TechNetGate

Google+ for Android app fast look

2011-06-30T18:54:00.004+01:00

Given the number of apps Google's made available for smartphones, it shouldn't be much of a surprise that it's taken its suite of social networking services direct to the mobile world as well. As soon as Google+ was officially announced, an app was ready for download in the Android Market and a web app became available for Safari for iOS (with its full offering to the App Store coming soon). As usual, we couldn't resist the urge to play around with it, but how does the mobile iteration fare against the competition? Continue past the break to get a peek of the larger-than-life service squeezed into a 4.3-inch (or smaller) display.

Google announces Search by Image and Voice Search for desktop, revamped mobile search

2011-06-15T08:42:00.004+01:00

Google's done a ton of talking about search at its Inside Search event today, and two of the biggest new developments are on the desktop. It's just announced that Android-style Voice Search is headed to Chrome (with support for English only, initially), and that it will be joined by a new Search by Image feature (also available in Chrome, or Firefox with an extension). To use that latter feature, you simply drag and drop an image or cut and paste an image URL in the search box, and then Google tries its best to recognize it and deliver relevant results -- including identifying the location in an old vacation photo, for instance (though Google notes it isn't doing face recognition). Both features will be rolling out over the next few days, but you can get a glimpse of them now in the demo videos after the break.

In other news, Google's announced Instant Pages (also demoed after the break), which promises to speed up browsing by prerendering results when its "confident you're going to click them." It's available in the latest developer version of Chrome today, and will also be included in the next public beta. Lastly, Google took the wraps off a number of revisions to its mobile search offerings, including a new set of shortcut icons, enhanced search options, and faster local results when browsing on a phone, as well as some revamped search and image results that have been specifically tailored to tablets -- all of which are also rolling out today.

Google Updates Its Mobile Search Interface for iOS

2011-05-29T18:22:00.011+01:00

Google updated the interface of its mobile search page for iOS today.

The redesigned page brings a new top bar with large icons over each tab. Presumably this will make it easier for people to switch bars and find additional Google services.
You can see the before and after shots below...

HTC Sensation Review

2011-05-28T21:31:00.009+01:00

Leaving you with some info. from GSMArena.................

GENERAL	2G Network	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
	3G Network	HSDPA 900 / 2100
	Announced	2011, April
	Status	Available. Released 2011, May

SIZE	Dimensions	126.1 x 65.4 x 11.3 mm
SIZE	Weight	148 g

DISPLAY	Type	S-LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
	Size	540 x 960 pixels, 4.3 inches
		- Gorilla glass display - Multi-touch input method - Accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate - Proximity sensor for auto turn-off - Gyro sensor - HTC Sense v3.0 UI

SOUND	Alert types	Vibration, MP3, WAV ringtones
	Loudspeaker	Yes
	3.5mm jack	Yes

MEMORY	Phonebook	Practically unlimited entries and fields, Photocall
	Call records	Practically unlimited
	Internal	1 GB storage, 768 MB RAM
	Card slot	microSD, up to 32GB, 8 GB included, buy memory

DATA	GPRS	Up to 114 kbps
	EDGE	Up to 560 kbps
	3G	HSDPA 14.4 Mbps, HSUPA 5.76 Mbps
	WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot
	Bluetooth	Yes, v3.0 with A2DP
	Infrared port	No
	USB	Yes, microUSB (MHL) v2.0

CAMERA	Primary	8 MP, 3264x2448 pixels, autofocus, dual-LED flash
	Features	Geo-tagging, touch-focus, image stabilization, face detection, instant capture
	Video	Yes, 1080p@30fps, stereo sound recording
	Secondary	Yes, VGA

FEATURES	OS	Android OS, v2.3 (Gingerbread)
	CPU	1.2 GHz dual-core processor, Adreno 220 GPU, Qualcomm MSM 8260 Snapdragon
	Messaging	SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Email, IM
	Browser	HTML
	Radio	Stereo FM radio with RDS
	Games	Yes
	Colors	Black
	GPS	Yes, with A-GPS support
	Java	Yes, via Java MIDP emulator

BATTERY		Standard battery, Li-Ion 1520 mAh
	Stand-by	Up to 350 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G)
	Talk time	Up to 8 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 40 min (3G)

Kobo eReader Touch Edition

2011-05-23T21:39:00.006+01:00

Kobo today kicked off Book Expo America with the launch of a new six-inch, one-button touchscreen e-reader -- named, appropriately enough, the Kobo eReader Touch Edition. Priced at $130 -- $10 cheaper than Amazon's Kindle -- the pocket-sized device strives for a reading experience more akin to that of old timey paper books, courtesy of a Zeforce infrared touchscreen, new Pearl eInk technology, and a freescale i.MX507 processor for faster page turning. Click on through for more details and our impressions of this little reader.

The WiFi reader has a new search tool accessible through the virtual keyboard and highlighting technology, which makes it easier to look up words via the built-in Merriam Webster dictionary. This is the same Pearl display found on the latest Kindle, so you should know what you're getting into for contrast, but the responsiveness here is hugely improved thanks to that freescale processor. Page turns are quick and, more impressively, you can open a PDF, zoom in, and scroll around. Sure, it isn't exactly hyper-responsive, but it sure beats PDF reading on the competition and it'll help you save a few reams of paper when reviewing technical documentation. And, since that touch screen is built using IR tech that's built into the bezel, the contrast of the screen doesn't suffer -- a common complaint on the early Sony Reader Touch Edition. (Sony has since switched to the same sort of IR technology on their touchable readers, like the PRS-350SC).

Kobo's Touch Edition features syncing bookmark technology lets you pick up where you left off on multiple devices. The Touch Edition has 1GB of built-in memory, expandable up to 32GB with the microSD slot that's easily accessible on the sid. The device supports ePub, PDF, and open standards, so you can take it with you on the next trip to the library. It'll ship next month, in black, silver, blue, and white, dropping the price of its predecessor down to $99. You can pre-order it now from Borders, Best Buy, and Walmart, in both the US and Canada.

LG Optimus Pad coming to Rogers May 17th

2011-05-15T14:43:00.002+01:00

Here we are with amazing device with amazing futures, size, price,..........etc, LG will bring to us "LG Optimus Pad" at Rogers by May 17th some info viewed at the picture.

LG Optimus Black (Video from Engadget)

2011-05-12T18:54:00.000+01:00

One of the world’s thinnest and lightest Android smartphones, the LG Optimus Black has a dramatically brighter 4-inch LCD screen, creating a one-of-a-kind user experience unlike anything before. By using LG’s very own NOVA display technology, the screen is designed to be the brightest, clearest and most readable among mobile screens. The crystal-clear display not only lets users see the screen in direct sunlight but also provides a more natural web browsing experience by displaying truer colours. In addition, the LG Optimus Black comes with the latest technology, such as Wi-Fi Direct, a 2MP front-facing camera, lower battery consumption and launches on Android 2.2 to access over 150,000 apps.

Flexible Paper Phone wants to get bent out of shape

2011-05-05T18:04:00.007+01:00

What you will feel if you waked up one day and found Flexible Paper Phone?, Isn't it amazing idea?, So it's being real now, it will be an awesome revolution at a lot of future industrial such as cell phone, e-book reader, portable game devices,................etc.

What do you think about Amazon tablet?

2011-05-04T04:59:00.004+01:00

I think a lot of people heard about this news "the next Amazon tablet", so what do you think?, will Amazon win the battle against the other Companies such as Apple, Google, RIM,............etc; the news just announced that Amazon tablet maybe published before the end of these year!

BlackBerry Bold 9900 Hands-On (Video from Engadget)

2011-05-02T18:13:00.003+01:00

Here we are with special video of BlackBerry Bold 9900 Hands-On via Engadget review, so i'm going to leave you with some Hardware info and the Video enjoy!

BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 Specifications

115 x 66 x 10.5 mm, approximately 130 g
2.8" capacitive touch screen display - VGA (640x480), 287 dpi resolution
Ultra-easy QWERTY keyboard, optical trackpad
1.2 GHz Processor, 768 MB RAM
8 GB on-board memory, plus microSD slot supporting up to 32 GB cards
NFC technology
5.0 MP camera, supports 720p HD video recording
Orientation Sensor (Accelerometer), Digital Compass (Magnetometer), Proximity Sensor
Built-in GPS / aGPS
Dual-Band Wi-Fi® - 802.11 b/g/n at 2.4 GHz and 802.11 a/n at 5 GHz
Bluetooth® 2.1+EDR support
Wireless Network support:
- 9900:Tri-BandHSPA+,Quad-BandGSM/EDGE
- 9930:Dual-BandCDMA/EV-DORev.A,Dual-BandHSPA+,Quad-Band GSM/EDGE
- 1230 mAh removable, rechargeable battery
BlackBerry 7 OS

What do think?

