remember the Logitech G9? The totally boss, customizable gaming mouse with awesome mod possibilities like adjustable weight and LED inserts? Well, the G9 Laser Mouse ID Grip is out and ready to take the mouse-gripping experience to the next level. The ID grip will allow G9 mouse enthusiasts to have any image they want custom printed onto the insert of the mouse. The insert will also give the mouse a somewhat new shape. It's available to order online now -- you upload the image and they'll print and send it your way for $19.99. Seems like maybe Logitech's sold so many mice that they're willing to let anything fly, and we do have some good ideas for this after all.

Bellperre adds "Silver and Golden" collection to capitalize on booming economy

2008-12-06T04:49:00.000-08:00

Remember Bellperre? Don't feel bad, we had to refresh our memory, too -- but it turns out these guys have a new "customizable Silver and Golden" collection that's available in any color of exotic leather you like. Pink crocodile? No problem. Blue buffalo? Just say the word. Oh, and bring a few grand while you're at it, because these suckers are just about the most expensive Windows Mobile Standard candybars you'll ever come across.

Haier's Ibiza Rhapsody Sport plays audio and video, fails to impressHaier's Ibiza Rhapsody Sport plays audio and video, fails to impress

2008-12-04T04:50:00.000-08:00

The ibiza Rhapsody was one of those curious devices that spent so long in development that by the time it saw the light of day, the rest of the world had moved on to bigger and better things. Sure, we liked the device in theory (WiFi, Bluetooth, and support for Rhapsody and AOL Video are all good things), but its Gameboy-esque looks and mere 30GB storage pretty much guaranteed that it would never be a hit. Unfortunately, a quick look at Haier's new, "sportier" PMP doesn't give us much reason to reconsider the device. Aside from a rugged and weather-resistant new look (is "uglified" a word?), all it seems to offer us is diminished storage capacity. But wait -- all you ever wanted was a plastic orange MP3 player? Then it looks like you're in luck -- the 4GB model sells for $179, while the 8GB size will set you back a cool $199.

Optibike's OB1 hybrid electric mountain bike: yours for a cool $13,000

2008-12-01T23:20:00.000-08:00

Sure, it won't stabilize itself, it doesn't sport a cute wicker basket, and it has a five figure price tag, but the 2009 Optibike OB1 is on sale now -- and if you're a typical Spicygadget reader, you're probably considering four or five of them for you and your family. Designed by award winning bike designer Jim Turner, this lithium-ion battery-powered hybrid features a GPS, fully integrated PDA (to keep track of the vehicle's performance), two hours of battery life, and -- for those of you who like to kick it old school -- pedals. You know, for pedaling. Be sure to order yours now -- only twenty-four OB1s will be manufactured this year.

$168,000 Harion speaker set crafted from heat-resistant glass, fairy dust

2008-12-01T04:16:00.001-08:00

We're pretty sharp on the fairy dust market, and while it no doubt goes for a premium in certain parts of the world, there's still a serious surcharge being added in here for transparency. Japan's own Hario is catering yet again to the affluent among us with its Harion speaker set, which boasts a subwoofer, two mid-range drivers and a pair of acrylic tweeters -- all encased in heat-resistant glass. Of course, the company is no stranger to pumping out exclusive glass-based kit and charging a wad for it, as this particular package will run customers a staggering 16 million yen, or just north of $168,000. Oh, but if you and ten others dial in right now, they can be produced and sold for just 10 million yen each ($105,030). Economies of scale, now that's good stuff.

Memorex SingStand iPod karaoke mic critiqued and in the wild

2008-12-01T04:13:00.001-08:00

Sadly (very, very sadly, in fact), this isn't the first device we've seen that poorly attempts to mix your iPod into a karaoke-type device, which probably means you'll be glancing right over it. Memorex's recently released SingStand MKS-SS1 Microphone and Speaker System was apprehended and photographed by the iPod fanatics at iLounge, and while the powered speaker base, auxiliary input for an additional microphone / instrument and the audio controls were swell, the lackluster iPod integration sort of left the critic wondering why Cupertino's darling was even associated. And seriously, are you really considering spending $70 on this with Guitar Hero: World Tour and Rock Band 2 widely available and able to satisfy your off-key singing desires? No, no you are not.

Windows Vista SP2 set for April launch to manufacturers?

2008-12-01T04:10:00.000-08:00

In case you missed it, last week TechARP said that Vista SP2 is scheduled for an April 2009 release to manufacturing -- that means not you... not yet anyway. We're guessing that it will hit a month later for general release if the Vista SP1 rollout was any indication. So who's TechARP? Oh just the same group of Malaysian kids that like to boast about how they broke the Vista SP1 and XP SP3 release schedules to the world. That makes their "confidential source" worth listening to. The source adds that Microsoft will deliver a SP2 release candidate as early as February so we'll know soon enough how accurate this rumor is.

ASUS' 12-inch bamboo laptop gets a price

2008-11-28T04:18:00.000-08:00

ASUS may have been beaten to the punch by a few other companies and their bamboo-ensconced offerings, but it looks like it's now getting its first bamboo laptop out the door at long last, and it's taken the opportunity to finally get official with a price. Apparently, the first few 12-inch models will go on sale at Taiwan's IT Month exhibition on Saturday, where they'll run NT$59,900, or just over $1,800. Unfortunately, it's not clear exactly which configuration that'll get you, but, judging from the last word out of ASUS, even the base config seems to be pretty capable.

Amazon's Canon SD770IS deal is much better than it looks

2008-11-28T04:16:00.000-08:00

Nabbing Canon's little PowerShot SD770IS 10 megapixel shooter with optical image stabilization for $160 from Amazon is a decent deal, though not great. Like many of this year's so called Black Friday deals, a little mouse-work will likely uncover the same prices elsewhere. But read Amazon's fine print and you'll see that you can add a free, 4GB class 4 SDHC card (something you'll likely want to purchase anyway) to save another $11 or so on your purchase. What Amazon doesn't tell you is that you can add any Kingston SDHC card for free. Right, including the $30 16GB SDHC card (ships after Chistmas) or $15 8GB class 6 card (ships before Christmas). Free shipping too and tax free -- $159.94 is your final price.

