Gadget Access

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted May 28th 2008 at 10:22AM
Without much ado, the HTC Raphael, now called the T-Mobile MDA Vario IV in Europe, will hit streets sometime in Q2 2008. As for specs, we’re looking at 158 grams, 300 minutes of talk time, 480×640 pixel screen, tri-band GSM, a 528MHz processor, 256MB on-board RAM, Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS, FM radio, and a 3.2MP camera. Don’t expect a stateside release — at least in this incarnation — given the tri-band action, so we’ll continue to hold out for the Sprint version.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Filed under: cellphones

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted May 28th 2008 at 11:04AMWe were all excited to see Intel’s Montevina-based Centrino 2 next month, but it looks like that was never meant to be. Citing problems with the chip’s integrated graphics and issues with 802.11n certification, Intel has pushed its launch to July 14, with the complete line hitting streets in the first week of August. Says AMD, “Hi. We’re AMD. We have a little chip called Puma, it has no integrated graphic issues, and it’ll be available in June. How YOU doin’?”

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Filed under: Laptops

by Darren Murph, posted May 28th 2008 at 12:35PMWhile Palm’s CFO Andy Brown wasn’t exactly forthcoming with details about its elusive next-gen OS, a recent interview with top dog Ed Colligan revealed quite a bit about codename Nova. As if it wasn’t official enough already, we’re told that Palm OS 2.0 (which is also not the final moniker) will indeed be Linux-based, and Ed continued to say that it would be “driven around the internet and web-based applications.” Of course, a Palm interview wouldn’t be a Palm interview without at least some mention of the now-defunct Foleo, and the bigwig left a crack in the rumor drawer by stating that he “still believed the idea would be vindicated some day.” Trust us, there’s way more where this came from, so head on down to the read link if your interest is piqued.

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Filed under: cellphones

by Ryan Block, posted May 28th 2008 at 12:47PM
Seeing Howard Stringer out and about — let alone interviewed live — is kind of like seeing a unicorn. Live coverage after the break.

9:49AM - Give us a sense of where things stand. “Last time I was trying to get you to laugh through my tears. … We’re coming along — I gave a speech to our management, I said ‘Let’s get mad.’” They’re going over LCD sales over the years. “LCD’s got a good run, it’s growing faster than you can imagine.”

9:52AM - Talking OLED, showing the 0.3mm thin version of the panel — of course, that’s just hte panel. Sony intends to make a 27-inch version: “Basically the only people who can buy one are in this room.” Did we mention how many millionaires and billionaires are here?

Mossberg: Do you actually believe this will supplant LCD? Stringer looks at the display: “You will, won’t you?” Laughter. Are you buying someone else, or are you making them this time? “We’re making and selling them,” although it’s still pretty expensive to do large OLED displays (of course).

9:58AM - Stringer called the early introduction of the PS3 and the the financial turmoil it caused Sony “fairly catastrophic.” He also said that the whole console was “on life support” for a while after introduction, but that it’s clearly bounced back (especially after being buoyed by Blu-ray winning the format war).

10:05AM - Discussing the “silicon corridor,” and the extremely long lead between early and mass adoption. On to the “transformational experiences” of high definition movies not only on Blu-ra, but 4K as well.

10:11AM - Mossberg: On the PC market, how are you feeling about that business? Sales have flattened… Stringer: “I’m glad you asked, we had our best year ever last year. 7% margin!” Margins are up, but how are sales, why aren’t you the leader in the market? Stringer says that’s because they sell premium, higher end PCs.

Mossberg is launching into his feelings on crappy trialware on new PCs. Are you willing to say here today that you’ll get rid of craplets? “No, I’m not. I need to examine things, make sure we don’t deprive users of the joy of craplets.” Laughter. “I promise you a craplets review.”

Chatting up phones vs. iPods — Stringer claims that they’ve shipped more “music-enabled phones” than Apple’s sold iPods. Okay, not really the same thing at all, but we’ll grant him that, they do sell a lot of phones.

10:21AM - If we’re not mistaken, we think Stringer just said that the Alpha is the only DSLR in the world with a live-view display. Ummm, no Howard, no.

10:32AM - More audience Q&A, nothing super fantastic. And they’re out — playing “Turning Japanese” no less.

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Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

by Darren Murph, posted May 28th 2008 at 9:56AMD-Link’s no stranger to HD streaming, and the outfit is proving that it’s still got game by announcing the Coax Ethernet Adapter Kit. The Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA)-certified package consists of two DXN-220 adapters, each of which boast coaxial F-type connectors and an Ethernet port meant to give internet / network access to various rooms without worry over wireless connections flaking out on you. As you can tell, this one was designed to expand home networks without requiring any additional wiring (if you’re pre-wired for cable, that is), and being that it operates in the 800MHz to 1,500MHz range, there won’t be any interference with cable TV transmissions or the like. The DXN-221 kit — which includes a pair of the aforementioned adapters — will be available in Q3 for $199.99, while individual adapters can be purchased for $109.99 apiece.

