Information and tech

N95 clone is laser-equipped

2007-07-11T06:55:00.001-07:00

Remember that something cheap doesn't necessarily mean it is good. Take this N95 for example - while it bears the same name as Nokia's high end multimedia handset, it doesn't offer the same range of functions. What you get is a rather impotent 2 megapixel instead of 5, while GPS navigation has strangely gone missing. This cloned N95 also ships with a 3" 260k color QVGA touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, a built-in FM tuner, and a microSD memory card slot, all available to the tune of $160 per handset. The main standout feature that the real N95 doesn't even have is the laser pointer - great for business presentations, but not too good on the image you're projecting. C'mon, buying a cloned phone?

Samsung P318+ Phone - 18k Gold Edition

2007-07-08T18:05:00.000-07:00

In honor of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Samsung has rolled out the P318+, a special edition of their P310. Users will get the bonus of Olympic Games ringtones, wallpapers, and video clips… sorry folks, athletic talent is not included. But as a consolation prize, the phone’s brushed metal exterior has gotten an 18k gold upgrade. No word on pricing so far. Stay tuned for more updates.

Apple iPhone vs. SimulScribe - SimulScribe Wins

2007-07-08T18:00:00.000-07:00

Apple iPhone commercial parody about the SimulScribe. FYI, the SimulScribe is the only visual voice mail in the market today that allows voice mail be converted into text

iCast the clearest band spell

2007-07-06T20:13:00.000-07:00

The iCast from iStuff is an FM transmitter that will automatically scan for the clearest band before transmitting audio in that direction, ensuring you have the best sound quality possible at all times. A single AAA battery offers up to 18 hours of power, making it one truly portable device. If you plan on using this in your vehicle, there is a 12V cigarette lighter socket adapter to suit your needs. The best part is, the iCase comes with a standard headphone plug that makes it compatible with not only the iPod but other MP3 and PMPs as well. Features include four presets, an LCD display, and an automatic shutdown function. Pre-order yours today for £29.99 a pop.

Freedom Mini Duo Bluetooth keyboard

2007-07-06T20:11:00.000-07:00

The Freedom Mini Duo Bluetooth keyboard is for those who tend to do a whole lot more than make and receive calls on their smartphones. It folds into half, being slightly larger than a credit card despite housing the full QWERTY keyboard in a standard layout. It hooks up to your smartphone or PDA via Bluetooth, but should it run out of battery, you can always obtain some power by hijacking your smartphone/PDA's battery via a miniUSB port. A full charge provide up to 9 hours of continuous typing at best. While you won't get a full-sized keyboard's comfort, at least it sure beats tapping out those messages on the on-screen keyboard. The Freedom Mini Duo Bluetooth keyboard retails for approximately $100 each.

Robotic Dog from Germany

2007-07-02T05:32:00.000-07:00

Robotic dogs tend to get all the attention, and this Robot Dog from TU Darmstadt is no different. He has a cycloptic view of things, boasting only a single eye right smack in the middle of its head to check out its surroundings. The design isn't as refined as I would like it to be, although it looks as though it is having a ball of a time in the photo. Will this be the next Aibo? Surely robotic pets are nice to look at and offer some form of novelty, but at the end of the day there is nothing quite like a living, breathing dog to perk you up after a long day at the office.

Sony Ericsson S500 Slider Phone Preview

2007-06-28T18:12:00.000-07:00

PhoneArena via YouTube provides us with a preview video of Sony Ericsson’s S500 slider phone. As a reminder, it has a 2.0-inch (240 x 320) TFT display, a 2.0MP camera, M2 card slot, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, and 12MB internal memory. Hit the break to watch the video.

via Cell Phones

SanDisk pushes microSDHC capacity to 8GB

2007-06-27T20:14:00.000-07:00

SanDisk announced that it has increased the storage capacity of its tiny flash memory cards. The company is now touting its 6GB and 8GB microSDHC cards which will be available later this year.

SanDisk notes that its 8GB microSDHC card is capable of storing up to 2,000 digital songs or up to five hours of MPEG4 video. Both cards comply with the SD 2.00 specification and are rated at SD Speed Class 4 (4MB/sec sustained writes).

"With these new cards, any mobile phone with a compatible microSDHC slot will have just as much storage as the largest-capacity iPhone," said SanDisk's Jeff Kost. "By offering capacities of 6GB and 8GB, SanDisk is poised to enable people to enjoy more photos, more map data for navigation, more videos, more games and more music, wherever they go, on any phone with a compatible microSDHC slot."

With microSDHC cards now jumping in storage capacity, the omission of a memory expansion slot on the iPhone seems even more biting -- especially considering that OS X takes up 700MB of storage space on the 4GB/8GB devices.

In addition, the company announced the availability of a new 4GB Memory Stick Micro (M2) card. The M2 cards can be used in Sony Cyber-shot and Walkman products. The 4GB M2 card will retail for $99.99.

NEC Electronics Preps 8 MP Camera Phone Chip

2007-06-27T20:05:00.000-07:00

Eight megapixel cell phone cameras coming your way this Fall

Although it may be some time before camera phones can match the richness of images captured by today’s digital cameras, the gap between the two is closing. According to Japanese publication Nikkei, NEC Electronics is now sampling its LSI capable of capturing eight megapixel images in camera phones.

The current market version of the LSI captures five megapixels. The new 8MP-capable CE131 LSI captures images with a noise-reduction method, helping to improve picture quality from the CMOS sensor. The CS131 also features image stabilization as well.

The sample price of the LSI is set at 4,000 yen each, or around $33. Volume production is to start in October, with the company expecting to product 1 million units per month

HP Photosmart R937 Digital Camera

2007-06-27T08:33:00.000-07:00

The new Photosmart R937 digital camera from Hewlett Packard boasts a generous 3.6 inch touchscreen display. The camera captures images in 8MP resolution and features automatic red-eye fix, pet-eye fix, and slimming functions, anti-shake technology, 3x optical zoom, 8x digital zoom, and a host of on-board editing options in addition to 32MB of internal memory. The HP R937 will be released this August for $299.99.

Everythingusb via Digital Cameras

ThinkGeek’s Metallic Video Watch With OLED Screen

2007-06-27T08:18:00.001-07:00

ThinkGeek reported this really interesting watch featuring a 128 x 128 pixel OLED screen. The gadget offers a built-in memory of 2GB which will let you store pretty much video material. You can also play back music, or do recordings with the built-in microphone. ThinkGeek’s Metallic Video Watch retails at only $99.99. Read the list of specs after the jump.

