SlashGear

Hey, Premium Notebooks or Netbooks, Get the Basics Right!

Joanna Stern — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:58:48 +0000

I wrote this column on the Nokia Booklet 3G which is, in my opinion, the most luxurious looking netbook on the market. And for its $600 ($299 with a pretty expensive 2 year AT&T contract) it sure as heck should be. The aluminum unibody design feels as solid as a freshly pumped up tire, and its brushed metal palm rest isn’t only minimalistic but is also smooth on the hands. The plastic coated keys are soft to the touch and the higher 1280 by 720 resolution screen is sweet on the eyes. And don’t forget the built in AT&T 3G that kept me connected as I wrote in different coffee shops around New York City.

Aesthetically the Booklet has got the goods, but performance wise not so much. While using the Booklet for the last week or so I had to get used to the netbook taking at least a minute to boot up Windows 7 Starter (thanks to its slow 4,200 rpm hard drive), and stalling at times when trying to open an application or simply loading a Flash video (thanks to its sluggish Atom Z530 processor). The Booklet 3G is like the stereotypical blonde — pretty but slow.

But Nokia isn’t the only offender of making “luxurious but laggard” notebooks; Sony, HP, ASUS and Dell are similarly guilty of creating high end notebooks (or netbooks) with shoddy internal specs. Take Sony’s new $1,300 Vaio X Series notebook. Sure, the carbon fiber clad notebook is the lightest in the world and it is pretty darn thin but its got the same slow and underpowered Atom Z530 processor as the Booklet, and it actually costs more! Apparently, Sony learned nothing from its mistakes with the P Series. It was the same story with the Dell Adamo that cost plus two grand. The notebook’s machined-aluminum chassis is incredibly svelte and thin, but it has a sluggish ultra low voltage processor with only 2GB of RAM. (Luckily, Dell seems to have tweaked a few things with the revolutionary designed Dell Adamo XPS that is due out soon).

Offering less computing power for more money is one issue, but the same happens in the ergonomics realm. Placing form-over-function, HP mucked up the touchpad on its super attractive and made of premium materials Envy 13. The same happened with its budget Pavilion dm3 touchpad; it is basically a pocket mirror implanted on a palmrest. In both cases, it is an understatement to say that it is frustrating to move the cursor around the desktop. At the end of the day, we use our laptops to access digital content, not to attract onlookers. Don’t get me wrong, I love attractive technology and love the feel of using premium equipment, but not when it hampers the intended purpose of the product.

Beauty, dear notebook manufacturers, isn’t skin deep. Premium notebooks and netbooks have a position in the marketplace amongst those that value quality and are willing to shell out more for nice looking and feeling products, but sacrificing performance and power — the basics of a real laptop — shouldn’t have to be part of the equation. I’m crossing my fingers that the next column I type on a premium netbook or notebook isn’t muddled by poor performance, a slow hard drive and a sub-par version of an operating system.

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Gateway EC54 Review – 15.6″ CULV Notebook (EC5409u)

Ewdison Then — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:24:53 +0000

It used to be that only the smallest, most frugal of netbooks – paired with huge, 9-cell batteries – could offer the reassurance of a full day away from an outlet. Now, with the advent of Intel’s consumer ultra-low voltage processors, notebooks that wouldn’t look out of place on a regular desk can now boast lengthy run-times too. Into the fray steps the Gateway EC5409u, distinguishing itself not only by virtue of healthy battery life predictions – up to 8hrs, Gateway ambitiously suggest – but a reasonably-sized 15.6-inch display. Check out the full SlashGear review after the cut.

Given that Acer acquired Gateway back in 2007, it comes as little surprise that the EC54’s hardware design and build quality are pretty much on a par with Acer’s recent Aspire consumer notebooks. It’s a reasonably stylish, if not especially eye-catching notebook, with a glossy lid that’s guaranteed to pick up fingerprints. While the majority of the chassis is solid, the keyboard does feels a little flimsy; happily the trackpad is pleasantly smooth and responsive.

Inside, Intel’s CULV processors make an appearance, in this case the 1.3GHz Pentium SU4100, paired here with 4GB of DDR3 memory and a 320GB 5,400rpm hard-drive; it comes with Windows 7 Home Premium. While we’re used to seeing the CULV chips show up in 11- to 13-inch ultraportables, it’s a little unusual for them to crop up in a 15.6-inch machine which might more regularly have a mainstream CPU. As a result, the Geekbench benchmarking results aren’t especially impressive: with an overall score of 2105 the EC54 lags slightly behind the 1.4GHz Acer Aspire Timeline 3810T we reviewed four months ago.

