Ketok NewsBlog

Terminator Salvation to feature the awesome Ducati Hypermotard

2009-04-30T03:59:00.001-07:00

Now here’s a treat for those who find it oh-so-necessary to read the remainder of this article by the mere mention of the big names in the title. Yes! Good ol’ Arnie is going to have something pretty good in his new sequel, Terminator Salvation. To make things clearer, the Ducati Hypermotard will be used to shoot the preprocessed scenes of some rather ‘vroooming’ moment that are bound to leave you agape. So fasten your seatbelts and be ready to gear down memory lane as you remember the best bot of ‘em all coming your way on your favorite bike.

Nokia 5800 XpressMusic Star Trek Edition for the folks in UK

2009-04-30T03:57:00.000-07:00

If the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic didn’t justify itself as the phone of the moment to you then these Star Trek themed phones may give you a change of heart. This version will be solely in praise of the to-be-released space flick and will come loaded with screensavers, wallpapers and ringtones such as ”Phaser Shot”, “Kelvin Communicator”, “Red Alert”, etc. If there ever was a moment when you felt that your obsession for this wonderful phone, and you incapability to afford it before today was soon going to tag you as a bygone, then here’s a real gamble that’s sure to go your way.

iBUYPOWER launches small form factor PC – LAN Warrior

2009-04-30T03:55:00.000-07:00

iBUYPOWER is one of the largest gaming system manufacturers in the world and they have just released their small form factor system known as the LAN Warrior. The LAN Warrior offers more firepower to stand shoulder to shoulder with even the most advanced gaming systems and has room for two full-sized dual slot video cards, up to 24GB of Triple Channel DDR3 and a 1000 W power supply. It also comes with a carrying strap and harness system for taking the LAN Warrior on the road.

NASA Telescope spots 'God's Hand' in deep space

2009-04-16T03:51:00.000-07:00

The Hubble spotted the Firefox logo and what you see above is the divine hand as spotted by Chandra Observatory telescope.

The image, taken by NASA's space-based Chandra Observatory telescope, shows an X-ray nebula 150 light years across. NASA says the display is caused by a young and powerful pulsar, known by the rather prosaic name of PSR B1509-58.The finger-like structures are apparently caused by "energizing knots of material in a neighboring gas cloud," NASA says.

Sony 21 inch OLED display is just 1cm thick

2009-04-16T03:50:00.000-07:00

At the Display 2009 expo in Japan Sony showcased the 21 inch OLED display which supports a resolution of 1,366×768. Showcased first time at the CES early this year Sony has kept mum on the technical details and availability of the super slim display. This would be the successor to the 11 inch Sony XEL-1 which was released last year.

The Nintendo DSi as a phone! Pinch me someone

2009-04-16T03:49:00.001-07:00

Nintendo’s president, Satoru Iwata said something that’s got a lot of us on the edge of our seats. In a rather twisted, indirect manner, he made a comment of a DSI phone service that may be a reality in a matter of time. He said, “Nintendo would not release a console that could be used as a mobile phone unless it could do so without the need for a monthly subscription.” At the same time, he said that Nintendo isn’t making a phone. Now this means that the man is either confused or he doesn’t know how to hide trade secrets. Whatever be the reason, I am seriously going to pen this down in my gizmo diary as one of the biggest developments in the world of gaming this year. Yes! I am a Nintendo fan, so bloody what?

42 inch Oval shaped LCD TV looks more like a HTC phone

2009-04-16T03:48:00.000-07:00

China based Ultmost Technology showcased a 42 inch Oval shaped LCD TV at the Hong Kong electronics fair. The Fuss LC-4212B is ideal for commercial installations, pricing and availability is not known yet.

Samsung Q2 PMP now available in Korea

2009-04-16T03:47:00.001-07:00

Announced last month the Samsung Q2 PMP is now available in Korea. The Q2 has a 2.4 inch QVGA (320 × 240) display, FM tuner, tactile buttons, microphone for voice memos, battery with juice for 50 hours of audio and 4 hours of video playback and support for playback of leading media formats. The Q2 is available in three variants 4GB ($ 104), 8GB ($ 134) and 16GB ($ 179).

