Gadget Access

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 11th 2008 at 8:59AM
While Shuttle’s KPC most certainly wasn’t aimed at the enthusiast in the crowd, its newest XPC definitely is. The XPC G5 6801M gets going with an AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ processor, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, a 320GB hard drive, LG’s GGC-H20L Blu-ray / HD DVD combo drive, ATI’s 256MB HD 3450 graphics card, a DVB-T tuner, 25-in-1 multicard reader and 7.1-channel audio output. Moreover, you’ll find gigabit Ethernet, FireWire, a slew of USB / eSATA ports, DVI / VGA out (DVI-HDMI adapter thrown in) and a bundled remote to make your life even easier. If you’re digging where this is going, you can latch on to one of these boxes for €1,091 ($1,727), and if you’ve turned a cold shoulder to hd dvd, a BD-only unit can be had for €167 ($264) less.

[Via Bios Magazine]

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Filed under: Desktops, Media PCs

Nikon has announced its new Coolpix P80 high-performance compact camera that brings together a 10.1 megapixel CCD image sensor that is accompanied by other improvements such as Nikon’s very own innovative EXPEED digital image processing concept and an 18x optical Zoom-NIKKOR lens designed with the compact and comfortable styling of the Nikon Coolpix brand. Packing such a wallop where megapixels are concerned, the Nikon P80 is tipped to capture fine detail complete with the creative freedom to crop and edit. Its 18x Zoom-NIKKOR lens covers focal lengths from 27-486mm (35mm format equivalent), while Optical Vibration Reduction ensures steady shots are always taken no matter how much you zoom into the subject while standing in the cold with less clothes on than you wish you had.

Some of the modes offered by the P80 include Programmed Auto [P], Shutter-priority Auto [S], Aperture-priority Auto [A] and Manual [M], empowering users with the ability to tap into the creativity of D-SLR functions while maintaining the simplicity of Coolpix functionality. The all-new Sport Continuous Mode comes in handy if you love capturing images of people or animals in motion, capable of shooting up to 30 consecutive images at four, six or even 13 frames per second.

The new Nikon Coolpix P80 will come packaged with Nikon’s very own Coolpix Software Suite for organizing, editing and sharing photos. It also boasts PictBridge compatibility and reads both SD and SDHC memory cards just fine. The P80 ought to be in the market by now in the US, retailing for $399.95 per bundle. Guess if you’re in the market for a mid-range camera that is able to do its job extremely well, then the Coolpix P80 sounds like a pretty good place to start. Now, let the online world be flooded with reviews – any Nikon representatives read this blog?

Press Release

Toshiba has started shipping its new 14.1-inch Satellite M300 laptop. With a retail price starting at $949.99, users can choose between the M300-S4822 or the M300-S4826.

With the slew of new laptops recently launched by Toshiba, I’m beginning to believe that it is the company’s way of introducing its Fusion finish that is bonded directly into the chassis of the laptops. Like the previous models recently released by Toshiba, the Satellite M300 also features the Sleep-and-Charge USB ports and the LED-illuminated “Feather Touch” multimedia command keys.

In addition, the Satellite M300 series laptops also feature Harman Kardon speakers and makes use of Dolby Sound Room technology, built-in webcam with facial recognition software, and DVD/Super Multi drive. The Satellite M300 laptop series features two models, the M300-S4822 is packed with 1.83GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 3GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive, while the M300-S4826 features 2.10GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 3GB of RAM and 250GB hard drive.

The Satellite M300-S4822 and M300-S4826 are available now and retail for $949.99 and $1049.99 respectively.

Read [Business Wire]

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by Donald Melanson, posted Apr 10th 2008 at 3:13PMAs expected, the FCC today approved plans to roll out a nationwide SMS-based alert system, which is now all but certain to be adopted by all four national carries, and no doubt most regional carriers as well. As CNN reports, under the new plan, the FCC will appoint a federal agency tasked with creating the messages, which will in turn be passed on to participating carriers (which will have ten months to comply with the system once the agency is named). Those messages will be limited to one of three categories of emergencies, including disasters like a terrorist attack, ongoing threats like hurricanes or earthquakes, or child abductions or amber alerts. Also as we had heard before, individuals will be able to opt out of the system if they so desire, and carriers will be required to provide distinct vibration and audio alert options for people with disabilities.

[Thanks, Ron]

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Filed under: cellphones

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 10th 2008 at 4:49PM
Granted, it’s becoming increasingly simple to just Twitter your day away with the smorgasbord of connectivity options out there today, but if you’re just too productive to bother with that, the Tame concept is likely to become your next best friend. The cube shown above can be equipped with customized statuses that will inform anyone trying to contact you (via Facebook, text, cellphone, IM, fax, telegraph, can-and-string, etc.) exactly why you aren’t responding. For convenience, each panel is assigned a color depending on the severity of your away-ness (i.e. red for “I’m on a 14-hour flight to Fiji with no blackberry service.”), which can easily be glanced by the owner if dashing off in a hurry. Of course, this thing would be entirely more appealing if it included a robotic secretary that actually screened your calls and passed along those that were important, but hey, you’ve got to start somewhere.