ClarionMiND MID on sale in the US for $649.99

2008-11-24T04:04:00.001-08:00

Americans have been waiting with bated breath for months on end for Clarion's MiND mobile internet device to launch, and just as we were promised in September, said device is finally on sale in the month of November. Available in black, red or white hues, the MID boasts a 4.8-inch WVGA (800 x 480) touchscreen, preloaded maps of the entire US and Canada, built-in RealPlayer, Linux OS, an Intel Atom CPU, 512MB of RAM, a 4GB SSD, Firefox browser, Bluetooth 2.0 / WiFi, a microSD card slot, 2 USB ports and a battery good for around 1.5-hours of usage. Pop one under the tree for that someone special in your life for just $649.99. Or get them a full-fledged netbook for less, your call.

Meizu M8 Flash demo hits the scene, looks mighty familiar

2008-11-24T04:02:00.000-08:00

How much ASCII will be spilled, how much bandwidth utilized on this legendary (if vaporous) iPhone killer before it becomes a real reality? Like the tail end of a torrid love affair, we're not even sure if it's the phone itself that we dig or the soap opera that we enjoy so much. And now, hot on the heels of the hands-on video that has captured the imagination of the entire world, Meizu has posted a flash demo of the M8's UI for those of you thirsting for a closer look at the thing. SPOILER ALERT: It bears a strong resemblance to the interface of a certain Apple product.

Dell adds $100 32GB SSD option to Inspiron Mini 9

2008-11-24T03:59:00.000-08:00

Sure, the base price of Dell's Inspiron Mini 9 is pretty palatable, but good luck passing through that hard drive selection screen with this option unchecked. Yep, as now, Mini 9 buyers can opt for a capacious 32GB solid state drive (a luxury already available in Japan), which is a $100 upgrade over the standard 4GB SSD. Enticing enough to make you finally pull the trigger?

iPhone firmware 2.2 gets QuickPwn and PwnageTool, of course

2008-11-23T07:01:00.001-08:00

In case you haven't noticed the trend, when Apple releases a new iPhone / iPod touch firmware, it has a tendency to fall to the jailbreakers at mind-boggling breakneck speed. QuickPwn and PwnageTool have now both been updated to support 2.2, though there's a critical note in here from the iphone-dev team: if you have any interest in unlocking your iPhone 3G in the near future, only use PwnageTool, not the more painless QuickPwn. You've been warned!

Pasen is dead, long live Pasen's new REI-16 PMP

2008-11-23T06:59:00.000-08:00

To say that we've been underwhelmed by Pasen's offerings thus far would be like calling the Meizu M8 slightly delayed, but supposedly we're in for a pleasant surprise when next we meet a player from the company. The brand has been bought out by Italian Kiwii LTD and is pledging that those awful interfaces and stolen icons are things of the past. The proof will be in the REI-16 PMP, pictured above serving as a precarious looking wheel chock. It should make for a better media player, and while details are few it's said to offer a "gorgeous" 3-inch touchscreen, "sexy" user interface, and support "tons" of audio and video formats (including ogg). An integrated FM transmitter will pipe tunes to your car, plus there's video output for your TV and even emulation for 8-bit console games. It certainly sounds promising, but we'll have wait for the full specs and some hands-on impressions before we can call Pasen reborn or just rebranded.

P's Shanghai-packing xw9400 workstation available now

2008-11-22T06:22:00.001-08:00

We caught a glimpse of the HP xw9400 quite a while back when it was first announced, but it's now available on HP's site and we've got the full details on the mammoth's innards. There are quite a few customizable options, including AMD's Dual-Core Shanghai Opteron CPUs (from 2.0GHz to 2.5GHz), up to 32GB MHz DDR SDRAM, NIVIDIA nForce Professional 3600 or 3050 chipsets, and available NVIDIA Quadro FX cards with up to 1GB of memory. There are also five internal and two external drive bays and eight USB 2.0 ports. The behemoth starts at $2,399 and runs as high as $6,299.

Hello Kitty C1 netbook packs a lotta 'tude into a small package

2008-11-22T06:20:00.001-08:00

There's been a serious dearth of Hello Kitty-branded products these days, but the dry-spell is thankfully at an end, with the arrival of the Hello Kitty C1. The crazy cat's apparently first-ever netbook is (as you can see in the photo) quite a looker, and it's packing a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU with 1GB DDR2 SDRAM, a 945 GSE Express chipset and a 120GB hard drive. The 10.1-inch netbook's also got two USB ports, a 1.3 megapixel webcam and WiFi. It's going to cost you 890 smackers to make this yours, but the sassiness alone kind of makes it worth it, doesn't it?

ASUS summons Core i7 power in ROG CG6190 gaming desktop

2008-11-21T06:17:00.001-08:00

If you thought your ARES CG6155 was hot stuff during the sweltering summer, well, you were right. Sadly, your bragging days have come to an end, as a new era of cutting-edge buyers are fixing to one-up you with the purchase of ASUS' ROG CG6190. Timed to be released alongside Intel's potent Core i7 processor, this beast is built around the X58 chipset and includes an eye-catching chassis, 52% faster processing speed in 3D gaming applications (thanks, overclocked Core i7!), up to 12GB of DDR3 RAM and support for an NVIDIA triple-SLI GPU setup or an ATI CrossFireX rig. You'll also notice a biometric fingerprint scanner, a unique 2-kilowatt dual power system, customized liquid cooling modules and a SupremeFX X-Fi audio card. As ASUS loves to do, we're left in the dark on pricing, but we'd guess it'll launch somewhere between expensive and ludicrously pricey here soon.