LG Icecream Netbook designed for in car use

2009-04-05T03:25:00.001-07:00

At the Seoul Auto show LG showcased the Icecream notebook. Codenamed X120 it is specially designed for in car usage. Technical details and availability are not known yet, but we expect it to come with a T-DMB tuner and other Korea specific gadgets.

HTC Snap unveiled to give Blackberry sleepless nights

2009-04-05T03:23:00.000-07:00

The HTC Snap has been unveiled at the CTIA Wireless 2009 trade show in Las Vegas. The Snap is the latest QWERTY midrange smartphone and is clearly a BlackBerry competitor. It focuses on users who want to simplify their mobile e-mail, featuring a dedicated key to bring up e-mail from a preselected group of users. The phone has a fully exposed QWERTY keyboard, large domed keys and a jog ball. Users can remotely sync e-mail, calendar and contacts with Microsoft's Exchange. The device has 192MB of RAM (expandable with an SDHC-capable MicroSD card slot). HTC claims the 1,500mAh Lilon battery offers up to 8 hours of talk time.

LG Versa Transformers edition phone

2009-04-05T03:22:00.001-07:00

The new Transformer move titled “Revenge of the Fallen” has specially designed LG Versa phones to promote it. The phone lives up to the reputation, thanks to the transformation capability of the phone that allows different modules to be added to its existing functionality. In simple words, LG keeps developing new features that can be added to the phone, like the game pad for the phone that’s currently under development. If you are seeking any change in functionality as compared to the regular Versa then there’s nothing much to find. It’s just the catchy Transformers artwork on the back cover and the outer flap and some graphic that’s made especially for the movie.

Nintendo DSi to get Opera browser

2009-04-05T03:21:00.001-07:00

Opera and Nintendo will soon launch the Opera-powered Nintendo DSi in Europe and the United States. With the Opera browser integrated into the Nintendo DSi, users can access and share content on the web with touch-screen browsing. This new browser can be downloaded from the Nintendo DSi Shop, offering users a customized Web experience with the efficiency of touch-screen browsing.

MIT researchers working on Virus powered Batteries

2009-04-05T03:20:00.001-07:00

In a traditional battery, lithium ions flow between a negatively charged anode, usually graphite, and the positively charged cathode, usually cobalt oxide or lithium iron phosphate. Three years ago, an MIT team led by Belcher reported that it had engineered viruses that could build an anode by coating themselves with cobalt oxide and gold and self-assembling to form a nanowire. The “virus batteries” have the energy capacity and power performance similar to the rechargeable batteries. The prototype battery is a coin battery, but conceivably cell and larger batteries for powering cars could be made from this process. Right now, it can go at least 100 charges before performance tapers off, but that number will increase. The idea behind industrial bioengineering is that viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms are really microscopic chemical factories. They eat, and through the metabolic process, subsequently secrete things. Wine, cheese, beer and antibiotics are, in that light, really the waste product of selectively fed and bred microbes.

Chameleon Mini Cooper changes colors faster than the weather

2009-04-05T03:18:00.000-07:00

MINI will be debuting its first color morphing car in Singapore this June. Named the Mini Chameleon the car changes color according to weather conditions. For example, on a rainy day, the car’s paint brightens to improve visibility while on a sunny day, it lightens to reflect heat and cool down the vehicle. The car gets its color morphing capability thanks to a special paint treatment technology called FeintPaint developed by a Spanish company. The paint has tiny magnetic iron oxide particles which react to changes in the magnetic field and change color in seconds. I can only imagine parking one along with others only to find out that all have the same color on a sunny day.

Honda develops Brain Machine technology - Sarah Connor headed to Japan

2009-03-31T12:14:00.000-07:00

Honda Research Institute Japan Co. Ltd, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International and Shimadzu Corporation have jointly developed what they call the World’s first Brain Machine Interface. What does it do? Well, you can control your robot with the help of your thoughts! The technology used is the electroencephalography and near-infrared spectroscopy along with newly developed information extraction technology. It does not even require any physical movements such as pressing buttons. This technology will be further developed for the application to human-friendly products in the future by integrating it with intelligent technologies and robotic technologies. The BMI technology was introduced in the year 2006 and used a functional magnetic resonance imaging scanner to measure brain activities. The newly developed measuring device uses EEG and NIRS sensors and it can be transported to and used in various locations.

