Information and tech

N95 clone is laser-equipped

2007-07-11T06:55:00.001-07:00

Remember that something cheap doesn't necessarily mean it is good. Take this N95 for example - while it bears the same name as Nokia's high end multimedia handset, it doesn't offer the same range of functions. What you get is a rather impotent 2 megapixel instead of 5, while GPS navigation has strangely gone missing. This cloned N95 also ships with a 3" 260k color QVGA touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, a built-in FM tuner, and a microSD memory card slot, all available to the tune of $160 per handset. The main standout feature that the real N95 doesn't even have is the laser pointer - great for business presentations, but not too good on the image you're projecting. C'mon, buying a cloned phone?

Samsung P318+ Phone - 18k Gold Edition

2007-07-08T18:05:00.000-07:00

In honor of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Samsung has rolled out the P318+, a special edition of their P310. Users will get the bonus of Olympic Games ringtones, wallpapers, and video clips… sorry folks, athletic talent is not included. But as a consolation prize, the phone’s brushed metal exterior has gotten an 18k gold upgrade. No word on pricing so far. Stay tuned for more updates.

Apple iPhone vs. SimulScribe - SimulScribe Wins

2007-07-08T18:00:00.000-07:00

Apple iPhone commercial parody about the SimulScribe. FYI, the SimulScribe is the only visual voice mail in the market today that allows voice mail be converted into text

iCast the clearest band spell

2007-07-06T20:13:00.000-07:00

The iCast from iStuff is an FM transmitter that will automatically scan for the clearest band before transmitting audio in that direction, ensuring you have the best sound quality possible at all times. A single AAA battery offers up to 18 hours of power, making it one truly portable device. If you plan on using this in your vehicle, there is a 12V cigarette lighter socket adapter to suit your needs. The best part is, the iCase comes with a standard headphone plug that makes it compatible with not only the iPod but other MP3 and PMPs as well. Features include four presets, an LCD display, and an automatic shutdown function. Pre-order yours today for £29.99 a pop.

Freedom Mini Duo Bluetooth keyboard

2007-07-06T20:11:00.000-07:00

The Freedom Mini Duo Bluetooth keyboard is for those who tend to do a whole lot more than make and receive calls on their smartphones. It folds into half, being slightly larger than a credit card despite housing the full QWERTY keyboard in a standard layout. It hooks up to your smartphone or PDA via Bluetooth, but should it run out of battery, you can always obtain some power by hijacking your smartphone/PDA's battery via a miniUSB port. A full charge provide up to 9 hours of continuous typing at best. While you won't get a full-sized keyboard's comfort, at least it sure beats tapping out those messages on the on-screen keyboard. The Freedom Mini Duo Bluetooth keyboard retails for approximately $100 each.

Robotic Dog from Germany

2007-07-02T05:32:00.000-07:00

Robotic dogs tend to get all the attention, and this Robot Dog from TU Darmstadt is no different. He has a cycloptic view of things, boasting only a single eye right smack in the middle of its head to check out its surroundings. The design isn't as refined as I would like it to be, although it looks as though it is having a ball of a time in the photo. Will this be the next Aibo? Surely robotic pets are nice to look at and offer some form of novelty, but at the end of the day there is nothing quite like a living, breathing dog to perk you up after a long day at the office.

Sony Ericsson S500 Slider Phone Preview

2007-06-28T18:12:00.000-07:00

PhoneArena via YouTube provides us with a preview video of Sony Ericsson’s S500 slider phone. As a reminder, it has a 2.0-inch (240 x 320) TFT display, a 2.0MP camera, M2 card slot, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, and 12MB internal memory. Hit the break to watch the video.

via Cell Phones

SanDisk pushes microSDHC capacity to 8GB

2007-06-27T20:14:00.000-07:00

SanDisk announced that it has increased the storage capacity of its tiny flash memory cards. The company is now touting its 6GB and 8GB microSDHC cards which will be available later this year.