2011-05-02T01:31:00.012+01:00

RIM Co-CEO Jim Balsillie CONFIRMS BlackBerry 6.1 is now called BlackBerry 7 on Investors Call, So what do think?; did we will have this update for our old BlackBerry devices such as Bold 9700 and Bold 9780........etc "everybody know that these devices had been updated to OS 6.0".

Swiss researchers show off brain-controlled, AI-augmented wheelchair

2010-09-08T04:54:00.006+01:00

They're far from the first to try their hand at a brain-controlled wheelchair, but some researchers at the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (or EPFL) in Switzerland seem to have pulled off a few new tricks with their latest project. Like some similar systems, this one relies on EEG readings to detect specific brain patterns, but it backs that up with some artificial intelligence that the researchers say allows for "shared control" of the wheelchair. That latter component is aided by a pair of cameras and some image processing software that allows the wheelchair to avoid obstacles, but it doesn't stop there the software is also able to distinguish between different types of objects. According to the researchers, that could let it go around a cabinet but pull up underneath a desk, for instance, or potentially even recognize the person's own desk and avoid others. Head on past the break to check it out in action.

iOS 4.1 confirmed for September 8th on Apple's UK website

2010-09-05T05:49:00.037+01:00

According to Apple's UK website, iOS 4.1 will hit on Wednesday, September 8th. The US website still displays the non-commital "Coming Soon" message, so we'll have to keep our eyes peeled. We're going to go ahead and guess that all those shiny new iPods will come to retail that day too... but don't hold us to that one. Like we said, it's only a guess.

Logitech takes its wireless Z515 and tethered Z305 speakers on the road

2010-09-01T13:42:00.003+01:00

Sure, that laptop you're staring out might have been purchased by your company's IT department, but who hasn't snuck on a film or game to fill the desperate void between PowerPoint presentations and time sheets? Problem is, those teeny tiny tinny laptop speakers aren't exactly immersive. That's where Logitech comes in with its new Laptop Speaker Z305 ($99.99, pictured above). A compact USB speaker that hangs off the open display to deliver 360-degree audio that will "fill the room," according to Logitech -- no additional software required. Otherwise, why not untether with Logitech's Wireless Speaker Z515 (pictured after the break) when it arrives for $59.99. The Z515 offers a range of about 50 feet (15 meters) over a 2.4GHz USB dongle with up to 10 hours of life from its rechargeable battery. Both will be available for purchase in the US and Europe begining this month. See the pitch in the video after the break.

HTC Peep cooked, served a l'orange by Twitter's new authentication scheme

2010-09-01T09:03:00.012+01:00

It's been known for some time that Twitter would be moving away from basic authentication to OAuth for third-party apps; in fact, they'd already officially pushed back the drop-dead switchover date once to mid-August before finally pulling the plug this week. Be that as it may, it makes sense that a bunch of lesser-known, less-maintained apps would fall by the wayside once the old security mechanism got shut down but HTC's Peep? Really? Sure enough, we've been able to confirm on our own Desire that the Twitter app HTC bundles with its Sense UI for Android is no longer working this morning, giving users an "incorrect username or password" error when they try to connect. We're not sure if they'll be able to fix this with a Market update across the board or if it'll take a bunch of firmware updates to get everyone back on the up and up, but either way, something tells us Twitter isn't going to flip the switch back on for these guys

Sony gets official with VAIO P: world's lightest 8-inch netbook

2009-01-08T01:53:00.001Z

Not that we really needed Sony to tell us something we already knew, but we certainly appreciate the gesture. The hotly anticipated VAIO P is for real, and it's coming in as the world's lightest 8-inch netbook at just 1.4 pounds. The Vista-based device packs an almost unbelievable 1,600 x 768 resolution LED-backlit XBRITE-ECO LCD display, 802.11n WiFi, 3G WWAN, Bluetooth, a battery good for four hours (eight hours with the optional high-capacity cell) and a GPS module for good measure. You'll also find an instant-on mode that launches directly into Sony's Xross Media Bar interface, and the inbuilt webcam will keep the video chats going well into the morning. It'll start shipping in early February (in garnet red, emerald green, onyx black, crystal white and classic black hues) for $900 and up, and you can peek the full release just after the break.

Toshiba adds 500GB external hard drive to their line

2009-01-07T14:32:00.003Z

Toshiba's added to the ever-expanding offering of 500GB external drives with its newly released HDDR500E03X. The USB 2.0, 2.5-incher is on offer in a totally sweet array of colors, and comes pre-loaded with NTI Shadow backup software. It's available now for somehwere in the vicinity of $140.

Kodak's rugged Zx1 handheld camcorder does 720p in the jungle

2009-01-04T20:48:00.001Z

Kodak's 720p Zi6 has only been out for six months, but already we're seeing what's likely its beefed-up predecessor. The mighty Zx1 is debuting here at CES, and with it comes a 2-inch LCD monitor, easy upload to YouTube, 720p HD video capture at 60fps, an IP43-certified weather-resistant design and an SD / SDHC card slot that can understand media up to 32GB in size. All told, users can capture up to ten hours of high-def video, and the bundled HDMI cable makes showing off recent grabs as easy as pie. The Zx1 will arrive in five colors (pink, blue, yellow, red and black) and will include pre-charged AA Ni-MH rechargeable batteries alongside a charger. We'll bet Creative and Pure Digital have a little something of their own to show off before this one lands in April for $149.95. Full release is (where else?) after the break.

Ainol serves up 4.3-inch V6000HDB portable media player

2009-01-03T17:12:00.001Z

Ainol's V6000HDB is about six times better than the V1000 and roughly twice as awesome as the V3000, but we suppose those metrics are really neither here nor there. The Chinese portable media player packs a 4.3-inch 480 x 272 resolution display, 4GB of internal storage space, support for RMVB, AVI and FLV video files and HD (720p) output. Outside of that, the nitty-gritty is lost in translation, but for just 399 yuan ($58), we've heard plenty.

Video distribution coming to Japan Wiis early 2009, overseas later

2008-12-27T15:12:00.001Z

Starting early next year, Nintendo will be joining the ranks of its fellow console makers in offering a video distribution service through the Wii. According to Nikkei business daily, The House of Mario will team up with Dentsu, Inc. to offer cartoons and other programs created specifically for the service, and since they're using the phrase "new revenue stream," we doubt it's gonna be offered gratis. Videophiles shouldn't expect much magic, either, given the console's 512MB memory limit and 480p max resolution. The service will launch first in Japan and head overseas later. Hey Nintendo, if you really want to emulate your competition, how about an online social network that doesn't require long strings of integers?

AT&T letting go of 8GB refurb iPhone 3Gs for $99 on contract

2008-12-27T13:49:00.002Z

Ha, you or someone you love just paid full retail for an iPhone 3G a few days ago, didn't you? We've always heard that the best deals come after Christmas, but people just never learn. All smack talk aside, those who didn't get a new cellie under the tree, but did acquire a Benjamin or so courtesy of cash-stuffed holiday cards, can certainly score a big deal today. AT&T is now offering the 8GB iPhone 3G in refurbished form for just $99 with a two-year agreement, while the 16GB refurb is $199 on contract in either black or white. Call us crazy, but we don't foresee these hanging around in stock for too awfully long.

Dell Adamo rumored to boast DisplayPort, Blu-ray drive

2008-12-27T13:37:00.001Z

Can you feel it? Dell's Adamo is just about here, and the anticipation is palpable. We already learned that the unit's 45-watt power adapter wouldn't be anything special, but a Google cache shot of accessories and such from Dell's own website is giving us a presumed look at what could be announced alongside the ultraportable. For starters, we get the impression that it'll boast DisplayPort (judging by the DisplayPort-to-HDMI / VGA / etc. adapters) and at least have an option for a 2x Blu-ray combo drive. We're also seeing 250GB / 500GB internal / external SATA drives and an auto / air adapter for powering the machine in your vehicle / personally owned 747. Only the suits in Round Rock know if these will actually come to fruition, but honestly, why bother hosting these up on your website if they weren't on the way?

Keepin' it real fake, part CLXXII: QQ spins iriver SPINN into lookalike K819

2008-12-09T20:51:00.002Z

Man, these guys and gals are quick. Just weeks after we were finally able to hold an iriver SPINN in our own palms, along comes this marvel from China-based QQ. The K819 unashamedly apes the most telling design characteristics of iriver's latest, though the phony does come in multiple hues while boasting "high-grade texture" and oodles of "elegance and style." To be honest, we're not so sure any of these images are more than mere renders, though QQ does promise a 3.0-inch WQVGA display, MP4 support and guaranteed humiliation from your pals.

