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Hands on with the Sirius Stiletto 2
2007-08-15 20:48:00
Filed under: Portable Audio, Wireless Alright, so it's really not all that much different than its predecessor in terms of functionality, but you gotta love the slightly sleeker design and bulked up WiFi of the new Sirius Stiletto 2 -- and the ability to add more tunes via microSD doesn't hurt, either. Not a lot to say about this one that we haven't covered with the original -- i.e. if you weren't happy with issues like reception or content restriction, you probably won't be into the sequel either -- so instead of rehashing the specs for the zillionth time, we'll let you get right to the gallery... Gallery: Sirius Stiletto Gallery Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
More About: Satellite , Hands , Hands On

Extreme PS3 ?stress test? garners praise from Sony
2007-08-15 20:21:00
Filed under: Gaming Clearly due to the current heat on Microsoft concerning the Xbox 360 RROD, disk scratching, and overheating scandals, Sony 's Dave Karraker is mooning on the company's official blog over a recent PS3 Vault "stress test" called "How to kill a PS3 console" which showed the company's game system to be surprisingly resilient in the face of extreme conditions. "A lot of noise has been made recently about the reliability issues of one of our competitor's systems," Karraker said, then went on to kick some sand in Redmond's eye by adding "Did it fail? Nope. Like the Energizer Bunny, it kept going and going and going." Admittedly, the tests -- which included running games and Blu-ray movies for 108 hours in a typical "living room" environment, placing the console in a freezer van then lowering the temperature from 50 degrees to zero, and powering the PS3 in a sauna where heat increased from 100 degrees to 120 degrees over a nearly three-day session -- were quite extre...
More About: Playstation , Xbox 360 , Extreme

Researchers use ?ionic wind? to cool computer chips
2007-08-15 19:47:00
Filed under: Misc. GadgetsA team of researchers at Purdue University look to be doing their best to put conventional computer cooling techniques to shame, to that end developing a prototype system that uses an "ionic wind" to keep chips cool, something they say could eventually allow for much more powerful computers. According to the BBC, the system employs an ionic engine that produces positively charged particles when a voltage is applied to it. Those particles are then naturally drawn to a negatively charged wire, resulting in a constant air movement over the chips. That, the researchers say, increases the cooling rate from a conventional fan by up to 250%. They're apparently far from satisfied with the system just yet though, and they're now working to make it a hundred times smaller than its current size -- a feat all the more daunting considering that it already measures just a few millimeters.[Thanks, Xander and Del Monte] Read | Permalink | Email this |...
More About: Computer , Wind , Cool , Ionic

Sharp releases smaller-bigger LCDs
2007-08-15 18:57:00
Filed under: HDTV, Home EntertainmentSharp is bringing to the US market a subset of the series of slimmer LCDs recently released in Japan. The D64U series of 1080p LCDs includes four models from 42 to 65 inches, all with re-engineered circuitry inside for a 25% slimmer and 20% lighter frame than previous product lines, while consuming less power. With the thinner bezel and smaller speakers, you might fit a 42-inch set where a 40 would normally go. The panels feature 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 4ms response time, and RS-232 automation controls. The series will be available later this month, with the 42-inch LC-42D64U retailing for $2,099, the 46-inch LC-46D64U for $2,699, and the 52-inch LC-52D64U for $3,799, with the 65-inch LC-65D64U unpriced and following in September. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
More About: High , Ease

Rumor: New Xbox 360 bundles coming this holiday season
2007-08-15 18:39:00
A rumor, from French site Gamick.fr, is reporting that Microsoft has a new Xbox 360 bundle(s) in the works. The bundle, which from the picture above, seems to be for the Elite SKU and is said to include 2 free games. Those titles are: Forza Motorsport 2 and Marvel Ultimate Alliance. The Premium SKU ...
More About: Gaming , Rumor , Holiday , Games

Disney?s Holiday Sneak Peek, Part 3: Digital Audio and More
2007-08-15 18:30:00
Disney had quite a lot of new audio products...
More About: Holiday , Audio , Disney , Sneak Peek , Digital Audio