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Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Networking

I’ve never been the type to use emoticons in my IM messages or emails, but I know some people who cannot stop using them.

So why not use them while you are driving? This is the reason the Drivemocion was invented.

The Drivemocion affixes to the inside of the rear car window via power suction cup. It is operated by a remote control for the front of the car that attaches to the front windscreen. All you need to do is press a button to send simple emoticon messages to motorists.

The Drivemocion comes in several models, which have several options for message displays. For example, the original model has a smiley face, winking face, an “Ooooo” face, plus two words of “sorry” and “thanks”.

That is one of the nicer models. Some of you might be relieved or agitated to know that there is a Drivemocion that allows the middle finger to be displayed. For the sake of the more easily offended readers, such as myself, I have chosen not to show the electronic bird.

The Drivemocion uses 4 AA batteries for power, and last for about 4 months. You should be able to get it for about £24.99 on the Au-my website.

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The new Sony Bravia Z / Z4100 series is a new flagship LCD HDTV from Sony, which is available in two large sizes. Both are full HD 1080p LCD HDTVs, the smaller is the 40-inch Sony KDL-40Z4100, and the larger is the 46-inch Sony KDL-46Z4100. Our attention was first grabbed by the Z4100’s in January at the CES (consumer electronics show) and it now seems that Sony are about to let these beasts out to the public next month (June 1, 2008).

Apart from their stunning brushed metal finish, or piano black gloss, and over all excellent design, the Sony Z / Z 4100 series is packed with great features which offer the very best in HD and overall image quality. The LCD screen in both the KDL-40Z4100 and KDL-46Z4100 has the highest Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and is 10-bit along with 10-bit processing for improved color reproduction. Sony’s new Bravia Engine 2 delivers the very best image enhancement technology, reducing noise, enhancing colors and much more. Also featured is Motionflow 120Hz technology which doubles the number of image frames to create a more true, and judder free smooth flowing image, while retaining sharpness and reducing motion blur.

Inside the Sony Bravia Z series we find Sony’s new Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE) which intelligently and dynamically enhances the contrast by using real time image processing and automatically adjusting backlight levels, leading to deeper blacks and fine details in shadows and other dark areas. Also featured is 24p support which is the best way to watch film content, as this is the frame rate films are recorded in.

Connections are very good on the Sony Z Series with 4x HDMI 1.3 inputs, 2x component, PC input, DMe, Digital Media Port and DLNA support for media sharing from your PC and network.

Sony Z Series:

• Sony KDL-40Z4100 | 46-Inch, $2,299
• Sony KDL-46Z4100 | 46-Inch, $2,799

Digital Trends reviews the Helio Mysto and writes, “Snap is the camera function, and its 2 Megapixel power is fine, especially with the flash included on the back. Snap can also be accessed quickly using the camera button on the right side. The visuals are slightly above average, and the Mysto will automatically assume you want to send it to someone after its taken – by default a digital mailing screen will pop up for easy email attaching or uploading to a Flickr website account.”

Read more about the Helio Mysto.

If LG’s LHT888 home theater system sounds familiar to you, that’s because it was first unveiled at CES 2008 in Las Vegas earlier this year, although it is not fit for consumer consumption till now. As with many of the other LG offerings these days, you can expect distinctive designs and advanced technology, including enhanced sound quality and user-friendly touch sensing controls. According to Allan Jason, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Digital Media, LG Electronics USA, Inc., “LG’s latest home theater and audio systems were designed to meet consumers’ desire for advanced technology that doesn’t compromise the stylish design of their homes. Our new systems offer consumers the best of both worlds and truly complement the entire entertainment experience.”

The LG LHT888 DVD Home Theater System draws inspiration from the slim, elegant form of the champagne flute. It looks way too fragile for me, and I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone who has a household with toddlers and active kids running around - perhaps this would be best confined to a special movie room instead, or in homes where the kids have long left the nest, leaving two senior citizens with little choice other than to plonk themselves in front of a new HDTV while reliving their younger dates with each other by watching remastered content their favorite movies with the best possible audio experience possible.

The unique yet subtle silhouette of the loudspeakers make it possible to integrate into any premium home theater system, hence enhancing the entire room instead of sticking out like a sore thumb. Some of the LG LHT888’s features include :-

• Wireless rear speakers
• 700W 5.1-channel DVD receiver
• 1080p Up-scaling via HDMI
• USB Media Plus
• HDMI output
• LG SimpLink multi-device control (HDMI-CEC) and multi-format playback compatibility-MP3, JPEG, MPEG

You can pick up the LG LHT888 for $649.95.

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I don’t know whether to laugh or to cry, but Chromosomal Laboratories will be offering a truly unique Father’s Day gift by giving up to five free paternity tests rated at a $290 value. Those who are interested (women in particular who think that their best friend’s son looks suspiciously like their own hubby, as well as men who have been cheating behind their wives’ backs) can contact Chromosomal Laboratories by June 13th in order to be in the running for the drawing. Five fathers in total will be chosen at random to receive a free home paternity test kit.

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