bluehatnews.blogspot.com

Viewsonic Viewbook Ultra Portable Notebooks

2009-10-22T01:55:00.000-07:00

Viewsonic, well known for making monitors, has launched a new range of ultra portable notebooks, the Viewsonic Viewbook range.

There are three models in the range, a 12inch Viewbook VB120, a 13.3 inch Vb130 and a 14 inch VB140 Pro, all of the models in the range feature a display resolution of 1366 x 768, and come with a 6 cell battery that will give up to 8 hours of usage.

The Viewsonic Viewbook VB120 comes with a 1.3 GHz Intel Celeron processor, whilst the VB130 comes with the choice of either a 1.3GHz Intel Celeron processor, a 1.3GHz Dual Core Intel Pentium processor or a 1.3GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor.

The View book VB140 comes with a 1.3GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, all models come with Windows 7 Home Premium.

Prices start at just $599 for the Viewbook VB120, $699 for the VB130, and $949 for the VB140.

Netbook News via TFTS

Canon Easy Photo-Print iPhone App

2009-10-17T19:10:00.001-07:00

Canon is the latest company to launch a free iPhone application that will let users print directly from their iPhone to Canon PIXMA wireless printer over WiFi, the Canon Easy Photo-Print iPhone App.

The Canon Easy Photo-Print iPhone App can print on a range of different paper sizes and typed, and it will even let you print multiple photos at once, it also has the ability to print multiple copies of individual photos up to a maximum of 20.

Canon continues to make the printing experience as seamless and easy as possible with the addition of new technologies such as the Canon Easy-Photo Print Application,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. “This new technology enables users to print multiple images at one time while selecting varying sizes and paper types, making it easier than ever for consumers to print the images they want from their revolutionary iPhone or iPod touch.

The Canon Easy Photo-Print iPhone App is now available as a free download from iTunes, unfortunately it looks like the application is only available in the US at the moment, there is no word on when it will be released in the UK and Europe.

via TFTS

Canon Easy Photo-Print iPhone App

2009-10-17T19:10:00.000-07:00

Canon is the latest company to launch a free iPhone application that will let users print directly from their iPhone to Canon PIXMA wireless printer over WiFi, the Canon Easy Photo-Print iPhone App.

Canon continues to make the printing experience as seamless and easy as possible with the addition of new technologies such as the Canon Easy-Photo Print Application,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. “This new technology enables users to print multiple images at one time while selecting varying sizes and paper types, making it easier than ever for consumers to print the images they want from their revolutionary iPhone or iPod touch.

via TFTS

Windows 7 versus Snow Leopard on a MacBook Pro: big cat's faster, 7 is better for games

2009-10-17T19:06:00.000-07:00

by Vladislav Savov

CNET have taken the 64-bit versions of Windows 7 and Snow Leopard for a spin around a 2008 MacBook Pro, and produced a decent first peek at comparative performance. Of course, there are significant provisos to get through first -- it's only one machine, running on Apple's drivers, testing mostly Apple applications, and the two systems default to different versions of QuickTime -- but we can still glean some indication of where the two heavyweights are relative to one another. Snow Leopard appeared consistently quicker in time-based tests, with faster bootups, shutdowns and MP3 encoding, but Windows 7 showed its muscle in producing better frame rates in games and a significant advantage in Cinebench rendering. Battery life was found to be distinctly better under Snow Leopard, but we'd put that down to the underlying hardware being optimized for OS X. Hit the read link for the full testing procedures and more of those old school bar charts -- it should get you well prepped for the forthcoming flood of similar head-to-heads once WIndows 7 officially ships next week.

[Via Apple Insider]

Fujitsu P Series notebooks announced, said to be 'snazzy'

2009-10-17T19:04:00.000-07:00

by Joseph L. Flatley

Fujitsu has just announced two "stylish" P Series LifeBooks, and we have our hands on the PR drivel to prove it. This affable pair of machines come in "charming" colors that "endow both notebooks with a premium yet snazzy feel, for standing out effortlessly in a corporate jungle or a social playground setting." To be honest, we're more interested in things like the 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) display, battery life (6.7 hours under normal use, 7.2 hours in power saving mode -- which can be selected by hitting the ECO button), multitouch, the DVD Sharing application for glomming onto optical drives over your LAN, and the fact that they're both a mere 3.5 pounds light and just over an inch thin. The Fujitsu P LifeBook P3110 features a Pentium SU4100 (1.30GHz / 800MHz / 2MB L2 Cache) and is available in Glossy Black, Glossy Silver, and Glossy Ruby Red. The Fujitsu P LifeBook P3010, however, sports an AMD Athlon Neo MV-40 (1.6GHz / 512KB / L2 cache) and is available in Glossy Black and Glossy Ruby Red. No word on a release date, or on a price -- but, to paraphrase Godard, whenever someone mentions "style," we reach for our checkbooks. PR after the break.

2010 Olympic medals include material from recycled circuit boards

2009-10-17T19:03:00.000-07:00

by Donald Melanson

The just-unveiled medals for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver certainly break with a few conventions in terms of appearance, but it looks like they also contain a few surprises that aren't immediately apparent -- namely, they're all made at least partly from recycled circuit boards. Of course, the circuit boards have also been recycled beyond recognition, but each of the medals do apparently sport a one of a kind design, not to mention some considerable heft (weighing between 500 and 576 grams apiece). Sure, it's not enough to make a dent in the e-waste problem, but it's a heckuva way to kick start a trend.

[Via Technabob]

Appirion's iDriver app lets iPhone control minivan (video)

2009-10-14T20:37:00.000-07:00

by Darren Murph

Believe it or not, a device-controlled car isn't exactly fresh. In fact, we've actually seen a PSP control a Civic before Barack Obama was even a glimmer in the media's eye. That said, we're always willing to give credit where it's due, and the iDriver app just might be the most impressive use of Apple's smartphone... well, ever. As the name implies, this here app is able to control a heavily wired vehicle seemingly with ease -- the accelerometer handles the steering, and two soft buttons on the screen handle braking and acceleration. We'd bother explaining more, but we know you've already clicked past the break to see the whole thing demonstrated on video. Right?

[Via Engadget German]

Switched On: Microsoft's touchy subjects

2009-10-14T20:30:00.000-07:00

by Ross Rubin

Ross Rubin (@rossrubin) contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

As CEO of Microsoft, Bill Gates would often talk about his dream of "information at your fingertips." The company he co-founded, though, is now taking literal steps toward that goal. By the end of the month, Microsoft will have released three new devices or platforms that embrace or extend touchscreen support -- but the impact touch will have on each varies significantly by their legacy, usage, and manufacturers.

Windows has long had touchscreen support. Such support, in fact, was the basis of the Tablet Edition of Windows XP, and Tablet PCs were proclaimed to be the future of notebooks. Early iterations were larger and thicker keyboard-lacking slates much like the new Archos 9pctablet. But this was before rampant Web browsing, streaming video, casual games and electronic books -- all of which now provide relevance for a new generation of touchscreen PCs as content-consumption devices.
Combined with the low prices and sleeker form factors of today's netbook and CULV platforms, we'll soon see PC companies rolling out consumer touchscreen PCs both with and without keyboards. Unlike Tablet PCs of old, they'll be finger-friendly, but Windows itself won't look very different despite its support of touch -- very few manufacturers are investing in distinct interfaces that really take advantage of the plumbing.

Like the Windows on the desktop, the history of touch-enabled mobile devices from Microsoft runs deep, with the earliest Windows CE-based PDAs supporting stylus input. Since the advent of the iPhone, though, many Windows Mobile vendors have added finger-friendly user interface layers to their phones, and with Windows Mobile 6.5 Microsoft has brought its own spin across the platform with easier targets for controls and a revamped stepped grid app launcher. This brings Windows Mobile a bit closer to platforms that have embraced touch at their core like Android and webOS.

It's hard to deny Windows Mobile 6.5 represents a refinement of what has essentially been a touch platform from the beginning.

However, the nature of Windows Mobile licensing and the competitive smartphone market means that many Windows phone users will hardly see the results of Microsoft's touch rehash -- HTC, Sony Ericsson, Samsung and others all bring their own user interface layers to their handsets. Indeed, promising handsets such as HTC's HD2 will bring Windows Mobile to a new level of user experience by combining a large, capacitive touchscreen with a fast processor, but the primary interface is HTC's Sense, not Windows Mobile. Regardless, it's hard to deny Windows Mobile 6.5 represents a refinement of what has essentially been a touch platform from the beginning.

Finally, there is the Zune HD, Microsoft's answer to the iPod touch that represents a marked contrast from Apple's most advanced iPod. While both devices use a multitouch screen and employ similar gestures for browsing Web pages and photos, The Zune HD shows Microsoft's thinking about a limited functionality device. As opposed to iPod touch screens filled with icons and button controls, most screens on the Zune are represented by miniature previews of themselves. The result is a richer representation that blurs boundaries of modality at the cost of some screen clutter.

The Zune HD's touch interface is not just an engaging touch interface in its own right, but one of the best examples of how a non-touch user interface can be transformed into a touch-centric one with few compromises. Unfortunately, given Microsoft's low market share and limited distribution, far fewer will experience one of Microsoft's best user interfaces -- most will instead experience the quiet touch overlay of Windows 7 or the largely buried one of Windows Mobile. Zune HD user interface concepts may be seeds that will grow into a major makeover for Windows 7, but there will need to be accommodations to meet the requirements of a wider range of hardware running a wider array of software.

Acer fulfills prophecy, overtakes Dell as number two PC maker worldwide

2009-10-14T20:27:00.000-07:00

by Ross Miller

As if on cue, here's some new data research firm Gartner lending credence to Lanci's boasting. Looks like Acer has leapfrogged over Dell for the number two spot in global market share for the third quarter of 2009, from 12.5 to 15.4 percent of the Big Pie Chart™. Meanwhile Dell is just below at 12.8 percent, and HP is sitting happily atop with a 19.9 percent ownership.

Update: Let us adjust our glasses a bit. According to the charts, Acer is number two in worldwide PC sales, not in US as this previously reported. Stateside, the company is sitting at number three at 13.9 percent, behind HP (25.7 percent) and Dell (26.2 percent). Apologies for the confusion, the person responsible for eyesight has been subsequently sacked, the person responsible for the sacking has been sacked, etc.

New Adamo XPS image takes a stand

2009-10-12T18:07:00.000-07:00

by Ross Miller

Remember that wild hinge we saw on the Adamo XPS at Dell's characteristically all-too-brief showing last week? The company's gone ahead with yet another side pic, this time showing how the hinge pops out. Of course, showing what is actually on both panels would be too much for the company, so we're left only to guess. A display? A keyboard? Some kind of holographic projector? A hot key for making lolcat pictures? Listen Dell, we get it, you like the slow trickle of teasers, but can we just see the whole body now and move on the part where we wait for scraps of info on the specs?