SanDisk notes that its 8GB microSDHC card is capable of storing up to 2,000 digital songs or up to five hours of MPEG4 video. Both cards comply with the SD 2.00 specification and are rated at SD Speed Class 4 (4MB/sec sustained writes).

"With these new cards, any mobile phone with a compatible microSDHC slot will have just as much storage as the largest-capacity iPhone," said SanDisk's Jeff Kost. "By offering capacities of 6GB and 8GB, SanDisk is poised to enable people to enjoy more photos, more map data for navigation, more videos, more games and more music, wherever they go, on any phone with a compatible microSDHC slot."

With microSDHC cards now jumping in storage capacity, the omission of a memory expansion slot on the iPhone seems even more biting -- especially considering that OS X takes up 700MB of storage space on the 4GB/8GB devices.

In addition, the company announced the availability of a new 4GB Memory Stick Micro (M2) card. The M2 cards can be used in Sony Cyber-shot and Walkman products. The 4GB M2 card will retail for $99.99.

NEC Electronics Preps 8 MP Camera Phone Chip

2007-06-27T20:05:00.000-07:00

Eight megapixel cell phone cameras coming your way this Fall

Although it may be some time before camera phones can match the richness of images captured by today’s digital cameras, the gap between the two is closing. According to Japanese publication Nikkei, NEC Electronics is now sampling its LSI capable of capturing eight megapixel images in camera phones.

The current market version of the LSI captures five megapixels. The new 8MP-capable CE131 LSI captures images with a noise-reduction method, helping to improve picture quality from the CMOS sensor. The CS131 also features image stabilization as well.

The sample price of the LSI is set at 4,000 yen each, or around $33. Volume production is to start in October, with the company expecting to product 1 million units per month

HP Photosmart R937 Digital Camera

2007-06-27T08:33:00.000-07:00

The new Photosmart R937 digital camera from Hewlett Packard boasts a generous 3.6 inch touchscreen display. The camera captures images in 8MP resolution and features automatic red-eye fix, pet-eye fix, and slimming functions, anti-shake technology, 3x optical zoom, 8x digital zoom, and a host of on-board editing options in addition to 32MB of internal memory. The HP R937 will be released this August for $299.99.

Everythingusb via Digital Cameras

ThinkGeek’s Metallic Video Watch With OLED Screen

2007-06-27T08:18:00.001-07:00

ThinkGeek reported this really interesting watch featuring a 128 x 128 pixel OLED screen. The gadget offers a built-in memory of 2GB which will let you store pretty much video material. You can also play back music, or do recordings with the built-in microphone. ThinkGeek’s Metallic Video Watch retails at only $99.99. Read the list of specs after the jump.

Via ThinkGeek

* Built-in 2GB flash memory
* Plays videos in full color on 128×128 pixel screen. Impressive crisp, bright display
* Clock displays time and date (day, month, year)
* Plays MP3 and WMA music
* View images
* Voice recording and playback with built-in microphone
* 5-equalizer modes, super bass 3-D sound effect playing modes
* USB 1.1
* Battery charges via USB
* Leather band
* Dimensions: 1.6″ x 1.5″ x .5″ thick (4cm x 3.8cm x 1.2cm)
* Band Length: 8.66″ (22cm)
* Includes: earphones, mini CD with video conversion software, user guide, USB cable, Wall AC-to-USB charger

HP Photosmart R937 Digital Camera

2007-06-27T08:18:00.000-07:00

From jeans to phones

2007-06-20T17:29:00.000-07:00

Looks like jeans legend Levi Strauss will be attempting to enter the oversaturated cellphone market by releasing a handset of their own this September at a yet undisclosed price. What we do know is this Levi's cellphone will come with a microSD memory card slot, a 2 megapixel camera, a built-in MP3 player, Bluetooth connectivity, and an 1.8" color display. Release date has tentatively been set at sometime this September, although pricing details have yet to be disclosed. I wonder whether this handset will come in a special denim case just like certain Levi's glasses.