HDMI-equipped Xbox 360 Premiums still carry 90nm chips
2007-08-15 18:29:00
Filed under: Gaming Well it appears that despite all of our wishing, hoping, and positive-thinking exercises, Microsoft has failed to deliver on a small dream of ours, namely, 65nm chips for the new HDMI-rocking Xbox 360 Premiums. Despite signs pointing otherwise, new photos show that this batch of systems continue to carry the Zephyr motherboard layout, which uses the older, hotter 90nm chips, though the boys in Redmond have addressed the heat issue a little bit with the addition of a second "daughter" heatsink attached to the CPU by heatpipe. The new 65nm "Falcon" boards -- which chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) confirmed are in production -- are still on their way according to the rumor mill, slated for release sometime this Fall. Interestingly, Microsoft and TSMC have just laid plans to produce the Xbox's graphics-memory subsystem using the chip manufacturer's 90nm embedded DRAM spec. We won't speculate on when we'll start seeing that addition appe...
More About: Xbox 360 , Hdmi , Chips , Chip

Sprint?s mobile WiMAX service called XOHM?
2007-08-15 09:21:00
Filed under: Wireless We have information from an anonymous tipster claiming that Sprint is set to take the wraps of their new WiMAX brand dubbed XOHM. It's anybody's guess at this point how you'd pronounce that ("x-ohm" or "zohm" perhaps) but we're told to expect a formal announcement as early as Thursday. The timing is certainly legit what with plans to have the 4G service up and running in select cities "by year-end 2007." We'd expect any new branding to encompass the combined efforts of those Clearwire and Google deals though our source ain't sayin'. Perhaps XOHM was the delayed little secret behind Sprint's "wireless evolution" teaser site which was pulled without explanation before its July 4th pop date. Who knows, but anything that moves us closer to a WiMax-enabled N800 and that "ultra thin" WiMax smartphone from Palm is fine by us. Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games t...
More About: Mobile , Service , Wimax , Breaking

Pocketable probe could detect drink spiking
2007-08-15 08:31:00
Filed under: Misc. GadgetsGranted, we've come across hordes of patent applications that were far from practical, but if it's the premise that counts, we suppose this one works out alright. The app calls for a "probe" which could then be inserted into a drink, and an indicator connected to a database that would enlighten you if your drink has indeed been injected with a noxious solution while you weren't paying attention. The process would also require that a blast of electricity be sent through the probe, and though it's not directly stated, it also entails that the user be sober enough to understand it and willing to bust it out whilst partying. We have our doubts about the last two ever truly working out.[Via MedLaunches, image courtesy of BBC] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
More About: Drink , Probe , Robe

Samsung?s SC-X300L wearable camcorder gets reviewed
2007-08-15 07:34:00
Filed under: Digital Cameras, Wearables Finally, a review is in on the product you've all been hemming and hawing over -- Samsung 's head-mountable sports camcorder: the SC-X300L. First things first, let's get this clear: this is a camcorder which mounts to your head via a velcro strap, and it is manufactured by Samsung... got it? The reviewer calls it "cool looking," though we have our doubts, and he seems to have a lot of trouble getting the device strapped on at the right angle. Apparently, after about six tries he got the positioning worked out, and had a lot of fun shooting videos (on an electric motorbike and of his wife unpacking groceries). In the end, however, the verdict seems to be that there are too many buttons, the proprietary Samsung video format makes dealing with files a pain, the resolution (720 x 480) is just so-so, and the lack of still shots is a big minus. For the asking price ($449) it sounds like you might be better off with another, more full featured mode...
More About: Camcorder , Head , Amcor , Arab

Xbox 360 price drops to Wii levels in Australia
2007-08-15 06:37:00
Filed under: GamingThey may have had to wait a bit longer, but Australia n gamers can now save a considerable chunk of change on a new Xbox 360 just like the rest of us, with the Core model now even able to boast the same price tag as the Wii. That puts it at A$399.95 (down from A$429), while the 20GB Xbox 360 Pro drops all the way from A$649 to A$579.95 (or $486US at the current exchange rate). According to Gamespot, Xbox regional director for Australia and New Zealand David McLean also confirmed that the HDMI-equipped Xboxes would be making their way down under as well, as would the Elite and Halo 3 Special Edition varieties of Xboxen, although he's apparently not quite ready to get specific about prices or release dates for those just yet. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
More About: Price , Drop

