Gadgets Blog News

At the Fortune Green conference, Dell CEO, Michael Dell was kind enough to show off their latest attempt at an environmentally friendly PC. Though still in the development process at the moment, Dell has begun boasting of the PC’s potential features. Purportedly, the device uses 70% less energy than most other desktop models and it is also 81% smaller than most desktop PC’s. Additionally, the mini PC will be made of recyclable items, thus helping reduce its carbon footprint and saving the world. Okay, so saving the world may be a little bold, but it is a cool idea, and its nice to see a big company making an effort. The device has yet to be named, but the price expected to be between $500 and $700. (Read the full post about ‘Dell intro’s super-small, eco-friendly bamboo Green desktop PC’…)

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According to Microsoft’s latest Security Intelligence Report for July through December 2007, web attacks are on the rise. With more users becoming cautious about downloading and opening email attachments, hackers are now looking for new ways to “trick” users into downloading malware.  The most popular attack is the embedding of malware into websites, especially through banner advertisements. In fact, adware has increased by 66 percent. The most common type of malware removed by Microsoft’s Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) are Trojan horses, which disguise themselves as innocent software but contain hidden malicious code within—which can be used to create a back door or collect personal information, for example. (Read the full post about ‘Microsoft reports an increase in Trojan horses’…)

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BenQ has upgraded its C series digital camera lineup with two new models, the 7-megapixel DSC C750 and the 8-megapixel DSC C850. With their classic design accentuated by an elegant looking front to back leather handle, these cameras will most likely appeal to users who prefer the classic look of old manual cameras. The DSC750 and DSC850 boast of a super-shake-free mode with high ISO that can be used when the cameras are on static and movie modes. This allows for the production of clean and crisp photo and video output. BenQ has also provided users with the option to zoom in and out of scenes when recording videos in MPEG4 format at either 640 x 480 or 720 x 400 resolutions. (Read the full post about ‘BenQ offers up the classic-looking DSC C750, DSC C850′…)

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Rain gauges tend not to be the most technical of devices. However, this latest one ads a bit more geeky-ness to your garden. The Digital Rain Gauge has been created and it’s wireless too (but not in a wi-fi type of way). What it allows you to do is track the rain which is then displayed on a small LCD screen which can be read up to 10 feet away. The only reason it gets the “wireless” added to it’s name is due to it being powered by an AA battery. Surely it should have been named a “Battery Powered Digital Rain Gauge”. Not to worry! The digital rain gauge is designed for farmers who need to know how much rain there has been so they can best look after their crops. (Read the full post about ‘Wireless Digital Rain Gauge’…)

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Bicycles are supposed to be great vehicles when it comes to keeping the earth green and giving you a good workout, right? Well, apparently newer bicycles these days tend to let up on the sweating part by allowing a little electric-powered engine to help you out during the steeper moments in life. Optibike is one of those companies, and their 2008 range of electric-powered bicycles will have the limited edition OB1 as the flagship of the series. Its main component is the patented Motorized Bottom Bracket (MBB) that drives through the derauiller gear system to optimize acceleration and range at all pedaling speeds. This special system is now oil cooled and is capable of delivering 850 continuous watts of power. (Read the full post about ‘Optibike OB1 electric bicycle’…)

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VTech has announced the retail and online availability of its latest phone systems, where the 2008 line up will feature the trend-setting LS6117 that spearheads VTech’s effort, touted to be the first cordless phone which is capable of delivering creative control over the phone’s aesthetics with customizable graphics. Other additions in the DECT 6.0 family are also stylish, providing the marriage of both form and function for your living room. According to Matt Ramage, senior vice president of product management, VTech Communications, “The 2008 lineup addresses what consumers want today — stylish designs with advanced technology features. (Read the full post about ‘VTech launches latest phone systems’…)

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Marines are known to be tough SOBs, so what do you think Space Marines are made out of? ThinkGeek as Dueling Space Marines Copter Set up for grabs, and at certain angles it looks as though they’re shooting laser pee at each other. This Dueling Space Marines Copter Set gets you a set of two mini r/c helicopters with infra-red laser tag style battle action. Take to the air from the palm of your hand then use the shoulder button on the remote unleash a plasma blast your opponent copter. Each shot causes the gun of your space marine to flash with simulated gunfire. The first hit causes your enemy to spin. The second makes the enemy copter lose power… the third cuts rotor power completely as your opponent plummets to the ground and you gloat in victory. (Read the full post about ‘Dueling Space Marines Copter Set’…)

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by Darren Murph, posted Apr 23rd 2008 at 12:19PM For the indecisive among us who need a bit more than two but just can’t wrap their wallets around four, AMD’s out to show you exactly what three cores of computing magic can do. Make no mistake, we’ve been waiting quite some time for these buggers to ship, but they’ve finally made it into the capable hands of reviewers web-wide. The general consensus seems to be that the tri-core processors offer no real surprises: it performs better than a dual-core AMD CPU, yet worse than a quad-core AMD CPU. Needless to say, it tends to lag even further behind an Intel quad-core. (Read the full post about ‘AMD triple-core Phenom X3 review roundup’…)

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by Richard Lawler, posted Apr 23rd 2008 at 12:46PMThere’s no other way to say it, DivX is on a roll in 2008 (that small Stage6 stumble is already a fading memory). If support from Blu-ray players and videogame consoles wasn’t enough, DivX Certification has snaked its long arm directly into HDTVs, with “over 80 models” from HP and LG slapping on a sticker indicating users can simply plug a USB drive in and play their entirely-legitimately-owned content. Expect that number to grow, since DivX is also working with AMD, Chips and Media, Broadcom and Trident to include support in other chipsets powering digital TVs near you. Now how about we see some of that content?ReadPermalinkEmail this41 CommentsFiled unde (Read the full post about ‘DivX support finds its way into HP, LG HDTVs’…)

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Great news for people in the UK as more details have been discovered about the new FreeSat and FreeSat HD service. Currently the only way to get HD in the UK is via Sky HD (Review), which comes with monthly subscription charges.

(Read the full post about ‘FreeSat HD’…)

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