In use, however, the SU4100 manages to keep things moving at a reasonable pace, and while we wouldn’t want to tote the EC54 as our video crunching machine it’s nonetheless capable of simultaneous web browsing, media playback and email. Gateway have squeezed in a reasonable amount of connectivity, too, with three USB 2.0 ports, an HDMI port, multiformat memory card reader and audio in/out, along with a DVD drive. Still, we’d like to have seen eSATA, either as a dedicated port or a combo option with one of the USB 2.0. Wireless is standard WiFi b/g/n, but Bluetooth is an option.

The EC54’s 15.6-inch LED-backlit display runs at 1,366 x 768, and while you would be wise not to expect dramatic things from the GMA 4500MHD graphics chipset, we were at least impressed by the brightness of the panel. While it’s not specifically an “outdoor” screen, we were able – at the higher end of the brightness scale, at least – to use the Gateway outside with no visibility problems. Speakers are reasonably loud and crisp, but as you might expect lack bass.

Gateway rate the EC54 at up to eight hours runtime from the 6-cell 5,600mAh Li-Ion battery. In practice we managed around seven hours of mixed usage, made up of around two hours internet surfing, an hour’s worth of online flash video playback and four hours of Xvid video playback. That’s a decent showing for a 15.6-inch machine, and with more cautious use – or a diet of simple typing rather than video playback, along with shutting the WiFi off and dimming screen brightness – we don’t doubt that you could hit and potentially exceed Gateway’s predictions.

Overall, the Gateway EC54 squeezes into a reasonable niche among CULV notebooks, offering the extended runtime we’d expect from a smaller machine with the larger display from a regular laptop. If you’ve found yourself squinting at 14-inch or smaller models then the 15.6-inches on offer from the Gateway – while not exactly overspilling with pixels – should give your eyes a rest. With an MRSP of $649.99, meanwhile, the impact on your wallet should be pretty painless, too; however, if you err toward performance versus prolonged time away from an outlet, we’d suggest shopping around for more powerful machines that sacrifice a little battery life.

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NTT Hikari iFrame Android slate arrives in Japan 2010

Chris Davies — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:35:28 +0000

Room in your heart (and on your end-table) for another Android tablet? Non-Japanese geeks need not apply, but sometime between April and September next year NTT will push out this 7-inch touchscreen Android slate. The Hikari iFrame is being positioned as one part digital photo frame and one part web tablet, with WiFi for internet access along with various widgets for weather, calendar, news and even recipes.

Video demo after the cut

There’s also an SD card slot, speaker, USB port and a battery for wireless use, though NTT haven’t said how long that actually lasts. It’s expected to be popular with Japanese women in their 20s, and be priced at between $220 and $330; NTT claim using Android rather than another OS helped bring prices down by around 20-30 percent per unit.

[via CrunchGear]

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Dell Mini 3i gets unboxed

Chris Davies — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:14:33 +0000

Dell’s Mini 3i may only have been official for a few hours, but already the first unboxing is upon us. PConline have taken the glossy Android smartphone from box to bench, and there are a few surprises to be had; firstly, Dell have ignored the swathe of popular opinion and not bothered including a 3.5mm headphones jack, and secondly they’d dropped a stylus into the box.

Now before you raise your arms and scream blue murder about resistive touchscreens, relax: the Mini 3i does indeed use a 3.5-inch capacitive panel. Dell’s stylus is a special one, intended for capacitive displays – similar to the Pogo stylus for iPhone – and handy for those wanting to input Chinese characters.

There’s also a miniUSB to 3.5mm headphones adapter socket, though Dell also include a handsfree kit of their own. We’ll have to wait for the first reviews to come in before we find out whether the whole thing works out, but the Mini 3i has been a long time coming and we imagine Dell have put a lot of thought into making a splash into the smartphone market.

[via IntoMobile]

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Qualcomm FLO TV on sale today; major stampedes not expected

Chris Davies — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:00:16 +0000

Remember FLO TV? We’d forgive you if Qualcomm’s standalone streaming TV handheld had slipped your mind; after all, the market for a dedicated device for mobile TV (that’s already available on certain mainstream cellphones) seems pretty limited. Still, if you’ve been saving your pennies and waiting anxiously to pick up a FLO TV Personal Television, salvation is at hand: it’s going on sale today.