Unlocking iPhone from AT&T gets easier, still a pain
2007-08-15 05:35:00
Filed under: Cellphones So you say writing SIMs all by your lonesome isn't part of your daily routine, but you're still interested in freeing the iPhone from AT&T's surly bonds? Yeah, we can't blame you -- we're pretty much in the same boat -- so we're glad to see that an ever-so-slightly easier unlocking trick has bubbled out of the hive mind just a week after the original. This new hackery involves a specialized SIM card called a "Turbo SIM" manufactured by the Czech Republic's BLADOX. The idea behind the Turbo SIM is that you can add... well, stuff to the Turbo SIM, sandwich it between your regular SIM and your phone, and the loaded material then becomes available to the handset; traditionally, that "stuff" is value-add software like customized SMS directories, security, logging, and the like. In this case, though, the chip is used to pass through the original AT&T SIM's identifying information to the phone while preserving the calling capability of the Carrier X ...
More About: Apple , Iphone , Pain

HTC Shift gets a price: $1500 on Dynamism
2007-08-15 05:03:00
Filed under: Handhelds, Laptops The headline more or less says it all, friends: HTC's Shift , both UMPC and Pocket PC Windows Mobile 6 Professional, has a pre-order price of $1500 over at Dynamism. No date is listed on the site, but with units in the wild (or, at least, a unit in the wild) we're hoping it won't be so long.[Via jkOnTheRun] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
More About: Price , Nami

Chintzy LV 2008 handset boasts attachable zoom lens
2007-08-15 04:22:00
Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras It's been a tick since we've seen a Chinese handset this obscure, and while the PS3-playing A816 and Surround Sound Phone sure had their moments, this laugher takes things to a whole 'nother platform. The LV 2008 supposedly offers up a 3.5-inch LCD, an array of speakers, multimedia player, voice recorder, Bluetooth, an e-dictionary, and USB connectivity, but the standout "feature" here is the attachable zoom lens. Yep, it looks like we've got a DSLR phone on our hands here folks, and while we're sure that that optical zoom is nice, the paltry 1.3-megapixel sensor just drags the whole package down. But hey, for around $130, why not pick one up just for kicks? More unbelievable pictures after the break.[Via MobileWhack]Continue reading Chintzy LV 2008 handset boasts attachable zoom lens Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
More About: Zoom , Lens , Handset , Attach

NAS from Princeton Tech boasts iTunes server
2007-08-15 04:05:00
Princeton Tech nology continues its slew of NAS (Network-attached Storage) devices, this time with the PEC-NAV500. Unlike other units from the same company, this one includes a 500GB drive right out of the box. Like those drive-less bases, the PEC-NAV500 utilizes a iTunes server and includes DiXiM media server client from DigiOn, allowing for supreme media connectivity. ...
More About: Hardware , Computers , Itunes , Networking

BlueFlash puts USB and Bluetooth on your Apple II
2007-08-15 03:41:00
Filed under: Desktops, Wireless, Storage Do you keep revving up your Apple II to check your email, update your contacts and sync your mobile phone only to discover that you can't get Bluetooth up and running because the computer is actually from 1978? Well don't worry, because thanks to a very clever man who goes by the name Vinchysky, you can now utilize the a custom-designed disk controller card to interface with all your Bluetooth (and USB) capable devices. The ingenious design takes advantage of the card by bussing data from the single USB port (with attached Bluetooth dongle) to a CF card wired to the controller, thereby allowing information to be swapped on the card and disk images to be executed wirelessly. The card will be available in the near future for $160, plus an additional $10 for the dongle. If you really want to get a scope of what went into this hack, direct your browser and be awed by the results of three years' hard work.[Via TUAW] Read | Permalink &...
More About: Card , Lash

Time Warner testing customized DVR system
2007-08-15 03:20:00
Time Warner Cable has developed a DVR-esque system called Look Back, that isn’t destined to overthrow your current DVR. What Look Back does is simple: it allows you to fast-forward through shows in a DVD sort of way. While with TiVo, you can fast-forward at will and skip commercials, Look Back will tend to please the ...
More About: Video , System , Time , Testing

Nevover prepping clip-on display for PS3
2007-08-15 03:05:00
Filed under: Display s, Gaming While the PS3 is probably the console you're least likely to lug around with a screen attached to it, Nevover seems to think that there's enough people willing to do just that, and it's apparently planning to offer a clip-on screen to make that task somewhat more manageable. While it doesn't exactly look like it's ready to be released, the screen will apparently measure seven inches, and boast a 480x234 resolution, a "high" refresh rate, a pair of 1W speakers, and dual headphone jacks. No word on a price or release date just yet although, as unlikely a pairing as it seems, we're sure this won't be the last such screen to compete against your better judgment.[Via Tech Digest]  Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
More About: Playstation , Clip , Playstation 3 , Prep