Dyson's Air Multiplier is the overpriced bladeless fan you never asked for

2009-10-12T18:06:00.000-07:00

by Paul Miller

We can't fault Dyson for chutzpah. After putting the company's spin on vacuum cleaners and then hand dryers, we probably should've guessed that a revolution in table fan engineering was next up. When we first saw an image of the Dyson Air Multiplier "bladeless fan" a few spurious theories popped into our heads as to how it works, but it didn't take long to figure it out: it has blades in it. It's just that these blades are inside the lower canister, rather similar to, dare we say it, how a vacuum cleaner is set up, with the air then routed through the ring up top. The benefits of this tech are that there are no nasty blades to get fingers caught up in, but also that there's no "buffeting" -- that on-off gush of air caused by fan blades unceremoniously chopping up the air into inelegant segments. Unfortunately, the downside of the Dyson method is that you can't make Darth Vader voices through the backside of the fan, and the whole assembly is closer in noise pollution to that of an actual vacuum cleaner than a regular table fan. And then there's the matter of price: $300 for the 10-inch model, $330 for the 12-inch, and neither of them offer nearly as much wind as a regular fan this size -- quite a steep entry fee for the gentle breezes that emanate out of this plastic wind tunnel.

HTC's HD2 gets sized up to the competition

2009-10-11T22:32:00.000-07:00

by Joshua Topolsky

We've already seen (and written) plenty on the HD2, and we've enjoyed our initial experiences with the device -- but now someone has finally sized up the massive, Windows Mobile 6.5 smartphone with its touchscreen contemporaries... and the differences are downright shocking. Just take a look at this beast next to Apple's iPod touch (above) or the company's own Hero -- the displays on the older devices seem dwarfed by the HD2's 4.3-inch, 800 x 480 WVGA screen. There are lots of other revealing pictures in the writeup, but it's the side-by-side shots that seem most telling to us -- this is certainly the direction we're headed in for mobile devices. Hit the read link and take a full look for yourself.

[Via SlashGear]

Blackra1n jailbreak now available for iPhone OS 3.1.2, iPod touch 3G

2009-10-11T22:28:00.000-07:00

by Nilay Patel

Wow, judging by our tips jar we'd say you're all pretty darn excited about Geohot's Blackra1n jailbreak, which lets you open up iPhone OS 3.1.2 devices including the iPod touch 3G and new iPhone 3GSs -- but you can't unlock yet, so don't get any big ideas about switching carriers. Windows-only at the moment, but with this level of enthusiasm out there we can't imagine a Mac version is far behind.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Sony VAIO X announced, starts at $1,299

2009-10-07T22:29:00.000-07:00

by Nilay Patel

Sony's just started a laptop-oriented event in NYC, but we just got our hands on what look like unpublished web pages for the new VAIO X and VAIO CW and an updated VAIO L machines. All of 'em now run Windows 7, of course, but the big news is apparent confirmation that the VAIO X will indeed have a 2GHz Atom -- although it's listed at a "2GHz Intel Processor," the 533MHz bus speed also listed pretty much gives it away. And no, you're not getting an Ion in this deal to make up for that starting $1,300 price tag -- it's Intel GMA500 graphics all the way. You're also getting an integrated Verizon 3G card and both the standard and extended batteries, however. Still is that insane? It's probably insane.

Sony VAIO CW announced, features Windows 7 for $799

2009-10-07T22:26:00.000-07:00

by Nilay Patel

Sony's laptop event is underway, but we've got early pages detailing the new VAIO CW. Let's just say it's much more... reasonable than the VAIO X, packing up to a 2.8GHz Core 2 Duo with NVIDIA GeForce GT230M or GT210M graphics under a 14-inch screen, all starting at $799. It's also a pretty chunky little thing, measuring 1.52 inches thick at the back hinge and weighing in at 5.3 pounds -- but that means there's room for a Blu-ray drive and both VGA and HDMI outputs, so you know, there's just more of it to love.

VAIO L is Sony's first touchscreen PC, starts at $1,300

2009-10-07T22:20:00.000-07:00

by Paul Miller

Hey there Windows 7, we hear you've got some fancy new touch features, huh? Well, Sony's jumping on the ballooning bandwagon of manufacturers with a heart for touchscreen PCs, putting forward its very first model with the all-new L series all-in one. Sony is billing it as part HDTV and part PC (in typical Sony fashion), with Blu-ray playback and what sounds to be a TV tuner tucked underneath, piling up to a $1,300 starting price. Not bad for a 24-inch multitouch screen.

Update: We just went hands-on with the VAIO L and it's got a pretty great touchscreen sensor -- quite responsive and accurate, even in multitouch gestures. Unfortunately, the TouchSmart-style software that Sony's packed in his woefully half-baked. Hopefully what we saw was just an early prototype of sorts, or Sony's got some serious work to before October 22. Overall the hardware is pretty Sony-ish and minimal, while the glossy display looks pretty brilliant.

Dell to shutter US plant, cut 900 jobs, generally mess up someone's holiday

2009-10-07T21:40:00.000-07:00

by Joshua Topolsky

A report just crossing the wires says that Dell is slated to close one of its US manufacturing plants and cut about 900 jobs -- though that's a pittance compared to the approximately 76,500 workers Dell employs. The company's Winston-Salem, North Carolina desktop production facility will shut down come January 2010, though Dell says around 600 employees will hit the road in November -- just in time for the Holidays. The company says the closure is "part of an ongoing initiative to enhance the long-term value it delivers to customers by simplifying operations and improving efficiency," or as we'd put it, "it looks good on the books." Obviously this isn't the happiest news for the employees being cut, but it's also a familiar tune given the economic events of the past year.

Sony PSP Go Gets A UK Price Cut

2009-10-07T03:08:00.000-07:00

Just a week after the launch of the new Sony PSP GO, a number of online retailers in the UK have already dropped the price.

UK retailers Amazon, Play, HMV and Game have dropped the price of the PSP GO from £225 to £199, this is obviously an attempt by Sony to lure people away from popular handheld consoles like the Nintendo DS.

Sony are obviously looking to cash in on the Christmas sales, although I do wonder why the price wasn’t set at £199 from the start rather than reducing it just a week after it goes on sale, it is hardly fair to customers who paid the full retail price of £225 over the last week.

via Pocket Lint

Buffalo ships world's first USB 3.0 hard disk drives this month

2009-10-07T03:06:00.000-07:00

by Thomas Ricker

It's fine to announce USB 3.0 gear, but it's another thing entirely to actually put it up for retail. Buffalo's making the boast today that its HD-HU3 series of USB 3.0 hard disks will be the "world's first!!" to ship. Since a USB 3.0 device is pointless without a controller to support it, Buffalo will also make NEC's ¥5,300 (about $60) IFC-PCIE2U3 2-port PCI Expressx1 host controller available with its hard drives when they ship late October in Japan, almost a month before Freecom's disks hit the market. The 1TB and 1.5TB drives will cost ¥20,000 (about $225) and ¥25,300 (about $284), respectively, with a ¥46,600 (about $523) 2TB disk coming sometime later. Imagine it, soon you'll be able to take advantage of those USB 3.0 cables you bought back in April. Controller after the break.

[Via Engadget Japanese]

Nokia shows off N900's sweet web browsing skills on video

2009-10-07T03:05:00.000-07:00

by Darren Murph

Eager to get your pulsing palms around Nokia's N900? Yeah, we feel your pain. As if the phone itself and Maemo 5 haven't been talked about enough, Nokia itself has published a new video showcasing the Mozilla-based web browser. Only time will tell if said browser lives up to the hype, but if the video posted up after the break is any indication, we'd say things are looking good. Six minutes may be a long time to look at something you can't touch, but we're guessing you'd listen to six minutes of the host saying anything. Have a listen -- you'll see.

[Via HotHardware, thanks dafrabbit]

Apple 'Tablet PC' manufactured by Foxconn, shipping in Q1?

2009-10-07T03:02:00.000-07:00

by Thomas Ricker

It's been what, five whole days since we've heard any fresh rumors on the Apple Tablet. That ends today with DigiTimes claiming that Foxconn (aka, Hon Hai Precision) not Quanta has secured manufacturing rights to Apple's "tablet PC." Its sources claim that the device will focus on "e-book functionality" and hit the market in Q1 with initial shipments set in the 300,000 to 400,000 range -- a modest, but healthy number when you consider that Apple sells about 2.6 million Macs per quarter. DigiTimes claims it will have a 10.6-inch panel (not 10.7- or 9.6-inch) and that the panels could be sourced from Innolux Display, not WinTek. If nothing else, at least the Taiwan-based rumor monger has quit calling the device a netbook as all these rumors coalesce around a Q1 launch.

[Thanks, Chan N.]

Adobe lets you use Flash to create... non-Flash apps for the iPhone

2009-10-06T00:54:00.000-07:00

by Chris Ziegler

Notably (or not so notably) absent from this week's mobile announcements out of Adobe's Flash camp is the iPhone, a platform that many want to see pick up official Flash support for a number of totally valid reasons -- but realistically, the gap between Adobe's stance and Apple's stance on the subject seems no closer than it did in 2007. The solution? Let developers make Flash apps for the iPhone and convert 'em over to native code prior to submission to the App Store. Of course, this effectively means that there's nothing "Flash app" about these Flash apps, but if nothing else, it lets devs apply their existing knowledge and code libraries in a way that'll make Apple happy and get real, native apps out to users without the muss and fuss of a manual port. The apps look pretty cheesy compared to most purpose-suited iPhone apps, but skeptics should note that there are already 8 apps live in the App Store that were compiled this way -- Adobe boasts that it's a 100 percent acceptance rate so far -- and the Flash CS5 dev environment required to make it happen should be available as a public beta "later this year." Pretty cool, but no, seriously... how about real Flash, Apple?

Verizon HTC Imagio Smartphone

2009-10-03T01:34:00.000-07:00

Verizon and HTC have added a new smartphone to their range with the launch of the HTC Imagio.

The HTC Imagio will be available exclusively on Verizon from October the 6th, and it features a 3.6 inch WVGA touchscreen display, a 5 megapixel camera with built in auto focus, WiFi, EV-DO Rev A, quad-band EDGE and 2100MHz UMTS/HSDPA.

The HTC Imagio will run Windows Mobile 6.5, and will come with HTC’s TouchFLO 3D UI, and comes with a 3.5mm audio jack and a microSD card slot.

The HTC Imagio will be available for $199 after a $100 mail in rebate.

iPhone Pwnage Tool 3.1.3 For iPhone 3GS

2009-10-03T01:30:00.000-07:00

The iPhone Dev team has released the latest version of their iPhone Pwnage Tool 3.1.3.

Pwnage Tool 3.1.3 will let your upgrade your iPhone 3GS or iPod Touch

2G to iPhone firmware 3.1, but only if you are using a custom jailbreak on your iPhone 3GS with firmware 3.0 or 3.0.1.

The iPhone 3GS is now supported in PwnageTool 3.1.3, assuming the phone was pwned at 3.0 or 3.0.1 – PwnageTool does not support the 3GS out of the box. If your iPhone 3GS has 3.1 pre-installed and is not Pwned then there is no tested jailbreak solution at the moment.