Art Lebedev outthinks the room with square Luxofor traffic lights

2008-11-24T11:25:00.001Z

We can only imagine that at least a few staffers over at Art Lebedev Studios get paid to do nothing but conjure up ideas, because this one is just marvelous. And marvelously simple, but that's beside the point. The Luxofor traffic light concept improves upon a nearly archaic design that still relies on spherical fixtures when there's really no need. Lebedev's team asserts that using square lights backed with bright laser diodes would make better use of the available space and provide a more noticeable signal to drowsy motorists. The roar of "why didn't I think of that?" being simultaneously stated is downright deafening.

ClarionMiND MID on sale in the US for $649.99

2008-11-24T11:23:00.002Z

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

Purported Dell 23-inch SP2309 LCD monitor leaked, tasty specs and all

2008-11-09T22:59:00.002Z

We could tell from the past couple of Dell LCDs that the Round Rock powerhouse was moving in this direction in terms of design, but it's the specifications that have us most captivated on this one. We've received word that the above pictured SP2309 will boast a 23-inch 16:9 panel with a wicked 2,048 x 1,152 native resolution, an 80,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 98% color gamut (NTSC, we presume), 2-millisecond response time, 2-megapixel camera (with microphone) and VGA / DVI / HDMI inputs. We're hearing that it should be available for purchase later this month, though pricing details remain a mystery.

Standard Dell mouse gets GSR electrode implant

2008-11-09T22:04:00.001Z

Looking to spark up a makeshift psychology lab in the basement of your house? Look no further than the galvanic skin response computer mouse. For those unaware, GSR electrodes can gather data about human interactions with computers, though most rigs are so invasive that test subjects end up freaking out rather than passing on useful information. This non-obtrusive method relies on a device that the vast majority of computer users already use (that'd be a mouse), and by simply installing the sensors into the left and right click buttons, you're left with an analyzing tool that may not even tip off your kid sister, significant other, or your most favorite poker pal. At any rate, hit the read link to get your mad scientist on.

Western Digital My Passport Studio: now with FireWire 800

2008-11-01T16:05:00.002Z

Western Digital announced a new member of their wannabe-buddies-with-Mac My Passport Studio line today -- it's the exact same drive as the previous Studio model, only this one comes etched with your favorite character from "Friends" on it! Not really: it's got a FireWire 800 port in addition to the old hat FireWire 400 and USB interfaces, perfect for those brand new MacBook Pro owners -- if they have any cash left, that is. The 400GB model is going to run you $229.99, 500GB will be $249.99, and they're available now.

Intel Core i7 benchmarks make Core 2 Extreme look like a washed up has been

2008-11-01T11:05:00.003Z

Presumably in an (utterly futile) attempt to bring down the power grid all around the Mediterranean, print magazine PC World Greece benchmarked three powerful Nehalem desktop processors -- the Core i7 Extreme Edition 965, and the apparently non-extreme Core i7 920 and 940. Names aside, performance from all three was extreme compared to most stuff currently on the market. The data for number nerds: in 3DMark06 the 920 finished ever-so-slightly behind the Core 2 Extreme QX9770's 4,922 marks with 4,818 while the 940 and the 965 both opened a can of you-know-what at 5,282 and 5,716 respectively. More titillating figures await enthusiasts through the read link, but for you normal folk only concerned that Nehalem wouldn't be fast enough to justify an upgrade (and you weren't), rest assured that it triumphed in this no-holds-barred CPU cage match.

iPhone software 2.2 features Google Street View, mass transit directions

2008-10-27T13:27:00.001Z

The T-Mobile G1's Google Maps Street View implementation is one of the slickest features of the first Android phone, but it looks like Apple's going to keep feature parity the latest builds of iPhone OS 2.2 seeded to developers have Street View, as well as the ability to give mass transit directions. That's pretty useful for cityfolk like us and we're also stoked that line-in audio is now supported in the SDK, giving devs the ability to create voice recorders and other interesting audio apps. Of course, there's no word on when 2.2 will actually arrive, but until then we suppose we'll live with regular, non-data-augmented streets. Lots of screenshots of the new features at the read link.

USI introduces MID-160, 'world's thinnest' with an Atom

2008-10-23T23:22:00.004+01:00

Size definitely matters for MIDs, what with the whole Mobile moniker in there, but features matter too, and USI's upcoming MID-160 offers most of the important ones. It's got a 5-inch 800 x 480 touch-screen, connectivity over 802.11b/g as well as HSDPA and WiMAX, plus GPS and Bluetooth, served by an (unspecified) Atom processor and 512MB of RAM with 8GB of flash storage (expandable via microSD). All that's delivered in a package just 15mm in thickness and 250 grams in heft, but sadly missing one thing we tend to use a lot when surfing the web: a keyboard. Nokia's N810 WiMAX Edition has one, plus most of the other goods (lacking the Atom and 8GB of storage), yet manages to be just as thin and even lighter -- not to mention available right now. By contrast we have no information on availability or price for MID's sleek, but perhaps unnecessary, successor to the M-150.

AMD rolls out budget-minded ATI Radeon HD 4830 graphics card

2008-10-23T23:17:00.001+01:00

It's not quite a $39 graphics card but, at "less than $150," AMD's new ATI Radeon HD 4830 is still quite the bargain compared to ATI's higher-end offerings, and you'll get a good deal more oomph for those extra bucks. That includes a 256-bit GDDR3 memory interface (the actual amount of memory will vary from card to card), an impressive 640 stream processing units, AMD's second generation Unified Video Decoder for improved HD video playback, DirectX 10.1 support, two dual-link DVI ports, and, of course, support for ATI's CrossFireX technology. What's more, while AMD isn't willing to mention any specific prices below $150, The Tech Report has already turned up one card from MSI that's selling for just $120 after a $10 rebate and, if you're looking for a bit more information to inform your purchase, you can check out their review and benchmarks by htiting up the link below.

3G-enabled Archos 5 and Eee PC 901 announced by French wireless carrier SFR

2008-10-23T23:13:00.002+01:00

You don't see a lot of PMPs or netbooks out there with carrier branding, but both the Archos 5 and the Eee PC have gotten themselves 3G-enabled recently, and French wireless company SFR isn't wasting any time with the silkscreen machine it's just announced subsidized versions of both. The Archos 5 3G+ comes dressed in sharp new black suit and features a smaller 30GB drive to go with its integrated 3G modem and custom SFR menu items you're looking at €249 ($320) with a monthly data fee of €19 ($24) for existing SFR customers or €24 ($30) for new subs. More or less the same deal with the Eee 901: you're getting the familiar 1.6GHz Atom with 1GB of RAM, a 16GB SSD, and an integrated 3G modem for €279 ($358) with €29 ($37) / €34 ($43) monthly contract fees.

Apple's MacBook gets a fresh face, NVIDIA graphics, original drops to $999

2008-10-17T13:56:00.003+01:00

Apple's taking all that new MacBook Pro love and shrinking it down to size for the all-new MacBook. The laptop includes those same NVIDIA 9400M graphics, Mini DisplayPort plug, new manufacturing method, backlit keyboard and fancy glass trackpad of its big sibling, but does it with a 13.3-inch LED-backlit screen and typically friendly MacBook pricepoints. The laptop is 0.5 pounds lighter than its plastic predecessor, 0.95-inches thick, and Apple's also claiming 5 hours of battery life here, but we'll have to wait and see how realistic that number is. The base model weighs in at $1299 with a 2GHz Core 2 Duo processor, while $1599 gets you 4GB of RAM and a 320GB HDD. There's also an SSD option if you're really looking to splurge. If none of the new speed or style appeals to you, Apple's also slashing its existing low-end MacBook to $999, which is still a bit steep if you ask us. Hit the jump for a breakdown of the configurations.

D-Link debuts SharePort packing DIR-825 dual band router

2008-10-03T02:28:00.003+01:00

It's pretty tough for a wireless router to stand out from the pack these days, but D-Link's new DIR-825 models looks to at least make an admirable stab at it, with it not only boasting dual-band capabilities to pump out 2.4GHz and 5Ghz signals simultaneously, but some fancy USB sharing as well. That latter bit comes in the form of D-Link's trademark SharePort technology, which will let you plug in any USB printer or storage device and access 'em from any computer on the network. The router is also supposedly "optimized for HD video streaming" and, according to D-Link, it'll also out-perform most other Draft N routers in general and save the planet in the process. Sold? You can snag one now for $200 even. Those that already have an 802.11n D-Link router (namely, the DIR-628, DIR-655, DIR-855, or DGL-4500) may want to think twice, however, as they can now add SharePort support to their existing router with nothing more than a firmware update, which is already available on D-Link's website.

Apple now selling iPhone 3G unlocked in Hong Kong

2008-09-26T22:11:00.004+01:00

If you can't get your goods into China via the front door, there's always the back. Apple is now selling its iPhone 3G unlocked via its on-line Apple Store in Hong Kong. The 8GB model sells for HK$5,500 (about US$694) or HK$6,200 (about $797) for the 16 gigger. Already available since July 11th with a local Hutchison Telecommunications contract, this is the first time that Apple has sold its device unlocked in Hong Kong.