Rumored MacBook Mini images leak in Russian magazine

2009-03-31T12:13:00.001-07:00

A Russian magazine claims it has a few images of the soon to be launched Macbook Mini. Despite the fact that Apple has been saying there will not be a MacBook Nano or iPhone Nano, people seem to be dead set on a netbook or ultraportable from Apple. If we were pushed for an answer we’d say Apple would rather go the ultraportable route than the netbook route. Ultra portables don’t come with the same bargain bin pricing. While appearing anorexic when viewed at an angle, the system's believed to measure about as high as a MacBook Air at its thickest point and offers a smaller 10.4in screen - effectively making it a downsized MacBook Air with a few changes on the inside.

MSI GX733 for the ultimate mobile gamer

2009-03-31T12:12:00.000-07:00

The all new MSI GX733 is powered by an AMD Turion X2 Dual core mobile processor with AMD RX781+SB700 chipset and an ATi Mobility Radeon HD4670 with 512MB RAM. The AMD-BASED 17-inch laptop is aimed at gamers and movie fans, featuring up to 4GB RAM and 500GB hard drive. There is an option for either a DVD SuperMulti burner or Blu-ray drive, and a 4-in-1 card reader. It features a 2 Megapixel webcam, support for Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, and optional Bluetooth, and offers an eSATA/USB combo port and HDMI output. Apart from all this it also adds in a 5.1 Dolby Theatre class sound system, complete with sub woofer in the bottom pan.

Samsung Anycall SPH-W7100 phone comes with an ear splitting alarm

2009-03-30T12:17:00.000-07:00

Samsung Korea has launched the Anycall SPH-W7100 phone which is targeted at women and children. The clamshell phone comes with a loud 100db alarm which can be activated in case of emergency. Apart from the alarm it has a GPS which transmits the position of the user in case the alarm is de-activated forcibly. The phone has LED lights so it can be found easily when lost. Pricing and availability is not known yet.

LG’s GD900 with transparent keypad gets S-Class UI

2009-03-30T12:16:00.000-07:00

The CTIA Wireless 2009 is getting ready to start in Las Vegas. LG is increasing the hype on its 13.4mm thick GD900 handset first shown in Barcelona at February’s MWC show. But however, this time, a 7.2 HSPDA slider with world’s first transparent glass keypad will be functional, running LG’s new S-Class UI on the 3 inch display. GD900 features a vibrational haptic feedback and the transparent keypad seems to double as a touch-sensitive mouse pad. The GD900 will launch in Europe and Asia sometime in May. There is no news of release in US.

Sony launches new series of portable projectors

2009-03-29T12:18:00.000-07:00

Sony has enhanced its portable range of projectors with the new M, D and E range of projectors. The M series is slim and lightweight, accompanied by rich design features making it the perfect choice for business executives and consumers. It weighs only 1.7 kilograms and it houses a stylish but tough magnesium body. It also offers a lot of user friendly features like video streaming, wireless capability etc. The D and E series are also technologically advanced projectors which are suitable for the business as well as educational institutions. The D series is aimed at small businesses and educational institutions. It is easily transportable from one room to another. The E series is for the cost sensitive business or consumers. It is also stylish and is of high quality technology and aimed at the entry level market.

Toshiba Pro S10 and P10 HD camcorders that fit in your palm

2009-03-22T04:06:00.000-07:00

Sporting an upright pistol grip design, the Toshiba S10 and P10 camcorders allow users to enjoy effortless HD video shooting while on the go. Equipped with a 2.5” LCD screen, both the cameras feature a 4X Digital Zoom, an SDHC card reader with flash memory expandable up to 32 GB, a 5 mega pixel CMOS sensor and 1080p HD resolution. The cameras offer support for YouTube uploading along with functions like a Digital H.264 HD Video Camcorder, a Digital Still Camera, an HDMI Digital AV output and 128MB internal NAND flash memory. They come with many advanced features. Besides delivering a 1080p HD video recording ability, the S10 camera in particular is just about 18mm in thickness. Toshiba’s very new Night Mode feature. The attribute delivers improved still and digital moving-image quality even in low light conditions.