Via ThinkGeek

* Built-in 2GB flash memory
* Plays videos in full color on 128×128 pixel screen. Impressive crisp, bright display
* Clock displays time and date (day, month, year)
* Plays MP3 and WMA music
* View images
* Voice recording and playback with built-in microphone
* 5-equalizer modes, super bass 3-D sound effect playing modes
* USB 1.1
* Battery charges via USB
* Leather band
* Dimensions: 1.6″ x 1.5″ x .5″ thick (4cm x 3.8cm x 1.2cm)
* Band Length: 8.66″ (22cm)
* Includes: earphones, mini CD with video conversion software, user guide, USB cable, Wall AC-to-USB charger

HP Photosmart R937 Digital Camera

2007-06-27T08:18:00.000-07:00

From jeans to phones

2007-06-20T17:29:00.000-07:00

Looks like jeans legend Levi Strauss will be attempting to enter the oversaturated cellphone market by releasing a handset of their own this September at a yet undisclosed price. What we do know is this Levi's cellphone will come with a microSD memory card slot, a 2 megapixel camera, a built-in MP3 player, Bluetooth connectivity, and an 1.8" color display. Release date has tentatively been set at sometime this September, although pricing details have yet to be disclosed. I wonder whether this handset will come in a special denim case just like certain Levi's glasses.

Motorola Q9m sneak peek

2007-06-20T17:27:00.000-07:00

The Motorola Q9m has been nicknamed the Motorola Nelson by certain quarters, and the BoyGenius team managed to sneak a peek at this CDMA/EV-DO counterpart of the Motorola Q9h. The Q9m will be taking over the CDMA Q from Verizon Wireless, with evidence pointing that this handset will also be available from other carriers later. The Q9m is a wee bit meaty than the Q9h, using miniSD and miniUSB in favor of microSD and microUSB found in RAZR2 handsets. While the great QWERTY keyboard on the Q9h was retained, it is sad to take note that the camera remains at a paltry 1.3 megapixels. The Q9m will be powered by the Windows Mobile 6.0 operating system.

Motorola overhauls Q line

2007-05-16T18:33:00.000-07:00

While the Motorola Q offered a whole lot of promise but ultimately failed to live up to its hype, Motorola aims to forget the past by ushering in a couple of new Qs. The Q8 is a GSM version of the original Q, while the Q9 was built from ground up to make amends. This smartphone comes with a dual HSDPA/UMTS engine and runs on Windows Mobile 6.0 to keep up with the times. Features include 256MB of integrated memory, a microSD memory card slot for expansion options, Bluetooth A2DP connectivity, and a 2 megapixel camera with 8x zoom which is capable of video capture. Pricing and availability details are still unknown.

Motorola announces RAZR 2

2007-05-16T18:30:00.000-07:00

The original RAZR brought about accolades and acclaim to Motorola, but somewhere along the way Motorola lost its lustre with sub-standard handsets that did not prove revolutionary. The RAZR 2 hopefully brings about a similar revival, boasing 2GB of integrated memory, 2" external and 2.2" internal displays, an ARM 11 processor, USB 2.0 connectivity, and a variety of flavors in the form of V9, V9m, and V8. The V9 is 3G HSDPA, while the V9m is EVDO CDMA and the V8 is a standard GSM handset. These handsets have gone through more than 100,000 flips in laboratory tests, ensuring their durability. The new RAZR 2 range will be launched when July rolls around.

m:ssage cellphone provides massage

2007-05-16T18:27:00.000-07:00

So your cellphone can make calls, but can it actually give a good rubdown after a hard day at work? The m:ssage cellphone actually does this only if you fork out a monthly subscription fee of £25.00. This is truly a luxury cellphone of another level, being constructed from the finest materials from ground up. It also comes with a unique phone number that is best shared with your other half only. In this way, you get to keep in touch with your loved one no matter which part of the world you are.

Brewing waste to generate energy?

2007-05-05T02:22:00.000-07:00

Ah, beer. The nectar of the gods has certainly a large following in Australia, where the local brewery there known as Fosters and Australia's University of Queensland have joined forces to work on a method where brewing waste can be used to generate energy with a microbial fuel cell. This fuel cell will come with bacteria that consumes water-soluble brewing waste like sugar, starch, and alcohol, releasing chemical energy that will then be converted into electricity via the cell. In theory, the planned beer fuel cell could generate up to 2kW of energy. I guess I will look at my beer in a totally new light the next time I hit the local watering hole.

Keychain gets USB treatment

2007-04-27T19:34:00.000-07:00

Check out the USB Keyholder on the right. Overall a concept that is simple in nature, and yet elegant in design. These fobs come with a thin metal ring for you to hook up as many keys as possible, while the other end offers a USB connector. I suppose this is a play on the idea of standard USB flash drives that already double up as keychains, but the idea of having a key rack consisting of USB ports is just too delicious for any geek to pass up. Now, if only these fobs came in different colors so you can differentiate between your car keys, house keys, and others.

iZ3D monitor

2007-04-27T19:24:00.000-07:00

Ah - 3D. The very word sends shivers down my spine, as the 3D realm was what brought gaming to life after Mode 7 scrolling on the Super NES did its utmost best to prolong the 2D era for games. With leaps and bounds made in the 3D arena, it would be natural for the computer and current home consoles take the same route to keep gamers throughout the world entertained with ever more realistic experiences. The iZ3D monitor aims to bring gaming to the next level, offering an illusion of depth never before seen on the desktop.

Vibrating Massage Arms offers relief

2007-04-25T18:17:00.000-07:00

At the end of a long day at work, there is nothing quite like having a pair of arms massage your back. In case you're single and can't afford to head to the nearest massage parlor, the Vibrating Massage Arms offer a pseudo-girlfriend massaging experience without any complain. All you need to do is wrap these arms around your neck and turn it on to get a thorough massage, smoothing out the day's rough edges as you escape into a world of relaxation. I don't know about you, but these arms looks pretty much as if they were ripped off from Mickey Mouse's body. The Vibrating Massage Arms retail for approximately $22.50.

Laughing Pen keeps your spirits up

2007-04-25T18:05:00.001-07:00

The Laughing Pen is one writing instrument that is bound to carve a smile on anybody's face, featuring the ability to play back a 20 second laughter track at the press of a button on its side. Since laughter, like yawning, is contagious, there is no better time than now to have a time of guffaws while tackling the mountain of work you currently face. This refillable pen is powered by a trio of LR44 cell batteries and retail for $20. This makes a great gift your your sullen-faced boss or the ever-frantic accountant at the office.

Philip's new X200 ultraportable laptop sticks its neck out

2007-04-25T17:59:00.000-07:00

Perhaps its the extra lovin' Philips has given to stylings here, but somehow that extendable screen arm doesn't seem like as much of a gimmick this time around. The new X200 ultraportable sports a 1.73GHz Core Duo U2500 processor, 1GB of RAM, a 100GB HDD, DVD combo drive, 1.3 megapixel webcam and Windows Vista. The 12.1-inches of widescreen LCD probably aren't enough to get in the way of regular tray table use -- a favorite example of extenda-arm proponents -- but at least you won't have to do as much hunkering in front of this laptop when it's on your desk, thanks to the extra inches of vertical. The laptop looks to be shipping now in the UK for £850, about $1,700 US.