Packard Bell dot spotted in UK

2008-11-20T06:22:00.001-08:00

Oh, look! It's another netbook in the wild! This one is Packard Bell's dot, and according to the boffins at Pocket-lint it's now available for purchase across the pond by anyone who can find a reason to care. The Aspire One-like specs and style are just what you'd expect (do we really need to recount the Atom 270 processor, 1GB of RAM, and 160GB hard drive yet again?), and while there's the promise of being able to add internal 3G connectivity at some point in the future, right now the only thing setting this one apart is the red dot on the hinge. (Which, we confess, is a nice look.) Still no mention of when or even if this one will be appearing domestically -- though if it does it'll probably be as an Everex anyhow.

Dospara doles out Atom-powered Prime Note Cartina UM netbook

2008-11-19T04:09:00.000-08:00

It's been forever and a day since we heard from Dospara, but as it typically does, it's just hanging around and waiting to see what catches on before it dives in. Case in point: here we have the Prime Note Cartina UM, an 8.9-inch netbook that's hitting alongside the second and third iteration of everyone else's. You could likely guess the specifications in your sleep, but we'll humor you anyway; we've got a 1.6GHz Atom N270 CPU, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, 120GB hard drive, a 1,024 x 600 panel, 802.11b/g WiFi, a battery good for two hours and a mysterious Linux build pre-installed. You won't find an optical drive bundled in, but you will find a ¥39,980 ($413) price tag should you venture over to Japan.

Optimus AUX nearly ready for its $650 price tag

2008-11-18T06:39:00.001-08:00

Two bits of new information to tell you about. First, Art Lebedev's AUX keypad is expected to be priced at "around $650." Second, that's a final pre-production prototype kicking it live with Art's Verbarius clock in the background. With any luck, this programmable OLED keypad could be ready for a limited production run by Xmas.

Keepin' it real fake, part CLXVII: 2PG PSP knockoff adds second controller, nothing else

2008-11-15T21:50:00.000-08:00

The 2PG TC8281 is one hard working portable game console -- and trust us, it ain't easy trying to make a living under the shadow of the PSP and its less expensive (and downright irreputable) siblings. Don't blame the poor guy if he was born with "brand name style," as they say in the business -- what he lacks in originality, or in technological ability, he more than makes up for in hard work. Yours for just under $50, this handheld is compatible with the ever-popular Cool Boy game console, and ships with 117 games (5 on-board, 112 on the cartridge) including Milk Nuts, Space ET, Zippy Race and perennial favorite Mappy. And if all that weren't enough, the device includes A/V outputs for bringing the party to your television, and a separate Playstation-like controller so you can get your game on multi-player style. R

Lenovo's ThinkPad USB Portable Secure hard drive will make you look, feel more important than you are

2008-11-15T01:39:00.000-08:00

This anonymous, yet nefarious looking device -- Lenovo's ThinkPad USB Portable Secure Hard Drive -- has a passcode system that uses a physical keypad (see photo), which should be handy for you always on-the-go, James Bond types. In fact, the tiny unit (3 x 5-inches), which is designed to pair up with ThinkPad laptops, can have up to 10 unique user IDs, and an admin account, enabling the whole family to be in on the encrypting-action. We hear the "Vault" (as they like to call it) will be available by month's end, and that the 160GB model will be $180, while the 320GB will run $219. All we need to do now is find some data worth protecting...

Robot ticketer greets amusement park visitors, offers frightening glimpse of the future

2008-11-13T01:00:00.001-08:00

Manufactured by NEC, this new FeliCa payment terminal (seen here at iEXPO 2008 in Tokyo) is designed for amusement parks, arcades, or any place where a whimsical touch-screen device might trick you into spending more money than you normally would. And if handing control of your e-wallet to an android wasn't bad enough, in addition to selling tickets and dispensing data the device boasts integrated facial recognition for identifying and profiling park visitors -- a feature to be used for determining your demographic information and pointing you towards appropriate "amusement," such as a restaurant for Ma or a wave pool for the kiddies. What could possibly go "worng," you ask? Have you even seen Westworld?

Tectoy's Zeebo gaming console to run on 3G network in Brazil

2008-11-13T00:55:00.001-08:00

Tectoy's announced the Zeebo, a 3G network-based gaming console that will supposedly launch in Brazil in July of 2009, then spread to other markets in the following months. The console will apparently be constantly connected to a 3G network for no cost to the gamer, with all games and content paid for and downloaded via said network (which sounds suspiciously like the never-realized Phantom). In theory, this would mean lower costs for the consumer while cutting down on piracy. Titles that are to be preloaded in the Brazil launch of the system include the mobile game Action Hero 3D, Evil Prey, and Quake... not exactly state-of-the-art, but according to its manufacturers, the Zeebo is not meant to directly compete with platforms like the Wii, Xbox 360 or Playstation 3. Instead, the system will be aimed at "emerging" gaming markets, including those which could not normally afford expensive hardware and games. Confusingly, the price mentioned for the console is a steep $599, with games set to cost between $10 and $30 -- not exactly the most affordable item we've ever heard of, but we'll keep our ears to the wall for further updates should the Zeebo ever come closer to existence. And, comparison to the Phantom aside, we hope it does.

DIY SNES alarm clock is kind of cool, truly alarming

2008-11-12T01:29:00.001-08:00

Oh, look -- another SNES mod. This one's actually pretty cute and useful in theory -- an alarm clock! The finished product is completely functional, though we're not too psyched on the sound of the alarm. Then again, we've never heard an alarm we were super stoked on, so it's not this inventive chap's fault.Take a peek at the clock-setting action in the video ....

Fujistu announces world's first 500GB laptop disk with 256-bit AES encryption

2008-11-11T05:31:00.001-08:00

Take 1TB and divide it by two and you've got a pair of new 2.5-inch 500GB disks just introduced by Fujitsu. Fujitsu's MJA2 series of 9.5-mm tall, SATA 3.0Gbps, 5400 RPM disks consume just 1.4 watts during read/write -- that's a 33% reduction from its previous drives while still boosting transfer rates by 27%. Model MJA2 CH even adds the world's first automatic, full-disk, 256-bit AES encryption without any performance penalty due to the hardware level of encryption. Take that Seagate and your weak-sauce 128-bit key. To be fair, any successful attack on a 128-AES key would likely apply to a 256-bit key as well. Expect these to pop for retail (with Western Digital branding too, presumably) sometime in the first quarter of 2009, a bit earlier if you can do without the encryption.

