Gadgets Comp

by Donald Melanson, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 12:04PM Viewsonic didn’t quite hit the mark with its recent attempt at a $500 projector, but it looks like it’s fared considerably better with its nearly $500 26-inch VA2626WM lcd monitor, which packs most of the features you’d expect from a pricier model. That includes the requisite 1920 x 1200 resolution, along with a 6,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, HDMI, DVI, and VGA ports, and even some 2.5 watt speakers, which can thankfully be removed. (Read the full post about ‘ViewSonic rolls out 26-inch VA2626WM LCD monitor’…)

Share This

MobileBurn reviews the HTC Touch Cruise and writes, “Despite its business image, the HTC Touch Cruise features a whole host of multimedia applications, such as a 3.0MP auto-focus camera, a video camera, a media player, and some games. I wasn’t expecting much from the Touch Cruise’s camera, as it seemed like a sideline feature of the device, and was missing any sort of flash function. However, my expectations were unsubstantiated and the camera performed surprisingly well. Activating the camera is as simple as pressing the shutter button on the right side of the device. Within the camera menu there are options for video recording, panoramic photos and a multi-shot function, among others. (Read the full post about ‘HTC Touch Cruise Review - MobileBurn’…)

Share This

Following up its entry into the global notebook market earlier this year, Lenovo this time marked its official entry into the consumer desktop market outside of China. To mark its debut in the global desktop market, Lenovo announced its new IdeaCentre K210 desktop machine boasting of a facial recognition technology called, VeriFace. Lenovo claims that it is the only desktop PC that offers such a feature. In addition, the IdeaCentre K210 also includes an anti-microbial keyboard that inhibits bacterial growth using a special material. The IdeaCentre K210 also features the Lenovo Vantage Technology (LVT) menu which allows user to recover from system crashes or viruses with just a single touch. (Read the full post about ‘Lenovo intros the IdeaCenter K210 desktop’…)

Share This

ICANN has recently announced they will begin allowing for new custom top level domains. While the details are still being worked out, the groups that want to have their own custom top level domain will have to meet some requirements. First and most important the “registrants applying for a top-level domain must prove that they have the ability to manage the sizable technical task of running it” of course that could also be as simple as hiring a group to handle that task for you. Second there will also be a fee involved, and while they are not set in stone yet, they are estimated to begin at around $100,000. It sounds like that controversial .xxx domain that kept getting shut down will have yet another chance to come into light. (Read the full post about ‘ICANN now allowing custom top level domains’…)

Share This

by Donald Melanson, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 4:19PM Nikon’s D700 hasn’t exactly been doing the best job staying under cover as of late, and it looks like Germany’s ProfiFoto magazine has now pulled back whatever veil of mystery remained around the camera, with its current issue prominently featuring the high-end DSLR in a two-page spread. Among details discernable via the translation is confirmation of a 12-megapixel sensor, along with a sensor cleaning system, an end of July release date, and a €2,600 price tag — or just over $4,000, although we’re guessing that’ll even out a bit with the North American release. Needless to say, we’d recommend staying tuned for more details on this one.Update: User heavymei (Read the full post about ‘Nikon D700 DSLR shows itself in German magazine’…)

Share This

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 4:40PM Yamaha cranked out its pricey YSP-600 sound bar just a few months back, but the company’s already looking to put the past behind and move forward with the YSP-3050. The latest in the outfit’s long-standing line of Digital Sound Projectors offers up 21 beam drivers, two woofers, 23 corresponding digital amplifiers, three Cinema DSP programs (movie, music and sports), analog-to-HDMI video upconversion, HD upscaling to 1080i / 720p and a 1080p (24Hz and 60Hz) compatible HDMI interface with two inputs and one output. Aside from engulfing you in audio with just a single bar, the unit is also XM Radio / iPod-ready (via the $99.95 YDS-11), and the integrated FM tuner and bundled remote make it even easier to see in your den. (Read the full post about ‘Yamaha intros YSP-3050 Digital Sound Projector’…)

Share This

Mention Pico and chances are you’ll think of something small. Guess there isn’t any prizes up for grabs if you manage to figure out just what the Pico USB flash drive is like! No exception, this little drive is the smallest we’ve ever seen. Barely bigger than the tip of your pinky, and less than 4mm thick, it’s positively small. The polished chrome finish is certainly shiny, but at 8 gigabytes, it’s redonkulously teeny! Store four full length ripped movies, five days worth of music, more than four-thousand 5 megapixel photos, or eighty-meters worth of shelved books. Sure, it’s so small you could easily lose it, so we’ve included a chain to help keep it around. (Read the full post about ‘Pico USB flash drive’…)

Share This

You don’t have to be Chinese to decorate your home with lanterns, and with this set of half dozen Solar Lanterns, you don’t have to worry about spending more on your monthly power bill since they prefer to harness the power of our sun instead. This beautiful collection of six Solar Party Lanterns provides a soft, warm glow that will spread through your party, so even though the sun has gone down, you don’t have to. Your stunning set of solar lantern are enchanting garden decorations, as well as practical, energy efficient party lights, and have been beautifully crafted to imitate delicate Chinese outdoor lanterns. Adorn your garden or camping pitch with three red lanterns and three hypnotic color-changing lanterns. (Read the full post about ‘Solar Lanterns’…)

Share This

Philips holds the distinction for being the first company in the world to light up its office with nothing but LED solutions. This office is owned by Generali and located at 100 Champs-Elysées Avenue, Paris, making it famous by being a milestone in lighting history. The entire LED effect also goes down well with scene and atmosphere effects that are also LED based. The whole idea can be attributed to architect Anthony Béchu who had been commissioned by Generali, in order for the former to come up with ‘an innovative window in the world of LEDs’. Research has shown that LED lighting solutions improve people’s well-being in addition to providing designers a greater amount of flexibility in the layout of open spaces and the ceiling design.

(Read the full post about ‘Philips lights up building with LEDs’…)

Share This

From tomorrow (1st July), Sky will be re-branding their Sky HD service to “Sky+ HD“, and reducing the price significantly. I believe the name change has been done to avoid confusion with people thinking that Sky HD does not include the recording and pausing features as offered by the Sky+ service.

Now for the interesting part, Sky has reduced the price of the Sky+ HD box by £100!, down to £149 from £249.

(Read the full post about ‘Sky+ HD Price Reduction’…)

Share This