Gadgets Control

by Donald Melanson, posted Jun 17th 2008 at 6:26PM It looks like those that prefer their gadgets to call as little attention to themselves as possible now have yet another new PMP to consider from Nextar, which has just pulled up its new T30 model from OEM-land (from the looks of it, at least). This one packs a 3.5-inch QVGA display (not a touchscreen), along with 4GB of memory, an SD card slot for expansion, a built-in FM radio, and support for all the basic audio formats, although you’ll have to convert videos to AVIs using the included software. If that sounds like it’ll do, you can apparently pick one one of these up now from a whole host of retailers, including Wal-Mart, for a $100 (or less, it seems). (Read the full post about ‘Nextar rolls out “sleek and stylish” T30 PMP’…)

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A recent study suggests that watching outdoor scene on a big TV isn’t by any means equivalent to watching the same scene in the outdoors. In fact measurements made on heart rates in mildly stressed people shows that watching a nature scene on a TV is equivalent to watching a blank wall, while the latter is much cheaper and eco-friendly. So, yes, virtual reality is taking a beating, but does this apply to the virtual fireplace or the virtual aquarium as well? Tags: AAC, PDA, pvr, buyers guides (Read the full post about ‘Giant Plasma TVs Not a Suitable Replacement for the Outdoors’…)

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Like we said yesterday, the Sony Ericsson S302 camera phone will be part of the official announcement that Sony Ericsson will make today. This compact camera phone belongs to Sony Ericsson’s Snapshot series which ironically doesn’t have too much to offer with its 2.0 megapixel camera resolution. However what made this phone worthy of being included in the series is the slew of add-on camera features that it carries including 2.5x digital zoom, photo fix and photo light features, picture blogging, video light and video recording functions.

(Read the full post about ‘Sony Ericsson officially announces the S302 phone snapper’…)

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Reigncom has a new range of USB flash drives - the iRiver Domino. Available in half a dozen different colors, these USB flash drives do not come with any cap or cover, instead they opt for a sliding USB connector that remains hidden when not in use, helping it keep the overall size small and petite. Available in 2GB and 4GB models, they’re differentiated by a large print of the memory in a single digit on one side of the flash drive. The 2GB and 4GB versions will retail for approximately $20 and $34, respectively. Tags: camera, gps, cellphone, mobile phone (Read the full post about ‘Reigncom iRiver Domino USB Flash Drive’…)

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by Darren Murph, posted Jun 17th 2008 at 2:42PM It’s right around the midway point between last CES and the one to come, and for Philips, that means it’s time to dump a few new HDTVs onto the unsuspecting public. Announced today from atop a New York City hotel, the outfit got official with its 5000, 7000 and Eco series of LCD HDTVs. The 5000 FlatTV lineup includes 32- ($799), 42- ($1,799), 47- ($2,099) and 52-inch ($2,899) flavors, all of which are bathed in glossy black and feature HDMI 1.3a inputs. The Eco sets tout “several power-saving features such as a proprietary dimming technology” and arrive in 42-, 47- and 52-inch sizes ($1,099 to $2,299). (Read the full post about ‘Philips trumpets 5000 / 7000 / Eco series HDTVs’…)

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The Minox TLX is set to be quietly retired from service. The unsuspecting subminiature camera will be met on a foggy bridge at dawn, where it will be relieved of its last roll of 8×11mm film and swiftly shot between its dials with an umbrella gun. The reason is, of course, obsolescence. The classic spy cam is no longer miniature — let alone subminiature — compared to the average cellphone, and nobody but collectors are buying them. The last few models off the line will be sold for £400 ($790) instead of the normal £900 ($1770). Rumors of a unit signed by Georgi Markov are unconfirmed. (Read the full post about ‘Classic Spy Camera Munches Cyanide Capsule, Dies At 71 Years Old’…)

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Intel has announced it is forming a new company called SpectraWatt, which will focus on the development of efficient solar cell technology. Further to that, Intel Capital will fund the new business with US$50 million.

SpectraWatt started life as part of Intel’s New Business Initiative group and is expected to ship its first products by the middle of 2009. It’s core focus is on photovoltaic cells for use in solar panels, but also to research and develop more efficient solutions to solar energy generation.

Four companies are involved in SpectraWatt, one of which is Intel, but Cogentrix Energy LLC, PCG Clean Energy and Technology Fund and Solon AG also have a stake.

(Read the full post about ‘Intel Capital invests $50 million in SpectraWatt Inc.’…)

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by Darren Murph, posted Jun 17th 2008 at 3:27PM For the attentive in attendance, you likely noticed that none of Toshiba’s newly announced laptops (yes, even the absurdly powerful Qosmio rigs) have built-in Blu-ray drives. Like, there’s not even an option. When questioned about the obvious oversight (ahem), Tosh’s Europe CEO Alan Thompson noted that “Blu-ray was just one of the many ways that you can get HD content and is not required for accessing HD content.” Furthermore, it seems as if the outfit is continuing on in its pursuit to develop the best DVD upconverting technology in the whole wide world, as it explained to the press in London that its forthcoming technology would “fill in the gaps” and “add resolution.” Company representatives even remarked that “Blu-ray was only a storage medium,” and reiterated that BD “wasn’t the only way to view high-def content.” It’s one thing to bow out gracefully, pick up the pieces and get on with life. (Read the full post about ‘Toshiba remains stubborn, looks to DVD upscaling while brushing Blu-ray off’…)

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Intel has announced it is forming a new company called SpectraWatt, which will focus on the development of efficient solar cell technology. Further to that, Intel Capital will fund the new business with US$50 million.

SpectraWatt started life as part of Intel’s New Business Initiative group and is expected to ship its first products by the middle of 2009. It’s core focus is on photovoltaic cells for use in solar panels, but also to research and develop more efficient solutions to solar energy generation.

Four companies are involved in SpectraWatt, one of which is Intel, but Cogentrix Energy LLC, PCG Clean Energy and Technology Fund and Solon AG also have a stake.

(Read the full post about ‘Intel Capital invests $50 million in SpectraWatt Inc.’…)

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Things got interesting here in Europe and America over the last few months with Pioneer introducing the second generation Kuro plasma HDTV lineup which promised 5x deeper black levels, improving on the already impressive Kuro generation. Now things are looking interesting for Japan, as Pioneer have just announced the very large 60-inch Pioneer KRP-600M plasma to it’s new Kuro PDP lineup. The Pioneer KRP-600M is no ordinary HDTV, and Pioneer say that the KRP-600M is “a product targeted at ‘Audio-Visual fans,’ who are very particular about picture quality,” said Masaaki Nishio. Basically this tells us that Pioneer believe it to be the very best in quality, and from their previous products, we are inclined to believe them. (Read the full post about ‘Pioneer KRP-600M 60-Inch Plasma’…)

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