[Via PClaunches]

Everex busts out budget-priced StepNote NC1501 laptop

2007-04-25T05:19:00.000-07:00

Everex has trotted out a new laptop that's low-power in more ways than one, with its StepNote NC1501 promising to consume less energy at the expense of some more processor-demanding tasks. Like the company's previous NC1500 laptop, this one packs a 1,280 x 800 15.4-inch display, along with a 1.5GHz VIA C7-M processor, 512MB of RAM, a 60GB hard drive, a DVD burner, and built-in 802.11b/g WiFi. Also getting a much needed upgrade this time is the battery, which now comes in the 6-cell variety with a promised 4.25 hours of operating time (as opposed to 1.5 hours on the earlier model), although it looks like you can still get one with a lower-power 3-cell battery if you like. If that sounds like a trade-off you're willing to make, you can grab one of these now at Wal-Mart or Best Buy for $500.

[Via Laptoping]

Sony's CineAlta 4K digital cinema solution coming May 1st

2007-04-25T05:07:00.000-07:00

May 1st is the date that Sony hopes will usher in the era of digital cinemas. That's the date their CineAlta 4K digital cinema solution goes on sale in Japan. With the SRX-R220 at its core, the 5-foot / 660-pound CineAlta 4K system projects a 4,096 x 2,160 pixel image off its 4.2kW bulb. The 300GB films are stored in an encrypted JPEG2000 format within Sony's 19-inch, LMT-100 "media block" RAID array. Sony is counting on about 1/3 of Japan's 3,000 cinemas taking on their ¥1.5 million ($12,651) per screen solution by 2010 with even higher hopes for the US market. They'll need lots of help since projection systems are just a tiny fraction of the total conversion costs required to move cinemas into the digital age.

[Via Impress]

LG KB2700 goes widescreen

2007-04-23T16:49:00.000-07:00

LG Electronics has recently unveiled its latest widescreen LCD cellphone known as the LG KB2700 at the recent Korea IT Show, enabling users to enjoy DMB on the go without going through the hassle (if you can even call it that) of turning the LCD display horizontally. Seriously, is this a really important 'feature' to begin with? Mankind has clearly sunk to new lows if they're too lazy to even turn something as simple as an LCD display on its swivel. What do you think - sheer laziness or pure genius? The handset comes with the brand name Cyon splashed on it because it is an offshoot for LG's mobile brand.

LG SV260 loves fingerprints

2007-04-23T16:47:00.000-07:00

The black and silver colored LG SV260 was recently paraded on the Korea IT Show, where the business-like clamshell design was complemented by a metallic material adorning its surface. Features include MP3 playback capability and a 1.3 megapixel camera, but other than that we don't really know anything more about the SV260 due to the lack of proficiency in the Korean language. What we do know is this - the SV260 is bound to pick up more fingerprints than your usual handset, so keep a tissue or lint-free cloth in your pocket handy always.

LG KC1 mobile convergence device

2007-04-23T16:45:00.000-07:00

The LG KC1 is currently on parade at the Korea IT Show, and this convergence device will be powered by the Marvell Monahans 806MHz processor, offering ample power to run Windows Mobile 5.0 for PPC with its 512MB of flash memory and 128MB of SDRAM. Features include a 2 megapixel CMOS camera, a VGA camera for video calls, and a 2.8" QVGA touchscreen display. The KC1 features T-DMB functionality, Bluetooth, EV-DO, and WiBro for a wide range of connectivity options. The KC1 will hit Korea before the first half of this year is over at a yet undisclosed price.

Obscure PDA phone hits the streets

2007-04-23T16:42:00.000-07:00

The 777 PDA phone is now available with very little known about it, let alone its brand. This is probably due to the lack of knowledge on the Chinese language on my part more than anything else, but from snippets across the Internet we do know the 777 comes with touchscreen capability, a 1.3 megapixel camera, audio and video playback capability, and a Windows XP theme thrown inside despite running on a Windows Mobile operating system. There is no word on pricing or availability, so it would be great if you could help us out with additional information by commenting below.

LG Shine mirror image

2007-04-23T16:38:00.000-07:00

The LG Shine is the latest cellphone to receive the cloning treatment from Chinese manufacturers, and the level of copying is extremely close to the original when you take the same silver finish to its size, scroll wheel, a 2.2" QVGA display, and 64 chords polyphonic ringtones as a comparison. There are some subtle differences though, mainly the 3g weight difference, a 1.3 megapixel fixed focused camera, and the inclusion of the microSD memory card slot which was not found in the original. The clone, dubbed the Diamond KG70 Shine, is currently available for less than $100 online so it remains to be seen whether LG will move to remove this handset from the market or not.

Motorola RAZR goes Platinum

2007-04-22T21:38:00.002-07:00

Motorola has unveiled yet another RAZR cellphone, albeit in a different color this time. The RAZR V3xx is now available in platinum for those who want a phone to match with their credit cards. Other than a change in the paint job, everything else remains the same such as HSDPA connectivity, Bluetooth, an MP3 player, and a 1.3 megapixel camera. Perhaps Motorola will be able learn that releasing handsets in a new hue won't push sales, as what users want are more than cosmetic changes

Mickey Mouse speakers hit desktop

2007-04-22T21:27:00.000-07:00

Brando has dropped the Mickey Mouse Speaker, offering "excellent audio quality speaker" to any desk to the tune of $26. Each pair is capable of pumping out 300W P.M.P.O power and features a frequency range between 20Hz to 18KHz. Being USB-powered, there is no need to worry about not running out of batteries while making that all important presentation, although the sight of Mickey Mouse-shaped speakers might be questionable when you're wearing a power suit talking to a board of directors. This is more of a fun purchase than anything else, as serious audiophiles will look elsewhere to get their sound fix.

Sony Ericsson P700i - live photos

2007-04-22T00:52:00.000-07:00

Mobilecowboys has posted a nice set of photos of the upcoming SE P700i.

OCZ intros "world's fastest" 1200MHz PC2-9600 Flex XLC RAM

2007-04-22T00:44:00.001-07:00

Champs don't stay that way long in the computer hardware biz, but one way to ensure that the crown stays in the same camp is to one-up yourself before another firm can beat you to the punch. OCZ seems to be feelin' said mantra, as the company's latest Flex XLC RAM overtakes the previous rendition to claim the "world's fastest" title at 1,200MHz. Of course, we've seen quicker memory stuffed onto graphics cards, but the new motherboard-ready PC2-9600 Flex XLC modules sport a svelte hybrid cooling system that melds passive air and liquid injection systems to give you all the bragging rights you'd ever need. The DDR2-1200 modules are currently available in 2GB (2 x 1,024MB) kits, come with a lifetime warranty, and will run you right around $250.

