Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Sony's 12.1-inch VAIO G bundled with SSD
The ultimate in ultra-portable lust just reached a whole new level of sexy. Sony's VAIO G1 is now available with a 32GB Solid State Disk option. This makes it the world's lightest 12.1-inch laptop at just 1.89-pounds. It even extends the standard 6-hour battery an additional 30 minutes or 12.5-hours off its fat, extended-use cousin. Of course, the SSD will cost you: a ¥65,000 (about $545US) price premium over the staid, 40GB hard disk option.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Xbox 360: now with H.264, MPEG-4, PlaysForSure
We totally missed some of the finest points of all in Microsoft's Xbox 360 spring Dashboard update: they're totally tricking out the video (finally!). No longer will we be confined to our very least favorite video codec, WMV -- the new update will enable Windows Media Connect or Media Center streaming MPEG-4 up to 8Mbps, H.264 up to 15Mbps, and PlaysForSure WMV videos (and, as we understand it, PlaysForSure audio as well). Wow, finally we can actually use the 360 to play video that wasn't recorded off our Media Center or converted by our Zune software. See, was that so hard, Microsoft? Xbox 360 Spring 2007 Dashboard update
Well, here we have it. Microsoft's Xbox 360 spring Dashboard update really will do everything it's been reported to (and then some). Unfortunately, those waiting for a sea change update intended to knock the PS3 on its ass may be a bit disappointed, but here's what you need to know:
- The update hits the beginning of the week of May 7th
- Your contact list will now integrate Windows Live Messenger, and show joinable session status
- Messenger contacts can see what game you're playing, and your gamertag
- Marketplace will now have its own blade, which will be skinned independent of your theme
- Users will now get inline achievement updates (i.e. see what achievement you just unlocked and how much it's worth).
- Low-power download mode and auto-shutdown
- Progressive download: watch, fast-forward, and rewind partially downloaded movies
- You can text chat messenger six friends playing games watching movies
- Multiple tweaks on the user interface
We got a hands-on with the update, so there are plenty of shots for you to gorge yourself on in the gallery.
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Apple TV hacked for RSS and emulation, plus bounty for USB drive support
The Apple TV has received two new abilities in its second week of availability thanks to a couple of new hacks: one, a fully functional and integrated RSS reader, and two, video game emulation for NES, SNES, N64, and Sega Genesis game consoles. The RSS reader comes courtesy of the bloggers over at twenty08, who've managed to put together a plugin that adds an option to read RSS1.x/2.x feeds right alongside your Media and Photos. The video game emulation isn't quite as clear cut, with a Wiki over at AwkwardTV saying that several popular emulators from Richard Bannister work on the Apple TV OS with the addition of SSH. Finally, a look at what could be next for the totally ok to hack, as long as you watch the warranty Apple TV: a $1000 bounty for a hack that enables external drive support through the USB port. Will it be enough of a motivation for all the hackers out there?Read - Apple TV RSS hack
Read - Apple TV game emulation
Read - $1000 bounty offered for USB drive hack
Xbox 360 to get keyboard controller attachment
That two year old rumor that the Xbox 360 was to get a qwerty keyboard attachment has been resurrected, with the appearance of another Gamespot article (leak?) referring to a 47 key keyboard which snaps onto the Xbox 360 controller and communicates through the headset jack. Gamespot says that the peripheral is to be used in conjunction with the cross-platform instant messaging capabilities to be added to the Spring dashboard update. Apparently it'll be available in the Summer for an as yet unnamed price.Continue reading Xbox 360 to get keyboard controller attachment
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Sony introduces Bravia TDM-IP1 iPod dock
These days, it seems like no home theater is complete without an iPod accessory of some sort, so why should your new Sony Bravia LCD HDTV be any different? Now you can officially get your groove on with the TDM-IP1 Digital Media Port dock, which unlike Sony's other stab at iPod docking, connects your compatible Bravia set with your iPod and charges it while playing back your music. It retails for $99US, which is pricey for a video iPod dock, but it is is Sony after all.
Netgear Digital Entertainer HD reviewed
While it's neither as small nor as hackable as the Apple TV, the people at Laptop magazine seem to think Netgear's newly-launched Digital Entertainer HD EVA8000 will find its share of fans, with it snagging a respectable four out of five rating in their review. Helping it earn those high marks is its support for a wide range of video formats, including YouTube videos, as well as its support for Internet radio and RSS feeds, and its inclusion of the all-important HDMI port (which was lacking on Netgear's earlier WVA700 unit). On the downside, the lack of 802.11n support resulted in some troubles streaming full 1080p files, and the initial setup proved to be somewhat time consuming, even when they opted for the so-called 'basic' mode. Despite those quibbles, they weren't hesitant to call the EVA8000 'as good as it gets' -- at least for those not dependent on their library of iTunes content.Elgato's Turbo 264 USB stick painlessly coverts vidz to H.264
It's taking a bit longer than expected, but sure enough, manufacturers are coming out of the woodwork to give the iPod / iPhone-to-be customers an easy way to convert videos to H.264. Elgato is on the scene with a Mac-compatible USB stick that acts as a hardware encoder to get your clips and flicks from whatever format they're currently in (within reason, we presume) into a format widely recognized by Apple-branded paraphernalia. Reportedly, the device speeds up the encoding process 'by two to four times,' and partially relieves your Mac's CPU of the transcoding duties by handling most of the dirty work (shown after the break) within itself. So if you're more interested in forking over your hard-earned cash for an easy solution to your file conversion needs, Elgato's Turbo 264 should be landing around the April timeframe for €99 ($132US).
