tech - hawg

getting back to my tech roots

2008-07-21T00:46:00.001-07:00

So I've missed tech blogging. Blogging about tech was how I got my start in this crazy, mixed up tech world. I've seen highs and lows and it's been a blast the while through. Now I'd like to official mark my return to the tech blog'o'sphere. It's not a return in the traditional blog sense.

You see, why I loved blogging about tech, keeping up with all the news and all of the blogs was very draining. So I took the easy way out and built some bots to do my job for me! That's right, your NEW source for update to date gadget and tech news should now be tech fantastic! It's been fun building it and I'm excited for the what we have planned for it. Enjoy!

Goodbye Apple HiFi

2007-09-07T07:12:00.000-07:00

We never really knew ye and it sounds like no one else really did either. Apple never publicly released any sales figures for the device but honestly, do you know anyone who's bought one or even thought about buying one recently? Exactly.

source: Engadget

The iPod Touch does not have bluetooth

2007-09-06T16:29:00.001-07:00

Despite what the vast internets may claim, an Apple spokesperson confirmed today that the iPod touch will not come packing any kind of Bluetooth compatibility.

No Bluetooth means no wireless Bluetooth earphones, headsets, microphones or any of that tomfoolery. Bummer.

source: boingboing gadgets

Steve Jobs to whiny first adapters "Fine, we'll give you a $100 credit"

2007-09-06T16:02:00.000-07:00

So Steve Jobs and his band of merry men dropped $200 off of the retail price of 8GB iPhone. Early adopters everywhere bitched and moaned about how they felt betrayed. Jobs and co. felt enough of the heat to announce today that they will be giving people an $100 of Apple or At&t store credit to ease the burden of upgrading. Yeah, because the people who could afford to plop $600 on a cell phone could really use the break.

source: Apple

Sony's α700 exposed

2007-09-06T15:45:00.000-07:00

AkihabaraNews was at Sony's press conference for their new α700 DLSR camera and they took a whole load of pictures. It's basically the perfect and somewhat pricey camera for the photography hobbyist or enthusiast or anyone who has a soft spot for a serious camera. From the presser

Like Sony’s mainstream DSLR-A100 model, the new A700 unit incorporates Super SteadyShot® Inside image stabilization in the camera body and is compatible with most Minolta Maxxum® mount lenses in addition to Sony lenses.

“Discerning photo enthusiasts will be impressed with the rugged construction and outstanding performance of the A700, said Phil Lubell, director of marketing for digital cameras at Sony Electronics. “We also expect that this new camera will re-define the post-capture experience with HDMI™ output for high-quality playback of images on high-definition televisions.”

Woah. It even comes with an HDMI output port fer cryin out loud! As for prices...

The DSLR-A700 camera body, DT 16 – 105 mm lens, and DT 18-250 mm lens will be available for about $1,400, $580 and $550, respectively. The DSLR-A700K kit with an 18-70 mm lens will be available for about $1,500, and the DSLR-A700P kit with the 16-105 mm lens will be available for about $1,900. The camera body and DSLR-A700K kit will ship in October and the DSLR-A700P kit in November.

source: AkihabaraNews

The Alienware HD Media Server

2007-09-06T11:57:00.000-07:00

At the CEDIA EXPO 2007 today in Denver, Alienware officially unleashed the specs on their first ever media server. Officially titled "The Alienware HD Media Server",the box itself gives us, the oh so needy consumer, not only the ability to store tons of high def content, but also the ability to output that content in a pretty decent resolution.

The ultimate media server for the digital home of tomorrow, Alienware's new HD Media Server comes loaded with up to four terabytes of hot-swappable hard drive storage. The system enables the recording and playing back of high definition content at up to 1080p via an HDMI output, supports internal cable card (OCUR), and features a Dolby Digital 7.1 preamp output.

I likes.

Little Penguin portable USB drives

2007-09-06T02:58:00.000-07:00

These 1GB USB Flash Drives would make perfect gifts for those out there who are into devices that are almost too cute. The USB penguins will cost you around $34 a pop and will come in the colors shown.

source tfts

HP's serious smart phones

2007-09-06T02:52:00.000-07:00

Serious smart phones for serious people right? The new Windows Mobile 6 Sporting HP iPaq 610 Business Navigator and push e-mailing HP iPaq 910 Business Manager look pretty heavy duty to me. Maybe it's the rough edges or something but for some reason, looking at these makes me want to go climb rocks.

source: cnet

Microsoft's Lifetouch Project

2007-09-06T02:46:00.000-07:00

A few of the Ars Technica ilk had a chance to recently chat with Mitsubishi Electric Research Labs researcher Daniel Wigdor about the Microsoft, Mitsubishi and Unv of Toronto's LifeTouch project.

