Gadget Access

by Ryan Block, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 11:00AM
That first traffic update was only the beginning — Dash is announcing today its first proper software update to the Dash Express. Dubbed June08 (or v2.1), users now get three new trademarked names (among other things):

• FasterFind - uses SiRFInstantFix for acquiring GPS during startup, so your Dash Express is aware of its location much faster than before.
• MyRoute - your Dash Express learns your routes to common destinations and offers them up in comparison to its recommended routes (so you can see if your usual way really is faster).
• Search Along Route - pretty much what it says. Allows you to find points of interest en route without gumming up your destinations. This seems like the most useful new feature, behind the faster acquisition time.
• Road closure support - another self explanatory addition. If the Dash finds out a road is closed through Inrix or another means, it will completely black it out of your routes.
• Performance and UI enhancements - We gave it a short test, and things really did seem a bit snappier and cleaner looking. Icons are better polished, arranged, and rendered, and simple stuff like navigating menus or switching between 2D and 3D views is quicker.

Still no way to quickly bypass the route selection screen (which is one of our bigger pet peeves), but as it’s populating you can now make your choice, which will save you a bit of extra time. It’s available for download via your Dash’s WiFi this morning, and is free for all users. Videos of MyRoute and Search Along Route after the break.

Gallery: Dash Express June08 screens

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Filed under: GPS

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 9:39AM
For the smattering of Canadians wealthy enough to pick up an iphone 3G from Rogers Wireless without worrying over the lack of an unlimited data plan, we’ve stumbled across what appears to be internal verbiage detailing the in-store activation process. Quite frankly, there doesn’t seem to be any real surprises here, but it is somewhat interesting that retail locations will be required to download and use a special version of iTunes with an “Activation Only Mode,” which will enable employees to unbrick the mobiles before customers leave. In any case, feel free to hit the read link if you’re anxious to know exactly what the sure-to-be-hair-raising experience will be like come July 11th.

[Via GearDiary, thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Filed under: cellphones

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 10:43AM
We heard that Lenovo was shuffling its lineup a bit earlier this month, and sure enough, that IdeaCentre brand is getting its 15 minutes today courtesy of a fresh press release. Hailed as the outfit’s “global entry into the consumer desktop market outside of China,” the IdeaCentre K210 comes with a variety of hardware choices including Intel’s Core 2 Quad processors, up to 3GB of DDR2 RAM, a GMA X3100 integrated graphics set (or a 512MB ATI Radeon 2600 XT), optional Blu-ray drive, gigabit Ethernet, a 16-in-1 multicard reader and an anti-microbial keyboard that comically stands out more than it was likely intended to. Nevertheless, the tower also includes VeriFace facial recognition technology that enables users to log in by simply gazing into the webcam; if it performs anywhere nearly as poorly as it did on our U110 review unit, however, we’d recommend switching the feature off and logging in as usual. Units are available now from a variety of e-tailers starting at $379 (after mail-in rebate).

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Filed under: Desktops

Following up its entry into the global notebook market earlier this year, Lenovo this time marked its official entry into the consumer desktop market outside of China. To mark its debut in the global desktop market, Lenovo announced its new IdeaCentre K210 desktop machine boasting of a facial recognition technology called, VeriFace. Lenovo claims that it is the only desktop PC that offers such a feature. In addition, the IdeaCentre K210 also includes an anti-microbial keyboard that inhibits bacterial growth using a special material.

The IdeaCentre K210 also features the Lenovo Vantage Technology (LVT) menu which allows user to recover from system crashes or viruses with just a single touch. For its system specs, this desktop powerhouse machine is packed with Intel Core 2 Quad Processors, Intel GMA 3100 integrated graphics, Blu-ray/HD-DVD combo drive, high-definition 5.1 audio and a 512MB ATI Radeon 2600 XT graphics card will also be available as an optional upgrade.

This new Lenovo machine is now available at Lenovo.com and several US retail stores. Price starts at $379 with two options for the accompanying monitor that is either a 19-inch monitor for an additional $229, or a 22-inch monitor for an additional $299.

Product [Lenovo] Read [Business Wire]

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by Darren Murph, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 10:43AM
We heard that Lenovo was shuffling its lineup a bit earlier this month, and sure enough, that IdeaCentre brand is getting its 15 minutes today courtesy of a fresh press release. Hailed as the outfit’s “global entry into the consumer desktop market outside of China,” the IdeaCentre K210 comes with a variety of hardware choices including Intel’s Core 2 Quad processors, up to 3GB of DDR2 RAM, a GMA X3100 integrated graphics set (or a 512MB ATI Radeon 2600 XT), optional Blu-ray drive, gigabit Ethernet, a 16-in-1 multicard reader and an anti-microbial keyboard that comically stands out more than it was likely intended to. Nevertheless, the tower also includes VeriFace facial recognition technology that enables users to log in by simply gazing into the webcam; if it performs anywhere nearly as poorly as it did on our U110 review unit, however, we’d recommend switching the feature off and logging in as usual. Units are available now from a variety of e-tailers starting at $379 (after mail-in rebate).