Lenovo's IdeaPad U330 reviewed: nice for the price

2008-11-11T05:29:00.000-08:00

After launching this summer, we're heard way more about netbooks than Lenovo's shiny IdeaPad U330. For those who've refused to forget about it, the aforesaid rig has been reviewed by the kind souls over at Laptop Mag, and impressions were fairly positive overall. The biggest boon here is likely the price -- we mean, $1,199 for a 13-inch lappie of this stature isn't half bad. As with most of the other IdeaPads, the design was applauded, the mix of features and performance was satisfactory and the size (4.4-pounds) was just right. Critics did slam the mushy touch buttons and the below-average battery life, but even so, the U330 was deemed a "a compelling thin-and-light notebook that offered plenty of style and strong performance" for the price.

Olens Technology adds another projector to endless stream of projectors

2008-11-11T05:27:00.000-08:00

Who knew so many had so much projecting to do? There is such a plethora of small projectors glutting the market these days that it's hard for one to stand out from the crowd. So while the Olens Technology Personal Entertainment isn't the smallest (15-inches long by 7-inces wide) or the most powerful, it's pretty cheap -- which we bet will probably make it attractive to bargain hunters in dire need of a home projector. The ProjectorXPJ-USA010 has a 640 x 480 resolution and 300 ANSI lumens, with s-video, RCA and VGA connections. The estimated life of the lamp is about 300 hours -- not so great, but replacements lamps are apparently "low in cost, " and easy to change, which is nice to know. It's available now for a paltry $179, and we're pretty sure it would make a better holiday gift than a digital photo frame, anyway.

Logitech's diNovo gets right with the Mac community and thus, the Lord

2008-11-11T05:26:00.001-08:00

Do you see them? Command and option keys instead of the Windows and alt keys. That's right, Logitech is doing the Mac community another solid with the introduction of its wireless diNovo Keyboard for Mac users. Exactly like its $100 PC version with 3-year battery only better 'cause it's for Macs... right?

Dell Inspiron Mini 12 reviewed: bigger, not necessarily better

2008-11-09T07:20:00.001-08:00

After toying with our heartstrings for like, ever, Dell finally gathered up the courage to formally introduce its 12-inch netbook late last month. After arriving at the testing facilities of Laptop Mag, critics quickly found a lot to love about the relatively expansive display, "excellent" battery life and spacious keyboard. In all fairness, there really wasn't anything to complain about on the surface; the first kvetching we heard was soon after bootup -- er, a fair while after bootup, we should say. The biggest knock on Dell's Mini 12 was its sluggish performance under Vista, not to mention the lethargic hard drive shoved in there. In sum, critics frankly pointed out that the "Mini 12 doesn't have the right hardware to handle this OS," and recommended holding off for one with WinXP / Ubuntu if you were dead set on the design.

Virgin Media shows off stylish 50Mbps cable modem

2008-11-09T07:17:00.000-08:00

This truly may be a world's first: a cable modem you don't feel incredibly pressured to relegate to the rear of your networking stash. Yes friends, that succulent device you see above is Virgin Media's shockingly stunning 50Mbps cable modem, which unsurprisingly relies on DOCSIS 3.0 technology in order to provide such 1337 speeds. It's still not as speedy as Ambit Broadband's channel bonding modem, nor can it hold a candle to whatever Sigbritt Löthberg had going on in Sweden, but 50Mbps isn't anything to sneeze at. No word on pricing just yet (don't worry, you'll pay it), but it should be available for UK-based speed freaks before the year's end.

USB Digital Endoscope: you will see what you want to see

2008-11-07T03:39:00.000-08:00

USB Fever has a real eye-opening item on offer: the USB Digital Endoscope. While they claim this product is for "medical" uses, looking at it, it strikes us as an unlikely candidate for actual, legitimate endoscopy. Luckily, the seller offers a helpful slew of other suggested uses, including forensics, tinkering, industrial inspection, science education, serial number identification, unicorn hunting, and crime scene investigation. You can order it now for $139.99 and it'll supposedly be shipped out the week of November 17th. Oh, and Mac users -- go ahead and get indignant -- this instrument is compatible only with Windows and Linux.

Anthropomorphized Mars lander in terminal "Groundhog Day" mode, tugging heartstrings

2008-11-06T00:57:00.000-08:00

We listened anxiously for your updates about the weather on Mars, watched you "think" your way out of nearly fatal situations, and marveled at your liquid discoveries. It seems like only yesterday we were preparing for your send off. And what new violence is this you're doing upon our souls? Oh, that's right: you're dying. Not shutting down. Dying. Not quickly, either. And you're going to suffer from what is essentially a NASA-induced nightmare terminal case of Alzheimer's now, too. As early as tonight, the NASA team will upload repeating commands designed to "wring a few additional weather measurements" out of Phoenix by placing it in "terminal science mode," meaning that the lander will repeat the same sequence of actions over and over again, every day before shutting down for 19 hours. The team has also discovered that the craft is now unable to fully recharge its batteries, causing it to lose its memory each night when it shuts down. So the lander wakes up in the morning, does some science, goes to sleep, wakes up again, doesn't remember a thing, does some science... oh, you get the idea.

Sony Ericsson event rumored for tomorrow, W705 images emerge

2008-11-05T22:04:00.000-08:00

Oh, goodie! SEMCBlog has it that Sony Ericsson is priming a fall announcement for tomorrow, the 6th of November. Certainly enough, it was this day last year when SE introduced a trio of new handsets, so we'd say the timing sounds just about perfect. Curious as to what's coming? A little birdie has dropped off signs that a W705 (pictured) will be the star of the show, with a Orange-exclusive W705u and a mysterious MBS-900 accessory tagging along. As for February-bound W705 slider, we're told it'll boast a 2.4-inch 320 x 240 resolution display, 3.2-megapixel camera, 120MB of internal memory, a 4GB M2 card (included), Walkman 3.0 UI, Shake control and two motifs to choose from (Luxury Silver and Passionate Red). All's that needed now is a dash of official and a pinch of expected pricing.