Palm Treo Pro now shipping

2008-09-26T22:04:00.001+01:00

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

GE intros E1055W, E1050TW and A1030 point and shoots

2008-09-25T15:21:00.002+01:00

Hurry on over! We had originally thought that Kodak had this award in the bag, but now that General Imaging (GE) has pumped out a trio of cameras that nearly put us to sleep, we'd say the race for the lamest introduction at Photokina is officially back on. Up first on the chopping block is the E1055W, a GE-branded point-and-shoot with a 3-inch LCD monitor, 10.1-megapixel sensor, blink / smile detection and a 5x optical zoom. Following that is the E1050TW, which packs most of the same hardware but also includes a 720p movie mode. Lastly, we've got the 10-megapixel A1030, which features a 3x optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD.

Dell's Studio Hybrid torn down for kicks and giggles

2008-09-21T18:28:00.001+01:00

We've only one thing to say here: it's about time! Dell's Studio Hybrid has been shuffling around for well over a month, and we're just now seeing someone with the nerve to take a putty knife to this cute 'lil desktop and photograph its innards for all to see. As expected, there ain't much breathing room in the 7.7- x 2.8- x 8.3-inch box, but there's a smattering of pictures and a full disassembly video waiting in the read link below. Go on and look, sicko.

Lexar kicks out Eye-Fi powered Shoot-n-Sync WiFi SD card, other less interesting flash cards

2008-09-21T15:36:00.003+01:00

We'd heard Lexar and Eye-Fi were getting snuggly back in January, and look at that -- nine months later the Lexar Shoot-n-Sync WiFi SD card has arrived on our doorstep. The 2GB card is basically just a Lexar-branded Eye-Fi Share, so you pretty much already know how it works -- you shoot, it uploads -- and it's even the same $99 price, so yeah, yawn. Hopefully these two will do something a little more interesting now that they've gotten used to working together. Lexar also kicked out a number of other cards, including a new 4GB Memory Stick Micro M2 card, a 16GB Platinum II 60x SDHC card, and a 16GB Platinum II 80x CompactFlash card -- no pricing or availability on any of those yet.

HTC's US Touch Diamond now shipping from Best Buy

2008-09-21T15:26:00.000+01:00

It's no shock to see a US 3G-enabled Touch Diamond showing up at Best Buy (unlike the hamstrung sibling over at CompUSA) -- though we can't say we were expecting the big box retailer to start shipping this soon. If its website is to be believed (read: don't book it just yet), the unlocked Touch Diamond 3G you're about to order for $699.99 will leave Best Buy's warehouse within one business day. If that's not cool with you, you can also pick it up "at most stores." Shame there's no white option listed...

Canon's PowerShot SD990 IS and SD880 IS for 'trendsetting techies'

2008-09-18T00:38:00.003+01:00

Finishing off Canon's new gear launches today are the PowerShot SD990 IS and SD880 IS Digital Elph series of cameras. Both start with optical image stabilization and Canon's new DIGIC 4 image processor. The $400 SD990 IS then sprinkles in a 14.7 megapixel sensor, 3.7x optical zoom, and 2.5-inch LCD while the $300 SD880 IS drops the sensor to 10 megapixels while boosting the LCD and Zoom a bit to 3-inches and 4x, respectively. Both should land for retail sometime in October.

Sony stuns with SRX-T110 / SRX-T105 4k x 2k projectors

2008-09-18T00:38:00.001+01:00

Picking up where the SRX-R220 left off, Sony's new SRX-T110 / SRX-T105 4k x 2k projectors are likely headed right to a museum, cinema (lucky!), or "digital planetarium" near you. Each SXRD device touts a staggering 4,096 x 2,160 native resolution and contrast ratios of 2,500:1. Separately, the T110 comes in much brighter than the T105, offering 11,000 lumens over the latter's 5,500. Those of you hoping to sneak one of these into your home cinema without placing too heavy a burden on the plastic Centurion will probably be disappointed; the T110 will ring up at ¥12.7 million ($120,460), while the T105 demands ¥8.3 million ($78,725). Both should arrive in Japan this November.

SSD shootout, round II: OCZ, Super Talent and Mtron do battle

2008-09-14T19:14:00.001+01:00

If you'll recall, a slew of prohibitively expensive SSDs were pit against one another last summer in a battle royale of pricey HDD replacements. Fast forward a year and change, and the barrier to entry for one of these heralded devices has dropped significantly. That being the case, we've a feeling HotHardware's latest shootout will be a whole lot more relevant for the average joe / jane. The aforementioned test simultaneously reviews the OCZ Core Series 64GB MLC, OCZ 64GB Standard SLC, Super Talent MasterDrive MX 64GB MLC and the Mtron MSP 7500 32GB SLC. Interestingly, the writeup didn't conclude with a medal ceremony, but rather, it elaborated on the merits of each and where it would likely fit best. You know what that means -- time to bust out the spectacles and get to readin'.

iPhone 2.1 update is out: bug fixes and longer battery life promised

2008-09-13T02:03:00.001+01:00

You made it. Three full battery charges and three full days of buggy 2.0.2 firmware later and the 2.1 software is now available for download. Remember, this "big update" comes with Steve's personal promise of "fewer call drops... significantly improved battery life for most customers... fixed a lot of bugs where if you have a lot of apps on the phone you're not going to get some of the crashes we've seen... backing up to iTunes is dramatically faster." We'll see.

Official: iPod nano reaches 4G, looks tall for its age

2008-09-10T22:56:00.001+01:00

Well well. Can't say we're surprised to be telling you about the new 4th generation iPod nano. As we heard, 9 colors, bigger $149 8GB and $199 16GB capacity, and wider 2-inch display under the control of an accelerometer for automatic switching between portrait and landscape modes like those early Canon PowerShots and uh, oh right, the iPod touch and iPhone. Looks just like the spy shots eh? Steve calls it the thinnest iPod ever with new Genius playlist, shake to shuffle feature, and 24-hour battery for music or 4-hours for video. In stores by the weekend, available immediately on-line. A few more pics after the break and the gallery below.

Cagic debuts stylish new 8.4-inch digital photo frame

2008-09-10T22:50:00.003+01:00

Still haven't found a digital photo frame that suits your decor? Then you may find Cagic's new offering here a bit more to your taste, with it boasting a simple but stylish design and some decent enough specs to back it up. That includes an 8.4-inch 800x600 touchscreen display, a mini USB port and, perhaps most notably, two separate SD card slots: one for storage and one to load photos (a 1GB card is included). At $180, however, it's not exactly the cheapest 8-inch frame around, but it is made of solid brushed aluminum and natural hardwood, and you can get it in your choice of three finishes, so that's a trade-off we're guessing some will be more than willing to accept.

AMD slashes prices on triple-core Phenom X3 processors

2008-09-10T22:48:00.001+01:00

AMD may have some new dual-core Phenom processors around the corner, but it looks like those wanting to build an AMD rig on the cheap don't have to wait until then, as the company has just slashed the price on its triple-core Phenom X3 processors, a move that follows some similar price cuts just a few weeks ago. As of now, you can get an X3 8450 for $104 (down from $125 in July), an X3 8650 for $119 (down from $145), an X3 8750 for $129 (down from $175), or even an X3 8750 Black Edition with overclocking support for just $134. As TG Daily points out, that pits the processors up against the low-end of Intel's Core 2 Duo offerings, which certainly makes 'em an attractive option for those looking to get the most bang for the buck.

Apple patent filing details touchscreen tablet

2008-08-30T01:43:00.001+01:00

Trying to divine what Apple's up to from patent applications is never easy, but every now and again the diagrams actually make it obvious -- and it looks like Steve and his elves are hard at work on large-format touch interfaces, possibly for a tablet Mac of some kind. The latest touch-related filing is some 52 pages long and details everything from working with multiple finger inputs to onscreen keyboards how window controls would work, but we're mostly transfixed by the claw-like demon-hands that seem to be operating all this kit -- apparently Apple engineers have the same nightmares as the rest of us. If we had to bet, we'd say that a tablet Mac is still a long ways off, but we've been wrong before -- and there's always a chance Steve's got something wild in store for next month.

Radiopaq Rp5 does DAB, FM and internet radio

2008-08-14T16:28:00.002+01:00

Look out, Pure Digital -- you've got a new rival in town. Radiopaq, best known for bringing thousands of internet radio stations and podcasts to listeners via the web, has decided to hop into the hardware game. The Rp5 tabletop radio features a five-way speaker system, digital / analog processors, a headphone jack, remote control and a rather stylish design. There's also an integrated WiFi module for tuning into the outfit's website and even sucking down news, weather and traffic information. Of course, the more traditional FM / DAB tuners are there as well, making this one quite the multifaceted box. Word on the British streets has this one pegged for a September launch at £250 ($468).