Continue reading Elgato's Turbo 264 USB stick painlessly coverts vidz to H.264
Belkin's USB / iPod hubs plug those desk holes
Belkin have always been innovative and they have struck gold again with its latest lineup of hole clogging USB / iPod hubs. In an attempt to plug those often unused desk holes which always seem to fall just out of reach when trying to control all of your cabling, Belkin's two- and three-inch In-Desk USB Hubs provide a nifty excuse to decorate your aging computer desk whilst adding some much needed functionality. Available in a slanted front-access edition or a flush-mounted version, each of the four-port USB hubs will retail at $39.99US when Belkin decides to unleash them, and for the iPod owners in the house who've somehow avoided another docking solution, the $39.99US In-Desk Dock for iPod provides the obvious connection for syncing / charging while still neatly covering that gaping spot.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
The cute, pared down exterior is further complemented by a selection of primary colors, as seen above, making this a likely pick for the budget-minded fashionphone set. In fact, with prices like these ($99.99US after a $50US rebate), why not just buy 'em all to mix and match with your outfits? You know you want to.
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Apple iPhone release on June 11?
According to CNET, Cingular has 'confirmed' June 11 as the release date for Apple's iPhone. Keep in mind that confirmation in this case is unofficial as it supposedly comes from a front-line sales support person. See, after a call to Cingular's customer service, CNET was transfered to sales where they were told of the magical date. Of course, all this makes perfect sense as the 11th also marks the kickoff of Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference where Steve and Co are always keen to announce new wares.Kaleidescape escapes DVD CCA's wrath in court
We all know that bit about a 'speedy trial' doesn't exactly come to fruition in most cases, and after three excruciating years of battling the DVD Copy Control Association, Kaleidescape has escaped unscathed. The firm's DVD ripping / streaming jukebox was under fire for obvious reasons, as it not only encouraged the ripping of 'protected content,' but it helped users rip and transmit the data around their network. In fact, it was ruled that 'nothing in the DVD CCA licensing agreement prohibits the development of products that allow users to copy their DVDs,' thus, no contract was breached at all. Latest PSP firmware update includes free T-Mobile WiFi, too
It looks like the recently released 3.30 firmware for PSP also came bearing another little gift, in the form of a six-month pass to T-Mobile's WiFi Hotspot network. Nothing in this world is totally free, and the real reason for this present seems to be hooking users on the service and then offering them a 'special rate' at the end of the trial.
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iTunes rolls out 'Complete My Album' feature
Well it looks like the rumors are true with Apple announcing the introduction of a long-awaited iTunes feature that lets customers apply credit from purchased singles to download the entire disc. Straightforwardly called 'Complete My Album' the new feature gives users 99US cents of credit for each track off of a given record, with the reduced price showing up a special page dedicated to the service.
Just like the XpressMusic 3250, the 5700 gets its multi-media on via a quick flick of the base. This UMTS S60 twister brings a 2 megapixel shooter with up to 2GB of MicroSD storage. The focus here, though, is music so it packs WM DRM support with a 'dedicated audio chip' to keep the music flowing, integrated stereo speakers, Bluetooth A2DP, and 3.5-mm adapter to fit your favorite headphones. Hitting Europe in Q2 for €350.
A Nokia in your pocket could mean you're over the hill
A survey of mobile users in Australia, conducted by Panorama and released by Nielsen Media Research, has proved what pretty much everyone already knew: people are likely to base broad, stereotypical assumptions about you on your mobile, just like they do with everything else you use and wear. Here is a quick snapshot of the results:
Nokia: Family-minded, middle aged managers, balance seekers, health conscious
Motorola: Fashion conscious, under 24, fun seekers, individualistic
Sony Ericsson: Ambitious young men, professionals, success driven, individualistic
LG: Favorite of mums, stay-at-home parents, success driven, harmony seekers
Samsung: Young women, career focused, success driven, fun seekers
The upshot of this research is that since most phone service providers rate the same, people are for the most part picking a carrier based on phone selection -- again, we're not exactly floored by the analysis here. Now all that's left is how to pigeon hole HTC and Palm users. We're thinking 'good looking, fun loving, Engadget reader' would be a nice start.
textually.org
Have a look at Sony's new GIGA JUKE HDD-based system and deck. The NAS-50HDE bookshelf system (pictured) features an 80GB drive, with room for tracks transferred from your computer, ripped from CDs, or recorded from radio and analog sources. There's a 4.3-inch color display to browse through your tracks, and if you'd rather listen to your musics on the go, you can sync with your Sony Walkman, Walkman phone, PSP or other compatible MP3 player. Hitting Europe in June and here in....
PSP firmware hits 3.30, with bigger vids and better PSone
Sony are feeling generous this week, with the brand new range of 720 x 480, 352 x 480 and 480 x 272 playback resolutions of MPEG-4 AVA (H.264) video that can be yours with the new PSP 3.30 firmware update. The update also improves PSone performance with a menu option to increase disk dreading speed in exchange for better load times and a little bit of instability. Sony is tossing in thumbnail support for video and RSS feeds, another welcome improvement.
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