Sony Ericsson's PlayNow Plus music service goes live

2008-11-05T22:03:00.001-08:00

Alongside the W902 plus (pictured), Sony Ericsson has officially launched its PlayNow Plus music service. Currently, the unlimited music download service is only being offered through Sweden's own Telenor, but we suspect more carriers (and compatible handsets) will be added on in due time. For now, however, everyone outside of Sweden will have to rely on insider reports to see how the service fares, not that we're suggesting any Swedes drop us a bone in comments or anything.

Nintendo moves over 170,000 DSi handhelds at Japanese launch

2008-11-05T22:00:00.001-08:00

Nah, Nintendo didn't move as many DSi handhelds in Japan as it did DS units in America last Thanksgiving, but hey, the week's not over yet. Even in the midst of an economic slowdown, the Big N managed to sell through 170,779 DSis during the first two days of its Japanese launch. Many outlets had just enough stock to appease those that pre-ordered, and small queues were present in a variety of locales. That's a number that Nintendo's surely proud of, particularly since total Japanese sales of the original DS and the DS Lite stood at 23.6 million at the end of October, or about one DS for every fifth person in the nation. Who says a sleek redesign can't rekindle interest?

LG debuts 13.3-inch XNOTE P310 premium laptop

2008-11-05T21:57:00.001-08:00

LG may not have strayed to far from the outward appearance of the XNOTE P300 with its new P310 model, but it looks to have given the "premium" laptop a decent enough upgrade under the hood, with it now finally getting bumped up to the Centrino 2 platform. That upgrade also includes a speedier 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo T9400 processor, 3GB of DDR3 memory, 2GB of Intel Turbo Memory a 320GB hard drive, and some decent enough NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT graphics, not to mention the same LED-backlit 13.3-inch display as before. No word on a price just yet, but we're guessing it won't be too far off the €1,599 (or just over $2,000) its predecessor demanded.

XCM Hyper Gear case promises to overclock your DS

2008-11-05T21:52:00.000-08:00

Overclocking the Nintendo DS is hardly anything new, but the mod-happy folks at XCM look to be taking a decidedly different approach with their new Hyper Gear case which, as you can see above, is actually a full-on replacement case for the currently non-hyper DS Lite. That approach gives you the added advantage of selectable turbo speeds and, of course, a rapid fire switch, both of which, as Technabob points out, will likely take quite a toll on battery life. No word on a price just yet, but it'll apparently be available from at least a few of the usual modding retailers in the next few weeks.

Meizu's M8 ready to rock the US and Europe on an iPhone tribute tour?

2008-11-05T04:33:00.001-08:00

Feel those little hairs standing up on the back your neck? That's guarded anticipation son, the kind that comes from a Chinesed iPhone landing Stateside with the impact of a giant set of balls. According to yet another launch-related post in the Meizu forums, Jack Wong has accelerated plans to kick his M8 cellphone into India and China (WiFi-less to meet local restrictions) by November 30th. Then "maybe" he'll launch in the US, Hong Kong, and Europe by December 24th. Oh sure. Our take? There's no way in hell that this highest of high-profile clones lands Stateside or on Western European soil without being met by a friendly Apple lawyer holding a court-issued ban on all M8 imports. No matter how much we're dying to play with it.

Mintpass' tiny Mintpad brings handwriting back from the 20th century

2008-11-05T04:30:00.000-08:00

We can't remember the last time we stealthily scribbled a note to a coworker instead of shooting an IM, but Mintpass (a Korean firm founded by former iriver minds) believes some folks want to do both at once with Mintpad, a wireless handheld that's one part Nintendo DS, one part iPod, and another part Post-it note. Yes, it surfs the web on 802.11b/g WiFi and plays 4GB (or more with a microSD card) of music and videos on its sub-3-inch 320 x 240 display, but the draw is handwriting with a stylus. Don't pick it up if you're looking for handwriting recognition, though -- you just jot down notes the old fashioned way, though you can pass them over the internet to others who have their own Mintpads. We've seen a note or two saying you can pick one up in South Korea for ?198,000, or about $156.

Wireless USB startup WiQuest shuts down, leaves the standard in limbo

2008-11-03T23:05:00.001-08:00

Let's be honest -- Wireless USB has never been much more than an afterthought. Sure, we've seen it pop up on a few laptops and USB hard drives, but it's never grabbed hold the way that, say, Bluetooth or WiFi has. On top of that, the underlying technology behind WUSB (that'd be Ultra-Wideband, or UWB) has yet to find favor in the market, with the surging WHDI stealing most of the limelight in the wireless HD arena. At any rate, one of the (only) companies keeping Wireless USB alive has kicked the bucket, as startup WiQuest officially shut its doors after being unable to concoct a "one-chip solution that was capable of delivering the upper-band support necessary for worldwide acceptance." Granted, Wireless USB isn't quite six feet under, but it's safe to say one foot is planted in the proverbial grave.

Time names the 23andMe retail DNA test 'Invention of the Year'

2008-11-03T23:02:00.000-08:00

Time Magazine has released its annual Best Inventions issue, and topping the list is the 23andMe retail DNA test, a kit which which offers consumers 23 clinical reports on their genetic risk for everything from Psoriasis to Prostate Cancer. It may not be as well known as last year's iPhone (or YouTube the year before that), but the $399 package might signal a significant revolution in preventative medicine... or it might bring mankind a disturbing new form of eugenics. Whatever you use it for, the process couldn't be easier: the kit comes with a tube that you spit in and mail back to the company, which in a mere 4 - 6 weeks will notify you that testing is complete. As you wait for the results to be posted online you might want to spend some time contemplating the ethical dilemmas posed by this technology.