[Via Gearlog]

Motorola announces L72 SLVR and Maxx V1110 clamshell

2007-04-22T00:39:00.000-07:00

Motorola has plonked down two new cellphones in Taiwan today, although the usage of "new" is very much a stretch in this case. The L72 SLVR follows on from its L7 ancestor with the same 11.5mm "thinness," but brings HSDPA, a zoom and auto-focus free 2-megapixel camera, and some other standard features like an FM radio, a microSD card slot, and a silly buzzword technology called "CrystalTalk" which will apparently improve call quality. The Maxx V1110 (pictured) is an even more average update on the Vodafone exclusive V1110 minus 10 (aka, the V1100). As such, the lack of branding on the photos plus the identical specs -- HSDPA, 1.3-megapixel camera -- suggests that this is just a general release free of its operator exclusivity shackles. Not that anyone will be scrambling to pick up cellphone tech, vintage 2006.

[Via Justamp]

The flipside: RDS-TMC hack helps you avoid traffic jams, accidents

2007-04-22T00:35:00.001-07:00

There's nothing quite like taking a slightly frightening message and flipping into something positive, but for security mastermind Andrea Barisani, that's precisely what he's done. Just weeks after pointing out all the potential dangers surrounding RDS-TMC hacks on your GPS, the Inverse Path researcher set out to CanSecWest aiming to boast about its utility. By procuring a relatively inexpensive ($40) RDS encoder, an FM transmitter, and a handheld antenna, hackers can reportedly track down the codes used "to denote a particular event," and then pipe the information into the navigation system in order to create automatic re-routing for avoiding upcoming accidents and traffic jams. By injecting the "spoofed alerts," the driver's NAV will then be able to recalculate routes on the fly without badgering you, and all that saved time could certainly end up paying dividends. Sure, this same technology is available in much less vulnerable forms, but who's down with paying a monthly premium if you can (legally) snag it from thin air?

The pinball table is not enough

2007-04-21T02:41:00.000-07:00

What happens when you're a debonair spy with suave looks and the ability to pull in the ladies like how bees are attracted to honey, and want to take a break from all the death defying missions? Why, the answer is simple. All you need is a martini to accompany you while you blast away the day's stress with the 007 Pinball Table. This pinball game has been lovingly hand-restored and framed in maple along with a clear tempered glass on top. There are only two of these available in the whole wide world, so ponying up $2,८०० for each sounds like a bargain.

TomTom ONE XL screen goes wide

2007-04-21T02:36:00.000-07:00

TomTom has equipped the ONE XL GPS navigation system with a 4.3" widescreen touchscreen display in order to challenge other offerings from its market rivals. Features of the ONE XL includes having access to real-time traffic information via RDS-TMC and safety camera alerts. For those of you who have not experienced the wonders of a widescreen display, its like the difference between black & white TV and color TV. Once you've tasted the goodness of color TV, you never want to go back to monochrome - same goes for a widescreen GPS navigation system. The TomTom ONE XL will retail for £249 and £299 in the U.K. and Western Europe respectively.

The Minox DC 1022 Digital Camera

2007-04-21T02:33:00.000-07:00

Minox Germany has recently introduced its new DC 1022 digital camera, which is equipped with a 10.1MP CCD image sensor, a MINOCTAR 6x optical zoom lens, and a 2.8 inch TFT LCD. Measuring 93mm x 57mm x 25.5mm and weighing at only 150 grams, the digicam is housed in a sleek brushed metal casing. The DC 1022 is one of the smallest and lightest cameras in the 10Megapixel market today. Other specs include SD card slot for cards of up to 2 GB, internal memory of 32 MB, microphone and built-in speaker, portrait, sports, fireworks, animal photography or night-time modes and aperture and shutter-priority modes. In addition, this camera also comes bundled with a case, wrist strap, USB and video cable, and a CD-ROM with software and a user manual. Sadly, there is no info on pricing or availability.

Minox via Digital Cameras

Seagate FreeAgent Go Small 12GB Mini Hard Drive

2007-04-12T03:28:00.000-07:00

The Seagate FreeAgent Go Small is a tiny little USB hard drive that offers 12GB of storage capacity. It is similar with the Mini Cube that we reported several days ago. The hard drive also provides a swivel-out USB connector. The FreeAgent Go Small retails for $143.99 with 5 year warranty.

Via ChipChick

Nikon’s Coolpix S50 Ultracompact Digicam

2007-04-12T03:23:00.000-07:00

Priced at $299, Nikon Coolpix S50 weighs just 4.4 oz and features 7.2MP sensor, 3X optical zoom, image stabilization, the ability to record movies at 30fps at 640×480, and a bright 3.0 inch LCD display.
ChipChick via Digital Cameras

The LG FM37 Portable Media Player

2007-04-10T20:30:00.000-07:00

LG has collaborated with Volkswagen to release the special edition of FM37 Portable Media Player that is specially made for the New Beetle. The gadget sports a bright metallic body. Available in yellow and red, the player is preloaded with Beetle exclusive graphics and sound. Other specs include 2.4 inch touchscreen display, 4GB of internal memory and supports playback of majority of audio and video formats. The LG FM37 is now available in UK and Asian markets for around $200. In addition, the shiny Salsa Red and Yellow color version are available only in Korea.

Via Newlaunches

Nokia N95 up for sale

2007-04-09T23:26:00.000-07:00

The Nokia N95 is finally available for sale in the U.S. across various Nokia Flagship stores, online, and selected wireless retailers. This multimedia intensive handset comes with a 2-way slide design that activates different modes. Its set of features are more than impressive - for $749, you get a 5 megapixel camera featuring Carl Zeiss optics, integrated GPS, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, video recording capability, a TV-out port, a microSD memory card slot, integrated stereo speakers, and a 3.5mm stereo headset port among others. Hopefully the battery can last the distance with all those energy-sapping

Kyocera E1000 targets new users

2007-04-09T23:24:00.000-07:00

The Kyocera E1000 is the epitome of an entry level handset for today's standards, featuring a 1.3 megapixel camera and Bluetooth connectivity. The display isn't exactly the best though, but it is large enough not to make you squint when you try to read text on it. This voice-centric handset uses CDMA2000 1xRTT technology for crystal clear conversations. The dual-band CDMA Kyocera E1000 will see a worldwide launch with global CDMA carriers when summer rolls around.

i-Mate 2007 line-up leaked

2007-04-09T23:14:00.000-07:00

i-Mate's official pre-release document has found its way onto the Internet, featuring a whole host of smartphones that pretty much offer the same thing in different designs. The i-Mate P30 is a dual-band Pocket PC handset running on Windows Mobile 5, featuring a QVGA display, a 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 300MHz Samsung processor running at the heart of things. The i-Mate Odyssey also runs on Windows Media 5 Pocket PC, but this tri-band GSM with dual-band UMTS handset has a faster Intel Bulverde 416MHz processor backed by 192MB of flash memory, 74MB of SDRAM and WiFi connectivity. More details on other future releases are available after the jump.

Robot goes snow surfing

2007-04-09T23:12:00.000-07:00

Researchers at the Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College stumbled upon the idea of using their own solar-powered robots to go snow sufing, although the speeds aren't exactly at the exhilirating level. All they did was hook up a sled to the robot and went for a ride not at breakneck speeds, but at a slow walking pace. I suppose this is a much better option that running out of breath while traversing snowy slopes that have a steep gradient. At least this mode of transport is environmentally friendly.

