News: March 2007 Archives

Microsoft today confirmed the existence of the sleek black Xbox 360 Elite, the third model of the consolem, with a 120gb hard drive, HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) output. High definition TV shows wil be downloadable through Xbox LIVE, and the the 120gb hard drive will also be sold separately for Core and Premium console owners.

The Xbox 360 Elite should be available in the US from 29th April, retailing for $480.

Texas Instruments is one of the world's leading names in digital development, and even though they already claim the title in many areas, they have started showing off their new pico-projector. This minute DLP fits 'in your fingertops' and and is being demonstrated to select media groups. As for real-world uses, this could be used on its own (simply as an external display) or as part of a mobile device. Although this is not yet a commercial product, we don't think it'll be long until we can project TV and video from our mobile phones to share with the world. TI's other DLPs are already in the market from manufacturers such as Mitsubishi, Samsung, and Toshiba.

Read: Press Release

Hanwang Technology have combined a mouse with a handwriting input to solve the problem caused by limited special-character keys on keyboards. Simply draw out the character you want to type into the middle of the mouse with the provided stylus, which slots neatly into the side of the mouse, and it will translate it into text. Such a simple and useful idea with a decent implementation is what gadgetry is all about. They get the thumbs-up from us.

Read: enet (Translated)

Just a couple of days before the PS3's European Launch, the new black Xbox 360 'Elite' has been unearthed. With a 120GB hard drive and HDMI output, this is not a 'new' console, but rather a third version to sell alongside the existing Core and Premium 360s. However, this will be a limited edition SKU.

The case, controller, and Live headset will all be black, along with new packaging. The Elites will run cooler (heat is a big problem amongst 360s), but there is no confirmation on new 65nm chips. To the disappointment of many fans, there are still no plans by Microsoft to integrate an HD DVD drive.

Also, the hardware made for the Elite will be available (in white) to upgrade your Core or Premium Xbox. However, when all the Elites are sold out, its components will become standard in the Core and Premium packages later this year, with no price change - although a decrease is expected when 65nm chips are implemented. Supposedly retailing for $479 (£244) in late April, Microsoft have not yet confirmed its existence.

We all love those lazy Saturdays ambling round the retail parks looking at the latest flat screen tvs...

However as yet another big name looks set to pull out of the Plasma Display Panel TV market, has the consumer finally spoken....??

The powers that be at Philips Consumer Electronics have thrown in the towel and called time on their range of plasma display panel (PDP) televisions with CEO, Rudy Provoost indicating they will be pursing the more lucrative LCD market moving forward.

The long-awaited king of keyboards - the Optimus 103-key - has had a name change: enter the Optimus Maximus. The Art Lebedev team were trying to get a working model shown off at CeBIT, but it seems they're not quite ready yet - oh well, good things come to those that wait...

Along with the name change comes a price change - up from $1200 to $1500, and the Optimus Maximus will be available for preorder in April, with delivery at the end of this year.

For those uncultured amongst you, the Optimus Maximus is a PC keyboard that has a little screen in every key, displaying the function of that key at that time. Pressing Shift shows replaces the lowercase with capital letters (and symbols); and also the keys in different languages can be shown.

HANNSpree have announced yet another novelty TV -- not content with the likes of a Giraffe, Elephant or Zebra.

You can now have a big shiny apple and as variety is the spice of life you can choose between a red (HANNSa.red) or green (HANNSa.green) apple.

Would this count as one of your five a day…?!? Probably not but am sure some one will try and argue it….

Infrared as a method of transferring data between two electronic devices has been around for years - one device flashes an invisible light which another device reads and turns into data.

However, National (Matsushita) have demonstrated a technology at the 8th International Lighting Fair in Tokyo where data can be transmitted through visible light. A light could both light up the area and transmit data to nearby devices. For example, a company could transmit a PDF leaflet from a light source above their reception or display stand, and passing PDAs could simply look at the light and receive the data.

Other benefits include the data source being easy to see (that big white glow there) and blistering transmission speeds - 299,792,458 metres per second, with an actual data rate comparable to optical fibre. Also, this system is preferable to radio-based transmission in places such as planes and hospitals, as there is no risk of interference with equipment.

Source: impress.co.jp (translated)

Gossip is what we love... and so when we got wind of the Samsung Q2 UMPC we just had to share with you all.

So the first generation UMPC on the whole were a little disappointing, however Samsungs Q1 seemed to make a good first impression and so almost a year to the date it was announced Samsung look set to announce its succesor the Q2 and boy are we in for a treat.

At first glance the geek sheet [courtesy of Engadget] makes for interesting reading... sporting a yet to be confirmed Intel CPU (although not the rumoured VIA) the Q2 will run Vista Home Premium.

Today sees Skype reach another land mark figure with more than 500 million people having downloaded Skype, extending its mark as one of the most popular free downloads of all time.

Not content at that, the number crunches over at Skype have seen fit to provide us with some handy facts including the statistic that six people download Skype every six seconds, whilst the number of registered users has grown from 54 million on September 2005 to over 171 million registered users worldwide in 2007.

Skype

Could this be a real photo of the Optimus 103-key keyboard we've been waiting for? We know the device will debut at CeBIT, which starts on the 21st March, so we should expect them to have a working model. If it is real, then it certainly looks good.



Also it has been revealed that a new name 'it's not 103 anymore' is to be announced on the first day of CeBIT.

Source: Optimus Project Blog

Always one for hot gossip, news concerning an unannounced RIM Blackberry device has reached our offices along with some pictures just as an appetiser. The sample seen in the images (Below) is clearly marked as an 'evaluation unit'.

Supposedly the device will be codenamed 'Daytona' and if speculation by the Spanish site Xataka is to be believed this latest device will carry the 8300 model number.

Not much is known about the specification as yet however we do know that it will address some of the shortcomings of the recently announced 8800 with the inclusion of a 2 megapixel camera with LED flash, GPS, WiFi all of which where missing on the 8800.

So what did we learn this year at 3GSM? Well, we can of course expect a whole host of new music capable mobile phones, however what we haven't seen has been much in the way of style and innovation when it comes the way we enjoy music.

Urban warriors around the country have been crying out for a wireless solution and Sony have obliged with the ultra light (186g) DR-BT50 Bluetooth wireless headphones, so no more tucking the cord under your shirt! They even neatly fold up so you can shove them in your coat pocket...

The new DR-BT50 headphones wirelessly connect to Stereo Bluetooth mobile phones or devices with A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) technology. The headphones also incoperate a built-in microphone enabling you take calls...

Those familiar with the long-awaited Optimus keyboard from Art Lebedev studios may be pleased to drool over these screenshots of the configuration software for the device. Although the hardware is still not complete, these pics really do tease. With language selection and macro plugins for the different key-sets, interest in one of the most anticipated products ever is not fading yet.

Screenshots: Livejournal