If you have already upgraded to version 3.1, you wont be able to Jailbreak your iPhone with the Pwnage Tool 3.1.3, you will have to wait until the iPhone Dev team releases the next version.

iPhone Dev Team

MSI GT640 houses Core i7, claims to be 'world's most powerful gaming notebook'

2009-10-03T01:28:00.000-07:00

by Vladislav Savov

Man, Core i7 laptops just keep coming and coming (kinda like Arnold). The latest in what's sure to be a torrent of companies upgrading their premier products to Intel's finest quad-core battery killer is MSI, with the GT640. Though MSI hasn't yet specified which of the trifecta of Clarksfield chips it has inside the machine, we do know there's a 1GB NVIDIA Geforce GTS 250 taking care of graphics, as well as options for up to 4GB of DDR3 RAM, half a terabyte of storage and a Blu-ray burner. Other notables include a two megapixel webcam, HDMI, 7.1 channel audio output and an eSATA input. While we don't yet know the wallet damage for that red-striped aluminum alloy body, its Windows 7 installation would indicate a release some time around, oh, October 22 perhaps? One more shot of the keyboard and screen after the break.

[Via Laptoping]

Mini USB Monitors

2009-10-03T01:23:00.000-07:00

If you need a mini monitor then Doublesight can provide the answer. They’ve just launched three models, from the smallest a 7″ 800 x 480 DS-70U to a larger 9″ monitor with a resolution upto 1024 x 600. The 9″ monitor is also available equipped with a web camera which plugs into the top of the Monitor.

The DoubleSight DS-90UC utilizes USB for both power and video with a power consumtion of 3.3 ~ 4.9W.

Multiple Monitors are a productivity solution and adding a second or third monitor to your computer has never been easier. Simply connect our Smart USB Monitor via a USB Port and run the installation software. That is it. The DoubleSight DS-90UC utilizes USB for both power and video. No additional video port, video cable or power adapter required. The DS-90UC ships with an adjustable stand for a custom view, including both Landscape and Portrait viewing modes.

MAC users: Only Intel based Desktops and Laptops are supported

Via USB Everything Via Doublesight

Panasonic adds Windows 7 to laptop line, unveils Let's Note N8 and S8

2009-09-29T20:27:00.000-07:00

by Vladislav Savov

Oy vey! Today must be some industry-wide Windows 7 announcement day, as Panasonic is hot on the heels of Dell and Toshiba with no less than six lappies set to sport Vista's agile younger sibling. The Let's Note (ToughBook, to you and us) F8, R8, T8 and W8 models are likely to take on the new OS without alterations to their hardware, but the hot news comes in the form of the brand new N8 and S8. Powered by Core 2 Duo P8700 chips, both machines will come with 12.1-inch WXGA LCD screens, 250GB HDDs, up to 4GB of RAM, WiMAX, WiFi, HDMI and SDHC connectivity. They also share a stonking claim of 16 hours of battery life, and the one feature that distinguishes between them is the internal DVD burner on the S8. All that goodness will be out come October 22, with expected pricing around ¥200,000 (about $2,230) for the N series. You'll find a gallery of the unveiling event at the Akihabara News link below.

Hasselblad H4D 60 Megapixel Camera

2009-09-29T20:22:00.000-07:00

Hasselblad has launched their latest high en camera, the Hasselblad H4D, which features a massive 60 megapixel sensor.

The Hasselblad H4D features 60 Megapixel medium format sensor and True Focus with APL (Absolute Position Lock).

We are proud to announce the launch of the H4D camera series, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the history of medium format DSLRs. The H4D-60, the first model in this new series, features a 60 Megapixel medium format sensor and True Focus with APL (Absolute Position Lock), making auto-focus substantially easier and more accurate for photography professionals.

Like the rest of the H System, the H4D has been specially designed to meet the most exacting demands of high-end commercial photographers who require the ultimate in both image quality and performance. Simply put, the H4D is the natural evolution of our H System and of our photographic strategy in general.

The Hasselblad H4D comes with a new user interface, Phocus 2.0 which is designed to drastically reduce the learning curve for high end imaging.

It comes in two models, the Hassleblad H4D comes with either a 60 megapixel sensor which will retail for $42,486 or a 50 megapixel sensor which will retail for $29,299, and it will go on sale in January 2010.

Press Release via Slippery Brick, Gadget Venue

HTC Imagio with WinMo 6.5 out October 6 on Verizon?

2009-09-29T20:20:00.000-07:00

by Joseph L. Flatley

As you know, Verizon is one of the carriers participating in the worldwide WinMo 6.5 rollout extravaganza bonanza on October 6, and that Microsoft has said they'll be ramping up to thirty smartphones for the OS by year's end, so the chance is pretty good that the HTC Imagio XV6975 is one of the new handsets we'll be seeing early next month. As reported by PhoneArena, this one is by all accounts Leo's little brother -- a CDMA / GSM device that sports a 3.6-inch WVGA display, 528MHz processor, Wi-Fi, Opera browser, 5 megapixel autofocus camera, microSD slot, and all the TouchFLO 3D lovin' you can handle. In addition, it will also be the first Verizon Smartphone to sport VCast MobileTV -- you know, if that's what you're into. No word on pricing or release date, but you'll know as soon as we do.

Samsung SCH-W880 12 Megapixel Camera Phone

2009-09-29T20:10:00.000-07:00

Samsung launched their first 12 megapixel camera phone back in June, the Samsung Pixon, now Samsung has launched a another new 12 megapixel camera phone the Samsung SCH-W880.

From one side the Samsung SCH-W880 looks like a normal mobile phone, turn it over and it looks like a compact digital camera with a zoom lens.

The Samsung SCH-W880 features a 12 megapixel sensor, 3 x optical zoom, and it can shoot HD video in 720p, other specifications include HSDPA, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS.

It features a 3.3 inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 800 x 480, and comes with a microSD card slot, and as you can see from the photos the camera part features normal camera controls just like standard compact digital cameras.

The Samsung SCH-W880 will go on sale in South Korea next month, there is no word on pricing or when we are likely to see it in the US and Europe.

via Dvice

Thermaltake's brain-melting Level 10 PC chassis gets real, unboxed

2009-09-28T18:22:00.000-07:00

by Darren Murph

Remember that Thermaltake enclosure that blew your mind back in March? Of course -- you're still recovering, after all. Fast forward to today, and that very case -- which had a hint of BMW influence, by the way -- has morphed into reality, and it's far and away one of the most fabulous cases we've ever seen. Amazingly, the finished product looks awfully similar to the concept, with each compartment boasting its own ventilation. There's room for pretty much anything you'd ever want (yes, even room for three Blu-ray writers), and of course, enough LEDs are included to light up the average night club. You should also know that the shipping container weighed 66 pounds and the chassis itself is probably larger than your eight year old, so unless you've got more square footage than you know what to do with, you're probably better off viewing the unboxing shots (there in the via link) from afar.

[Via Maximum PC]

New iMac Near Release

2009-09-28T18:20:00.000-07:00

Apple Insider has received news that the new design for the latest Apple [AAPL] iMac was finalised in September and the Mac maker’s Taiwanese manufacturer have already begun production of the new Apple iMac models.

The new iMac range is rumoured to follow a similar design style to the relatively new Apple Cinema displays.

The new iMacs are rumoured to be slimmer and more compact and packed with more A/V capabilities than previous generations. But with Aesthetic revisions aside, the late 2009 iMac line should also debut several features previously unavailable to Mac buyers.

Unfortunately there are no details on the release date of the new iMac or price.. but we will keep you posted.

Via Slashgear Via Apple Insider

KEF HTB2SE-W Wireless Subwoofer

2009-09-28T18:17:00.000-07:00

Wireless

subwoofers are nothing new, but the latest one from KEF has a funky design, that makes it look like a UFO, the KEF HTB2SE-W Wireless Subwoofer.

The KEF HTB2SE-W Wireless Subwoofer features a 10 inch driver, which is driven by a 250 watt class D amplifier, and the wireless connection can transmit CD quality sound via the 2.4GHz band up to 80 feet.

The KEF HTB2SE-W Wireless Subwoofer will go on sale in October for about $1200, which is quite a lot for a subwoofer, but it does have a really cool design that would look great in any geeks apartment.

Product Page via Dvice

Apple iPhone Apps Reach 2 Billion Downloads

2009-09-28T18:15:00.000-07:00

Apple [AAPL] has today announced another milestone it its massively popular iPhone and iPod Touch App store, they have now reached a massive 2 billi0n iPhone apps downloaded.

The news comes just five month after Apple announced, back in April that their app store had reached a massive 1 Billion downloads, and shows just how popular the iPhone and the app store is.

“The rate of App Store downloads continues to accelerate with users downloading a staggering two billion apps in just over a year, including more than half a billion apps this quarter alone,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “The App Store has reinvented what you can do with a mobile handheld device, and our users are clearly loving it.”

The iPhone app store has over 85,000 apps available to download and there are now more than 50 million iPhone and iPod touch owners worldwide, and 125,000 developers in Apple’s developer program.

Press Release

HTC Leo's TouchFLO 3D build demoed on video

2009-09-26T16:43:00.000-07:00

by Nilay Patel

The HTC Leo is shaping up to be a pretty monumental Windows Mobile launch, and not just because of that high-res capacitive touchscreen and 1GHz Snapdragon processor -- it's also running a nicely refreshed version of TouchFLO 3D. The cats at PocketNow managed to grab an early ROM and install it on a Touch Diamond2, check the video after the break to see the new icons, dynamic background wallpaper, and much, much more.

[Via MobileTechWorld; thanks Mistyk]

Apple dictated Light Peak creation to Intel, could begin migration from other standards as early as 2010

2009-09-26T16:40:00.000-07:00

by Joshua Topolsky

Remember how Intel showed off its new, advanced optical standard -- Light Peak -- this past week on a Hackintosh? Well it turns out there's more to that story than you probably know, and it all leads back to some revealing facts about the connection... literally and figuratively. Engadget has learned -- thanks to an extremely reliable source -- that not only is Apple complicit in the development of Light Peak, but the company actually brought the concept to Intel and asked them to create it. More to the point, the new standard will play a hugely important role in upcoming products from Cupertino.

According to documents we've seen and conversations we've had, Apple had reached out to Intel as early as 2007 with plans for an interoperable standard which could handle massive amounts of data and "replace the multitudinous connector types with a single connector (FireWire, USB, Display interface)." From what we've learned, the initial conversations (and apparent disagreements) were had directly between Steve Jobs and Paul Otellini. If you were wondering about that Apple-blue motherboard we saw at IDF or the aforementioned Hackintosh demo, this should explain everything. Cupertino apparently had specific demands for the standard, including the desire for a single port solution, and an insistence that optical was the only logical choice for such a connector type. Based on the documents we had a look at, the short-term plans seem to involve a one-size-fits-all solution (somehow allowing for multiple connections but avoiding "double dongles") which would enable users to connect a variety of devices into a single Light Peak port, while slightly longer-term plans will mean Light Peak obviates the need for almost every type of connector you use today. Translation: Apple products in the near future could come equipped with only a Light Peak port (or ports) to handle your networking, display driving, and general connectivity.