Apple iPod breaks 100 million mark

2007-04-09T23:10:00.000-07:00

Apple has just broke the magical 100 million mark in sales, making it the fastest selling music player in history. Since the first 5GB iPod was sold back in November 2001, there has been more than 10 iterations that make up 5 generations of iPod, 2 generations of iPod mini, iPod nano, and iPod Shuffle. This colorful digital audio player has truly transformed the portable music landscape and has its competitors gasping for breath as they try to catch up with one of Cupertino's most famous products. Congratulations on this achievement, Apple. Here's to another 100 million. Care to share on how you fell in love with the iPod in the comments?

Nokia N95 on sale in US

2007-04-09T22:27:00.000-07:00

Those hankering after the Nokia N95 will be pleased to know that this "portable computer" is now up for sale in the U.S. across various Nokia Flagship stores, online, and selected wireless retailers. To give you an idea of what $749 can give you, the N95 boasts a 2-way slide design for different modes, WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth connectivity, a 5 megapixel camera featuring Carl Zeiss optics, video recording, a TV-out port, a microSD memory card slot, integrated stereo speakers, and a 3.5mm stereo headset port among others. With all those features thrown in, battery life will always be an issue to consider.

Microsoft Live Messenger on Xbox 360

2007-04-09T07:51:00.000-07:00

Microsoft aims to bring together both PC and Xbox 360 gamers by announcing compatibility of its Windows Live Messenger program for Xbox Live users. This means gamers will be able to chat with their PC counterparts via the console, and this is made more convenient with a QWERTY text-input device that connects directly to the Xbox 360 controller. This new accessory will be made available to the masses in the U.S. this summer and a yet undisclosed price. Image courtesy of Gizmodo. Hopefully the buttons on this keyboard are as easy to press and use like those found on the Treo line of smartphones.

Ezex Navzen N700 GPS system

2007-04-08T01:34:00.000-07:00

Ezex has recently launched its Navzen N700 GPS navigation device at CeBIT 2007, and this machine pretty much packs everything inside. Let's begin with the lovely 7" touchscreen TFT LCD display that can display a maximum resolution of 800 x 600 pixels, an SD memory card slot, NAND Flash memory, an integrated FM transmitter, a sensitive GPS engine, USB 2.0 On-The-Go and Bluetooth connectivity, and multimedia playback functions. All these are powered by a 500MHz processor running on Windows CE.Net (version unknown). I don't know about you, but the Navzen N700 definitely looks very sweet. Pricing and availability details are unknown.

This Elmo does not tickle

2007-04-08T01:28:00.000-07:00

Looks like Elmo isn't just some toy to be tickled with, but a company that has recently lifted the veil on its micro video camera system, the Suv-Cam. This miniscule camera measures approximately 3.3" long and can be mounted near the chest. A 2.2" color TFT LCD monitor is attached to the camera, making it perfect as a handheld or body-worn surveillance device. Video is recorded in MPEG format, although there are no further details available concerning the storage capacity of the Suv-Cam. There is no word on price and availability as at press time.

VW to release LG VX8700

2007-04-08T01:27:00.000-07:00

Word has it that Verizon Wireless will be releasing the LG VX8700 later today. This clamshell handset comes in a lovely brushed metal exterior design, measuring a mere 3.82" x 1.95" x 0.54" and weighing 3.77oz. It looks more suitable for a business and professional crowd, featuring a 2 megapixel camera, a QVGA display, Bluetooth connectivity with stereo A2DP support, a microSD memory card slot, speakerphone functionality, MP3 and WMA file format support, and an address book that can hold up to a thousand entries

Kyocera E2000 rolling out this fall

2007-04-08T01:25:00.000-07:00

The Kyocera E2000 clamshell handset comes with 1x EV-DO connectivity, enabling users to enjoy speedy connections for over-the-air downloads of music and video-on-demand. Touted to be a multimedia machine, the E2000 features stereo Bluetooth connectivity, external music controls, a 1.3 megapixel camera with external controls, and a microSD memory card slot to carry even more media files with you. This dual screen handset features a 2" QCIF and TFT internal display that really brings out the color in pictures and video. Word has it the E2000 will be released by the time fall rolls around.

Sony Ericsson Announced Two New Cyber-shot Phones [4]

2007-04-08T01:23:00.000-07:00

Sony Ericsson today announced two new Cyber-shot phones, the K810 and the K550. The K810 basically share the same features as the K800, it comes with a 3.2-megapixel camera with auto focus, Cyber-shot Xenon flash with red eye reduction, 17mm thin
2.0” QVGA 262k TFT display, M2 slot with 128MB M2 in-box, 64MB user free memory, and other similar functions.

Jabra BT8010 Stereo Bluetooth Headset [5]

2007-04-08T01:17:00.000-07:00

Jabra recently introduced a new Bluetooth 2.0 headset, the Jabra BT8010, which comes with pretty much everything you would want for a Bluetooth headset. The BT8010 features supports for A2DP and AVRCP, the new Jog Wheel rotating control, and a supplementary earphone which allows you to enjoy dual channel stereo sound while listening to music on your mobile device.

O2 Xda Atom Life, A HSDPA Pocket PC [3]

2007-04-08T01:16:00.000-07:00

O2 released its first 3.5G Pocket PC in HK on the last day of February. The new Xda Atom Life basically looks pretty much the same as its predecessor, the Xda Atom: a black body with simple and clean outline, a 2.4-inch QVGA display, a media player navigation panel along with the basic Pocket PC buttons, and a pair of shortcut bottons on the lower right side of the phone’s body. In addition, it has a 0.3-megapixel supplementary camera for video conferencing purpose. The Xda Atom Life weighs 145 g, which is only 5 g heavier than the Xda Atom.

Cheap wireless media hack with Netgear access point and Dvico DivX box

2007-04-07T21:47:00.000-07:00

Using nothing but a Dvico M3100 DivX media player, a Netgear WGT634U wireless access point running some open firmware in the form of OpenWRT, and a bit of coding ingenuity, jkx has managed to create a wireless player that streams movies from his Media Center PC via WiFi. You'll need to have a way of swapping out the €50 WGT634U's firmware, and you'll definitely need these two specific models in order for this specific setup to work. Jkx owns the non-networked version of the Dvico, and that's the reason why the WGT634U with its USB port was needed. So really, this is bit too specific of a solution for streaming your content: in other words, it's one hacker's way of making half of his gear act the way he wanted it to by spending as little money as possible. Even if you can't emulate this specific example, maybe you should take jkx's idea as an inspiration and upgrade existing kit rather than taking the easy way out.

Alcatel releases entry-level OT-C635

2007-03-28T05:40:00.000-07:00

Just when you thought you've seen them all, Alcatel throws a spanner in the works by debuting the OT-C635 that comes in purple. While that is not too bad a color, it certainly won't appeal to the mass market unlike other more traditional colors. One thing about this phone is worth two thumbs up though - the low, low price of £39.99 when you sign up with Virgin Mobile as well as a superb battery life that will go down well with chatterboxes. Unfortunately, you will have to make do without a megapixel camera function, audio and video playback, and go 3G-less if you insist on picking up the Alcatel OT-C635.