WD's Velociraptor I/O connection issue resolved with design update

2008-08-14T16:26:00.001+01:00

Remember those uber-fast VelociRaptor drives that had the hardcore (and IT dwellers) in a tizzy? Turns out they had some inexplicable design flaw that put the power and serial connections in the wrong spot, rendering some 3.5-inch backplane server installations basically useless. WD has announced a new solution that fixes this, and the new drives are now shipping. No word on returns and exchanges, but we have a feeling WD will be making good on this. Oops, and good job on the quick fix, WD.

Intel appeases haters, reveals USB 3.0 controller specification

2008-08-14T16:22:00.001+01:00

For months now, AMD, NVIDIA and a host of other caps-locked companies have been harshing on the chip maker for withholding critical information in relation to the USB 3.0 controller specification. At long last, Intel can finally throw up its left hand and ask those pundits to talk to it, as the outfit has finally unveiled the Extensible Host Controller Interface (xHCI) draft specification revision 0.9 in support of the USB 3.0 (SuperSpeed USB) architecture. The spec hopes to provide a "standardized method for USB 3.0 host controllers to communicate with the USB 3.0 software stack," and it's being made available under RAND-Z (royalty free) licensing terms "to all USB 3.0 Promoter Group and contributor companies that sign an xHCI contributor agreement.

Dell Vostro 2510 now configurable online

2008-08-01T12:48:00.002+01:00

It looks like those already sold on Dell's slightly less business-like Vostro 2510 laptop don't have to wait too long to get their hands on one, as the just-leaked laptop is now configurable on Dell's website with an estimated ship time of 3 to 5 days. As we had heard, the base price starts at a reasonable $899, which includes a 1.8GHz Core 2 Duo T5670 processor, 2GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, and a better than usual 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS graphics card. If that's not enough, you can push things up past the $2,000 mark pretty easily with a faster processor, a max 4GB of RAM, an Blu-ray drive, and other premium add-ons. Hit up the link below to get started.

FujiFilm's 10 megapixel S2000HD with 15x wide angle zoom quietly introduced

2008-08-01T12:45:00.000+01:00

FujiFilm Canada seems to have jumped the gun and outed a whole suite of cameras this morning. Starting with the headliner, we've got this 10 megapixel FinePix S2000HD with 15x wide angle zoom and 2.7-inch LCD. Listing for a thrifty CA$300, the S2000HD features a 1/2.3-inch CCD capable of capturing 3 megapixel images at 13.5fps and up to 6400 ISO at 5 megapixels with the help of FujiFilm's dual image stabilization. And "HD" in the name can mean only one thing: this cam also shoots HD video (720p Motion JPEG) in a pinch. No delivery date but we expect that to get sorted just as soon as this becomes officially official.

Lenovo busts out new IdeaPad lineup

2008-07-15T10:03:00.001+01:00

That new X200 isn't being left all by its lonesome, not by a long shot. Lenovo is giving its fledgling IdeaPad line quite the shot in the arm, with new Y530, Y430, Y730 and U330 models, designed to give US retail that variety of stock it craves -- and which confuses consumers to no end. The real winner here is the U330 (pictured), a premium IdeaPad of the U110 variety, only this one has a full 13.3-inches of screen, a Centrino 2 processor, HDMI and a built-in optical drive. The Y430, Y530 and Y730 are basically 14.1-inch, 15.4-inch and 17.1-inch versions of the same idea, with WXGA, WXGA and WUXGA resolutions, Blu-ray options, and a corresponding scale in graphics and processor power. The Y430 sticks with integrated graphics, the Y530 is Centrino 2 P7350-based and does up some NVIDIA NB9M GS 256MB graphics, while the Y730 runs a Centrino 2 P8400 processor and ATI M86 ME 512MB graphics, and supports dual 320GB hot-swappable drives. The Y730 comes in entertainment and gaming editions, with the "GameZone" model sporting a secondary display. Pricing is forthcoming, and these all should be landing this fall.

Toshiba announces Centrino 2-based Satellite Pro S300, Tecra M10 and Tecra A10

2008-07-15T10:01:00.002+01:00

Get ready for a flood of Centrino 2 laptops, kids -- hot on the heels of Intel's big announcement and Sony and Lenovo's updated lineups comes Toshiba with the new Satellite Pro S300, Tecra M10 and A10, and Qosmio X305, F55 and Cell-based G55. The Qosmios actually aren't that new all three of them were initially announced back in June, but they're actually available now, with the gaming-oriented X305 exclusive to Best Buy. The $1,299 Satellite Pro S300 (pictured) is a little more interesting, with a 2.4GHz P8600 Core 2 Duo on Centrino 2's 1066MHz bus and Intel 4500MD integrated graphics powering a 15.4-inch display, as well as sleep-and-charge USB ports and a docking port. The more business-oriented Tecra lappies also get a similar Centrino 2 treatment, sharing a motherboard design to reduce repair costs. The $1,399 M10 sports a 14.1-inch screen, while the 15.4-inch A10's pricing hasn't been announced. Pictures of the new Tecras after the break.

Headsets.com giving away gear to those nailed by CA's new handsfree legislation

2008-07-01T01:22:00.001+01:00

We feel for all of you in California who are dealing with the new hands-free legislation that came down upon you today like an edict from your overlords. If you're one of the unlucky few who get nailed by the 5-0 for talking on your cellphone while driving, though, there's some silver in those dark clouds. Headsets.com is giving away the Plantronics Discovery 925 bluetooth earpiece -- worth $150 clams -- in exchange for proof that you were pulled over. Now, don't go talking on your cellphone in the hope of getting one of these, though -- that $20 fine could get you a decent headset today anyway.

Nintendo pushes back DVD-playing Wii for Japan, again

2008-07-01T01:20:00.002+01:00

While those of us 'round these parts have pretty much given up on the idea of a DVD-playing Wii a long time ago, folks in Japan have had some cause for hope based on promises from the company that such a system was, in fact, headed for the country sooner or later. It seems like they're now about to enter the acceptance phase as well, however, as Nintendo has just announced yet another delay to the system with no word about an eventual release date. According to IGN, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata would only go so far as to say that due continuing worldwide supply constraints on the current Wii, "the priority is on the current model." One thing getting a boost in availability, however, is the Nintendo DS 1Seg TV tuner, which Nintendo says will get a retail release next month after previously only being available online.

Yamaha intros YSP-3050 Digital Sound Projector

2008-07-01T01:18:00.003+01:00

Yamaha cranked out its pricey YSP-600 sound bar just a few months back, but the company's already looking to put the past behind and move forward with the YSP-3050. The latest in the outfit's long-standing line of Digital Sound Projectors offers up 21 beam drivers, two woofers, 23 corresponding digital amplifiers, three Cinema DSP programs (movie, music and sports), analog-to-HDMI video upconversion, HD upscaling to 1080i / 720p and a 1080p (24Hz and 60Hz) compatible HDMI interface with two inputs and one output. Aside from engulfing you in audio with just a single bar, the unit is also XM Radio / iPod-ready (via the $99.95 YDS-11), and the integrated FM tuner and bundled remote make it even easier to see in your den. You'll also find the firm's propriety automated system calibration (IntelliBeam) along with TV Equal Volume to keep those sudden bursts at bay when it comes time for commercials. 'Tis a shame this piece costs $1,399.95, but if you're tight on space, it just might be worth it. Full release after the break.

Netgear's WGR614L Wireless-G router openly plays nice with Tomato / DD-WRT

2008-07-01T01:17:00.002+01:00

Although Linux-based Tomato and DD-WRT firmwares work with a plethora of routers, Netgear is getting savvy with its marketing by actually aiming its WGR614L at tweakers who just melt upon hearing either term. The so-called open source Wireless-G router features a 240MHz MIPS32 CPU, 4MB of flash memory, 16MB of RAM, an external 2 dBi antenna and a second internal diversity antenna to enhance range. Additionally, the unit will "soon" support OpenWRT, and there's also four 10/100 Ethernet ports in case you're looking for a bit of wired action as well. Potentially best of all, the WGR614L is available as we speak for a very manageable $69.

Sony Vaio FW and SR series show up on Circuit City

2008-06-30T00:00:00.001+01:00

We'd already heard the Vaio FW and SR series were due in short order, but they've since apparently shown up on Circuit City's site. The pages are down now, but the shots of the 16-inch FW (which looks pretty reminiscent of the old school Vaio Z-series) and 13.3-inch SR are still live, indicating model designations VGN-FW140EH and VGN-SR140EB. We'll keep you in the know.