Not only is it another attempt to create an awesome multi-touch user interface, it's also semi-transparent.

source: ArsTechnica

Ducati Extreme Memory Cards and USB Drives

2007-09-06T01:22:00.000-07:00

Apparently these Ducati Extreme Flash Memory devices recently unveiled by SanDisk can withstand the harsh climates of the North and South Poles, just in case you either ever need to use a digital camera there and/or have a real and immediate urge to store some data on a portable USB drive.

The compact flash memory card will come in 4GB and 8GB sizes and the USB Flash Memory drive will come packing 4GB of space...I think. I'm just going off of Google's translation of the source site. Check it out for yourself.

source: Watch Impress

Apple launches new iPods, Toshiba announces new hard drives

2007-09-06T01:14:00.000-07:00

Hmm, the same day (give or take) that Apple announces the new and improved iPod Classics with the relatively monstrous hard disks, Toshiba announces new, iPod Classic-sized (1.8 inches) hard disks that just happen to be 80GB and 160GB. The same sizes the new iPod Classics will come in. Coincidence? I think not!

source: Watch Impress via Engadget

A good look at the new iPod Nano

2007-09-05T23:07:00.000-07:00

Here's an email I just got from Apple that does a pretty good job of showing off the new iPod Nano. It's so chubby!

Rahul Sood unveils the Blackbird 002

2007-09-05T22:59:00.000-07:00

Voodoo PC co-founder Rahul Sood showed off his and HP's new soon-to-be-heavily-lusted-after Blackbird 002 uber PC rig tonight in New York. Gizmodo has the video up and it's a bit long, but filled with awesome metal/PC pr0n. I wants it. All that metal and power and I'll be damned if the case door doesn't just pop right off. Brilliant!

source: Gizmodo

Microsoft unleashes new extenders for Vista

2007-09-05T22:06:00.000-07:00

Microsoft announced the new version 2 Windows Media Center extenders today, that basically give hardware vendors the ability to provide the Windows Media Center experience on non-PC devices. Kind of like the AppleTv, only not. Will anyone go for it? I'd say probably around the same number of folks who went for the version 1 extenders. Wha? You didn't either? Exactly.

source: Cnet
pic: engadget

iPhones selling like hot cakes at Apple Stores

2007-09-05T21:53:00.001-07:00

Not that this is any kind of surprising but it's still an interesting note. Apple stores are selling more iPhones than AT&T stores at a factor of 7 to 1. Ouch. This just goes to prove that know matter what they're selling, AT&T stores can never be cool.

source: TUAW

new iTunes lets you create custom ringtones, for a price

2007-09-05T21:31:00.000-07:00

Jobs also announced a new version of iTunes at the Apple event today. This new version will let you create custom ringtones out of the music you bought via iTunes and for only $0.99 at that! There's nothing better than paying to be able to use the music I have already paid for. Laim.

The ringtones can last anywhere from 12 to 21 seconds and will sync automatically with your iPhone.

new iPod, cheaper iPhone and all sorts of other madness

2007-09-05T20:58:00.000-07:00

Today Steve Jobs unveiled a host of new Apple hawtness at their "And the Beat Goes On" special event. I've decided to break it down into some simple, easy to digest bits because that's how I like it. Let's git'er dun

The 8GB iPhone is now $399 - I know what you're saying and/or feverishly thinking, "Now I can actually get one!". That's right, the top of the line 8GB iPhone saw a $200 drop in price while the 4GB model is going the way of the dodo. Don't cry for 4gig though, no one was buying him one anyway. (psst! want to get that extra $200 you just dropped on your 8gig iPhone a few days, no more than 14, ago?. Om knows how, it's nothing special, just take advantage of the 14 day warranty window)

New iPods! - Hooray for new form factors! The iPod Nano is getting fatter and shorter (aren't we all) while the new "gotta keep at least one iPod that looks like the old ones around" iPod Classic will retain a similar iPod-ish look, but will be getting a serious hard drive upgrade. The iPod classic will come in two flavors, big (80GB model that sports 30 hours of audio and 5 hours of video), will cost $249, and friggin huge (160GB hard drive with a thicker body, the ability to pump 40 hours of audio and 7 hours of video), which will run only $349.

the iPod touch - say hello to the phone-less iPhone, aka, the iPod touch. Just don't ask me to use them both at the same time because I probably won't be able to tell them apart. It will initially come in 2 flavors, 8GB ($299) and 16GB ($399) and the ability to browse the web via it's built in WiFi adapter. That's hot.

the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store - The new iTunes Wi-Fi music store will be accessible for free from Starbucks the nation over and will automagically sync any tunes you buy via the store to your desktop iTunes.

to hell with this, this is getting way too long, i'll just do up some smaller posts

Oh tech hawg, what am I to do with you now?