Orange site displays SPV E600

2007-03-28T05:39:00.000-07:00

Users who are interested in the Orange SPV E600 will now be able to check out the product page on Orange Business. If the Orange SPV E600 looks extremely familiar to you, that's because you have probably seen it as the T-Mobile Dash or MDA Mail. A change in name does not result in different specifications as the SPV E600 still features WiFi, Bluetooth, GPRS, and EDGE connectivity, a microSD memory card slot for expansion options, a megapixel camera for casual shots, and a JOGGR strip on the side for easier navigation. Will it run on Windows Mobile 5 for Pocket PC or Smartphone? We think it is the latter.

Nokia 8800 sees Monaco Edition

2007-03-28T05:38:00.000-07:00

If you stay in Russia and have tons of cash to splash around, perhaps picking up the Monaco edition of the Nokia 8800 from ISSE is a good idea. Featuring specially crafted designs with jewelry adorning them, you can't help but attract envious stares each time you whip it out to make or receive a phone call. There is no word on pricing, but if you even have to ask, that probably means you can't afford it.

Nokia 6267 a possibility

2007-03-28T05:37:00.000-07:00

A new 3G cellphone from Nokia is a certainty, but whether it is the 6267 or not is another story. Reliable sources show that the next 3G handset to be released by the Finnish cellphone giant will be the 6267. While Nokia might not say it in pictures, it definitely has done so in XML, clearly detailing certain features of the Nokia 6267. One can look forward to this 3G handset as it runs on the Series 40 operating system, supporting the GSM network and boasting Bluetooth connectivity. Other features include a 240 x 320 display as well as various multimedia file format support. I strongly advise our readers to take this with a pinch of salt as the XML coding might not be the final specifications.

FCC gives nod to HTC Titan

2007-03-28T05:34:00.000-07:00

HTC will be bringing the Titan in to replace the Apache sometime in the near future after receiving a nod from the almighty FCC. The Titan's predecessor, the Apache, was a huge hit among all CDMA carriers that offered it, so we're looking at yet another possible blockbuster which has been targeted to be made available from both Verizon Wireless and Sprint PCS. FCC documents reveal a couple of designs for the Titan, featuring an internal antenna, a 2 megapixel camera for candid shots, EV-DO Rev. A connectivity and a high probability of running on Windows Mobile 6 Professional.

Apiotek VP-0002 looks stunning

2007-03-27T20:41:00.000-07:00

The Apiotek VP-0002 Skype phone is not just any other Skype handset, boasting a jaw dropping design that resembles more of a remote control than anything else. Too bad there is no LCD display to go along with this handset as it would have greatly enhanced the overall desirability. Measuring a mere 7.5mm in thickness, the Apiotek VP-0002 works with Skype, MSN Messenger, and Yahoo! Messenger in either Windows or Mac environments. Pricing details are currently unavailable.

Treo 755p rumors hit the Net

2007-03-26T18:04:00.000-07:00

The SprintUsers Forum is currently ablaze with rumors of a brand new Treo which will be released in the middle of May this year. Dubbed the Treo 755p, this new smartphone does away with the archaic external antenna design, making it much better looking that the Treo 650 and its predecessor. Word also has it that the Treo 755p will be the 700p's successor, being made available to consumers in blue and burgundy colors. Pricing details are still hush hush at the moment, so keep a lookout on Uberphones for any further developments. Of course, this is only possible if the rumor is true in the first place.

New Helio Oz handset coming soon

2007-03-26T08:14:00.000-07:00

Helio is pretty slow when it comes to bringing out new phones, but at least their product line up isn't stagnant. Word on the street is the next Helio handset will be christened Oz, which is actually a dual-slider Pantech. Other details such as pricing and availability are still unknown, but at least minor stuff like the name of the phone and its make is confirmed. Definitely a meh moment more than anything else.

BlackBerry Daytona leak

2007-03-26T08:10:00.000-07:00

Fans of BlackBerry devices ought to be pleased to check out the leaked photo of the upcoming model, known as the Daytona (or 8300 if you prefer numerals). This smartphone will ship with a bunch of features that were sorely missing on the 8800. So far we know the Daytona will feature WiFi connectivity, a 2 megapixel camera with LED flash for candid moments, and an integrated GPS system to keep you on track no matter where you are. Additional improvements include enhanced audio quality on the speakerphone and improved software. Other than that, details are pretty much scant at the moment.

Soundwalk MP3 vest for active folk

2007-03-15T19:29:00.000-07:00

We just covered the Play List jacket for those who want to carry the iPod despite wearing a blazer to work, and now we have the Soundwalk MP3 player audio sports vest that not only carries your iPod and cellphone, it boasts a pair of integrated amplifier speakers on both shoulder straps to offer you true surround sound wherever you go. This vest features reflector lines at the side for night use, while a hands-free selector enables you to switch between MP3 player and cellphone mode. Too bad the choice of colors are pretty limited, available in red or black only for $69.99. Exercise and outdoor buffs will definitely love the Soundwalk MP3 vest.

Sony Ericsson Maria spyshots

2007-03-15T19:28:00.000-07:00

In addition to the Sony Ericsson Sofia, we also have spotted the Maria, also from Sony Ericsson. Being black in color, I can't quite help myself from piecing two and two together to get Black Maria. Anyways, enough musing. This supposed upgrade to the M600i is a WCDMA handset and comes with a 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus. It will be powered by the Symbian User Interface. There is no word on pricing or availability at this point, so keep a lookout.

Sony Ericsson Sofia in the wild

2007-03-15T19:26:00.000-07:00

The advent of cellphone cameras is definitely a boon as we now reap the benefits of covert operations accomplished via such handsets - spyshots of upcoming devices. Just like how it takes a thief to catch another thief, it takes a pretty good cellphone camera to snap spy pictures of the upcoming Sony Ericsson Sofia. What little we do know about the Sofia includes the 5 megapixel camera with xenon flash and a pretty large QVGA display. Hopefully more details regarding the Sofia will be released in the near future.

Apiotek VP-0002 looks stunning

2007-03-15T19:23:00.000-07:00

LG Prada runs on Windows Mobile 6.0

2007-03-08T03:54:00.001-08:00

The iPhone competitor from LG, the Prada (also known as the KE850), was spotted running the latest Windows Mobile 6.0 operating system recently. This means LG is cozying up with Microsoft, being the third in line after Samsung and Motorola to sell Windows Mobile-powered handsets. Other than the KE850, LG will be working on at least a couple more smartphones that use touchscreen technology in lieu of buttons. Apple can probably take their time with the iPhone's release since no matter what version of Windows Mobile these smartphones run on, it is still Windows at the end of the day as no other operating system can pretend to compete on the same level as the iPhone's user interface.