Sweety stress reliever hears you out, won't complain if you batter it

2008-06-29T01:04:00.001+01:00

We'll go ahead and squash your welling excitement: from what we can glean, Sweety is nothing more than a concept, but for enough cash, designer Haishu Zhang may be willing to make your dreams a reality. Nevertheless, this highly sophisticated stress reliever somehow hears you out and can determine the root cause of the tension in your life. He'll also invite you to play interactive games to keep your mind on more peaceful endeavors, but if the world just tosses too much in your way, he isn't opposed to being maltreated if it steers you clear of the roof.

Microsoft promises to support Windows XP until 2014

2008-06-25T03:05:00.001+01:00

It may finally be starting to move down the availability ladder with computer manufacturers (netbooks and the like aside), but it looks like Microsoft is going to be standing by Windows XP for a good while yet, with it now pledging to support the tried and true OS through 2014. According to Microsoft senior VP Bill Veghte, that support will include security patches and "other critical updates," and he adds that "customers who still need Windows XP will be able to get it," despite plans to stop selling a retail product and stop licensing it directly to PC manufacturers after June 30th. For those keeping track, that'll mean that Microsoft will be supporting Windows XP for a full 13 years since its release -- assuming it doesn't push out that support window again when users refuse to upgrade to Windows 7, that is.

ASUS gets official with Atom-powered Eee Box

2008-06-22T00:22:00.002+01:00

Well, what do you know? Those rumored specifications for ASUS' not-secret-at-all Eee Box were spot on. The outfit has just now gotten around to getting official with said mini PC, which checks in with a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, an 80GB hard drive, multicard reader, 802.11n WiFi and gigabit Ethernet. As predicted, you'll find Windows XP Home running the show, and ASUS is spicing things up by tossing its newly unveiled Express Gate fast boot technology on here too. There's nary a mention of a price or release date, but that's pretty much par for the course with this company.

ATI Radeon HD 4850 gets official: available immediately

2008-06-21T00:41:00.001+01:00

Considering that we've already seen AMD's ATI Radeon HD 4850 benchmarked, it's not like we really needed some official verbiage to cement our belief that the unit was real. Nevertheless, said verbiage certainly doesn't hurt, and that's precisely what's been delivered this morning. The HD 4850 is a single-slot PCIe 2.0 card featuring 512MB of DDR3 RAM, a 625MHz clock speed, 993MHz memory speed, 480 stream processors and support for CrossFireX / DirectX 10.1. We're also told that at least Diamond Multimedia's HD 4850 is available as we speak from a number of fine retailers, thus we presume everyone else's version of the card shouldn't be too far behind.

Canon Rebel XS previewed, Canon's lightest DSLR ever

2008-06-20T00:57:00.002+01:00

Canon's aiming for an all-new, entry-level DSLR class with the Digital Rebel XS / 1000D, so don't expect to have your mind blown by the specs here, but that said, Canon isn't just pussyfooting around in this market segment. LetsGoDigital calls the XS the XSi's "twin brother" on the outside, with only minor differences between the two like the smaller 2.5-inch screen on the XS. On the inside, the XS is fairly similar to the XTi, with a 10.1 megapixel resolution, but Live View, DIGI III and auto ISO to keep things interesting. The 17.7 ounce weight is the lightest ever for a Canon DSLR, with a tiny battery and only SD card memory, and the price should be similarly miniscule when the XS lands this July.

Dell's new UltraSharp 2709W 27-inch LCD

2008-06-20T00:53:00.001+01:00

Dell just busted out a new member in its storied line of LCDs, the UltraSharp 2709W. The 27-inch LCD is Dell's followup to the 2707WFP, and features the same 1920 x 1200 resolution, 9-in-2 media card reader and 6ms response time, but bumps the contrast ratio to 3000:1 and goes for some new all-black stylings. Brightness is a mean 450 nits, but the real fun comes with ports: Dell squeezed just about everything known to man in here, including HDMI, DVI-D, VGA, component, composite, and DisplayPort. There's also a nice collection of USB ports, plus HDCP for good measure. With a three year warranty the display sells for $999, quite the steal compared to the 2707WFP's intro price of $1,400 last year.

iPhone 3G must be activated in-store and other followup questions answered

2008-06-14T16:40:00.002+01:00

Yesterday we went over a few of the more confusing bits of the iPhone 3G launch -- and let's be honest, the details of this launch are confusing as hell compared to the original go-round. Of course, there were a lot of burning questions to be answered from the audience, so we got an AT&T spokesperson to weigh in on what's on your mind. The most surprising answer? Contrary to reports implying otherwise, AT&T pretty much categorically claims that no matter where you buy your iPhone 3G, be it from AT&T or Apple, you have to walk out of the store an activated customer. That means no in-home activation, and definitely no buying an iPhone for your friends or family. Check it out below, more questions after the break.

How would you change Wii Fit?

2008-06-14T16:36:00.000+01:00

Okay, so you've had ample time now to shed a few pounds courtesy of Wii Fit. Whether or not you've been diligent enough to stick with it is another thing. Regardless of your level of dedication, we're certain there's a few things Nintendo could have done differently to make the entire experience a bit better. Heck, our own Ryan Block has already chimed in with a few things that he would like to see tweaked, so what's stopping you?

Shuttle XP19 touchscreen display's official images and specs unearthed

2008-06-08T23:26:00.001+01:00

While it's been spotted at Computex for a couple days now, we got our hands on an official picture of the new Shuttle XP19 widescreen touchscreen LCD display. We also dug up some spec bits for you: you're looking at a 19-inch Wa-Si TFT active matrix screen, 1680 x 1050 resolution, 5ms response time, 1000:1 contrast ratio, and 170-degree viewing angles. Oh - and it all comes in a shiny metal case.

Western Digital working on 20,000 RPM Raptor

2008-06-06T12:03:00.000+01:00

You read that right. Bit-tech has it from "several sources close to the hard drive industry" that Western Digital is working on a 20,000RPM followup to its new 10,000RPM VelociRaptor performance champ. Same 2.5-inch format, same 3.5-inch housing only now designed to better cancel out the drives noise. The idea is to take on SSDs in terms of performance while offering substantially greater capacity as flash memory prices continue to fall. We'll just have to pretend that power consumption, vibration, and ruggedness aren't a concern.

JVC unveils duo of VHS / DVD / HDD recorders

2008-06-05T01:38:00.002+01:00

For the folks that just can't let go, JVC is introducing a new duo of recorders that handle VHS, DVD and HDD-based logging. Predictably, the DR-HX500 holds 500GB while the DR-HX250 gets a 250GB drive, and outside of that, both units are identical. You'll find a built-in analog / digital TV tuner, an HDMI socket and all the dubbing features you (or your grandmother) can handle. It should be noted that digital TV recordings can only be stored on the HDD, but it is possible to capture a digital show there while copying an analog broadcast to VHS / DVD. The pair is all geared up to land in multi-generational homes this July, with prices being pegged at ¥95,000 ($906) and ¥75,000 ($715), respectively.

Zink-based Polaroid PoGo makes its debut

2008-06-05T01:34:00.001+01:00

It's gone by a couple names since we first heard about it two CESs ago (Zink, Digital Instant Mobile Photo Printer, etc.) but the first Zink-based product is finally on its way to buyers as the Polaroid PoGo Instant Mobile Printer. It'll run you $150 for the unit (and $10 per pack of 30 sheets), and can print up to fifteen 2 x 3-inch photos on its rechargeable battery from any PictBridge capable camera or over Bluetooth. PC Magazine took a peek and found each print took between a minute and a half to two minutes (the latter over Bluetooth), and felt the quality was adequate at best, albeit sufficient for such small prints. Still, it's no secret that your options are extremely limited when it comes to pocketable printers, even of the dye-sub variety (which Zink-based devices like the PoGo hope to put out to pasture).

MSI Wind gets terse pre-release review

2008-05-31T21:24:00.002+01:00

It's pretty tough to wrap your melon around, but MSI's Wind has not yet officially launched per se. That being said, it has still managed to end up in the hands of quite a few eager subnote lovers, and Laptop Mag is no exception. Shortly after the UK branch of CNET posted up their initial impressions, along comes yet another mini-review to get you even more worked up about June 3rd. Here's the skinny so far: the screen is amazing, keyboard is as well, the trackpad is simply too cramped and the port assortment is very respectable.

Pioneer's AVIC-F Series of in-car navigators to take on Sync

2008-05-30T03:01:00.002+01:00

Look out Microsoft, Pioneer's Linc series of in-dash and "on-dash" systems have their sights set on your voice controlled Sync. The first thing you'll notice is Pioneer's pixy-dusted UI which easily trumps the Sync's rather staid presentation. The videos show off Pioneer's real-time data feeds and natural speech recognition with the help of some smarmy actor-slash-models who'll probably be serving you lunch today if you live in LA. But we digress. Videos after the break... which, let's be honest, is the best we can do until the DivX-happy, SD-friendly AVIC-F900BT, F700BT, and F500BT (pictured) are released in June.