We hope you’ve gathered up quite a few of those pennies, though, as the sticker price is a whopping $249.99; that includes the FLO TV device itself and the initial six months of TV service. After that Qualcomm will be merrily charging your credit card the equivalent of $8.99 or more per month.

As for the device itself, it’s a palm-sized box with a 3.5-inch QVGA capacitive touchscreen (with grease-proof oleophobic glass), stereo speakers, intergrated flip-stand and a battery rated at around 5hrs playback time. If you haven’t already guessed, we’re not entirely convinced by the whole thing; still, it’s available from Amazon now, together with Radio Shack and Best Buy stores.

Press Release:

Television Enthusiasts Can Get Their TV Fix as FLO TV Personal Television Mobile Device Debuts with Major Retailers

— FLO TV Available Today at Amazon.com, Best Buy, Radio Shack and Other Select Retailers —

SAN DIEGO — November 13, 2009 — Consumers eager to watch their favorite television programs, sports and news while on-the-go can satisfy their mobile TV craving as the handheld FLO TV™ Personal Television hits shelves across the nation today. The much-anticipated device from FLO TV Incorporated, a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM), delivers live and time-shifted content via the award-winning FLO TV mobile TV service and will be available at Amazon.com and Best Buy. In addition, RadioShack will begin selling the device online and in stores this holiday season.

As part of the launch and for a limited time, FLO TV also announced that the first six months of subscription service will be bundled into the overall retail price of $249.99, after which point a monthly service subscription fee will be charged.*

“The FLO TV Personal Television is a dedicated device for consumers’ on-the-go lifestyle that is perfect for sharing with friends and family, as well as for personal viewing time,” said Bill Stone, president of FLO TV. “The FLO TV Personal Television is setting the standard for high-quality mobile TV thanks to our award-winning network and technology. It also adds another way for consumers to use the FLO TV service, in addition to a variety of handsets and our recently introduced FLO TV Auto Entertainment system.”

FLO TV Personal Television is the first portable digital television to offer all these features in one package:

Dedicated portable television. Measuring 3 inches by 4.4 inches by 0.5 inches and weighing just over 5 ounces, FLO TV Personal Television is small enough to fit in your pocket while sporting a screen large enough to enjoy a complete television experience.
Live mobile TV from America’s best content providers. FLO TV offers full-length simulcast and time-shifted programming from the world’s best entertainment brands, including Adult Swim Mobile, CBS Mobile, CNBC, COMEDY CENTRAL, FOX News Channel, MSNBC, MTV, NBC 2Go and Nickelodeon. FLO TV also offers limited-time bonus channels for special events, premium programs and original content.
A dedicated, nationally available mobile television network. The FLO TV service is available through a dedicated multicast network so millions of consumers can simultaneously get amazingly high-quality video and audio in real time without streaming, buffering or downloads.
A capacitive touch-screen. Users control the device with intuitive swipe gestures. The oleophobic glass lens keeps the 3.5-inch QVGA display crisp and clear.
Long battery life. With more than five hours of viewing time and 300 hours on standby, the FLO TV Personal Television can be used for extended viewing or on long trips.
An easy to share experience. With a large screen, built-in adjustable viewing stand and integrated stereo speakers, FLO TV Personal Television can entertain you whenever you want and wherever you are. FLO TV Personal Television is a dedicated device so it’s easy to share with family and friends.

For a full list of retail locations, please visit www.flotv.com. TV enthusiasts can also follow FLO TV on Twitter and Facebook.

*Taxes not included. Additional fees and charges may apply. Pricing and service subject to change at any time. Service must be activated between 11/1/09 and 3/31/10 and requires subscription. After six months’ service, the customer’s credit card will automatically be charged the then-current monthly subscription rate. Special offer expires 3/31/10. Customers should review the FLO TV Customer Contract and Privacy Statement for additional terms and conditions that apply to this purchase. Six months’ prepaid service subscription included with purchase of the FLO TV Personal Television is nonrefundable.