Vertu concocts a few more moneymakers: Ferrari Ascent Ti collection

2008-11-03T23:00:00.000-08:00

We've already learned that the luxury handset sector ain't hurting even though the economy is (B&O notwithstanding), so it follows logic to see Vertu crafting a new line of covetable mobiles for the affluent. Reportedly, the Ferrari Ascent Ti collection will consist of three phones that all sport the iconic Ferrari logo along with a catchy paint job to further illustrate the automotive connection. The Nero will be all black, while the Rosso and Giallo will be red and yellow, respectively. Each handset features a scratch proof PVD and Ferrari-inspired themes / ringtones, none of which will really make 'em worth the asking price. Speaking of which, Vertu hasn't publicly disclosed a sticker just yet, but given that just north of 2,000 will be made, we'd say it'll be up there. Way up there.

iPhone gains battery life, camera flash, loses sex appeal with FastMac's iV

2008-11-03T22:59:00.001-08:00

Why yes, FastMac -- we want 24 hours of talk time, 72 of audio, 20 of video, and 31 hours of standby on our iPhones and iPhone 3Gs. Throw in a camera flash that doubles as a flashlight, and the ability to charge a USB device like a Bluetooth headset right off the phone, and you've got a deal on this iV charging kit of yours! Oh, there's a catch? It's a wee bit bulky, with an aesthetic similar to that of mophie's Juice Pack? Hey, it could be worse. This largification -- along with $79.50 -- is apparently the price you pay for digital endurance.

AT&T kicks off BlackBerry Bold sales on the web

2008-11-03T22:57:00.001-08:00

Some stores have already let a few slip out the door a day early, but for those of us who haven't left our parents' basements since 1989, turns out there's now a sweet alternative to heading down to the brick-and-mortar. The BlackBerry Bold's now up on AT&T's site ready to ship for $299.99 after rebate on a two-year contract, so go ahead and whip out the plastic. If you haven't been using a Curve or an 8800 lately, prep your unsuspecting thumbs with some hardcore workouts -- and if you have been using a Curve or an 8800, get those freakishly muscular, overbuilt digits out of our sights.

Sony Ericsson's new ad shows off the C905's camera and absolutely nothing else

2008-11-03T01:00:00.001-08:00

An ad campaign shot entirely on a mobile phone camera? Well, Sony Ericsson -- claiming to be the first -- has done it, using the C905, ostensibly to prove what an awesome (8.1-megapixel) camera it boasts. The results can be found exclusively in December's issue of FHM, and are what Sony Ericsson Marketing Director David Hilton calls an "amazing opportunity" to "show off the capabilities" of the Cyber-shot. So let's just get this straight: your ad uses a professional model, a fashion photographer, professional lighting, and makeup, not to mention all that retouching, and we're supposed to be impressed with the camera? Okay, we'll admit it: we're pretty impressed.

Engadget HD delves into Home Automation with mPanel review

2008-10-25T00:26:00.000-07:00

If you've always though the idea of Home Automation was cool, but thought it was too expensive, you should head over to Engadget HD as they check out the first affordable Home Automation in-wall touch panel from Embedded Automation -- of course we use the word affordable very loosely around here, as there's nothing cheap about a $1000 7-inch touch screen, but compared to the $7000 panels out there, it's a steal. To find out what we liked, other than the price, ease of install, openness, and out of the box experience.

Sprint launches Touch Pro at "select national retailers" this week

2008-10-24T23:45:00.000-07:00

Locked in a footrace with AT&T's Fuze to become the first US national carrier to launch a variant of the HTC Touch Pro, Sprint has announced that folks can start ordering the QWERTY smartphone this week from "select national retailers," making good on a promise made at CTIA last month. That's not quite as cool as a full-scale launch, but at least we'll start to get 'em in the wild in the next few days -- meanwhile, a more full-scale, fanfare-filled launch is planned for November 2 when the Touch Pro is made available online, via phone, and in all Sprint stores.

Toshiba's NB100 netbook photographed in the wild

2008-10-24T03:21:00.000-07:00

Oh sure, you've seen a brief glimpse of Toshiba's NB100 (a pre-production unit, at least) at the company's own Mobility Conference, but things just feel a little different when the spotting goes down in the wild. The LXF Team was lucky enough to get their camera on Tosh's UK-bound rig, and while nothing was tremendously shocking, it was called out for boasting a "boxy, but sturdy construction that looks like a shrunk-down 'serious' laptop.

BMW and NXP's prototype smart-key knows more about you than the NSA

2008-10-22T06:34:00.001-07:00

Ok, we didn't see this one coming. Then again, our idea of a Sunday drive is taking a taxi uptown. So imagine our surprise to find that the people at NXP Semiconductor and BMW thought it was a good idea to integrate a car key with a contact-less payment system. The prototype key features NXP's SmartMX security chip -- the same chip at the heart of many of the world's e-passports -- making it possible to use the key to pay for fuel at the pump, tolls (after uh, switching off the engine in the toll lane), or at any number of places where flagrantly flaunting your BMW logo-adorned key could get you noticed. What piqued out interest, however, is the promise that such a key could hold your personal access rights to unlock, and then start the engine of your own car or that of a rental company's while automatically configuring the interior with all your custom in-vehicle settings such as radio presets, mirror and seat adjustments, etc. It would even authorize (and pay for) future on-line BMW services across the entire fleet of Bimmers you don't own, but might choose to outfit the family with if the smart key option was available. The prototype on display at the CARTES & IDentification show in Paris next week will likely closely resemble the image above... only without the transformer.