What happens next, however, is where the story really gets interesting. Based on what we've learned, Apple will introduce the new standard for its systems around Fall 2010 in a line of Macs destined for back-to-school shoppers -- a follow-up to the "Spotlight turns to notebooks" event, perhaps. Following the initial launch, there are plans to roll out a low-power variation in 2011, which could lead to more widespread adoption in handhelds and cellphones. The plans from October 2007 show a roadmap that includes Light Peak being introduced to the iPhone / iPod platform to serve as a gateway for multimedia and networking outputs. While the timing doesn't line up, a low-powered Light Peak sounds like the kind of technology that would be perfect for a device with a need for broad connectivity but limited real estate for ports... like a tablet.

Apparently, there are also plans for a new, low-power Atom chip due next year meant to compete with current CPUs driving mobile devices like the iPhone, netbooks, and set-top boxes. The indication we've been given is that that product (coupled with the Light Peak standard) could provide the basis for some "big" MID news in 2010... but not from Apple. As we saw at the announcement, Sony is also a first-tier partner (though not nearly in the connected way Apple is), and it looks likely the company could find use for that pairing (especially with its entry into the netbook market this year). We can't see Apple utilizing an Atom chip in anything, especially when it's busy cranking away with P.A. Semiconductor and its rumored projects.

In the end, we can't say we know or understand Apple's complete plans for the standard, but what is notable is that the company is pushing for an all-on-one connectivity solution, and pushing hard. That means Cupertino is at least prepared to abandon the standards we now know for a singular solution, and potentially just skip over forthcoming offerings like USB 3.0 (or at least downplay their use). It's not an uncommon move for Apple, but in the past those choices have had major repercussions -- and this pairing is extremely reminiscent of the USB / iMac story (Intel also created that standard, which Apple then popularized). We're going to keep our ears to the ground on this news, but for now, it's an interesting peek behind the curtain, and a possible glimpse into the future of connectivity.

Phoenix Technologies Ultra Fast Windows 7 Boot

2009-09-26T16:31:00.000-07:00

Phoenix Technologies have shown of a new UEFI BIOS at IDF which boots Windows 7 up to the desktop in less than 10 seconds, which is pretty amazing, check out the video of it in action after the break.

Under 10 seconds booting to the Windows Desktop is seriously impressive, and we are likely to see the new system appearing in high en notebooks to start off, as the PC manufacturers will have to pay a premium for the BIOS.

To be honest I wouldn’t mind paying a little extra to have my PC or laptop boot this fast, it certainly beats the 3 days my Windows Vista takes to boot up.

GottaBeMobile via Slash Gear

Emo Labs' invisible speakers visibly demonstrated

2009-09-24T18:35:00.000-07:00

by Vladislav Savov

Emo Labs is out on a crusade to unify audio and video into one cohesive, delectable whole. If you'll recall, the company's Edge Motion invisible speaker tech relies on implanting a clear membrane atop display panels, which is then vibrated by piezoelectric actuators to generate stereo audio. We've grabbed a couple of vids of it in action to whet your appetite, and while there's still no word on when, plans are afoot to embed the technology into LCDs, laptops, mobiles and even handheld gaming devices. Dance past the break to hear, and maybe even see, for yourself.

[Via eCoustics]

MIT’s Eyeball Microchip designed to restore sight

2009-09-24T18:33:00.000-07:00

Researchers at MIT are working on a microchip, that is designed to restore the sight of a blind person, the chip adheres to the eye, and according to MIT they could begin human trials in as little as three years.

The microchip is encased in titanium and is designed to withstand the human body for up to 10 years, it is basically placed on the outside of the eyeball.

The microchip works with your existing eye lens, and light shines on the implanted electrodes, the information is then passed directly to your optic nerve.

Users of the chip will also need to ware a pair of glasses, which will transfer power to the microchip wirelessly, MIT have said that it wont restore sight to 100% initially but it would be enough for the user to navigate a room and even recognize peoples faces.

Wired via Gizmodo

Intel announces Atom CE4100 for insanely powerful cable boxes and Blu-ray players

2009-09-24T18:31:00.000-07:00

by Nilay Patel

Intel's CE3100 media chip has been behind some of the cooler demos they've done here at IDF, and it's just gotten a big brother, the Atom CE4100. As you'd expect, the big change is the replacement of the CE3100's Pentium M core with an Atom core, but this thing is actually kind of a monster -- it can decode two 1080p video streams with various high-end audio codecs, it adds MPEG-4 support and 3D graphics capability, and it can even capture uncompressed 1080p video. Of course, it's up to manufacturers and cable companies to actually put all this power to use, but Intel's promised us some hardware demos from partners -- stay tuned.

Updated iMac lineup rumored for near-term release

2009-09-24T18:29:00.000-07:00

by Darren Murph

Do you know how old the current iMac is? Half a year. Or two years, if we're talking form factors. In terms of major Apple design overhauls, six months isn't a very long time, but considering that the all-important holiday shopping season is about to kick off, it follows logic to think that Apple would update its most consumer-facing Mac lineup in preparation. AppleInsider seems to have a pretty good read on a purported refresh, noting that a thinner chassis (predictable, but appreciated) and all-around lower prices are on tap. We're told that the enclosures could closely mimic the firm's new Cinema Displays in terms of industrial design, and while details on actual specification changes are next to nil, we are told that a few amenities "not previously available" would become so. Who's down for throwing out wild suppositions? (And no, Blu-ray doesn't count.)

Honda's U3-X Personal Mobility Device is the Segway of unicycles

2009-09-24T02:54:00.000-07:00

by Paul Miller

Yeah, we've seen a self-balancing unicycle before, but the brand new U3-X from Honda takes it to another level. A creepy-sterile, awesomely futuristic Honda level, to be precise. What makes the U3-X particularly interesting is it has the regular large wheel of a unicycle, but that wheel is actually made up of several small wheels in a series, which can rotate independently, meaning that the device can go forward, backward, side-to-side and diagonally, all being controlled with a simple lean. Honda credits its ASIMO research for this multi-directional capability, though we're not sure we see it -- ASIMO is biped, after all -- but far be it from us to discredit an excuse to keep up the good work on the ASIMO front. Right now the "experimental model" of the U3-X gets a single hour of battery and weighs under 22 pounds, with a seat and foot rests that fold into the device for extra portability. No word of course on when the thing might make it to market, but Honda plans to show it off next month at the Tokyo Motor Show. A devastatingly short video of the U3-X in action is after the break.

Archos 9″ Tablet Revealed

2009-09-24T02:52:00.001-07:00

Archos has just revealed its latest touchscreen tablet the Archos 9. Which has a larger 9″ screen an Intel Atom processor, up to 120 GB disk drive, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth connectivity and will run Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system.

The Archos 9 Tablet is 0.68 inches thick and weighs 28 ounces and has 1GB of RAM installed, and is powered by a lithium-ion battery and has navigation buttons located on the sides to control the speakers, webcam, and the virtual keyboard. It also comes bundles with Microsoft Office and Skype among other software.

The Tablet is expected to start shipping on October 22nd to co-inside with the release of Windows 7 and will available for around $500.

Via Wired

250GB PS3 Final Fantasy XIII bundle announced, ships December

2009-09-24T02:50:00.000-07:00

by Thomas Ricker

Sony Japan just announced the very first 250GB PS3 bundle. For ¥41,600 (compared to ¥29,980 yen for the standard Japanese PS3), gamers in Japan will receive a limited edition Final Fantasy XIII rig with 250GB disk and Lightning emblazoned across the the body. The PS3 normally ships with a 120GB hard drive but the 250GB version has been rumored ever since the FCC leak. Available for purchase in Japan on 17 December.

Nintendo Wii $199 Price Drop Is Official

2009-09-24T02:49:00.000-07:00

We were 99% sure that the Wii would be reduced from $249 to $199, this coming Sunday 27th September, after the leaked Best Buy email the other day, Nintendo has officially confirmed the price drop for the US.

“Wii has reached more video game players than any game system before because it attracts everyone—both men and women, and people of all ages,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Our research shows there are 50 million Americans thinking about becoming gamers, and this more affordable price point and our vast array of new software mean many of them can now make the leap and find experiences that appeal to them, whatever their tastes or level of gaming experience.”

This is great news for gamers, and obviously Nintendo are looking to cash in on the holiday sales and I am sure they will see a lot more sales of the Wii now that it is the cheapest console once again.

Unfortunately it looks like the price drop is on in the US at the moment, there is no word on when it will be reduced in the UK, which means that the console is now more expensive in the UK than US and Japan.

Press Release

Intel-powered set-top box running Flash, decoding HD video

2009-09-22T23:36:00.000-07:00

by Nilay Patel

Intel's making a big TV push here at IDF, and a lot of it centers around the CE 3100 Media Processor, which combines an 800MHz Pentium M core with a proprietary video processing core all on one chip. That's about as much power as a 1.2GHz Atom, and it's enabled some pretty cool demos, like this box that's running a custom Flash Lite UI on top of Linux. The video silicon accelerates H.264 playback, so newer YouTube content looked fantastic -- some of the best big-screen YouTube we've ever seen actually. That's all the software was optimized for, however -- older content that required software decoding looked much worse, and playback wasn't stellar. That's down to optimization, though, and we're willing to forgive it, especially since the demo was put together in two weeks or so. Of course, the big question when you're looking at an IA core running Flash is whether or not this rig can do Hulu on a big screen, and the answer was cautious but optimistic: it's technically possible and even somewhat easy, but as usual it all comes down to Hulu allowing it. (What else did you expect?) Still, it's interesting to see a set-top box with some actual processing power, and Intel's got some more interesting demos for us coming up, including a three-tuner Tru2Way HTPC that can send video to a PS3. Video after the break!

Intel's four-screen laptop prototype hands-on

2009-09-22T23:33:00.000-07:00

by Nilay Patel

Well, here's something you don't see every day: Intel's got a concept laptop here at IDF that features three OLED touchscreens below the 15-inch screen. In keeping with the hype of the moment, the primary idea is to run widgets and other passive apps on the little screens, but they're actually integrated with the main screen, so you can flick content up to view it full-size, and even use the mouse to interact with the widgets instead of your fingers. It's definitely cool, but it's also definitely a little odd in practice -- although Intel says they're talking to OEMs, things will have to be significantly refined before this can hit production. More pics in the gallery, video after the break.

Acer F1 Smartphone

2009-09-22T06:29:00.000-07:00

Acer had released details of their latest smartphone, the Acer F1 which will go on sale in the UK on the 6th of October.

The Acer F1 features a Qualcomm 8250 1GHz processor, and will come with Windows Mobile 6.5, it features a 3.8 inch WVGA touchscreen display with a resolution of 480 x 800, and is Quad-band GSM / Tri-band HSPA.

Other specifications include a 5 megapixel camera with built in auto focus and an LED flash, 512MB ROM, 256MB RAM, and a microSD card slot that can support up to 32GB cards.

It also comes with built in WiFi 802.11 b/g, and Bluetooth 2.1, plus an accelerometer and a 3.5mm audio jack.