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Joker Racer R/C Server adds internet-based control [Video]

Chris Davies — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:44:10 +0000

Radio-controlled cars might not seem the most obvious place to mount a server, but JokerWorks disagree: the company has unveiled what they’re calling the world’s first Linux server for R/C cars, the Joker Racer R/C Server, easily allowing for remote internet-linked control. To keep things simple, the Joker Racer unit hooks up to the standard servo cables already in the R/C car, together with an off-the-shelf webcam.

Video demo after the cut

Inside the box itself is an ARM Cortex A8 processor, WiFi 802.11n, a serial connection for debugging and console connectivity, USB 2.0 port for the webcam and two servo control ports. The whole thing measures 10 x 6 x 2 cm and draws 3-5W.

Once set up, you can remotely view what the R/C vehicle is seeing, together with control it, from any internet-enabled computer or even your iPhone. A limited number of units will be released this year – we don’t yet know pricing – followed by a full launch in 2010.

[via HobbyMedia.it]

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Archos look to boost Android MID apps with €1 dev deal

Chris Davies — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:24:26 +0000

While we’ve been waiting for integrated 3G and carrier subsidies to bring the cost of the Archos 5 Android Internet Tablet down, if you’ve some developer skills and some time to kill there’s another way to get a cheap deal. Archos have announced a deal whereby developers can – eventually – get an Archos 5 for just €1; all they need to do is whip up an app for the 5-inch touchscreen MID.

What makes this slightly different from regular Android development is that the Archos 5 lacks certain hardware and software APIs, for instance vibration or Google Maps. That means that much of the software already in the Android Market won’t play nicely with the MID, so Archos have been distributing apps via their own AppsLib download store.

Presuming your application works, is reasonably useful (i.e. doesn’t just say “Hello World”) and is suitably validated, Archos will shoot out a discount voucher for €228. That’s valid for any Archos 5 Android Internet Tablet at the company’s official store, and should cover most of the purchase price of one of the entry-level 8GB models which should drop at the beginning of 2010. Submissions will be accepted up until the end of November; full details here.

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Menq EasyPC E790 $80 Android netbook gets video demo

Chris Davies — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:44:39 +0000

What does $80 buy you these days? If Menq have their way, and sort out their supply chain, it could get you an Android based netbook; the company’s EasyPC E790 has a 7-inch 800 x 480 display and a Samsung ARM926EJ-S3C2450 processor, and while right now it runs Windows CE, Menq will be pushing out an Android firmware update within a month. That’s good news for techvideoblog’s Charbax, as he’s been playing with a review unit.

Video demo after the cut

Since there’s an ARM9 processor at its core, the EasyPC E790 doesn’t exactly set any speed records. In fact, it’s a pretty sluggish experience, but Android might make a difference once that’s installed instead. Charbax also expects the ARM Cortex A8 to make more of an appearance in later iterations, and while that may add $10-20 or so to the price tag, we’ve a feeling most buyers would appreciate the extra lick of speed.

No word on when you’ll be able to go out and pick up an $80 laptop yourself, since you can’t buy directly from Menq. They’ll likely show up as cheap specials in a supermarket chain at some point, hopefully keeping their sub-$100 sticker.

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Google Chrome OS release in next 7 days?

Chris Davies — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:31:46 +0000

Google Chrome OS, the search giant’s web-centric platform for notebooks, netbooks and Smartbooks, is tipped to be arriving sometime within the next seven days. According to TechCrunch’s sources, the release of the new OS – which was announced back in July – is imminent, though there’s also talk of patchy driver support.

While Google have been working with Acer, Adobe, ASUS, Freescale, HP, Lenovo, Qualcomm, TI and Toshiba on Chrome OS, there have also been rumors that they’ve left much of the driver development up to hardware manufacturers. That likely means that any initial release will only be fully functional on a small subset of machines, with increased support as the platform matures.

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LG watch-phone refresh and touchscreen Android coming 2010

Chris Davies — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:13:47 +0000

LG have confirmed that they are planning follow-up versions of their LG GD910 watch phone, though it’s unclear whether an entirely new model is on the cards. Speaking at a launch event for the LG GW620 Android smartphone this week, the company’s UK sales and marketing director, John Barton, revealed that “more styles” of watch phone were in the pipeline, together with a non-keyboard Android handset for 2010.

The new Android device is similarly mysterious right now, though last week LG did announce that they had a Snapdragon-based model in the works that would be a “more mature” device than the GW620. At the time, however, no details on whether the new phone would have a hardware QWERTY keyboard were available; it seems likely that LG are planning to cover both bases with one device of each type.