Motorola Q9m sneak peek

2007-06-20T17:27:00.000-07:00

The Motorola Q9m has been nicknamed the Motorola Nelson by certain quarters, and the BoyGenius team managed to sneak a peek at this CDMA/EV-DO counterpart of the Motorola Q9h. The Q9m will be taking over the CDMA Q from Verizon Wireless, with evidence pointing that this handset will also be available from other carriers later. The Q9m is a wee bit meaty than the Q9h, using miniSD and miniUSB in favor of microSD and microUSB found in RAZR2 handsets. While the great QWERTY keyboard on the Q9h was retained, it is sad to take note that the camera remains at a paltry 1.3 megapixels. The Q9m will be powered by the Windows Mobile 6.0 operating system.

Motorola overhauls Q line

2007-05-16T18:33:00.000-07:00

While the Motorola Q offered a whole lot of promise but ultimately failed to live up to its hype, Motorola aims to forget the past by ushering in a couple of new Qs. The Q8 is a GSM version of the original Q, while the Q9 was built from ground up to make amends. This smartphone comes with a dual HSDPA/UMTS engine and runs on Windows Mobile 6.0 to keep up with the times. Features include 256MB of integrated memory, a microSD memory card slot for expansion options, Bluetooth A2DP connectivity, and a 2 megapixel camera with 8x zoom which is capable of video capture. Pricing and availability details are still unknown.

Motorola announces RAZR 2

2007-05-16T18:30:00.000-07:00

The original RAZR brought about accolades and acclaim to Motorola, but somewhere along the way Motorola lost its lustre with sub-standard handsets that did not prove revolutionary. The RAZR 2 hopefully brings about a similar revival, boasing 2GB of integrated memory, 2" external and 2.2" internal displays, an ARM 11 processor, USB 2.0 connectivity, and a variety of flavors in the form of V9, V9m, and V8. The V9 is 3G HSDPA, while the V9m is EVDO CDMA and the V8 is a standard GSM handset. These handsets have gone through more than 100,000 flips in laboratory tests, ensuring their durability. The new RAZR 2 range will be launched when July rolls around.

m:ssage cellphone provides massage

2007-05-16T18:27:00.000-07:00

So your cellphone can make calls, but can it actually give a good rubdown after a hard day at work? The m:ssage cellphone actually does this only if you fork out a monthly subscription fee of £25.00. This is truly a luxury cellphone of another level, being constructed from the finest materials from ground up. It also comes with a unique phone number that is best shared with your other half only. In this way, you get to keep in touch with your loved one no matter which part of the world you are.

Brewing waste to generate energy?

2007-05-05T02:22:00.000-07:00

Ah, beer. The nectar of the gods has certainly a large following in Australia, where the local brewery there known as Fosters and Australia's University of Queensland have joined forces to work on a method where brewing waste can be used to generate energy with a microbial fuel cell. This fuel cell will come with bacteria that consumes water-soluble brewing waste like sugar, starch, and alcohol, releasing chemical energy that will then be converted into electricity via the cell. In theory, the planned beer fuel cell could generate up to 2kW of energy. I guess I will look at my beer in a totally new light the next time I hit the local watering hole.

Keychain gets USB treatment

2007-04-27T19:34:00.000-07:00

Check out the USB Keyholder on the right. Overall a concept that is simple in nature, and yet elegant in design. These fobs come with a thin metal ring for you to hook up as many keys as possible, while the other end offers a USB connector. I suppose this is a play on the idea of standard USB flash drives that already double up as keychains, but the idea of having a key rack consisting of USB ports is just too delicious for any geek to pass up. Now, if only these fobs came in different colors so you can differentiate between your car keys, house keys, and others.

iZ3D monitor

2007-04-27T19:24:00.000-07:00

Ah - 3D. The very word sends shivers down my spine, as the 3D realm was what brought gaming to life after Mode 7 scrolling on the Super NES did its utmost best to prolong the 2D era for games. With leaps and bounds made in the 3D arena, it would be natural for the computer and current home consoles take the same route to keep gamers throughout the world entertained with ever more realistic experiences. The iZ3D monitor aims to bring gaming to the next level, offering an illusion of depth never before seen on the desktop.

