Archive for September, 2008
September 30, 2008
Filed under: Laptops, Wireless
Laptops with built-in WWAN modems aren’t anything new, but there’s a hodgepodge of hardware and services available — a situaton the GSM Association is trying to simplify with the new Mobile Broadband standardization initiative. Sure, it’s mostly an excuse to get another sticker on your gear, but companies like Microsoft, Dell, Lenovo, ASUS, Toshiba, Qualcomm and a bunch of carriers are on board to ensure that Mobile Broadband-certified machines will be ready and able to connect in some 91 countries around the world — and what’s more, they’re committed to spending a cool billion dollars in the next year promoting MB as a “compelling alternative” to WiFi and WiMAX. That should be an interesting dilemma for the carriers that also run hotspot networks, but we’ve got a feeling everyone’s happy as long as the sub fees keep rolling in.
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September 30, 2008
[Via bit-tech.net]
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September 30, 2008
[CEATEC 2008] Toshiba was demonstrating its Cell TV, a television that has a Cell processor in it, the same architecture than the one used for Sony’s PlayStation 3 (but with less processing cores). The Processor can be used for many things, like running software (user-interface etc…), but what was demonstrated here was video-filtering quality. To be honest, the demo was not very convincing. I’m sure that there was a difference but most people were looking at it wondering what they should look for – not good for a demo. The second point of having a Cell processor (as opposed to a non-programmable chip) is that Toshiba will be able to easily improve the image-quality via a new algorithm, without requiring a hardware update. Now, if Toshiba can build the (Cell) processor for a low-price, it might pay-off in the future, because having a fully programmable chip allow a faster time-to-market, overall reactivity towards the competition and most importantly, it avoids building a new custom chip to accomodate new filtering techniques.
Add a comment | From: Toshiba Cell TV – video processing using a cousin of the PS3 CPU | Visit Ubergizmo | Good deals
September 29, 2008
Filed under: Displays, Laptops, Storage
In a move to pump up the impending theater debut of Quantum of Solace, Sony is simultaneously opening up a new promotional game and introducing a few new pieces of limited edition gear. Obviously, we’re a touch more concerned with the kit than the game, so we’ll skip over those details and head right to the meat of it. The outfit will be offering up 100 limited run VAIO TT laptops that are emblazoned with a 007 logo on the palm rest and a matching leather protection case. Additionally, a Special Edition Bond bundle for the Reader Digital Book will feature an embossed cover with a 007 logo and coupon codes for free downloads of Ian Fleming’s novels Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. Lastly, we’ve got the 007 USB Micro Vault in 8GB and 16GB flavors, both of which come pre-loaded with the Quantum of Solace trailer and other miscellaneous “bonus content.” Wild guesses as to price / release dates are being accepted now.
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September 29, 2008
Filed under: Transportation
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September 29, 2008
Filed under: Peripherals
Up until now, the words “Zink” and “Polaroid” were all but married together, but a breakup fit for The Hills is about to go down courtesy of the all-too-promiscuous Dell. Over in the deep waters of the FCC, we’re seeing a new Dell printer that utilizes the ink-free Zink technology. The PZ310 WASABI is yet another handheld printer that comes bundled with a single stack of printing paper, Bluetooth technology for printing from your mobile / BT-enabled PC, a USB port for traditionalists and a Reprint button for obvious reasons. As with everything in the FCC, the agency is never kind enough to hand over any preliminary pricing / release information, but it ought not be long now before Dell starts shipping these things without even telling anyone.
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September 29, 2008
Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment
We know, you’re still digesting the whole Nero LiquidTV / TiVo PC introduction, but once you get through your head that said product brings TiVo functionality to your PC, we’d like you to have a look at something only mildly related. In the best form possible (that’d be video, for those curious), a walkthrough of a potential new user interface for TiVo as a whole has been hosted up. According to the lucky soul who was able to grab this information from a recent survey, there’s no telling if it’ll ever actually be released. ‘Course, we highly doubt TiVo pays its engineers to cook up new software for nothing, but we’ve heard of zanier scenarios. Check out three UI vids after the break, and be sure to look carefully for the oh-so-subtle differences.
[Thanks, Dave]
Continue reading Potential new TiVo user interface shown on video
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September 28, 2008
It’s time to fly to CEATEC (Tokyo) from our lovely city of San Francisco. CEATEC is a consumer electronics show were many Japanese manufacturers show their new product and technology for the first time. They will subsequently show it again at CES (we’ll be there as well), but there’s no way that we can wait for so long! Tune in next week as we will post updates from Tokyo. If you want to see or know something in particular, drop a comment and we’ll try to oblige. Have a great Sunday. (Disconnecting quickly as boarding is almost done…)
Add a comment | From: Flying to CEATEC - Tokyo | Visit Ubergizmo | Good deals
September 28, 2008
Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds
This could’ve come straight out of Germany where the BlackBerry Bold is already alive and well on T-Mobile’s airwaves, but let’s pretend for a moment that it didn’t. Instead, let’s assume that there are a select few copies of T-Mobile USA’s Bold floating around in the wild, and one such example just happened to turn up at the Democratic National Convention a few weeks ago. We’re not saying that’s what’s going on here, but… hey, are those beads of sweat forming on your forehead there, AT&T?
[Thanks, Vince C.]
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September 28, 2008
Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras
When the megapixel race unofficially started in the point-and-shoot world, it didn’t take long before every last camera manufacturer out there was cramming 14-megapixel sensors into any ole pocket cam. Now, it seems the same race is headed to the mobile realm. Of late, we’ve seen a new batch of 8-megapixel handsets and a 9-megapixel sensor, and a recent interview with LG’s sales and marketing director John Barton points to even more of those in the near future. According to him, “the megapixel race that we saw amongst camera makers is now being battled out between mobile manufacturers,” hinting that 10+ megapixel phones (not to mention handsets with HD video capability) are closer than we may have imagined. Mmm, the possibilities.
[Via Cell Phone Feeds]
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