Harman Kardon intros The Bridge II iPod / iPhone docking station

2008-05-30T02:57:00.002+01:00

Almost three years after The Bridge was unveiled, the unit's successor has finally emerged. Harman Kardon chose today to announce the simplistically named The Bridge II, which effectively connects compatible iPods and the iPhone to any H/K The Bridge-ready component. Once connected, you'll find obligatory audio / video playback through your home entertainment system as well as on-screen iPod menus, remote control operation and charging. Folks looking for the standalone unit can acquire one this summer for $129, though it will be bundled right in with the AVR 354 receiver.

Creative ditches Zen Share WiFi player, X-Fi DAP might be in the works

2008-05-27T16:19:00.003+01:00

Creative got some Jello-O knees in the run-up to launching Zen Share, its WiFi-enabled PMP, and decided to quit the project altogether. The company is blaming "technical complications," which we have a suspicion is shorthand for "building the necessary software to make WiFi helpful in a DAP is harder than we anticipated." That's too bad, but have no fear: Creative is replacing the project with a player due in the next two months that will sport an "exciting" design. We know, you're so excited right now. Rumor has it that the player could be an X-Fi-branded DAP with a metal back and X-Fi audio processing. Creative also confirmed that it's moving exclusively to flash memory.

Earth Trek touts "world's smallest" projector

2008-05-26T22:35:00.001+01:00

While it likely won't hold onto the (slightly dubious) title for long at the rate mini-projectors are cropping up these days, Hong Kong-based Earth Trek has nonetheless gone out and proclaimed its new 90-805R projector to be the "world's smallest" and, indeed, it is small. Measuring about 4 by 2 inches, the projector can apparently pump out a 22-inch diagonal image (no word from what distance), with an SD card slot and an A/V input provided via a 3.5 mm jack, not to mention a built-in speaker. No word on a price or release date just yet, but we'd assume they'd want to get it out relatively soon in order to beat the inevitable cellphone projector rush.

Willcom shows off 1seg-equipped Willcom 03 smartphone

2008-05-26T22:33:00.003+01:00

It looks like those wanting something a bit more capable but just as brightly-colored as Willcom's most recent candybar phones could soon be getting their fix, as the company has just announced its new Willcom 03 smartphone, which packs a bundle of features into an eye-catching package. Up front and center on this one is a 3-inch 800 x 480 touchscreen display, which should complement the built-in 1seg mobile TV tuner quite nicely. Otherwise, you can expect built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, along with 256MB of flash memory, a microSD card slot for expansion, a 2 megapixel camera, and Windows Mobile 6.1 for an OS, to name but a few features. Look for this one to hit Japan by the end of June.

Willcom's D4 Vista MID previewed

2008-05-19T13:27:00.001+01:00

Akihabara News had the chance to take the Atom-based Willcom D4 / Sharp WS016SH for a spin in Tokyo. Although they only got hands-on with a near-final, engineering prototype, the kids at Aki came away impressed. Sure, the yet-to-be-optimized hardware still struggled a bit with Vista. Nevertheless, Aki remains enthusiastic about the OneSeg device toting a sliding / tilting 5-inch, LED-backlit 1,024 x 600 touchscreen display with WiFi and Japanese W-SIM. With this, Lenovo's ideapad U8, and other Intel Atom-based MIDs on the immediate horizon, these bigger than a cellphone smaller than a laptop handhelds look to be fulfilling the ultra-portable 2006 Origami promise... finally, in the second half of 2008. Lengthy video available after the break.

Cowon's A3 PMP gets bumped to 80GB

2008-05-19T13:17:00.002+01:00

If you've been holding off on getting an A3 for some strange reason, perhaps a bump in capacity will push you over the edge. That's right, Cowon's little performer just got more junk in the trunk -- 80GB of junk, to be exact. Sure, you'll have to drop €448 (or about $691) on this thing, but think of all the pics, music, and "movies" you'll be able to load up on it.

Amex Digital launches iMON HD Mobile portable media center

2008-05-15T18:10:00.003+01:00

Amex Digital has certainly dabbled in the home theater space before, but we'll be honest, we're still scratching our heads on this one. The lightly detailed iMON HD Mobile is a self-proclaimed "portable media center," but beyond that, we're pretty much left to wonder what exactly is going on. We are told that it's an advanced IR receiver and VFD display device, and aside from delivering IR commands back to your PC, it'll also scroll across useful information such as news, media information, current time, weather, a graphical equalizer and system details. Guess we'll just hang tight until it gets fleshed out and goes on sale, though we can't say that display really gets our hopes up for anything great.

Sharp reveals world's most densely powerful methanol fuel cell - still can't buy it

2008-05-15T18:07:00.001+01:00

We've been huffing the vaporous promise of methanol fuel cells for so long now that we sold all our furniture and live in a cardboard box. Nevertheless, Sharp's in a tizzy over its direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) prototype. Sharp's cell is able to provide 0.3 Watts of power per cubic centimeter making it the world's most powerful DMFC cell for its size. Availability? Sharp has no idea but "it won't be commercialized soon," according to a spokesperson. Kudos for honesty, but that gnawing angst for a refillable battery replacement for traditional lithium-ion batteries continues to taunt us.

VIA's new EPIA PX5000EG 500MHz Pico-ITX board loses the fan

2008-05-14T15:06:00.002+01:00

Despite the shortcomings, it's hard not to get excited about VIA's Pico-ITX offerings: who cares if the capabilities are limited, they're just so adorably small we want to pinch their cheeks. Now VIA is making things even more efficient with a 500MHz board that can be cooled solely with the heatsink -- no fan required. Naturally, that step down in processor speed from the PX10000 won't exactly be much help to the folks sticking Ubuntu on these things, but the PX5000EG should be a boon to the embedded market and reliability nuts. Video is after the break.

Sharp rolls out 46-, 52-inch LCD TVs with built-in web browser

2008-05-14T02:14:00.003+01:00

harp has just let loose a pair of new sizable and feature-packed LCD TVs, although you're more likely to find one of 'em in a kiosk or a conference room than a home theater. Intended primarily for commercial use, the 46-inch TL-M4600 and 52-inch TL-M5200 each boast a full 1920 x 1080 resolution, along with a "sub-6ms" response time, a full range of ports (including DVI-D and HDCP-compatible HDMI), optional speakers, and a 1,500:1 contrast ratio on TL-M4600 and 2,000:1 on the TL-M5200. Both also boast fanless internal cooling systems to keep the noise down and, perhaps most notably, LAN connectivity complete with a built-in web browser. Of course, just because Sharp's targeting businesses and the like doesn't mean it won't sell you one, although you'll have to drop a hefty $4,000 for the 46-incher or $5,000 for the 52-inch model.

Greenhouse claims its DH-SSDGD SSD drive is 'industry's fastest'

2008-05-13T21:36:00.005+01:00

When it comes to drives, it's all about space and speed. That's why we were happy to see that Greenhouse is boasting that the DH-SSDGS series is the "industry's fastest" -- sure, we can't verify that claim, but at least they're trying to get our attention. Regardless, the new drives read at up to 130MB/s with write speeds of 67MB/s, with capacities that range from 16GB up to 128GB. Drive size is a standard 2.5-inches, with a 9.5mm height. Greenhouse says the SATA-compatible boxes will be available in late May (in Japan at least), no word on pricing.

First Intel Atom based MID gets priced $1131!?

2008-05-13T13:00:00.002+01:00

Intel's been making a lot of noise about MIDs for a while now, but we're going to guarantee that the entire category flops if this first wave of pricing info is accurate. Autralian importer Tegatech's got the Gigabyte M528 up for pre-order, and while we're intrigued by the 800MHz Atom processor, 512MB of RAM, and 8GB SSD, we're certainly not willing to pay AU$1199 ($1131) to satisfy our curiosity -- especially since the Linux build was so half-baked when we played with this thing at CeBIT. Of course, this isn't official pricing (and it's actually dropped from AU$1549 since we first saw the listing), but let's hope this is even more inaccurate than usual, eh?

Philips working on a 3-inch touchscreen Xenium X-Connect?

2008-05-13T12:57:00.002+01:00

A couple things you should know about this purported Philips Xenium X-Connect before churning your gadget juices through the emotional Osterizer. First, it's clearly a product rendering. Second, Philips Xenium cellphones are primarily found in Asia Pacific region -- as such, a European or North American launch is likely out of the question. If the X-Connect is the real-deal, however, here's what we'll be missing: Windows Mobile 6, 3G UMTS/HSDPA radios, GPS receiver, AA/AAA battery backup, microSD slot, and Bluetooth 2.0 all powered by a 624MHz Intel processor beneath a 3.0-inch (presumably touchscreen) display. Still, as a broadly positioned "communication device," maybe we'll see Philips reach out to different geographies this time around.