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Filed under: Desktops

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 3:08PM
HCL’s MiLeap has long been forgotten amongst the swarm of other low-cost laptops to emerge post-CES, but a kind fellow over in Bahrain was able to handle one for a tick, snap a few photographs and dish out some early impressions. Essentially, this 7-inch netbook was more akin to a V-Tech toy than a bona fide computing instrument, and typing on the thing was apparently a very non-enjoyable experience. Still, those anxious to see what this critter looks like in the flesh can head on down to the read link, but don’t even pretend that you’re not going there with full intentions of pointing and laughing.

[Thanks, Mo]

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Filed under: Laptops

It is good to know that just like sex, drinking is a universal value. How else do you explain the Star Trek Experience bar located at Hilton Las Vegas? Not to mention numerous drinking holes found in the Star Wars universe, but we’re here to concentrate on the former series today with a unique bottle opener.

As well as its supreme practicality, the Starship Enterprise Bottle Opener serves as a constant tribute to the most iconic pretend spacecraft in televisual history. Better still it’s embossed with the legendary NCC-1701 registration, so you can be sure you’re opening your bottle of wallop with a Shatner-era vessel. And that’s just as well because judging by his, erm, interesting cover of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, Captain Kirk is the only member of Starfleet who likes a drink. Boldly going where no bottle opener has gone before. Make it so!

Well, only true blue Trekkies need to pick this up, as I don’t see the rest of the drinking crowd willing to fork out £12.95 for a ‘mere’ bottle opener when their teeth double up as one just fine.

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The Asus Eee PC has certainly set an unpredecented, er, precedent, moving thousands of units and proving to the world that there is a market for a tiny notebook which does the most basic of tasks minus the bloated bells and whistles of much more expensive devices. 3K Computers has taken up this challenge, and they recently announced their second generation of RazorBook 400 mini-notebook computer in the form of the 3K RazorBook 400 Mini Notebook Ultra Mobile PC which is powered by Windows CE. It tips the scales at just under a kilogram (now that’s worth lugging around in press conferences and events such as CES), boasting a highly affordable price tag of $299. At that price, what can you expect? Head on after the jump for more details.

The RazorBook 400 is perfect as a low-cost portable internet appliance for mobile professionals, students, internet browsing on the go, playing Flash games, secure online shopping, instant messaging, and playing music and movies while on the road. With a boot-up time of less than 8 second, the RazorBook 400 was designed to be turned on and off instantly just like any other appliance in your home. The energy-saving RISC architecture processor is fan-less and offers completely quiet computing with very low energy consumption. Without a spinning hard disk drive, the RazorBook 400 is shock-resistant and touts 4GB of solid-state storage for your documents or media files.

It really sounds like a direct competitor the the first generation Asus Eee PC, although it does run on a Windows platform instead of Linux, making it more user friendly to people who are just starting out. This second generation UMPC is tipped for a July or August release, which is by no coincidence the middle of the “back-to-school” season.

Press Release

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During the “Give 1 Get 1” sale for the OLPC XO laptop, T-Mobile had been offering a free year of T-Mobile Hotspot access with any G1G1 purchase. Well, it seems that there was a time limit on just when you could activate your account and begin your free year of service and today, June 30 is the last day to take advantage of that offer. So if you were amongst that group and for some reason have not activated your T-Mobile service or were just holding off for some reason, you better act quick or risk loosing that perk.

In addition, it looks like the “Give 1 Get 1” program will be making a come back as expected later in this year. A recent update to the laptop.org wiki states to check the “website for more information after September 1.” Hopefully the sales will begin on, if not shortly after September 1, that way we can see some holiday time deliveries without much worry of a late delivery. The G1G1 is being worked on for “the US, Canada, and several other countries.”

Via [OLPC News]

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Solar lights on occasion have a bit of a tendency to be dull.  The stakes you put in the ground to line your garden with are usually featured in every other yard around.  However, there are the ones that stand out from the rest, like these cute little lamps.  The silk-like waterproof nylon will stand up to storms a bit better than the pretty lanterns that are a similar style but made for indoors.

The lights are pretty straight forward like all solar lamps they charge with the sun, but they don’t come on automatically, they have a switch to turn them on and off.  They come with a AAA rechargeable battery, which I didn’t know was allowed.  I figured it was a rule that manufacturers were banned from including batteries.  The lamp comes in bronze and slate, to buy one it will cost you $36 and for a pack of three $99.  Each lamp is 18” tall, so it’s not like you’re getting three very small lanterns for almost $100.  The unfortunate side is that you can only buy a pack of three in bronze or slate, you can’t get one that has both colors.  So if you want to mix and match you’ll have to pay the individual price.

Source: thegreenhead

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