The Acer F1 Smartphone will be available from the 6th of October in the UK for around £300 about $500.

via Tech Fever

AMD to bring six-core 'Thuban' processor to the consumer realm

2009-09-22T06:24:00.000-07:00

by Darren Murph

Look out, Intel -- six cores are mightier than four, don'tcha know? Shortly after introducing a six-core processor in the server sector, AMD is reportedly angling to issue a hexa-core chip over on the consumer side. The chip maker has confirmed to Maximum PC

that a six-core slab of silicon (codenamed Thuban) will be released in 2010, with the real kicker being that it'll be fully backwards compatible with existing AM3 and AM2+ mainboards. It'll be based on 45nm process technology and will boast an integrated DDR3 controller, 3MB of L2 cache and 6MB of L3 cache, and while the outfit wouldn't confirm, word on the street has it that the final product will sport a Phenom II X6 moniker. So, Core i9 -- what have you to say now?

Intel's 1.73GHz Core i7-820 QM mobile CPU maneuvers onto test bench

2009-09-21T01:30:00.000-07:00

by Vladislav Savov

The middle child of Intel's forthcoming new family of mobile performance parts, the i7-820 QM clocks in at 1.73GHz when things are relatively calm, or it can Turbo Boost its way up to an enviable 3.06GHz when your multitasking life demands it. The PC Pro crew have snatched one from Intel's presumably still warm hands, and have given it a benchmarking run to find out if it extends the Core i7 legacy of dominance into the mobile space. Their conclusion? "It's very, very fast." They couldn't avoid gushing about the dynamic overclocking and efficiency improvements relative to Intel's older generation of quad-core laptop procs, but battery life tests showed you'll still want to keep a power outlet nearby. Read link below should furnish you with more info, should you require it.

Ninja Kunai USB Drive

2009-09-21T01:28:00.000-07:00

We have already seen a few different Ninja themed gadgets here on Geeky Gadgets, like the Ninja Shuriken USB drive, the latest one is another Ninja weapon, the Ninja Kunai USB drive.

The Kunai is an ancient weapon that was used by Ninjas, this version will store all your data, and it comes with 2GB of storage built in.

Awaken the Ninja -Geek in you with this new Kunai shaped USB Thumb Drive! Here’s the best solution for the Ninja spy: this nice device will allow you to get all data through the USB memory hidden in the Kunai.

If you want one, the Ninja Kunai USB drive is available for $125 from GeekStuff4u.

PSP Go unboxing

2009-09-19T16:33:00.000-07:00

by Ross Miller

Sony's just handed us a shiny new, UMD-less PSP Go (or "PSPgo," depending on who you ask) to run our greasy fingers all over, and while we can't give you our impressions until later this month, we can let you live vicariously through us and our unboxing photos. Enjoy!

Haier steps out of character, builds ultra-desirable Jian i7 ultra-thin laptop

2009-09-19T16:30:00.000-07:00

by Paul Miller

The last time Haier really wowed us was back in 2007 when the company was peddling its "screen-on-a-stick" laptop tech. Two years later we've got this little beauty to drool on: the Jian i7. The 13.4-inch Core 2 Duo ULV laptop is pretty dang thin, weighs 3 pounds, and retails for a mere 6,000 Yuan (about $879 US). Where do we sign up?

Sony Ericsson Xperia X3 Android Smartphone Coming January

2009-09-18T18:07:00.000-07:00

We told you about the Sony Ericsson Xperia X3 back in July, when it was leaked by an online retailer, well it looks like it wont be released until January 2010, and will come with the latest version of Google Android, 1.6.

The Sony Xperia X3 will feature a 4 inch touchscreen display, and unlike the Xperia X2, it wont come with a slide out keyboard, other specifications include an 8 megapixel camera, with 8 x digital zoom, and LED flash, image stabilization, and built in face detection software.

It also looks like the Xperia X3 will come with a custom UI, which will run on Google Android 1.6, other specifications include HSDPA, and HSUPA connectivity, Bluetooth 2.1, WiFi 802.11 b/g and A-GPS.

There is no word on pricing as yet.

via Slash Gear

Mosquito Inspired Quad Bike

2009-09-18T17:25:00.000-07:00

This very cool concept quad bike aptly named the M.S.Q.T.O was inspired by the Mosquito and has been designed to create an entirely new biking experience from all aspects. With side bar grips rather than traditional handle bars the position of the driver has been designed to provide a ‘dominative mannerover the road’

Via Tuvie

HTC Leo Windows Mobile 6.5 slate is capacitive?

2009-09-18T17:23:00.000-07:00

by Thomas Ricker

The Leo is fast becoming HTC's latest worst kept secret. Pics and video are popping up everywhere with the latest set giving a full visual walkthrough of what appears to be TouchFlo 3D 2.6 riding Windows 6.5. Even better, ai.rs blog claims that Leo is indeed capacitive -- something strongly suggested by the multi-touch video leaked a few days ago -- and not some fancy resistive touchscreen tech. We've got backside action now too, sporting a big "HTCPRO.Three" stamp we presume heralds Pro3 branding whenever this 1GHz Snapdragon handset launches. But man, that 4.3-inch, 800x480 display's looking positively massive next to the 3.2-inch version found on the Touch Diamond2. Check the back after the break.

Video: DFI hybrid motherboard runs two whole systems... simultaneously!

2009-09-18T17:14:00.000-07:00

by Darren Murph

These days, the word "hybrid" gets tossed around like a rag doll. We've got hybrid cars, hybrid SLI and hybrid image stabilization -- and that's just for starters. But friends, this hybrid is one worth paying attention to. DFI has been working overtime in order to concoct the next great mainboard, and if this thing can really deliver as advertised, we'd say the gurus responsible for it will succeed greatly. The Hybrid P45-ION-T2A2 motherboard can actually house a complete Atom / Ion-based system on one side, while handling a traditional Socket 775 CPU system on the other. In other words, this single motherboard can power -- let's say -- a low-power server system and your next gaming setup. At the same time! We're still waiting on a firm release date and price, but 'til then, hop on past the break for a swell demonstration vid.

Samsung OmniaPRO B7330

2009-09-18T00:49:00.000-07:00

The Samsung OmniaPRO B7330 will come with the new Windows Mobile 6.5, and Samsung has also announced that its existing range of Omnia phones will also come with Windows Mobile 6.5.

The Samsung OmniaPRO B7330 features a full QWERTY keyboard, a 320 x 320 display, a built in FM tuner, a 3 megapixel camera, and 7.2Mbps HSDPA/ 2Mbps HSUPA connectivity.

There is no word on pricing or availability as yet.

via BGR

Nokia N86 8MP finally available stateside

2009-09-18T00:42:00.000-07:00

by Chris Ziegler

It's still showing as a preorder on Nokia USA's own site, but Amazon and the brick-and-mortar flagship stores in Chicago and New York are finally stocking the N86 8MP -- a little bit of a stretch for the "coming weeks" claim made at the North American version's launch announcement back in July. The beefy dual slider features a 2.6-inch QVGA OLED display, US 3G up to 3.6Mbps on the downlink, and WiFi -- but clearly the big draw is its 8 megapixel cam with Carl Zeiss optics around back accompanied by a dual LED flash. We would've liked this last month, but the good news is that it's launching for less than the $558 originally mentioned: Amazon's got it written up at $469, while the flagship stores are apparently hawking 'em for $30 more.

[Via The Nokia Blog]

Mission-style PC casemod easily slides into your La-Z-Boy collection

2009-09-18T00:39:00.000-07:00

by Darren Murph

Jeffrey Stephenson is to case mods what Benjamin Heckendorn is to console mods. There, we said it. After watching the former pump out wood-grained mod after wood-grained mod, Sir Jeff has issued yet another -- wait for it -- wood-grained mod. The black walnut mission-style side table is actually a full-blown PC in disguise, with a standard ATX mid-tower within that's equipped with an Intel Core i7 CPU, NVIDIA graphics and dual stage temperature-controlled exhaust fans. He notes that it'll be available next Spring for those with fine tastes, though we're sure he'd customize it to fit your living room suite for the right price.

Lenovo serves up Atom-powered C100 all-in-one desktop for $399

2009-09-17T20:54:00.000-07:00

by Darren Murph

Clearly there's something special waiting for some product manager who gets all of his / her new kit out the door before the fiscal Q4 ends, as Lenovo has been on a serious tear of late. Hot on the heels of its ThinkPad X200, T400s touch and IdeaPad S12 comes this, another all-in-one desktop that should suit the web surfers and email checkers of the world just fine. Starting at $399 (or $50 less than the similar IdeaCentre C300), this rig is equipped with an 18.5-inch LCD, a two-inch thick chassis, Intel's Core 230 or Core 330 CPU, a DVD burner, four USB sockets, GMA950 integrated graphics, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB (5400RPM) hard drive and Windows XP running the show. Something tells us these will be flying off the shelves come Christmastime.

Snow Leopard's Grand Central Dispatch and OpenCL boost video encoding app by 50 percent

2009-09-17T20:48:00.000-07:00

by Nilay Patel

It'll take some time before we see the true impact of OpenCL and the newly-open-sourced Grand Central Dispatch on OS X, but we're definitely intrigued by this early report from Christophe Ducommun, developer of MovieGate, who says that shifting his app to use the new tech has increased performance by around 50 percent on the same hardware. Testing on a 2007 2.66GHz quad-core Mac Pro with a GeForce 8800GT, MovieGate MPEG-2 encode speeds went from 104fps under Leopard to 150fps under Snow Leopard, and decoding CPU usage dropped from 165 percent to 70 percent. Now, yes, that's just one app, and most users don't have four cores to play with, but it's still an eye-opening result, and we're definitely hoping it's the start of a trend.

[Via MacRumors]

LG introduces XPION X30 Ion-based nettop

2009-09-17T20:46:00.000-07:00

by Joseph L. Flatley

Apparently not content to let ASUS have all the fun, LG's just announced the XPION X30, its first Ion-based nettop. This little fella features an Atom N230 CPU, 2GB of RAM, 250GB HDD, and ships with Windows Vista (for the time being, at least). Aside from sporting six (count 'em!) USB ports, it weighs in at a mere 2.4 lbs, draws just 40 watts of power, and can be VESA mounted to the back of your LCD. But never mind all that -- as long is it allows us to stream American Ninja from Netflix with minimal fuss we're happy. Debuts tomorrow in Korea.

Panasonic's new EVERLED light bulbs to light up your life for 19 years

2009-09-16T18:19:00.000-07:00

by Laura June

Long-lasting light bulb technology is nothing new -- people have been trying to up the lifespan these bad boys for some time. Long-lived light bulbs are generally uber-expensive, too, but we like to keep our eyes on such things. Panasonic's just unveiled the EVERLED, a line of bulbs set to be launched in Japan at the end of October. Lighter and more efficient than other LEDs on the market, these babies use 85 lumens per watt for a 40W bulb. Though the bulbs are not going to be cheap -- about $40 -- the company claims they'll have a lifespan of 19 years, bringing the overall costs down considerably. Still, we'd have to see them last that long to believe it.

[Via Inhabitat]

iTwin USB Device

2009-09-15T18:29:00.000-07:00

We get to see lots of different USB gadgets, here at Geeky Gadgets, most of them are pretty boring, but a company called iTwin has come up with an innovative USB device, the iTwin.

