Gadgets Blog News

Posted Feb 23rd 2008 4:44PM by Darren MurphFiled under: cellphones, Displays, Handhelds If you’re frustrated with how difficult it is to control your touchscreen-based mobile with just one hand, Mitsumi clearly feels your pain. At a recent presentation, the outfit highlighted a new haptic input device that would ideally be situated on the rear of a handset / PMP and enable users to activate applications without having to use another hand to do so. The device consists of “a sheet with small protrusions, a resistance sensitive touch pad and switches,” and while the prototype was a tad unsightly, the firm is hoping to reduce the thickness before taking it commercial. (Read the full post about ‘Mitsumi haptic input device could enable one-handed mobile operation’…)

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This ActionCamera is the perfect gift for people that do “Extreme Sports” and want to see a piece of the action in video. Basically, the camera is attached to a helmet, and the rest is obvious. Codenamed ATC-2K and made by Oregon Scientific, the camera is able to record videos at 30 frames per second, with a VGA format and 640×480 resolution. While the internal memory only has 32MB of storage, you can increase it by using a SD memory card. Other features include being waterproof (3 meters is the limit) and the option to strap it to the handlebars of your bicycle. Product Page PS - it costs $130. Tags: camera, digital, wireless, gear (Read the full post about ”…)

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Microsoft is planning to roll out Service Pack 1 for Vista, which has been a highly anticipated update that is expected to fix some speed and compatibility issues, but may also cause some additional trouble. Sadly it seems SP1 may be a problem for a good number of users as it is expected to either break, limit or disable some commonly used programs. Microsoft has released a list of affected programs that could fall into one of three categories. Programs that will not run and are blocked from starting. Which will include Bitdefender AV, Internet Security v.10, Fujitsu Shock Sensor v 2.1.0.0. Jiangmin KV Antivirus v. 10 and 2008, Trend Micro Internet Security 2008 and Zone Alarm Security Suite 7.1. (Read the full post about ‘Microsoft updates Windows Vista, may break your important programs’…)

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When Apple first announced the SDK, it was supposed to be available by the end of February 2008. Now with just about one week left, Business Week is reporting that the long awaited iphone SDK will be anywhere from one to three weeks late. Business Week has stated that this news has come from “one source” and as of now there has not been any official confirmation or comment regarding the delay from Apple. Read [Business Week] Keep up with the latest gadget goodness! (Read the full post about ‘Apple to delay the release of the iPhone SDK?’…)

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Posted Feb 23rd 2008 1:07PM by Ben DrawbaughFiled under: HDTV, Home Entertainment Some rumors never die, and this one we heard even before the official Warner press release was issued. Now that the format war is officially over, newspapers and magazines everywhere are looking back on the events preceding Toshiba’s announcement. While no one really knows why each studio made its decision, The Globe and Mail cites “analysts” who think the payoff was a factor. Well, we asked Warner point blank about the payoff rumor and Kevin Tsujihara, president, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group said that it “was not a bidding war” and that it really came down to Q4 sales. (Read the full post about ‘Warner’s $400 mil payoff rumor rides again’…)

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Posted Feb 23rd 2008 1:38PM by Darren MurphFiled under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment If you’ll recall, Samsung announced plans last November to expand an 8G LCD plant sans Sony — now, Reuters is reporting that Sony is aiming to start procuring LCD TV panels from Sharp, possibly within the next business year. Apparently, the deal with Sharp would allow it to “secure enough panels to meet fast-growing LCD TV demand without heavy capital investments,” and considering that Sharp is already planning to construct the world’s largest LCD factory by 2010, we’d say this works out quite nicely for it, too. (Read the full post about ‘Your next Sony LCD TV may actually be a Sharp’…)

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Need some help rounding out your classic Nintendo collection? Old NES somewhere in the basement… CHECK. Purchased every Classic Console game on the Nintendo Wii… CHECK. But do you have a cool universal TV remote that looks just like a NES controller? No? ThinkGeek.com does and it’s ready for immediate delivery via winged turtle shell. This NES style remote controls most TVs allowing critical gaming functions like power on/off, changing the channel and even volume adjustment. Now you can amaze your friends by pretending to play classic NES games while watching old Thundercats re-runs. These controllers are limited editions from Japan. Once they are gone, they are gone. (Read the full post about ‘Classic Nintendo Themed TV Remote’…)

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Posted Feb 23rd 2008 11:48AM by Darren MurphFiled under: Gaming, HDTV, Home Entertainment Truthfully, we reckon this moment is inevitable. With HD DVD hung out to dry by everyone and their long lost cousin, it’s simply a matter of time before players are being traded for rides on the carousel. Nevertheless, reports are already circulating that Microsoft’s Xbox 360 add-on drive could sink to $49.99 in the not-too-distant future, which may actually make it worth grabbing for the very respectable library of hd dvd titles already out there. Whatever you do, don’t pay full price for this thing. (Read the full post about ‘Microsoft’s Xbox 360 add-on to hit $49.99?’…)

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T-Mobile has wrapped up the acquisition of SunCom Wireless. A deal that was first announced back in September 2007 and received FCC approval on February 8th, it will allow 1.1 million customers from North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to consider T-Mobile as a provider. Additionally this puts T-Mobile in 98 of the top 100 national markets. Read [T-Mobile] Keep up with the latest gadget goodness! - Subscribe to our feed → Tags: hi fi, gprs, gps, ipod (Read the full post about ‘T-Mobile completes SunCom Wireless purchase’…)

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If you’re a fan of Super Mario Bros then this is the keychain for you. This nifty little handheld gizmo is preloaded with six classic sounds from the greatest side-scroller in history. Simply press a button and you’ll be transported back to the Mushroom Kingdom faster than you can say ‘Mamma mia, dezza King Koopa widda da Princess Toadstool.’ There are six incredibly evocative sounds, including, Big, Coin, 1Up, Jump, Start and Ouch. Available from Firebox for £7.95 (~$15). (Read the full post about ‘Super Mario Bros Sound FX Keyring’…)

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