Hitachi's 1.5 UltraThin LCD HDTVs now available in US

2008-05-02T17:32:00.000+01:00

You heard it right -- Hitachi's UltraThin 1.5 family that caused such a stir at CES is finally available for US consumers. Available in 32-, 37-, 42- and 47-inch sizes, the lot has been broken down into two distinct clans: the Director's Series (X) and Ultra Vision (V) models. Each member of the former comes with a 2-year warranty and a sticker ranging from $1,999 to $4,699, while the latter gets a 1-year warranty and price tags between $1,799 and $4,499. Curiously enough, it seems that several sets (the UT47X902, UT47V702, UT32A302/W, UT32V502/W, UT42V702 and UT37V702) may actually not yet be ready for shipping judging by their July to September availability dates, but we'll leave it to you to sort out the contradictions in Hitachi's press release with your dealer.

Popcorn Hour's A-100 HD media streamer publicly available for pre-order

2008-05-02T17:27:00.002+01:00

What do you know? Yet another outlet for you to happily blow $179. As of today, Popcorn Hour's heralded A-100 HD media streamer is finally available for the public at large to pre-order. Previously, folks had to actually sign a list just to be blessed with the privilege of placing an order, but now it seems supply is at long last flowing in nicely. The company has even set up a forum to keep customers informed of order status, but we wouldn't dillydally around -- these are still being sold on a first come, first served basis.

ASUSTeK Low-Cost Liquid Cooling systems gets tested, reviewed

2008-04-13T17:31:00.001+01:00

If you're making wagers with your SO that ASUSTeK's Low-Cost Liquid Cooling system has graced your memory bank before, kudos to you. Although this innovative (and simplistic) cooling solution has been kicking around in laboratories and a few OEM pieces for awhile, it's remained largely in the shadows until recently. Now that liquid cooling has risen (somewhat) to the mainstream, the LCLC -- which was featured in HP's Blackbird 002 gaming rig -- is finally moving to retail chains. That being the case, the kind folks over at Hot Hardware decided to put the heat on the firm's liquid cooling system and see if it lived up to the hoopla. All in all, reviewers felt that the LCLC went a long way in overcoming the typical limitations present in water cooling setups, and thankfully, the price / performance were both very impressive indeed. We can't cover six pages worth of in-depth analysis in this space, but all the gory details are just one click away.

LG's touchscreen T80 media player only has 4GB

2008-04-13T17:27:00.002+01:00

LG's giving our Danish friends a little something to look forward to: the 3-inch 400 x 240 touchscreen T80, which has 4GB of storage, DVB-T and FM tuners, and OGG support (as well as the usual MP3, WMA, MPEG-4, etc.) in a chubby 0.5-inch thick package. We hear it's priced at a hefty €299 (~$470 US), which might prove a tad prohibitive to sales among the intelligent.

Sharp intros AMD-powered Mebius FW laptops

2008-04-08T15:01:00.004+01:00

At first glance, Sharp's blindingly white PC-FW50X reminds us a lot of the PC-CW50T, but thankfully, the innards have improved somewhat since last summer. Packed within the aforesaid machine (¥150,000; $1,467) is a 15.4-inch WXGA (1,280 x 800) panel, 2GHz Mobile Sempron 3600+ processor, 2GB of RAM, a 120GB hard drive, dual-layer DVD burner, PCMCIA slot, four USB 2.0 ports and a 4-pin FireWire connector for good measure. Additionally, you'll find 802.11b/g WiFi, Ethernet, a multicard reader, VGA output and a rechargeable Li-ion. Those fond of darker hues can opt for the PC-FW70X (shown after the jump), which looks to pack a 1.9GHz Turion 64 X2 TL-58 CPU, start at ¥165,000 ($1,613) and ship right alongside its brother in late April.

Cellink T/M: a swiveling USB stick, card reader, and mobile charger thingamajig

2008-03-21T13:57:00.003Z

Oh great Korean gods of peculiar gadgetry what have you done? That's the Cellink T/M from Human C&C. The device functions as a mass storage device or microSD card reader when standing in a straight-up, USB stick mode. Give it a flip, swing and slide and you've got a USB charging solution for mobile devices while simultaneously blocking all the ports on your laptop. Mechanical art or overly engineered crap? Really, without any detail we can't decide.

LG's LH2300 Touch Web phone says "Hello UI" in Korean

2008-03-20T15:53:00.003Z

Want the Internet in your pocket? Good, because that's what LG is offering to South Koreans with its new LG-LH2300 Touch Web phone. This ain't your father's baby Internet mind you, the LH2300 features a new "Hello UI" riding atop 800 x 480 pixels spread across a 3-inch touchscreen LCD. LG didn't stop with the web though as the LH2300 also packs T-DMB mobile TV, Bluetooth 2.0, microSD memory, and a jog wheel for easy page scrolling. Its 3 megapixel camera sports face recognition and anti-shake tech. No specifics on the included "high speed" data service. Nevertheless, that front facing camera's a pretty good clue that this pup won't be riding EDGE when it launches in Korea next month for a mere $600 US equivalent.

ASUS keeps things tiny with NOVA LITE Mini 2L PC

2008-03-20T15:47:00.005Z

Granted, the Nova P22 is probably small enough for the vast majority of folks, but if you weren't feeling the aforementioned machine for whatever reason, here's another option. The NOVA LITE Mini 2L measures in at 9.09- x 7.24- x 2.00-inches and weighs just a few raisins more than the X300 (3.3-pounds for those taking notes). Apparently, this box was designed to simply "meet everyday computing needs" while keeping noise to a minimum, and ASUS has three lovely flavors for you to choose from. Packed within, you'll find up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, an 80GB / 160GB hard drive, a DVD burner, Ethernet, WiFi (on select models), built-in speakers, four USB 2.0 ports, DVI / VGA and audio in / out connectors. No word on a price, release date or any of that pertinent information, unfortunately.

Sony unveils four E-Series 3LCD projectors in Asia-Pacific

2008-03-14T12:54:00.002Z

If you reckoned that Sony's VPL-EX4 and VPL-ES4 were getting a bit long in the tooth, we suppose Sony agrees. Across the way (in Asia-Pacific, to be precise), Sony has launched four new PJs on us: the VPL-EW5, VPL-EX50, VPL-EX5 and VPL-ES5. According to the company, the whole lot is aimed at boardroom masters, but these 3LCD units and their 2,500 ANSI lumens would certainly hold their own after hours. Additionally, the first three incorporate Sony's BrightEra imaging technology, and you'll find resolutions as high as WXGA (1,280 x 800) and contrast ratios up to 900:1. For more specifics on each, check out the nitty-gritty in the read link below.

Gateway revs the M-series laptops to X and XL

2008-03-14T12:41:00.002Z

It hasn't even been a year since Gateway dropped the M-series laptop on us, but with all the other kids getting fancy new Penryn shoes, it's time for an upgrade -- say 'allo to the M-151X and M-151XL. Only the XL gets the fancy new 2.4GHz T8300 Core 2 Duo, actually -- poor X here is still wearing last year's 65nm 1.66GHz T5450 fashions. Both feature a 15-inch glossy screen, though, as well as 256MB ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT graphics with HDMI out, a 1.3 megapixel webcam, fingerprint reader, 5-in-1 memory card reader, slot-loading dual-layer burner, 250GB drive, and Vista Home Premium. Not a bad little package, especially for the price: the X will set you back a cool grand, while the XL runs $1,299.

Casio's EX-F1 camera with 60fps burst and 1200fps video - March 28th

2008-03-12T11:56:00.005Z

The EXILIM Pro EX-F1 incorporates a new high speed CMOS sensor and high speed LSI processor. After building in 6.0 million effective pixels and a 12X optical zoom, the developers focused on achieving a burst shooting speed capability that was hitherto unheard of. Using the camera’s ultra-high speed burst shooting for still images or its high speed movie recording mode, users can capture a split second’s movement with greater detail than before, allowing them to catch each decisive moment, and even motion that the human eye cannot ordinarily perceive.

HTC Advantage X7510 now up for pre-order

2008-03-11T20:40:00.003Z

HTC still hasn't gotten official with the exact price or release date for its HTC Advantage X7510 handheld, but that hasn't stopped a number of retailers from putting the device up for pre-order, and at quite a range of prices to boot. As Pocketables points out, UK retailers Clove Technology and eXpansys each have the X7510 up for £595 and £700, respectively, although neither are making any promises about when it'll ship. US retailers are also offering the device at similarly varied prices, ranging from $800 at GearTrade to $1,300 at Smart Mobile Gadgets and On The Go Solutions (Google Product Search even turns one retailer by the name of PrestoMart listing it at $550, although that link unsurprisingly goes to a blank product page). For its part, Pocketables speculates that the $800 price tag is closest to the official one (which probably isn't too far off base), but we'll just have to wait for HTC to give us the final word