As for the watch phone, it’s possible that LG merely intend to push out some alternative fashion straps and even target the GD910 at a female audience; right now the existing model is quite bulky and arguably more suited to male buyers. Unfortunately LG reps couldn’t be pressed for more details beyond releases in 2010.

[via Electricpig]

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Dell Mini 3i Android phone imminent for China; Brazil by end of 2009 [Updated]

Chris Davies — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:01:31 +0000

Dell has come clean with its Android smartphone plans, revealing it will be launching the Dell Mini 3i in China “in the coming days” while a Brazilian release will take place before the end of 2009. According to Dell Latin America’s Hans Erickson, China and Brazil have been prioritized above all other regions; he also revealed that the Chinese version of the Mini 3i – set to launch on China Mobile – will lack 3G, while the Mini 3i headed to Brazilian carrier Claro will get the high-speed connectivity.

Update: Dell’s official blog has confirmed the news, together with dropping strong hints that the company will be leveraging existing carrier relationships for embedded mobile broadband netbooks for future Mini 3i releases. Vodafone in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and AT&T and Verizon in North America, are both name-checked. More photos of the Dell Mini 3i after the cut.

Update 2: And now the official press release is out; still no hard specifications.

Early adopters in China will also miss out on WiFi, as the first batch of Mini 3i handsets there was produced during the Chinese government’s ban on the wireless connectivity. However Michael Tatelman, vice president of sales and marketing for Dell Global, has confirmed that future devices would gain China’s own wireless alternative.

Other than that, the company is keeping quiet on definitive specifications. All Tatelman would confirm is that the Mini 3i will have a 3.5-inch touchscreen, though previous leaks have indicated a three megapixel camera and Bluetooth support. As for a US launch, all the exec would say is that “you have to assume that this is a global strategy”; a US-spec wireless version of the handset, the Dell Mini 3iX has already been spotted.

[via Engadget]

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Casio Exilim EX-FS10S digital camera debuts in Japan, golfers rejoice

Shane McGlaun — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:47:16 +0000

In my neck of the woods, golfing is a big deal; within a few miles of my home are two full 18-hole golf courses and every other truck I see is towing a golf cart. I hate golf myself, I can’t even play putt-putt. My 7-year-old usually beats me. If you are one of those people who can’t wait to get on the golf course and are always looking for a gadget to improve your game a new camera from Casio called the Exilim EX-FS10S is now available.

The camera has built-in software that analyzes your posture and improves your swing by helping you to improve the placement of your elbows, arms, or head. I guess those things are all a big deal to golfers. When it comes to old-fashioned picture taking, the EX-FS10S isn’t bad.

The camera has the capability of burst shooting at up to 1000 fps, 410 fps, 210 fps, and 30 fps modes. That super fast burst mode is intended to help improve your swing by capturing shots of each step. The camera has a 9.1MP sensor and 31.9MB of internal memory. The camera can also record 720p video in full motion 30 fps and has 3x optical zoom. The big downside is that the camera is only available in Japan.

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Panasonic crams audio system inside MW-10 digital photo frame

Shane McGlaun — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:35:09 +0000

I am a big fan of digital photo frames. Anyone with kids, dogs, or a really hot girl friend/wife that they take lots of pictures of should have one. Without a digital photo frame, you have to print all those pictures to be able to see them. The frame lets you toss your memory card into a slot and view all the photos you have taken. Panasonic has announced a new digital photo frame called the MW-10 that has a multimedia audio player inside as well.

IT’s not uncommon for digital photo frames to be able to play audio files, but the MW-10 has a full-blown home stereo inside complete with CD player, AM/FM radio with 45 presets and more. With a model number like MW-10, I expected the thing to have a 10-inch screen, but Panasonic uses a 9-inch WVGA LCD on the device.

The CD player integrated into the frame means that the thing can display photos directly from the CD, SD memory card or the 4GB of internal memory. A USB port is also built-in for transferring data from the computer. An iPod dock is built-in allowing you to play your digital music and the MW-10 has a remote to control all the action from across the room. It is set to ship in December for $299.95.