New HDPC from MIU offers sleeker shell and Intel Atom-power

2008-10-22T06:31:00.000-07:00

When it was introduced two years ago, the premise of the Hybrid Dual Portable Computer was simple: mobile OS up front, Windows XP below, and ugly all over. The most recent refresh was a big visual improvement, but MIU apparently isn't done, teasing another new version that looks far sleeker and packs an Intel Atom processor inside, though exactly which hasn't been revealed. Beyond that, this pocket-wunderkind offers the same bevy of features as before, obviating the need for a separate nav system, PMP, e-book reader, netbook, and even in-car rear-view camera monitor. It'll make phone calls too, and with GSM, GPRS, and CDMA connectivity, you're pretty well guaranteed to be able to check your mail anywhere. No information on price or availability just yet, but hopefully the former stays close to the current version's $500 and the latter extends to somewhere in North America.

G-Skill GT1 features Thermaltake Orb memory Cooler

2008-10-20T01:16:00.000-07:00

Taiwan based company G Skill is very well known for its quality products in high performance memory. Now G Skill has come up with an ultra high performance memory under flagship of G Skill GT1 features Thermaltake Ram Orb cooler.

read more....
source[http://www.techtrance.net]

Sony don’t want to cut more price on PS3

2008-10-20T01:14:00.001-07:00

Well November is generally is the month of games & this year there is no doubt that gaming industry will shine like a star & this Christmas won’t be disappointing for any of game lover. But wait, if you are planning to own SONY PS3 and expecting a special price, then u might throw some attention towards the statement from Sony Computer Entertainment officials that there won’t be any price cut for the current generation’s one of the top gaming console PS3.

Last month Microsoft shocked the console world by announcing the new price for the top console XBOX 360 for USD 199, for the basic version which is half the price of the SONY’s lowest version of PS3.

LG Demos 15-inch Double-sided LCD

2008-10-20T01:13:00.001-07:00

While most manufacturers seem to be working on privacy tech to make LCDs harder to view by anyone not sitting right in front of them, LG is bucking the trend, demoing a prototype that can be read even by those sitting clear over on the back side. Unlike Samsung’s tiny double-sided prototype from early last year, LG’s shows the same image on both sides, but the 15-inch reflective display’s 512 x 384 resolution and 14:1 contrast ratio also reflect just how early this tech is.

Samsung shows off W600 with T-DMB, HSUPA, 5MP camera

2008-10-20T01:08:00.000-07:00

From around back, you'd never know that Samsung's W600 was a phone. Well, we mean, you might be able to piece it together, but you catch our drift. At any rate, the Anycall W600 was recently on display in South Korea, and aside from the wicked 5-megapixel camera and all-black motif, it was also boasting a 3-inch WVGA (800 x 480) touchscreen, T-DMB tuner, haptic UI and HSUPA support. Look for it to set locals back a stiff ₩800,000 ($600) or more depending on carrier when it ships next month.

T-Mobile launches BlackBerry Pearl 8220, available today for $149.99

2008-10-13T00:15:00.001-07:00

The BlackBerry Pearl 8220 runs neck-and-neck with the Storm for the title of "most leaked RIM device of 2008," but for what it's worth, T-Mobile is just now getting around to announcing a date and price for the most fliptastic phone in Waterloo's ever-expanding lineup. That's good news -- but perhaps the best news is that the launch date just happens to be today (for one of the two available colors, anyhow). The black version of the 8220 will be appearing online and in T-Mobile stores today, while the dark red will be following on a week later on Monday, October 20. Both will run $149.99 on a two-year contract.

LaCie intros 5big Network drive array to RAID junkies the world over

2008-10-13T00:13:00.000-07:00

The LaCie product roof has been raised to 7.5TB with the new 5big Network -- an Active Directory and gigabit Ethernet-friendly array of storage drives that supports several RAID configurations for up to five hot-swappable hard drives. You can try it on in four different sizes -- 2.5TB for $899.99, 5TB for $1,399, or the aforementioned, bar-raising 7.5TB for $1,899. In keeping with his sixteen year relationship with LaCie, the renowned Neil Poulton applied his HAL 9000-inspired design to the product, winning him another Janus de L'industrie award. The only problem with the HAL motif: you really, really don't want your RAID storage device to drone on about how its "mind is going, Dave."

Digia @Web goes gold, UIQ gets serious browsing power

2008-10-09T05:09:00.001-07:00

As smartphone platforms go, UIQ is a pretty underserved one; it just doesn't command enough of a following (by either manufacturers or end users) to justify boatloads of serious third-party development. That's why we're especially delighted to see that Digia's @Web, a Webkit-based browser with touch control and desktop-grade rendering capabilities, has emerged from beta and gone live. The fill version's not a free download -- you'll pay 8 (about $11) for the privilege, in fact -- but for diehard UIQers looking for a way to rock the interwebs, this is probably the ticket.

Nokia's 5800 XpressMusic gets reviewed, coddled

2008-10-09T05:06:00.001-07:00

Given that most of the world won't see Nokia's 5800 XpressMusic until 2009, you may be better off just forcing yourself to overlook this here review until you can snag one without importing. If you're just too impatient for all that, however, you should know that an early critique of the affectionately dubbed Tube deemed it mighty impressive. Call quality was solid, the OS was stable in most areas, and the display was a joy to look at and interact with. In fact, reviewers had a difficult time finding anything exceptionally negative to say, noting that this is the handset for anyone after a "well-rounded, do-it-all solution." It was also made clear that this phone and the iPhone were really two different animals not worth comparing, but that didn't stop critics from confessing that the 5800 packs an "unparalleled price / quality ratio that changes the rules for all phone makers out there, including Nokia itself."

Sprint Music Store's tracks set to go phone-only

2008-10-07T04:49:00.001-07:00

A great feature -- or, at least we thought it was a great feature -- of mobile music stores is that you're not eternally shackled to listening to the track on your crappy little handset. Buying and listening to music on the road is all well and good, and admittedly, it's probably the typical mode of operation -- but when you get home, it's nice to have your dollar-each tracks available for download on the desktop. Sprint wants to move away from that model, though, announcing that tracks purchased in its Music Store will skip PCs altogether in favor of a phone-only model starting October 15; you'll still be able to back up tracks to your computer, but they'll only play on the phone. That's awesome, totally logical, and a surefire way for Sprint to turn a profit on its music service when competitors are offering DRM-free tracks that can play anywhere you damn well please for the same 99 cents Sprint's charging. Something tells us this won't last long -- Sprint will either relent, outsource its music biz to a more capable third party, or stop offering music directly altogether. Or so we hope.