Basically the iTwin is a matched pair of USB devices, that can be used to share information between two computers, securely, or as the manufacturer puts it a ‘Cableless Cable’

The iTwin is plugged into two PCs, and they are able to share data between each other over the Internet, if one is removed the connection is broken and the data sharing stops.

This could have a number of uses for business, who want to share data securely, and I am sure this is bound to take off, I think it is a great idea.

The iTwin is due to go on sale next year for around $99.

Archos 5 Internet Tablet makes an honest PMP out of Android

2009-09-15T18:23:00.000-07:00

by Paul Miller

Android has become many things to many people, but high-powered media devices haven't latched on to the OS just yet. Much of it has to do with the Android's immaturity: from what we hear, it doesn't even support hardware graphics acceleration, much less embrace multimedia and games. Archos has punched through that barrier by porting over its existing media-happy application layer from Linux to make good use of the 800MHz OMAP3440 processor they've stuffed inside the brand new (much leaked) Archos 5 Internet Tablet. The tablet runs a 4.8-inch 800 x 480 screen, and can pump out 720p video (including WMV and H.264) over HDMI. Because it's Archos' own special sauce, the device also supports protected WMV and protected WMA (hooray PlaysForSure), a rarity for Linux. With the optional DVR Station the device can do VGA TV recording, though you'll probably want to spring for one of the beefy HDD models, which offer capacity up to 500GB, but double the girth of the basic 0.4-inch thick flash player. There's also 802.11n WiFi, a bit of a rarity in portable devices like this, and quite a treat for 2.4GHz-addled city dwellers.

But that's all pretty regular Archos-ey stuff. The newness for Archos comes in the form of Android, which has been fairly seamlessly melded with the Archos layer -- which hovers over the vanilla Android install when needed. The OS scales up pretty nicely to 800 x 480, which is a relief because the touchscreen keyboard is a bit of a chore with the 5's resistive touchscreen. Since it's not a Google-blessed device, you'll have to score a copy of Gmail on your own time, but the regular Market is available if you want to risk going around the 5-optimized AppsLib store. Several third party apps are included out of the gate, including ThinkFree Mobile, which should be updated to allow for document editing in the near future. When plugged into a dock and paired with an optional mini-QWERTY keypad (or any regular Bluetooth keyboard and mouse) the 5 becomes a rather nice way to surf the internet on your TV. It's missing in-browser Flash, but there should be an update to rectify that soon. Out of the house the tablet offers a high-end GPS experience, including hugemongous birds eye photo maps of major cities, and can tether with a 3G phone over Bluetooth for a bit of data. So, Archos 5 might not be Android's killer device, mainly because it isn't a phone and doesn't make for pleasurable mobile data entry or consumption. Still, it's doing stuff with media that the relatively sluggish crop of Android handsets have failed at so far, and hopefully will spur the community to greater heights. The player is available as of today, with prices ranging from $250 to $440, not to mention accessories galore. Check out videos of the tablet in action after the break.

Volkswagen E-Up! concept rolls into Frankfurt, hits the road in 2013

2009-09-15T18:20:00.000-07:00

by Donald Melanson

Volkswagen's E-Up! concept vehicle has been making the rounds for a little while now, but it looks like the automaker has really stepped up its game (and hype machine) for its appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show, where it also took the opportunity to announce a launch date. That will apparently happen sometime in 2013, when Volkswagen hopes that the vehicle will become nothing short of "the Beetle of the 21st century." A lofty goal to be sure, but the E-Up! does have quite a bit going for it compared to other all-electric vehicles, including a new "lightweight," five hundred pound lithium-ion battery pack, a promised range of 130 kilometers, a full recharge in less than five hours, and even some solar panels on the roof and the sun visors to add a bit of extra power to the car's electrical system. Hit up the link below for the complete rundown, and plenty of pics courtesy of our pals at Autoblog Green.

New Zune HD colors found in source files: pink, magenta, purple, and atomic?

2009-09-15T18:18:00.000-07:00

by Ross Miller

Well, here's something interesting. According to tipster Josh S, a perusal through the Zune Software source files will net you pictures of four as of yet unknown Zune HD palettes. From left to right, we've got pink, magenta, purple, and "atomic." We're still looking through the source code ourselves to confirm. It's not like early adopters wanted anything other than platinum and black anyway, right?

LG XD3 Slim Portable Hard Drive

2009-09-14T20:39:00.000-07:00

LG has launched a new range of portable hard drives, the LG XD3 Slim.

The LG XD3 Slim measures just 13mm thick, and it comes with USB and SATA connectivity, and it will come in a variety of colors and sizes.

It features rubberized sides for extra protection and will be available in 320GB and 500GB capacities, and will go on sale in the US and Europe later in the year.

The 320GB version is expected to retail for about $90.

via Le Journal Du Geek

HP Envy 13 Ultra Portable Notebook

2009-09-14T20:38:00.000-07:00

The guys over at Notebook Italia have managed to get their hands on some photos of the new HP Envy 13 Ultra Portable Notebook.

The HP Envy 13 Ultra Portable Notebook is designed to take on the MacBook Air, and the Dell Adamo, it features a 13.1 inch display, and from the looks of the photos it is extremely thin.

Other specifications that we know about include HDMI, 2 USB ports and and audio jack, unfortunately that is it at the moment, no details on processor, memory or graphics as yet.

Head on over to Notebook Italia for lots more photos.

Motorola Cliq Android Smartphone

2009-09-12T18:57:00.000-07:00

Motorola has unveiled a new Google Android based smartphone, the Motorola Cliq.

The Motorola Cliq will run Motorola’s custom UI, MOTOBLUR, which is designed to managed and integrate all your communications, from email to social networking with sites like FaceBook and Twitter.

The Cliq features a 3.1 inch HVGA display with a resolution of 320 x 480, it also has a 5 megapixel camera with built in auto focus and a host of image editing tools, plus Geo Tagging.

Connectivity comes in the form of GSM, 2G, WiFi, EDGE and GPRS, and it features a slide out Qwerty keyboard, it can play back the majority of video and audio files.

The Motorola Cliq features Microsoft Exchange support, as well as MMS and IM, and it will be available on T-Mobile later in the year in a choice of two colors, ‘Titanium’ and ‘Winter White.

Press Release

Facebook Lite Launches

2009-09-12T18:54:00.000-07:00

Facebook has launched ‘Facebook Lite’, which is a slimmed down version of Facebook, and it is now available to users in the US and India.

The new ‘Lite’ version of Facebook is designed to be much cleaner and simpler, and almost ‘Twitter Like’, with most of the navigation and info page that was on the left of the standard version now gone.

It is not clear when the new FaceBook Lite will be rolled out to users in other countries, or when it will hit UK users.

via Mashabale

Verizon HTC Touch Pro2

2009-09-12T18:50:00.000-07:00

Verizon has announced their latest Windows Mobile smartphone, the HTC Touch Pro2, which will go on sale from today for $199.99, which is considerably cheaper than T-Mobile and Sprint who will be offering the HTC Touch Pro2 form $349.99.

The HTC Touch Pro2 features a 3.6 inch WVGA touchscreen display with a resolution of 480 x 800, it comes with a 3.2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, WiFi and Windows Mobile 6.1.

Here are the full specifications.

High-speed connectivity over Verizon Wireless’ Mobile Broadband network (1x/EV-DO Revision A 800/1900 MHz)
Global connectivity to allow customers to access e-mail and data in more than 180 destinations and to use the phone for voice calling in more than 220 destinations (GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz WCDMA/HSPA 2100 MHz)
Wi-Fi capabilities (802.11 b/g)
3.6 inch WVGA resolution (480 x 800) tilting touch screen
Advanced speakerphone with noise-cancelling technology
3.2 megapixel auto-focus camera with video capture
Touch-sensitive zoom bar
Seamless connectivity with Microsoft(R) Exchange, Outlook and Office applications with Windows Mobile(R) 6.1 Professional
Bluetooth(R) 2.1 with EDR and A2DP stereo
Processor: Qualcomm MSM 7600A, 528 MHz
Memory: 512 MB ROM, 288 MB RAM
Dimensions: 4.57″ x 2.33″ x .68″ (length x width x height)
Weight: 6.3 ounces (with standard battery)
Extended 1500 mAh battery for longer operation times
Up to 5.3 hours of talk time (CDMA) or up to 13.5 days of standby time (CDMA)

The HTC Touch Pro2 is available today from Verizon for $199 on a two year contract.

via BGR

Nokia Twist Mobile Phone

2009-09-12T18:47:00.000-07:00

Nokia has added a new mobile phone to its range, with a unique and novel design, the Nokia Twist.

The Nokia Twist is aimed at kids, and features a full Qwery keyboard that twists out from under the screen, it comes with a 2.4 inch QVGA screen, a 3 megapixel camera, a full HTML browser and a ‘post to blogs’ function that lets you easily upload media to the Internet.

Here are the full specifications.

Compatible with services including VZ NavigatorSM, V CAST Music with Rhapsody, V CAST Video, Visual Voice Mail, Mobile Broadband Connect and Corporate Email
Habitat mode activates a unique interface for visualizing your social circle and allows customers to easily organize their calls and messaging history
3.0 megapixel camera/camcorder with flash and autofocus
Dedicated camera/video key
Resolution adjustment: 2048 x 1536, 1280 x 960, 800 x 600, 640 x 480, 320 x 240
Self-timer: Off, three, five, 10 seconds
White balance: auto, sunny, cloudy, tungsten and fluorescent
Shutter sound: Shutter, Silent, Say “Cheese,” and Ready! 1 2 3
Color effects: normal, antique, black & white, negative
Capture mode: landscape and portrait
Photo editing: pan and zoom, rotate
Customized slideshow
Video capture and playback
Media Center-capable for downloading games, ringtones and more
Threaded messaging helps customers keep track of a variety of conversations
“Post to Blogs” feature allows multimedia to be posted to a blog or social networking site
HTML browser
Support for Mobile Email, Mobile Web Mail, Chat and Blogs
Built-in mirror
Supported Bluetooth® profiles include headset, hands-free, dial-up networking, stereo, phonebook access, basic printing, object push (for vCard and vCal), file transfer, and basic imaging
2.4-inch, 262K TFT QVGA screen
EV-DO Rev. 0
2.5 mm headset jack
Dimensions: 2.71″ x 2.71″ x 0.59″
Usage time: up to 270 minutes or
Standby time: up to 312 hours
Weight: 3.44 ounces

The Nokia Twist will be available shortly on Verizon for around $100.

Press Release via Dvice

3rd gen iPod touch gets torn down, 802.11n and possible camera slot found

2009-09-12T18:21:00.000-07:00

by Darren Murph

There's no denying that Apple let the entire world (yes, even the native Easter Islanders) down by not shoving a camera of some sort into its iPod touch, but if a delicate teardown completed by the screwdriver-wielding fiends over at iFixit is any indication, a seasoned modder could certainly add one. A 6- x 6- x 3-millimeter space was spotted between a Broadcom chip and the wireless antenna, which is reportedly not enough room for an iPhone-esque sensor, but just enough space for the video camera module found in the 5G iPod nano. In potentially more interesting news, the aforesaid Broadcom BCM4329 chip actually supports 802.11n. For the nerds in attendance, you'll recognize that even the iPhone 3GS can't handle those high-speed airwaves. Furthermore, the chip supports FM transmission, so at least theoretically, the device could stream tunes to your old school stereo through an open FM station. Eager for more? Tap that read link, buster.