A fake Ferrari that looks so real

2009-03-21T04:04:00.000-07:00

Remember the Chinese Ferrari? Well this one is not from the Middle Kingdom but from Thailand. It is based on the Ferrari's classic 1960s Le Mans P4 racer and is actually a fake knocked up with counterfeit parts by chancers in Thailand. Under the hood you will find a Subaru engine, you can catch a glimpse of it at the anti-forgery summit in New York. The original would set you back by at least $10 million.

Fujitsu ebook takes on the Kindle with flying colors

2009-03-20T04:02:00.000-07:00

We did mention the Fujitsu FLEPia eBook reader a few weeks ago; the company has now officially unveiled the device in all its colorful glory. The e-book reader is unbelievably light; it features an 8-inch XGA screen capable of displaying 260,000 colors, along with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and up to 4GB of storage via SD card. It measures less than half an inch thick, and features a battery life of 40 hours, the unit can be operated by its touchscreen or other functions. The device uses the Windows CE 5.0 OS, not such a great idea considering the relatively slow screen refresh times of e-ink (1.8 seconds for a single wipe).

Super Mario Matryoshka Dolls Set

2009-03-20T04:01:00.000-07:00

We have seen the Super Mario characters on a cake, apron, cookies and what not. Now the Italian plumber goes the Russian way and takes the form of traditional Matryoshka dolls (is a set of dolls of decreasing sizes placed one inside the other says Wikipedia). Sadly the dolls are not for sale, but they are surely a must buy for any Nintendo fan - Art-Lebedev are you listening?

House of the Dead: Overkill is the game you dont want your kid playing

2009-03-19T03:59:00.000-07:00

'House of the Dead: Overkill' has made a Guinness World Record for being the most profane in the history of video games. Ironically the game will now be released for the family friendly console Nintendo Wii (trailer above). The game features 189 uses of the F-word which accounts for almost 3% of all words spoken in the game. The violent shooter game is rated MA15+, the players have to hunt down a crime lord in a small town over-run by mutants. PR manager Vispi Bhopti from Sega Australia, which released the game in the country, has said that the game reflects the older audience that is now playing computer games.

Psystar unveils a new Mac clone - Apple perplexed

2009-03-19T03:56:00.000-07:00

Psystar much to Apple's dismay announced a new Mac clone 'Open 3' which runs Mac OSX Leopard for much less than the real Mac. Its basic specs include minimum 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2 GB of RAM, a 500 GB hard drive, GeForce 8400GS 256 MB graphics card, keyboard, mouse and a monitor. All this sets you back by a mere $599. Spend 400 bucks more and you get a QuadCore processor, Double RAM and hard drive along with a top end graphics card. The countdown has already begun for Apple to file a lawsuit so order now.

Dell Adamo is a super slim laptop all set to blow away the AIR

2009-03-18T04:09:00.000-07:00

Dell is all set to launch the much hyped Adamo super slim laptop. The Adamo has a 13.4-inch super-thin screen and comes with an aluminum shell, that helps make it super-light but durable. The spec comprises of an Intel Core 2 Duo U9300 with integrated Intel X4500 graphics, 2GB of DDR3 RAM, and 128GB SSD hard drive. Also comes with integrated 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1, and is currently rated for 5+ hours of battery life. It also has 2 USB ports+USB/eSATA combo port, and connects to DisplayPort, HDMI, VGA and DVI with optional cables.

NTT DoCoMo's vision of the future puts Minority Report to shame

2009-03-17T04:24:00.000-07:00

Japanese telecom giant NTT DoCoMo shows us the vision of future where almost everything is interconnected and sending information not just audio, video but also touch. Screens will be integrated into everyday objects like clothes, windshields, mirrors etc. A digital utopia or a failed dream like the flying car only time will tell.

Sony Ericsson W518a could be next phone out after W508

2009-03-17T04:05:00.000-07:00

According to some web reports Sony Ericsson may be working on a new phone named W518a, it is reported to basically be the same device as W508, only that this time A-GPS has also been included in the package. Although there are no photos of the new mobile phone available at the moment, yet the Sony Ericsson W518a should come with the same form factor as W508, which means that it is also expected to be a clamshell as its predecessor.