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Filed under: Misc. gadgets

AgfaPhoto has announced its newest camcorder product, the tiny DV5000Z. Measuring only 4.7 inches x 2.75 inches and weighing only about 0.44-pounds, the DV 5000Z is loaded with big features despite its small size.

The DV5000Z record videos in 16:9 format with a 1280 x 720 pixel resolution. The camcorder supports MPEG-4 recording with H.264 compression. It can record up to 4 hours and 20 minutes of high-definition video on an 8GB SDHC memory card. The DV5000Z also features other goodies such as 16-bit stereo sound, 3x optical zoom and 2.5-inch rotating LCD, built-in video lamp that serves as a flash, and a carry pouch. For live voice-over, the DV5000Z is compatible with external mic as well.

The Agfa DV-5000Z will be available by end of April in Russia for around $393. No word yet on a possible U.S. release though.

Via [I4U]

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A US Appeals Court denied EchoStar’s appeal to re-hear the case that EchoStar (Dish Network) violated a patent that TiVo holds. Get this - the patent that TiVo holds says that you can watch one channel and record another simultaneously.

Wow. Really? I for one say that this is absurd. Is our patent system so ridiculously broken? I think I’m going to build a website tonight and then patent how visitors can click on links and be taken to other parts of the site. Yeah, I stretched for that analogy, but come on. This reminds me of Amazon’s ‘1-click’ shopping patent.

via everywhere.

Posted in Miscellaneous

LG Electronics is not content by winning over your heart in the living room - it wants to make its presence felt in the kitchen as well. In fact, the company has updated its kitchen portfolio by throwing in its first ever built-in ovens and cooktops which are pleasing to the eye as well. For those who are in Chicago anytime from today will the 13th, you will be able to check out this new range at the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show there. According to ohn Herrington, president of Digital Appliances, LG Electronics USA, Inc., “In true LG fashion, we are weaving award-winning design with technology to craft beautifully styled built-in ovens and cooktops that complement our current offerings. Our new cooking appliances appeal to those culinary enthusiasts with high-end kitchens who seek powerful performance and a sleek, contemporary look.”

The built-in wall ovens are pretty unique, featuring both single and double oven options that come with a special 7″ touch screen control system which boasts LG’s famous LCD technology. The intuitive display ensures that knobs and buttons are playthings of yesteryear, allowing consumers to wield the power of cooking and clean-up convenience at the touch of their fingertips. In fact, all cycles and cooking options including temperature setting, cooking time monitoring and more can also be performed.

The ovens even come pre-loaded with 100 gourmet recipes that are spread across ten food categories, turning even an incompetent cook like me into a chef. All you need to do is select the recipe you want to wow your guests with, and the oven will set the precise cooking cycle required automatically. Each oven boasts up to 4.7 cu. ft of capacity, making meal preparation a snap whenever you cook for the family or entertain a bunch of guests who drop by. With the inclusion of LG’s exclusive convection system, you will be able to obtain preheat times of up to 30% faster and more even heat distribution. Designed in a stainless steel finish, these ovens will be available sometime in Q4 2008, retailing between $2,199 and $3,399.

Press Release

Remember how Dick Tracy used his watch as a communicator? Considering the last incarnation of Dick Tracy came out in 1990, I’m not surprised if you don’t. Let’s try this one: Remember when Michael Knight used his watch to talk to KITT? I’m sure anyone eighteen years of age or younger has no idea what I’m talking about.

Well, here’s a wrist communicator that anyone from any generation can understand: the Van Der Led WM2 Watchphone. I have only three words to say about this: “Yeah, baby, yeah!”

After all, science fiction writers have envisioned communication devices on our watches for years. Isn’t it about time that someone made it into reality by putting a cellular phone on a watch?

This Van Der Led WM2 watchphone is a quad band GSM, and it has some very interesting features including a 1.3 inch 260K TFT touchscreen, an FM tuner, 1 GB worth of storage, stereo Bluetooth, and USB data transmission. It has a stand-by time of 240 hours, and a talk time of up to 300 hours. I was surprised to hear that it even has a 1.3 Megapixel camera.

The Van Der Led WM2 watchphone costs about $475, but will not be available until next week on the Van Der Led site.

Source

Sony sure knows how to make pretty things. Case in point, the new Sony Bravia E4000 series of HDTV’s can be easily mistaken as a digital picture frame to the untrained eye. In fact, the E4000 is both a digital frame and a HDTV. When turned off, the panels can act as a digital photo viewer, capable of loading photos from a thumb drive. If you don’t have any favorite photos handy to display, the TV comes pre-loaded with six works of art, including Pop Art and Van Gogh paintings. The new line will be available in 26-inch, 32-inch and 40-inch sizes. Spec-wise, the panels will feature: the Bravia 2 processing engine, Bravia Sync, integrated digital/HDTV tuner, 178 degree viewing angle, 24p True Cinema, and 3x HDMI ports. The 32-inch and 40-inch will include a stand and full HD 1080p resolution; however, the 40-inch will be the only model to sport a 10-bit panel. x.v.Color for enhanced color reproduction, and PhotoTV HD for more “lifelike” photo slideshows.

The Sony Bravia E4000 will come in a few frame colors: midnight sky, aluminum, pearly white and dark walnut. It is expected to launch in Europe in a few weeks.

Via [Tech Digest]

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