Yamaha announces feature-packed RX-Z11 home theater receiver
2007-08-15 02:33:00
Filed under: Home EntertainmentNormally home theater receivers aren't considered anything special, content to switch inputs and power speakers, letting the plasma flat-panel take all the glory. But Yamaha has thrown all the goodies and features into the RX-Z11 receiver, with THX Ultra2 Plus certification for quality assurance, five HDMI 1.3a inputs and two outputs, four component inputs and two outs, and support for five audio and two video zones. It also supports the newest audio codecs, including Dolby TrueHD, and DTS Master Audio. To finish off the features, the receiver also supports terrestrial HD and XM satellite radio, network capabilities and internet radio, and includes an iPod dock for external media. The RX-Z11 comes out in November, for an undisclosed (but surely expensive) price. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Feature d Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
More About: Theater , Home Theater , Receiver

HTC?s P5500 ?Nike? slated for September launch?
2007-08-15 02:02:00
Filed under: CellphonesAlthough the most recent hunch about a handset release did indeed prove true, we're not so sure about these HTC claims. DigiTimes has it that High Tech Computer is "expected to launch its second touchscreen-controlled smartphone supporting a 3.5G standard perhaps as soon as Sept ember ," and while it didn't confirm, the site did insinuate that the mobile in question is the P5500 "Nike ." Additionally, the rumors suggested that the phone will be "built using a CPU from Samsung and chipsets from Qualcomm," while also supporting W-CDMA. Of note, these same "sources" claimed that a device codenamed Vogue would be hitting North, Central, and South American shores, and we certainly can't find any room to argue with that.[Via TheUnwired] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
More About: Launch , Touch

TabletKiosk?s Sahara i440D Slate PC reviewed, benchmarked
2007-08-15 01:26:00
Filed under: Tablet PCs Just over a fortnight after the TabletKiosk's Sahara i440D Slate PC began shipping out to interested buyers, the niche machine has now been reviewed and benchmarked for those still mulling a purchase. The folks over at TabletPCReview noted that this machine was a breeze to tote around, had a solid feel, sported a satisfactory (though not awe-inspiring) display, and performed sufficiently enough for those not looking to actually replace their (likely more robust) laptop. Additionally, the pen functionality was highly praised as was the respectable array of ports, but the amount of noise and heat that this bad boy emitted was a slight turn-off. Still, the Sahara i440D benchmarked well against similar alternatives, and while we wouldn't recommend 3D gaming or motion picture rendering on it, it seems like a solid choice for those in the market. Check out a videoed extension of the review after the jump.Continue reading TabletKiosk's Sahara i440D Slate PC revie...
More About: Video , Core

Fancast: Comcast?s new media portal
2007-08-15 00:58:00
Comcast - the ISP, Cable and Phone provider - is making its foray into the online world. Their new service, Fancast, is a cross between an informational site (such as IMDB) and a video service (such as BBC’s new iPlayer). In Fancast, you search for an actor, movie, or TV show and you are given information, ...
More About: Video , Media , Web 2 , Websites , Content

Next Safety developing nicotine-delivery device to curb smoking
2007-08-15 00:55:00
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets Nah, Next Safety 's approach to curbing smoking isn't nearly as fun as puffing on Golden Dragon's Ruyan e-cigarettes, but it just might do the trick. Reportedly, this North Carolina-based startup plans to bring a "nicotine-delivery product" to market which would actually "deliver nicotine to the brain faster and safer than cigarettes," all while protecting children and nonsmokers from secondhand smoke. Interestingly, the pulmonary drug-deliverer (which works similarly to a medical inhaler) is said to provide "a stronger kick" than smoking, but actually administers a smaller amount of nicotine to the body than your average Marlboro. Currently, the firm is hoping to release it into less restricted overseas markets by the year's end, but analysts here in America are questioning its ability to pass through all the red tape required for it to hit our shelves.[Via MedGadget]Read - New nicotine-delivery device is safer than smoking, NC company saysRead - Next...
More About: Smoking , Device