Pantech C610 shows up on AT&T

2008-10-07T04:47:00.000-07:00

Pantech still seems committed to occupying the lower end of AT&T's spectrum (Duo notably excepted) with its latest, the just-launched C610 flip. We first saw this puppy in the FCC back in May, and it looks like not much has changed since then with a red shell, metal accents, and a 3G radio that turns out to support HSDPA on the 850 and 1900MHz bands. You've also got a 1.3-megapixel cam, Video Share support, Bluetooth (version 1.2 -- lame), and GPS, so we guess you're getting your money's worth -- more or less -- for the $49.99 on contract that AT&T's charging.

HP OFfers Up Special Edition Pavilion dv4t And dv5t

2008-10-06T01:58:00.001-07:00

HP’s got the Special Edition itch again, and it’s scratching it with both hands as evidenced by the newest dv4t and dv5t SE notebooks. Starting with the former, we’ve got a flashily designed 14.1-incher with a WXGA panel, 4GB of DDR2 RAM, a handful of Core 2 Duo CPU choices, NVIDIA’s 512MB GeForce 9200M GS, up to 400GB of hard drive space, WiFi, optional WWAN and an integrated HDTV hybrid tuner. The equally fashionable Pavilion dv5t SE sports a 15.4-inch LCD, a GMA4500MHD integrated graphics set, optional Blu-ray writer and most everything already mentioned on its smaller sibling. You can snatch either of these up for $1,099.99 / $949 (or higher) right now, but we’d make sure you really dig the tattoos before making a decision you’ll regret forever.

Sony announces PRS-700 Reader with touchscreen

2008-10-03T01:54:00.001-07:00

Sony's plan to launch an updated Reader today wasn't exactly a secret, but there are still some surprises to the new PRS-700 -- particularly the new six-inch touchscreen E-Ink display. Page turning is now accomplished by a swipe motion with faster refreshes, and there's a stylus and on-screen keyboard for searching and note-taking -- plus an LED reading light (not a backlight) for reading in the dark. Apart from that, it's basically the same deal as the PRS-505 -- internal storage for about 350 ebooks with SD and MS-Duo expansion and a 7500 page-turn battery life round out the package, as well as an updated online store. Of course, there's no Kindle-killing integrated wireless for the $400 price tag, but it'll be interesting to see how they stack up when the PRS-700 hits shelves next month.

Nokia getting a little "help" with its headset designs

2008-10-03T01:51:00.000-07:00

Nokia has produced a number of stereo headsets in the past, and while they were... fine, they didn't exactly wow us with any sort of innovation, particularly when it came to aesthetics. Perhaps that's why it's asking for a little help with the Music Almighty Headset Competition. Anyone is welcome to take one of the company's vanilla products, like the BH-604 or BH-903, and tart it up using either a simple Flash customizer or downloadable Maya, PDF, and PostScript templates. You'll want the templates to really go crazy, like submitter Mase90 did for the hideous, supposedly Sex Pistols-inspired skull-and-chains-encrusted model above. Voting is open to anyone through the end of the year, with the top 10 being whittled down to 5 by a panel of experts. Winners will get to see their designs turned into reality -- though not actually put up for sale.

GEM becomes Green Eco Mobility, introduces Peapod prototype

2008-09-30T04:42:00.000-07:00

While Chevy makes quite a to-do about the upcoming Volt hybrid, GM-cousin Chrysler has quietly continued to produce over 38,000 real, honest to gosh electric cars in its GEM sub-division. In need of a little eco-PR boost, Global Electric Motorcars is re-branding itself as Global Eco Mobility and introducing the Peapod. No, not that Peapod, or that Peapod, but a new Peapod that will travel up to 30 miles at 25 mph on an eight hour charge -- stats that sound suspiciously identical to the company's earlier Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (when not in muddin' guise, at least). But, that car doesn't sport bulbous looks on the outside nor gratuitous iPod integration on the inside (pictured below), which, if you don't have to go far or fast, might make it the perfect accessory for your pod when it enters production sometime next year for an undisclosed price.

Oppo's Muse G11 gets real

2008-09-27T02:45:00.001-07:00

In our perpetual search for the perfect "miniature PMP that just so happens to play SNES games with a reasonable control scheme," the Oppo Muse G11 is certainly a forerunner. We swooned when we saw those swivel-display technical drawings, and now Oppo has the first prototype of the device out and about. We're still a little short on tech specs, but as long as that mystery processor is prepared to draw Chrono Trigger with pixel-perfect precision, we couldn't care less.

SmartQ TAO sports a swanky screen

2008-09-27T02:42:00.000-07:00

We're pleased to see some improvements in SmartQ's latest PMP. Screen size and resolution for the TAO weigh in at a staunchly 3.3-inches 480x320 HVGA with 262,000 colors. It hosts a decent lineup of multi-codec niceties like MP3, OGG, WMA, FLAC, APE, AAC, WAV (PCM, ADPCM), along with a 500mhz Blackfin processor -- not too shabby for soaking up video. Xvid and Divx AVI res hit 720x480 with RMVB topping that, and FLV, WMV, ASF, 3GP, MPEG, DAT, MP4 formats are also supported. If you're jetting over to China any time soon, you should be able to pick up a 4GB model for around 699RMB ($102.)

Palm Treo Pro now shipping

2008-09-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

Palm Treo Pro now shipping

Listen up all you Palm Treo Pro hopefuls, your pre-order unit is now shipping with Palm's on-line store showing in stock availability. At least one tipster received a confirmation email saying his unlocked, $549 obsidian-black Treo is in the mail. Hell, Palm even did him a solid and expedited the order overnight instead of the 6-10 day standard shipment originally selected. Good on ya Palm.