Nokia puts Booklet 3G netbook up for pre-order... in Italy

2009-09-12T18:19:00.000-07:00

by Darren Murph

So, we've got some good news and bad news. The good news is that Nokia's already offering up its Booklet 3G netbook for pre-order over in Italy, which is becoming an all-too-familiar scene for Nokia wares. The bad news is that the posted price is, um, absurd. During a keynote at Nokia World 09, listeners were told that the Windows 7-powered machine would ring up at "just" €570, yet Nokia's own Italian e-store has it listed for €699. That's just over a grand in Greenbacks, though we get the feeling it'll be selling for substantially less once the feel-good emotions fade and cold, hard economics take their toll.

Update: As pointed out in the comments, the announced €570 price was likely pre-tax and pre-carrier subsidy as is typical for Nokia's European announcements. The €699 price is thus VAT inclusive.

[Via I4U News]

Philips puts a touchpad on a mouse

2009-09-12T18:17:00.000-07:00

by Joseph L. Flatley

Philips couldn't decide whether you asked for a Bluetooth mouse, a USB mouse, or a touchpad, so it Frankensteined all three together. What can we say about aptly named "Bluetooth notebook mouse SPM9800/10?" Well, if you need a Bluetooth mouse, you can use it like a Bluetooth mouse. If the juice runs out, plug it in via USB and you have a USB mouse. But the feature that most differentiates this from other, how we say, 'mash-ups,' is that the click wheel has been replaced with a 360°TouchControl sensor, which is essentially a touchpad on the top of the thing. That's right: lift this thing off the table and use the touchpad to move around on the screen. PowerPoint has never been this sexy! Hits the scene in select European markets soon for about $80.

[Via Engadget China]

802.11n standard finalized after a mere seven years

2009-09-12T17:13:00.000-07:00

by Joseph L. Flatley

Remember when the Wi-Fi Alliance finalized the 802.11 draft-n spec some two and a half years ago? Of course you don't -- as long as your media players, laptops, and the like can connect to each other (and to the cloud) without a hiccup you probably don't care about IEEE's paper trail. The standard, which saw no major changes between then and now (meaning that all your draft-n devices should work fine with the finalized standard) theoretically connects at 300Mbps, or about six times the peak speed of 802.11g. But you already know that, since you've been using it for years now. The final standard is set to be published mid-October.

ATI Radeon Eyefinity unveiled: up to six monitors on a single card

2009-09-10T21:07:00.000-07:00

by Joseph L. Flatley

At a press event today the gang at AMD unleashed their newest graphics technology on the world. To be incorporated in the next generation of ATI Radeons, Eyefinity can rock up to six displays (DisplayPort, DVI, HDMI, etc.) with a single card, thanks to a new 40-nm graphics chip that contains 2 billion transistors, capable of 2.5 trillion calculations every second. Monitors can be configured to make up either one contiguous display or six separate ones, and the card can create 268 megapixel images. That means, according to Venture Beat, that it will deliver games with "12 times the high-definition resolution." And the gang at Hot Hardware, who reports that the new graphic cards will come with either three or six display outs, put a prototype through its paces. We're pleased to report that playing Left 4 Dead on three 30-inch displays "absolutely changes the experience for the better." No word yet on a release date, but apparently Acer, Dell, HP, MSI and Toshiba already have Eyefinity notebooks in the works. We'll take two! More shots after the break.

Read - AMD introduces a graphics chip that can power six computer displays at once
Read - AMD Eyefinity Multi-Display Technology In Action

Mac OS X 10.6.1 update now live

2009-09-10T20:43:00.000-07:00

by Nilay Patel

Well, that was fast -- just over week after Snow Leopard officially shipped, the first update's on the books. Nothing major in the changelog here, but we're told Flash has been updated to a newer, more secure version. Let us know how it goes for you, eh?

Improves compatibility with some Sierra Wireless 3G modems
Addresses an issue in which some printer compatibility drivers might not appear properly in the Add Printer browser
Addresses an issue that might cause DVD playback to stop unexpectedly
Addresses an issue that might make it difficult to remove an item from the Dock
Resolves an issue in which the Command-Option-T keyboard shortcut would sometimes bring up the special characters menu in applications such as Mail and TextEdit
Addresses instances in which auto account setup in Mail might not work
Resolves issues when sending mail with certain SMTP servers
Addresses an issue in which Motion 4 could become unresponsive
Includes an update to Adobe Flash Player plug-in version 10.0.32.18

iPod nano unboxed, camera gets tested against the mean streets of Manhattan

2009-09-10T20:37:00.000-07:00

by Paul Miller

We know you come here for the hard, gritty, "$2 slice" end of the gadget news spectrum, and we've got that in spades in our video hands-on of the new iPod nano. We start out shooting the iPod with our regular Sanyo Xacti rig, and then dive in to the nano's shot -- real movie magic at work. Granted, the nano's camera isn't that magical. Apple's piled on a huge complement of effects to disguise this fact, and in truth, some of the Photo Booth-style filters and distortions really do make the video more interesting (cyborg and kaleidoscope were a couple of our favorites), but the basic video mode is much lower quality than the recent crop of cheap pocket video cameras, and a far cry from the iPhone 3GS's quality. Motion is shaky, the video is pixelated and oversaturated, and the mic is horribly easy to distort, especially when you're talking into the back while shooting. But really, we suppose we couldn't expect much out of such an offering, and it certainly does spice up the traditional PMP formula. Video is after the break, with the second video offering up the few non-conformist videos that happened to be shot vertically (it's a little difficult to tell how the video is recording, or even if it's recording, since the indicator is pretty small). By the time they made it to Viddler they ended up stretched wide and inexplicably upside down. Magic, we tell you.

Video: iTunes 9 Home Sharing and iPhone app management

2009-09-10T00:58:00.000-07:00

by Nilay Patel

Sure, sure, the kids are all excited about iTunes LP and their fancy "lyrics" and "album art." You know what we're psyched about? Finally being able to manage our iPhone apps directly from iTunes 9. It works pretty much exactly as you'd expect, although we were able to make it do some minorly wonky things -- and we're psyched about the AutoFill-esque music sync feature that fills any remaining space on your phone with music.

We're also pumped about the new Home Sharing feature in iTunes 9, which lets you transfer content between five different machines directly without screwing around with network shares or USB drives. We've seriously been waiting for a feature like this since iTunes sharing was first launched -- it also works exactly like you'd expect, and we think it'll make managing media across multiple machines much, much easier. Videos after the break!

Home Sharing

App Management and Syncing

Steve Jobs says iPod touch didn't get a camera because "it's a great game machine"

2009-09-10T00:56:00.000-07:00

by Nilay Patel

Wondering why Apple chose to add a camera to the iPod nano, but not the revised iPod touch? You're not alone, but one Mr. Steven P. Jobs has an answer for you: it's because the touch is a game machine, you see. Seriously -- that's what El Steve told the inimitable David Pogue today after the Rock and Roll event. According to Steve, Apple wasn't "exactly sure how to market the touch" at first, but once they listened to their customers and started to focus on gaming, "it just took off." That certainly explains the "funnest iPod ever" tagline, but still, why no cam? "We don't need to add new stuff -- we need to get the price down to where everyone can afford it." And... that's all he said about it, and Poguey didn't pursue the blindingly obvious followup: that's great for the $199 8GB model, but does Apple really think customers paying $299 and $399 for the larger editions would be turned off by paying slightly more for a camera sensor? Something tell us we won't hear Jobs say one more word about it until he's ready to actually unveil a touch with a camera -- at which point it will be a revolution.

P.S.- Make sure to hit the read link for the full interview -- it's short, but it's full of Steve saying things like "You notice Amazon never says how [many Kindles] they sell; usually if they sell a lot of something, you want to tell everybody."

Apple releases video podcast of Rock and Roll event, we've got you covered with the highlights

2009-09-10T00:54:00.000-07:00

by Ross Miller

Need to catch up on today's Apple news? Well, you can either fire up iTunes and download Apple's video podcast of the event, or you can skip the endless game demos and marketing chit-chat and just peruse the links below. The executive summary? iTunes 9's new app management, Home Sharing, and iTunes LP features are really nice, but it's almost impossible to understand why Apple added a camera to the iPod nano and not the iPod touch, no matter what Steve says. Oh -- and don't forget the Palm Pixi!

The event
Live from Apple's 'It's only rock and roll' event
Video: Steve Jobs returns to the Apple stage

iPods
iPod touch 3rd gen hands-on and video
iPod nano 5G with camera first hands-on!
Apple announces cheaper, more colorful iPod shuffle, new Special Edition
Apple updates iPod touch line, drops prices, adds top-end 64GB model
Apple adds video camera, larger screen to new 5G iPod nano
iPod classic bumped to 160GB, price stays the same at $249
iPhone OS 3.1 is official, available today
iPhone / iPod touch OS 3.1.1 is live!
iPod shuffle 2g is no more

iTunes
iTunes 9 bringing iTunes LP functionality, 'beautiful new look'
iTunes 9 breaks Pre media sync... what did you expect?
Video: iTunes 9 Home Sharing and iPhone app management

Rhapsody App approved by Apple: 8 million tracks streaming to the ether

2009-09-10T00:51:00.000-07:00

by Thomas Ricker

We had a feeling this day was coming. After Spotify's subscription music app was approved, offline listening intact, there was every indication that Rhapsody was next for christening. Especially with the feds watching Apple's every move. The free download just went hot and requires a $15 per month Rhapsody To Go subscription -- you can try it for free for a week -- and streams 64kbps quality (ugh) music over WiFi or cellular data (only, no off-line access) from a catalog of about 8 million tracks offered by the MTV and RealNetwork tie-up. Now go 'n get it.

[Via Komo News, thanks Bill Y.]

Read -- Rhapsody App [iTunes link]

Kohjinsha's rebrands mbook M1, calls it the PM series UMPC

2009-09-10T00:49:00.000-07:00

by Darren Murph

Hey, remember that cute little mbook M1 that was all the rage earlier this year? Yeah, you're looking at it again, only this time it's sporting a cleaner look and a Kohjinsha badge. The rebranded UMPC gets powered by a 1.1GHz Atom N510 CPU and also features 512MB of RAM, a 16GB SSD, 4.8-inch LCD (1,024 x 600), 1.3 megapixel camera, USB 2.0, a microSDHC expansion slot, built-in WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and a headphone jack. It doesn't appear to tout any sort of inbuilt WWAN, though the included battery should last for right around seven hours before petering out. The only problem? That Texas-sized ¥59,800 ($647) price tag, which should do a commendable job of hindering widespread adoption.