2007-08-25T11:18:00.000-07:00

Hmm, now that I have the Gamer Collective, I wonder, should I just build tech-hawg as an extension off of the gaming blog at the Collective and start a small blog network? Or should i keep this seperate?

Decisions Decisions

Get your free wireless La Fonera Router

2006-11-23T18:03:00.000-08:00

No idea if there's anyway you can get one for free otherwise but I just received an e-mail from aspiring wireless revolutionaries Fon stating that they're running a promotion in which you can receive their wireless La Fonera router for free! It normally costs $29.95, which is pretty cheap in of itself but free sounds so much better. So if you've signed up for a FON account, check your e-mail and pick up their free wireless router.

Why should you use it instead of your current wireless router? Because you can get paid for every person who pays to use your connection and you get free wireless access whenever you're near another Fon wireless hotspot. Fore more information, hit up their site.

Link: Fon

Flicker add Blogger Beta support

2006-09-15T16:01:00.000-07:00

Looks like Flickr has integrated support for the new Blogger Beta accounts. I would love to give this a whirl, but my blogs have not yet made it over to blogger beta land. I continue to wait and hope that tomorrow will be the day that i move to the new blogger system. A young tech blogger can only hope...hope and dream.

The Apple branded mobile phone is still coming...honestly

2006-09-15T12:39:00.000-07:00

According to Think Secret, Apple is still planning on releasing an Apple branded cellular phone. I don't yet believe it. True, the mobile market could use some of Apple's innovation to breathe some life and to provide some alternative's to the glut of uninspired mobile phones that are currently available. I want to believe this, but after having so many people say Apple was going to announce their phone at the recent press conference they had, in which they announced iTV and iTunes movies instead, I'm just burntout on these Apple cell phone rumors for now.

Is the Palm Treo 750v worth buying?

2006-09-14T13:06:00.000-07:00

Sounds like it acutally may be. The Palm Treo 750v will be shipping with Windows Mobile 5.0 but will apparently contain some software enhancements that could make it a more stable product than other Windows Mobile 5 devices. It looks a touch sleeker, which is nice, but the fact that it lacks WiFi support is a bit disheartening. Not necessarily a deal break though.

[newmobile]

Custom Google Home page adds tabs...

2006-09-14T13:00:00.000-07:00

Wha, wha? Did I miss something? this didn't always used to be here did it? I noticed on my Google custom homepage today that apparently I can add tabs for different views to it. It makes perfect sense to me and I plan on using the heck out of it. Thank you Google for giving me functionality that I will probably use the heck out of but I didn't know well enough to think to ask for it. Gotta love it.

UPDATE: Maybe I wasn't supposed to see this tab feature just yet. It's buggy as all hell and it keeps disappearing on me. Just refreshing the page makes it disappear. Good intentions though.

New Yahoo Mail client gets released

2006-09-14T12:51:00.000-07:00

However, when I logged in to my Yahoo Mail account, is was still the same old mail client. I'll check back again later. This makes the Yahoo Mail's e-mail client largest "Ajax'd" mail client implementation, due to the fact that Yahoo Mail has over 250 million users. I hope it goes well, I've been looking forward to this day ever since Oddpost was acquired by Yahoo a few years back.

[readwriteweb]

Dogster raises $1 million to go bigger

2006-09-14T12:29:00.000-07:00

When I saw this, I had visions of bubbles bursting in my head and thoughts of how everything is all downhill from here. Then I read the article, Dogster is actually making money! Odd but not all that far fetched. The artcile goes on to describe how these pet owners may be willing to post more details about themselves on their pets web site rather than on their own, personal web site. I get that and it's cool to see a little niche site make an actual market out of it.

So what exactly does Dogster plan to do with the loot? Branch out into other pet industries of course. I think that's a good idea. I can see it now, Snakster, Hamster (that one's easy!), mousester etc...