Concept Analog Thumbstick for portables

2007-03-08T03:52:00.000-08:00

The analog thumbstick could possibly be one of the better inventions that greatly help users manipulate an interface, but unfortunately its size makes it nigh impossible for portable devices such as cellphones and portable handheld consoles to integrate properly. Granted, most cellphones these days come with some form of analog thumbstick, but those are so small and often fail not before too long. The Compact Analog Thumbstick is a concept design of an improved joystick for the mentioned devices, featuring a telescopic analog design that has to be unlocked and extended before use. Once you're done with it, just push it in and twist it around to lock it, making it look like a normal button instead.

Wii Weights make you sweat

2007-03-08T03:49:00.000-08:00

Remember those ankle weights that you used to wear while performing your daily run? If you think that they have been beneficial to your health cause, I'm pretty sure that the Wii Weights will appeal to you as well. The premise is simple - just wrap these Wii Weights around your wrists whenever you're engaged in some form of Wii Boxing or Bowling and get a thorough workout. This is just a prototype at the moment, as there definitely are some health concerns to worry about, since these weights might actually cause unnecessary strain on your wrists when it comes to other milder games.

SkyKap Advisor dispenses advise

2007-03-08T03:45:00.000-08:00

Golf might be the only sport where the spectators have to keep quiet while watching their heroes line up a putt. Whoever heard of a hushed stadium in the dying minutes of a basketball championship game when Michael Jordan was about to pull off one of his Airwalk specials? The GPS-enabled SkyKap Advisor is one interesting gadget that could potentially help you lower your handicap as it whispers information such as the pin, water hazards, and fairway boundaries into your ear. Of course, you must first download such information from a computer to the SkyKap via USB before hitting the greens. Looks like GPS technology is finding all sorts of niches to fill. There is no word on pricing or availability as at press time.

Kiss goodbye to stripped bolts

2007-03-08T03:44:00.000-08:00

One of the most confounding home improvement obstacles one can ever come across is a bolt or nut that has been screwed on so tightly in the past, using a wrench to unscrew it seems like a nigh impossible task. In fact, most people apply more pressure than is needed, stripping the bolt down instead. The GearWrench Electronic Torque Wrench helps prevent that situation by displaying the amount of torque your are exerting on the bolt via the display. It is capable of measuring the force used 2,500 times a second, buzzing and flashing green lights to let you know that you have reached the target torque. You will have to pony up $340 for this high-tech tool.

Passport 9500i memorizes speed traps

2007-03-08T03:42:00.000-08:00

The Passport 9500i will definitely be a favorite for people who love speeding dangerously without wanting to pay the price of speeding tickets. This radar detector comes with an integrated GPS chipset that memorizes the exact location of speed traps, alerting you of potential pitfalls ahead while you are busy putting the pedal to the metal. Is the $450 investment worth the cheap thrill of pushing your '84 Toyota beyond its limits? Only you can decide for yourself. Just remember that fines aren't the only consequences of speeding, as it could involve the loss of human life as well.

Bullet time camera for military

2007-03-08T03:38:00.000-08:00

The military seem to have gotten their mitts around a camera which can see in bullet time. This high-speed camera from Nova Sensors is capable of following bullets in midflight, thanks to its mimicry ability that was inspired by the humble human eye. Dubbed VAST (Variable Acuity Superpixel Technology), this new camera will be used in developing a new "active armor" - kevlar shields that are smart enough to detect incoming bullets and inflate automatically to protect a soldier's life. I guess short of being Neo, that is the next best option. If only my gramps had one of these vests back then in June 1944.

Sit on a piece of NYC culture

2007-03-08T03:36:00.000-08:00

Those who live in the Big Apple will be very familiar with the "Walk/Don't Walk" signs that dot the city wherever you turn to. Artisan John Carter decided to take advantage of this cultural icon by using it as a backrest and seat for a chair, while the rest of the four feet are made from from reconfigured, customized steel street sign brackets. These signs actually work when plugged into any 115V AC outlet, while the bulbs inside can be replaced whenever they've given up the ghost. To make the seating experience more comfortable, each chair has been reglazed with a 1" thick polished resin along with felt suspension. These handmade chairs will cost $3,700 a pop.

Faux Security Cameras a deterrent

2007-03-08T03:34:00.000-08:00

The Faux Security Cameras from Hammacher are banking on acting as a deterrent in order to prevent would-be burglars from ransacking your home while you're away. To add to the authenticity, each Faux Security Camera comes with a blinking red LED which is powered by AA batteries and a fake video cable. Of course, it would be better if the camera could pan from side to side once in a while to bring up the burglar-scare factor a notch. Unfortunately, each of these fake cameras retail for $60, so instead of buying a few fake ones to surround your home, why not use that money and pick up a working security system?

Zune phone a distant possibility

2007-03-08T03:33:00.000-08:00

Rumors of a Zune phone could very well be proved true a few years down the road, what with the hints dropped by Microsoft when the company submitted a filing to the FCC just this week. This file touched on a wireless device which could be used to talk via the Internet, courtesy of OFDM technology which can be used to route digital TV and voice calls among different devices. Imagine making calls on a WiFi/WiMax network with the Zune phone - the market is still in its infancy at this point of time, but according to the Zune roadmap that features a revamp every three years, 2008 is a good year as all the necessary pieces on the chessboard will probably be in a favorable position.

Wisair to demonstrate WiUSB next week

2007-03-08T03:32:00.000-08:00

Wisair is a chipset maker who is working hard to get hardware manufacturers carry its Ultra Wideband (UWB) and Wireless USB solutions in virtually every consumer electronics product released, will be demonstrating its Wireless USB functionality in camera cellphones at the 3GSM Conference in Spain next week. Wisair will use a Nokia N-Series handset with an integrated Wisair 542 chip to transfer photos and video from to a computer wirelessly. Do our dear readers think that this feature is an essential one? After all, WiFi-enabled digital cameras never really took off even until today

Zune could get games

2007-03-08T03:29:00.000-08:00

Greg Canessa, the man who left his general manager post at Xbox Live for PopCap games, did drop some hints that ought to get Zune and iPod owners sit up and take notice. He mentioned in passing that PopCap will be working on its stable of franchises and games for different platforms, adding in other functions such as multiplayer, new play modes, as well as customizing the user interface for a myriad of devices including the Zune, iPod, AppleTV, Nintendo DS, and Sony PSP. Interesting to see him name drop both the Zune and AppleTV. Do you think this is a possibility, or was he just wringing off some names in a hurried interview?

Mathmos Mini Lamp appeals to Mario

2007-03-08T03:13:00.000-08:00

The Mathmos Mini Lamp shares a very strong resemblance to those Power Up mushrooms that are hidden in blocks throughout each Mario game. Made from mouth blown glass with LEDs inside, you can be sure that no two lamps are alike. The LEDs within are controlled by a computer chip that enables it to cycle through the entire color spectrum according to your preference. Turning on or off the lamp is just a simple matter of pushing on it gently. Each Mathmos Mini Lamp can cycle through nine different colors and all of them come in white frosted glass. You can purchase one to brighten up your home today for $47. Trippin'...