Vibrating Massage Arms offers relief

2007-04-25T18:17:00.000-07:00

At the end of a long day at work, there is nothing quite like having a pair of arms massage your back. In case you're single and can't afford to head to the nearest massage parlor, the Vibrating Massage Arms offer a pseudo-girlfriend massaging experience without any complain. All you need to do is wrap these arms around your neck and turn it on to get a thorough massage, smoothing out the day's rough edges as you escape into a world of relaxation. I don't know about you, but these arms looks pretty much as if they were ripped off from Mickey Mouse's body. The Vibrating Massage Arms retail for approximately $22.50.

Laughing Pen keeps your spirits up

2007-04-25T18:05:00.001-07:00

The Laughing Pen is one writing instrument that is bound to carve a smile on anybody's face, featuring the ability to play back a 20 second laughter track at the press of a button on its side. Since laughter, like yawning, is contagious, there is no better time than now to have a time of guffaws while tackling the mountain of work you currently face. This refillable pen is powered by a trio of LR44 cell batteries and retail for $20. This makes a great gift your your sullen-faced boss or the ever-frantic accountant at the office.

Philip's new X200 ultraportable laptop sticks its neck out

2007-04-25T17:59:00.000-07:00

Perhaps its the extra lovin' Philips has given to stylings here, but somehow that extendable screen arm doesn't seem like as much of a gimmick this time around. The new X200 ultraportable sports a 1.73GHz Core Duo U2500 processor, 1GB of RAM, a 100GB HDD, DVD combo drive, 1.3 megapixel webcam and Windows Vista. The 12.1-inches of widescreen LCD probably aren't enough to get in the way of regular tray table use -- a favorite example of extenda-arm proponents -- but at least you won't have to do as much hunkering in front of this laptop when it's on your desk, thanks to the extra inches of vertical. The laptop looks to be shipping now in the UK for £850, about $1,700 US.

[Via PClaunches]

Everex busts out budget-priced StepNote NC1501 laptop

2007-04-25T05:19:00.000-07:00

Everex has trotted out a new laptop that's low-power in more ways than one, with its StepNote NC1501 promising to consume less energy at the expense of some more processor-demanding tasks. Like the company's previous NC1500 laptop, this one packs a 1,280 x 800 15.4-inch display, along with a 1.5GHz VIA C7-M processor, 512MB of RAM, a 60GB hard drive, a DVD burner, and built-in 802.11b/g WiFi. Also getting a much needed upgrade this time is the battery, which now comes in the 6-cell variety with a promised 4.25 hours of operating time (as opposed to 1.5 hours on the earlier model), although it looks like you can still get one with a lower-power 3-cell battery if you like. If that sounds like a trade-off you're willing to make, you can grab one of these now at Wal-Mart or Best Buy for $500.

[Via Laptoping]

Sony's CineAlta 4K digital cinema solution coming May 1st

2007-04-25T05:07:00.000-07:00

May 1st is the date that Sony hopes will usher in the era of digital cinemas. That's the date their CineAlta 4K digital cinema solution goes on sale in Japan. With the SRX-R220 at its core, the 5-foot / 660-pound CineAlta 4K system projects a 4,096 x 2,160 pixel image off its 4.2kW bulb. The 300GB films are stored in an encrypted JPEG2000 format within Sony's 19-inch, LMT-100 "media block" RAID array. Sony is counting on about 1/3 of Japan's 3,000 cinemas taking on their ¥1.5 million ($12,651) per screen solution by 2010 with even higher hopes for the US market. They'll need lots of help since projection systems are just a tiny fraction of the total conversion costs required to move cinemas into the digital age.

[Via Impress]