knife.hand.chop.bot automatically threatens your digits
2007-08-15 00:24:00
Filed under: Robots We can't stress our "don't try this at home" attitude strongly enough towards readers over this piece of robot hackery from the 5Voltcore collective, called the knife.hand.chop.bot. The basic premise is this: the robot plays a game of "Mumblety-Peg," a test of courage wherein a blade is brought down between your fingers at an ever increasing pace. Of course, we've all played a round or two of this game with friends, but it's unlikely that many of us have allowed a bot to play, much less do all the shot-calling. The system manages to avoid slicing fingers due to signals it receives from an onboard sensor which guides the knife, however, it also utilizes contact sensors underneath the user's hand, which can detect moisture (aka "nervous sweat"). The sweat triggers "stressful" sounds via closure of the contacts, and can have an adverse effect on the accuracy of the aiming mechanism, thus increasing your stress, thus causing you to sweat, thus throwing off the a...
More About: Games , Stress , Knife , Hand , Gits

Creative?s Zen Wav gets reviewed
2007-08-14 23:53:00
Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video Although hearing this thing on video is probably the only review you need, where's the harm in taking a more in-depth look at the rest of the Zen Wav? Apparently sharing our sentiments, the folks over at AnythingButiPod were able to snag a unit to test, and while it did point out that there's really nothing outstanding here beyond the integrated speakers and MSC support, we're sure there's a niche who'd find that enough to warrant a purchase. As you'd probably expect, design and construction were ho hum, controls were basic and lacking a dedicated volume button(s), the FM tuner was deemed "solid," and the rest of the amenities (photo viewing, sound quality, video playback, etc.) seemed satisfactory enough. Overall, Creative 's Zen Wav looks alright if you're particularly interested in the unique features it offers, but if you're not mesmerized by built-in drivers or the MSC connection, you'll likely be served better by something e...

Samsung introduces Yepp P2 DAP, gets sexy with a woman hand model
2007-08-14 23:48:00
That is right, more gadget buyers are men, so why not bait them with a ladies soft touch? So thinks Samsung who has employed a sex’d up womanly hold on it’s new P2 DAP. This smart looking player features a touchscreen and some side buttons. While there seems to be limited hard facts at ...
More About: Video , Model , Sexy , Woman

New iMac sports updated iSight camera
2007-08-14 22:08:00
Last week’s revision to the iMac line seemed good, simply in terms of aesthetics and beefed up specifications. After a week of hands-on time with the machine, Ars Technica has discovered that the tiny iSight camera built into the iMac has also been upgraded. Just like the Santa Rosa MacBook Pros, the iMacs have 1.3 megapixel ...
More About: Hardware , Sports , Computers , Apple , Camera

AT&T having wireless data issues today?
2007-08-14 21:41:00
Filed under: CellphonesWe're getting reports that AT&T customers have gone without their precious bits and bytes for at least part of the day today. It's unclear what the problem is or how widespread it may be, but it seems that folks in a number of metropolitan areas are unable to connect or are suffering with unusually slow data rates. Anyone out there notice anything fishy?[Thanks, Michael K.] Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
More About: Wireless , Phone , Issues , Data , Today

Option?s GlobeTrotter Express HSUPA card wins FCC approval
2007-08-14 21:39:00
Filed under: Laptops, Wireless Option has already done quite a bit of bragging about its various HSUPA and HSDPA offerings, but it looks like the company now has one more cause to pat itself on the back, as its GlobeTrotter Express HSUPA card has netted the all-important FCC approval. According to the company, that makes it the first such card to do so, paving the way for it to be released in the U.S. Apart from the ExpressCard form factor, however, the card is pretty much in line with the company's HSUPA USB adapter, with it boasting 7.2 Mbps download speeds and upload speeds approaching 2 Mbps, along with support for tri-band UMTS operation and compatibility with quad-band EDGE and GPRS. While there's nothing to hold it back now, there unfortunately still doesn't appear to be any word on a price or release date.  Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
More About: Wins

HTC Iris S640 approved by FCC
2007-08-14 21:26:00
The good ‘ole FCC has now approved HTC’s new Iris S640. HTC Iris S640 is powered by Windows Mobile 6 on 400 MHz Qualcomm MSM 7500 and dual-band 800/1900 MHz CDMA 1x-EVDO Rev. The smartphone also supports WiFi 802.11 b/g and Bluetooth connectivity. It has other features which include 256MB of ROM, 64MB of RAM, ...
More About: Cellphones , Smartphones , Communications , Prove