Uren A1 in-car computer

2007-03-08T03:01:00.000-08:00

Innowell has unveiled the Uren A1 mobile computer that targets those who want to run a computer in their vehicles to keep the entire passenger manifesto entertained during long road trips. Powered by an AMD LX800 processor, the Uren A1 runs on Windows XP and is capable of running multimedia content as well as Microsoft Office applications just like a normal computer. Features include a 7" touchscreen display, an integrated SiRFStar III GPS chipset, and HSDPA connectivity support. The Uren A1 is tipped to retail for approximately $750, and Innowell has plans for a similar model with DMB capability sometime later this year.

Lose weight while relaxing

2007-03-08T03:00:00.000-08:00

If you have a hot little number to wear that night but still haven't shed off the weight accumulated over Christmas yet, fear not. Sousan's Spa has a machine that claims to help customers drop a dress size within an hour. All you need to do is to remain perfectly still in the machine while relaxing. This machine uses the "hydro fusion" concept that uses vitamin-infused steam and infrared heat to burn up to 2,000 calories within sixty minutes. Unfortunately, a fitness trainer and nutritionist says that the weight loss achieved is due to water weight, so there is still no substitute for good old exercise. An hour's treatment will cost you $150.

Snow plowing robot

2007-03-08T02:58:00.001-08:00

Winter in Niigata, Japan is often associated with heavy snow that pose problems for residents who then have to shovel away all that snow from driveways and entrances to their homes. The elderly often find this task too heavy for their aged body, which is why a team of researchers have developed the Yuki-taro autonomous snowplow robot. Measuring 63" x 37" x 30" and weighing 880 lbs, the Yuki-taro boasts a GPS navigation system and two embedded video cameras in its eyes, searching for snow and scooping it up via the mouth. The robot's innards will then compress snow into hard blocks measuring 24" x 12" x 6" which is expelled from its rear end later. These ice blocks can subsequently be recycled in the summer as an alternative source of refrigeration or cooling. Each Yuki-Taro will retail for approximately $8,000 when it is commercially available in half a decade's time. I sure hope my popsicles by then won't be made from recycled snow!

iPod Safe locks down on theft

2007-03-08T02:55:00.001-08:00

There are tons of iPod accessories in the market, and the amount of cases that you see are just astounding. What makes this one stand out from the crowd is the fact that it comes with a four-digit combination lock which must be entered correctly before you can actually open the case and take out the iPod from wherever it is attached to at the moment. Unfortunately the case is plastic, so with a little creativity, the combination lock won't do much good. Still, if it does give you a sense of security, by all means go out and get one. There is no word on pricing details.

Turbolinux Wizpy MP3 Player AND Portable Linux Drive

2007-03-07T04:27:00.000-08:00

The Turbolinux Wizpy is not only a Linux based portable media player that plays MP3, Ogg, WMA, AAC and DivX formats, it’s also a portable Linux drive which lets you plug and boot into Turbolinux’s own Linux OS—Turbolinux FUJI on any PC.

MP4 Watch

2007-03-07T04:10:00.000-08:00

We have seen many MP3 wrist watches which also let you store digital files via USB interface, how often do you see a wrist watch that lets you play video files? Thanko has a MP4 watch on their web based store, supporting video playbacks in MP4 (NXV) format, as well as audio playbacks in MP3 and WMA formats.

Asus Released P535 GPS-enabled Pocket PC

2007-03-07T03:57:00.000-08:00

Following Dopod and ETEN’s foot steps, Asus announced their first GPS-enabled Pocket PC, the Asus P535 on Wednesday. This new model is powered by Intel Xscale 520MHz processor, 64 MB SDRAM, 256 MB NAND flash memories, and Microsoft Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC Phone Edition (AKU3.2). Asus is targeting the P535 at the Asian Pacific market, with retail price of around US$740 (23,900 TWD in Taiwan

O2 Xda Atom Life, A HSDPA Pocket PC

2007-03-07T03:50:00.000-08:00

Sony Ericsson Announced Two New Cyber-shot Phones

2007-03-07T03:33:00.000-08:00

Palm to serve up "ultra thin" WiMAX smartphone this year?

2007-03-06T22:49:00.000-08:00

Plant this firmly in the "unsubstantiated rumor" category and take it with a boulder-sized grain of salt, but there's one thing here we can say with certainty: whether it sells or not, Palm is in desperate need of fresh product. Like, not a new Treo with a little more memory or a slightly better camera -- we mean seriously fresh product. We're sure there are some reasonably smart folk kicking around at Palm that realize the very same thing, and it's only because of that assumption that we're forced to give this rumor some amount of credit. Anyhoo, here's the deal: Sprint will start flipping the switch (wouldn't it be cool if there actually was a giant switch they flipped?) on its WiMAX network later this year, or in a worst case scenario they'll at least be trialling it. Well, ya need product for that new network, right? Palm allegedly is going to swoop in late this year (think October time frame) with an "ultra thin" (tipster's words, not ours) smartphone that'll rock WiMAX out of the box. No word on what platform it'll sport or really any other detail of consequence, but "Palm" and "thin" aren't typically two words you hear in the same sentence, so by the time you throw in some blazing fast data, this could be quite a treat indeed.

ADS Tech Instant Video To-Go Video Conversion Stick

2007-03-06T21:37:00.000-08:00

ADS Technologies launches their new video conversion device, the Instant Video To-Go yesterday, offering conversion speed of up to 5 times faster than real time (video length) comparing with regular software conversion which usually takes 4-10 times longer than real time. The Instant Video To-Go is industry’s first hardware-based H.264 conversion solution for consumers, allowing users to convert popular video formats including MPEG-1, MPEG-2, VOB (unprotected), DivX and Quicktime.

AdSense AdSense with Google Checkout Badge

2007-03-06T21:22:00.000-08:00

Starting today, you may notice some AdSense ads displaying the Google Checkout shopping cart badge alongside the ad title. These small icons identify ads that link to sites where shoppers can buy via Google Checkout. The addition of the Checkout badge makes it easier for people to find sites where they can use Google Checkout's quick, easy and secure checkout option when making a purchase.

In addition to shopping carts on AdSense, we're also introducing new badges on ads that appear in Google search results. We hope you enjoy these new additions to our ad formats. It's another step in our ongoing efforts to enhance the experiences of AdSense publishers, AdWords advertisers, and visitors to your site.

by Jonathan Berger - Google Checkout Product Manager
=============================
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Ad Placement Optimization

2007-03-06T21:11:00.000-08:00

As you may know, custom channels are a great way to track the performance of individual ad units on your pages. Starting this week, with just a few extra steps you can make your site more attractive to advertisers by allowing them to target these channels as ad placements. Creating ad placements for more visible and desirable ad locations on your site increases their value to advertisers using site targeting and encourages those advertisers to bid more.