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Qualcomm MSM7×30 smartphone chipsets break new ground in mobile web and multimedia

Shane McGlaun — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:23:46 +0000

Qualcomm has revealed its latest line of mainstream smartphone chipsets that promise to add gigahertz processing to the average smartphone. The new line is the MSM7×30 family. Products in the line are geared towards multimedia performance with support for HD video recording and playback.

The chipsets also feature 2D and 3D graphics cores for mobile gaming and the chipset is designed for a responsive and immersive web experience on a smartphone. Qualcomm is sampling the chipsets now and expects them to launch commercially before the end of 2010.

One of the first solutions in the family is the MSM7230 for HSPA+ networks and the MSM7630 for multimode HSPA+/EV-DO Rev. B networks. The chipsets use the Scorpion CPU found in the Snapdragon QSD8×50 chipset already on the market. In the new MSM7×30 line, the CPU will run at 1GHz with an ARM v7 instruction set. With the chipset mobile phone cameras can have up to 12MP resolution and the chipsets support Android, WinMO, Brew, and Symbian.

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IoSafe Solo ruggedized external hard drive swells to 2TB

Shane McGlaun — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:12:07 +0000

Back during the summer we reviewed the ioSafe Solo ruggedized external hard drive and found the external storage solution to be pretty nice. An external hard drive that is both fireproof and waterproof might seem like overkill, but in the event of a fire or flood your data will be safe.

IoSafe has announced that those needing more storage space than the 1.5TB capacity previously available can now get an extra 500GB of storage with a new 2TB capacity version being offered. The new larger capacity ioSafe Solo has the same features as the drive we reviewed.

Pricing for the 2TB version is $399, which isn’t that bad compared to other external storage solutions. You also get the added benefit of data protection. IoSafe will still get the data off your drive in the event of a disaster like a fire or flood and then send it back to you on a new Solo hard drive for the first year at no charge. Extending the service to three years or five years is available at extra cost.

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BBC relaunch iPlayer as Wii Channel

Chris Davies — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:03:27 +0000

The BBC has announced that it will be “relaunching” the iPlayer streaming TV system on the Nintendo Wii, with the system now present as a dedicated Wii channel. While iPlayer access on the Wii has been possible since April 2008, the new iPlayer channel will apparently offer a “faster, high quality and improved viewing experience” according to Erik Huggers, direct of Future Media and Technology at the BBC.

The iPlayer channel will be available to download through the Wii’s online store. However only those owners in the UK will be able to access both it and the iPlayer service. It’s expected to go live on November 18th.

Image via Ben Hanbury

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Femtocell shipment numbers cut by more than half for 2009

Shane McGlaun — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:59:10 +0000

Earlier this year analysts were predicting 2009 would be huge for femtocells. A femtocell is a device sort of like a router for mobile phone calls. The device sends mobile calls and data requests across the user’s broadband connection rather than the mobile network. In April, ABI Research forecast that 790,000 femtocells would ship this year.

ABI has now reconsidered that amount and slashed the number of femtocells that it predicts to ship by 55% to about 350,000. Mobile operators have failed to push the femtocell as strongly as expected meaning that relatively few consumers have adopted the femtocell. The economy is one of the reasons that femtocells haven’t been strongly adopted.

I think another reason that femtocells haven’t been adopted by most consumers is that the thought of paying the mobile provider more money to get a clear signal in a home or office, when we should be getting a clear signal anyway, bothers some consumers. I know it bothers me. Femtocells can add up to an additional $20 per month to a cellular bill not counting the cost of the hardware.

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Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB turntable breaks cover

Shane McGlaun — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:48:02 +0000

Audio-Technica has been making audio products like headphones and turntables for a long time. We may be in the midst of the digital music revolution with most other music formats becoming an afterthought to many consumers, but there are still those out there who like the old school sound of vinyl.

If you are the type that likes to play your old vinyl records and you need a new turntable that can be easily connected to your PC, Audio-Technica has a new high-end product for you. The turntable is called the AT-LP120-USB and has a direct drive motor with forward and reverse back-cuing capability. I take that to mean the thing can scratch DJ Jazzy Jeff-style.

The turntable can play records in 33-1/3, 45, and 78 RPM modes. The platter is made from cast aluminum and has a slip mat on top. The arm has soft damping control and adjustable tracking force. A USB cable for connecting to your PC is included. The turntable will be available this month for $429 and ships with software for Mac and PCs to convert vinyl records to digital tracks.

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