[Via Pocketables]

HTC Tattoo spotted on video, stripped of faceplates

2009-09-08T18:10:00.000-07:00

by Paul Miller

Somebody's tracked down HTC's new Tattoo handset and managed to unceremoniously strip it off its faceplates on video, providing our first real look at the hardware "IRL." It looks good, but not too good -- certainly not out of the league of HTC's other Android handsets. Sadly, the clip doesn't show the phone in action, so if you were looking for usability fodder, you'll have to look elsewhere. Vid is after the break.

Dell's ULV-powered Inspiron 14z and 15z now on sale

2009-09-08T18:08:00.000-07:00

by Ross Miller

If you're looking for some ultra-light laptop love in your life, Dell today debuted its 14-inch and 15.6-inch Insprion Z series portables. Both models have more or less the same specs, meaning up to a 1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU9400 with GMA X4500HD graphics, 1366 x 768 resolution, 8GB RAM, 500GB HDD, 802.11a/b/g/draft-N, Bluetooth, a 7-in-1 card reader, 1.3 megapixel camera, and a 6-cell battery. Starting prices for the pair go as low as $599, but if you're looking to load up on as much as possible from the get-go, expect to pay somewhere in the vicinity of $1,034.

Read - Inspiron 14z
Read - Inspiron 15z

Intel Atom N470 1.83GHz CPU coming to netbooks early next year

2009-09-08T18:06:00.000-07:00

by Joseph L. Flatley

We know how relieved you were when you found out that rumors of Pineview's delay were greatly exaggerated. But have you heard this one? In addition to the N450 1.66GHz system-on-a-chip due to hit the streets in early 2010, Intel is said to be releasing the N470, which will run along at a cool 1.83GHz and sport a 667MHz FSB, hyperthreading support, and a TDP of 6.5 watts (which, considering you won't need a separate graphics controller, is none too shabby). It really makes the whole concept of microprocessor without its own graphics seem a little 2009, doesn't it? Not a bad deal all around -- provided this thing comes in at a decent price point it's sure to put a smile on the face of netbook manufacturers and consumers alike. But NVIDIA? Not so much.

[Via liliputing]

Facebook for Android hits the Market, still playing a bit of catch up

2009-09-08T18:05:00.000-07:00

by Donald Melanson

Well, it's taken a little while, but it looks like Android users now have a Facebook app to call their own. As you might expect from an initial release, however, the app is a bit less full featured than some of its counterparts and, judging from the few initial comments, a bit buggy. The good news is that you'll be able to do all the basics like share status updates, check your news feed, look at your friends' walls, and even check up to 125 of your friends' phone numbers straight from the home screen. You won't, however, get things like messaging or chat and, at least at the moment, it appears to have some particular problems with the HTC Hero and HTC Magic (although those reports are obviously still preliminary). On the upside, the app is completely free, and available to download from Android Market right now.

[Thanks, SliestDragon]

Sony PS4 Console Concept

2009-09-07T18:28:00.000-07:00

Sony has just released the PS3 Slim, so I think the PS4 is quite a way off just yet, but designer Tai Chem has created a stunning design of what he thinks the PS4 should look like, and we tend to agree as we think it looks amazing.

I love the design, and it features a glass touchscreen panel on the front, although I doubt the PS4 will look this good, you never know by the time Sony release it, it just might.

PS3 Maven via Walyou

Apple approves officially-licensed Commodore 64 emulator for iPhone

2009-09-07T18:26:00.000-07:00

by Donald Melanson

Well, it's almost certainly not a signal that Apple is opening the door to emulators of all sorts on the iPhone, but the newly (and finally) approved Commodore 64 emulator is still a fairly notable first for the platform -- representing not only the first officially-available emulator, but perhaps the first app that actually runs code (even if it is a couple of decades old). In this case, that first bit apparently wasn't too big a point of contention for Apple, considering that the app had all the necessary licensing rights lined up, but the second issue was, and ran right up against a clause in the iPhone 2.0 SDK that prevented apps from containing their own executable runtimes. As it happens, the key to bridging that divide around that was none other than iPhone 3.0, which contains a new feature for in-app purchases that the C64 emulator will take advantage of to let folks purchase additional games, rather than load arbitrary game code downloads. Interestingly, while this newly-approved version of the emulator also no longer exposes a BASIC interpreter, Manomio has added a note to the app that it "should be resolved in a future update," although it's not quite clear if that's just wishful thinking or not. In the meantime, you can grab the app right now with five bundled games for $4.99.

Philips CushionSpeaker examined, found to be ok cushion, decent speaker

2009-09-07T18:24:00.000-07:00

by Donald Melanson

It's not every day that someone attempts to redesign the humble laptop cushion, but Philips has done just that with its new CushionSpeaker which, somehow, someway manages to combine a cushion and a speaker. As our pals at Engadget Spanish found out first-hand at IFA, that combination actually delivers mostly as promised, but not without a few trade-offs. The good news is that speaker does seem to be of reasonable quality, and should be an improvement over most laptop speakers (the retractable USB cord is also a nice touch). On the downside, while the cushion is apparently suitably cushiony, the hard plastic surface isn't exactly the most conductive to keeping your laptop in place -- such are the perils of innovation. Hit up the link below for a closer look, and look for the CushionSpeaker to be available sometime soon (in Europe, at least) for €69, or just under $100.

Quirky Scratch-n-scroll Mousepad

2009-09-07T18:23:00.000-07:00

We have seen a few funky products before from the guys over at Quirky, the latest one is the Scratch-n-scroll Mousepad.

The Scratch-n-scroll Mousepad is a standard mousepad with a built in notepad, basically rather than writing on a post it note or a peice of paper, you just write down your to-do list or your notes on the mousepad.

Simply, write notes to yourself on your mouse pad using just the pressure from your finger or the built in plastic stylus as a “pen.” Cool thing is, just like your childhood toy the magic slate, you can erase the notes at any time simply by flipping up the semi-transparent top sheet.

I think this is a great idea, I am always writing notes of things I have to do and then loosing them or forgetting about them, I may have to get one of these.

The Scratch-n-scroll Mousepad is available to pre-order for $9.49 from Quirky.

LG BL40, Ultra-Wide Touchscreen Phone, Launching Ultra-Soon in Europe and a Month Later in States

2009-09-07T18:22:00.000-07:00

By Rosa Golijan,

Since seeing the promo videos for the LG BL40 candybar, I've had a hankering to play around with it. The software is impressive, the 21:9 touchscreen display lickable, and it'll be out over the next few months.

According to an LG press release, the lucky folks in Europe will see the BL40 mid-September while other markets will be covered in the month after.

This means that I'll definitely be looking forward to October for reasons other than Halloween this year, but until then I'll be content drooling over the BL40's tasty official shots.

[LGE via Boy Genius Report]

Samsung WB5000: hands-on with a 24x zoom featherweight

2009-09-07T03:14:00.000-07:00

by Thomas Ricker

When not concerned with the futility of existence we know what has your mind preoccupied: just how manly is Samsung's WB5000? With a 24x optical zoom, full manual control option, ISO 6400 sensitivity, and RAW format support it's just gotta be a heaving mass of elongating gadget hedonism, right? Well, no... at least not physically. Granted, our nerdceps are tuned to negate the shutter recoil of Nikon's beastly D300 DSLR. But the WB5000 feels surprisingly light, hollow even. Now the weight of a super-zoom camera, in general, has nothing to do with image quality. But the size to weight ratio was surprising nonetheless, and a stark reminder that the WB5000 is nothing more than a massive 26mm Schneider-KREUZNACH lens with compact-camera quality components inside its chunky posterior. We'll reserve judgment until we, or someone else, can grab a unit for a full review. 'Till then, you know where to find more pics.

Samsung's NX camera due for late 2009 or early 2010, uses proprietary lens system

2009-09-07T03:13:00.000-07:00

by Paul Miller

Samsung has teased us like this before, stuffing the NX body under glass at tradeshows, letting it sit there being all DSLR-ey, but more details are beginning to trickle out about the camera here at IFA. As reported by PhotographyBLOG and confirmed to us on the show floor by Samsung, the camera is due to be launched by the end of the year or early next year. Like has been said before, the camera has an interchangeable lens systems, but Samsung also informed us specifically that the lenses will not be interoperable with other camera systems. In a way it makes sense, because the camera is much larger than a micro four thirds camera, but different in build than a regular DSLR -- though it houses a regular APS-C sensor. Still, it's a hassle, and we'll have to see if the blend of electronic viewfinder and regular-sized sensor offer a compelling enough alternative to embark upon a whole new lens system adventure.

New ThinkPad keyboard features crowdsourced design, lower price

2009-09-07T03:09:00.000-07:00

by Nilay Patel

Hey, remember last year when Lenovo's UltraNav keyboard made a (re)appearance on Flickrsoliciting feedback on how to make it better? Well check it -- there's a new version in town, and it incorporates all those user suggestions. Lenovo says people mostly wanted the exact same feel as their ThinkPad laptop keyboards in the desktop unit (no surprise there), but almost no one wanted wireless, a number pad or a trackpad -- so the new model pictured above is more or less a faithful wired replica of the T400s board, right down to those liquid drainage holes. What's more, cutting the numeric keypad and trackpad allowed the company to reduce the price by $40, so this little slice of hotness is now just $60. Not bad, but we'll be honest -- we'd still throw down for a wireless version of the old UltraNav in a heartbeart.

[Thanks, Tian]

Read - Lenovo DesignMatters blog post on the keyboard design process
Read - ThinkPad Keyboard at the Lenovo online store

Sprint Announces The HTC Hero

2009-09-06T01:18:00.000-07:00

Sprint has just announced their first Google Android mobile phone, the HTC Hero, and as you can see from the photo below, the Sprint version of the HTC Hero has had a bit of a re-design.

From October the 11th, the HTC Hero will be available on Sprint, for $179.99 with a two year contract after rebate, and this will be on a unlimited data plan which will cost $69.99.

The arrival of HTC Hero and the Android platform to Sprint’s network is an important milestone for our customers and the U.S. wireless industry,” said Kevin Packingham, senior vice president of product development for Sprint. “With the dependability and coverage of Sprint’s 3G network, HTC Hero users will appreciate a much better experience than is possible now with any other Android phone operating in the United States. They will enjoy the robust potential to personalize their wireless experience as well as the best value in wireless with a Simply Everything plan from Sprint.

Check out the Press Release for full details on the new HTC Hero with Sprint.

via BGR

Sony Xperia Pureness

2009-09-06T01:12:00.000-07:00

As well as launching the new Xperia X2, Sony has added another mobile to their Xperia range with the launch of the Sony Xperia Pureness, which is touted as a ‘Fashion Phone’.

Sony have only given us a glimpse of the Xperia Purness, and intend to provide full details of it at an official launch in November, although Sony has revealed that the Xperia Pureness is a simple phone which is designed for ‘talk, text, time’.

The Sony Xperia Pureness features a minimal design, and according to Sony is more of a ‘work of art’, something that reflects the ‘purity of water’.

Sounds interesting, what we do know is that it will be a quad-band GSM/EDGE phone with built in Bluetooth, and it will come with an optional camera module which is an add on to the Xperia Pureness.

via Coated