Inamo Restaurant Bar in London sports has touchscreen dining tables

2009-03-16T13:00:00.000-07:00

This is said to be a pioneering dining experience where the guests control the mood and order via interactive touchscreen dining tables. An overhead projector and a mouse track pad is said to turn your dining surface into a monitor where you can customize your own virtual tablecloth. You can also play video games with your companion while waiting for your order and even book a taxi home if you are not sober!

Kid Finder helps parents to track their kids and even keys

2009-03-16T12:57:00.000-07:00

Here are several devices that are available out there for parents who are worried about where their children are going. Every mobile provider now carries kid-friendly phones that have alarms and GPS capabilities that allow parents to watch via satellite. Recently, Princeton unveiled a tiny device that is designed for finding kids but might be even more useful with your keys.

The Nokia 5730 XpressMusic with a QWERTY slide out keyboard

2009-03-15T13:03:00.000-07:00

The Nokia 5730 XpressMusic is an S60 smartphone with 3.5G support, Wi-Fi, GPS and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. The phone looks plastickier in its finish but does feature a good stills camera, using Carl Zeiss optics, but the maximum video capture rate at 640 x 480 pixels is only 15 frames per second. The phone has access to Nokia's new "Music Store" and can share files on Ovi. It also supports Myspace, Flickr, YouTube, Facebook and N-Gage gaming. It can support Nokia Maps and Google Maps, and even features a 3.5mm audio socket or stereo Bluetooth.

Dell unveils iMac-like Studio One 19

2009-03-15T12:56:00.000-07:00

Dell unveiled the company’s first all-in-one PC to bear the Studio badge. It comes with an 18.5-inch display with a 16:9 ratio, 1366 x 768 resolution that optionally supports multi-touch input for media playback as well as image, music and video editing. Besides the multi-touch panel, options can additionally bring the system to 4GB RAM and a 750 GB hard drive while adding built-in Wi-Fi, a webcam and bluray. Dell is targeting the initial launch at the more space conscious Japanese market and will ship the system to Japan first for serving it at retail on March 19th and online from 23rd onwards. Releases in the United States and all over the world are slated for Spring this year and can cost $699.

Samsung YP-Q2 PMP looks all set to rock the Apple Nano cradle

2009-03-15T12:55:00.000-07:00

Samsung has unveiled the YP-Q2 PMP and it looks like a Nono killer in the features department. It features touch-sensitive controls, a 2.4in screen and either 8GB or 16GB of storage. It also features battery life serving up to 50 hours of music playback, not to mention support for the lossless FLAC format. It’s expected to support BBC iPlayer, just like its predecessor, the YP-Q1. No word on price or availability just yet, but look here for more updates as and when they occur.

The Nokia 5330 XpressMusic an edgy looking slider phone

2009-03-14T13:02:00.000-07:00

The Nokia 5330 XpressMusic offers users the chance to integrate music and social networking in a slider handset. It comes with a 3.2 megapixel camera, and a 2.4-inch QVGA screen with up to 16 million colors, using the S40 OS. The phone has dedicated touch-sensitive music keys on the side of the device, USB 2.0 support with a 3.5mm headphone jack offering to complement the Comes with Music service. There's also easy access to Facebook, MySpace and Ovi, Nokia's online content portal. There's a 2GB microSD card bundled in the box, although support up to 16 GB is available if you want to shell out for more storage. It also features aGPS for when you get lost

MIT Engineers develop Lithium Ion batteries that recharge in seconds

2009-03-14T12:58:00.000-07:00

One of the major reasons that electric vehicles have not garnered the attention of consumers is the amount of time it takes to recharge it. While a gasoline engine car will take a maximum of 4 mins to be up and running, its electric counterpart will take hours at a stretch to be charged for a limited range. In order to counter this problem a group of MIT engineers have found a new way to construct Lithium Ion batteries. In simple words they discovered that instead of just relying only on superhighways to transfer ions it would be more efficient if there were tunnels to transfer exhausted ions back to the other end of the phosphate. This in turn makes a conventional Lithium Ion battery more energy efficient as well as quicker revival rate. When tested on real world situations it was found batteries with this new technology recharged and depleted in seconds instead of hours. This makes them the ideal medium in storing large amounts of energy to be used in heavy machinery without the hassles of waiting to recharge.

Trisaksri Ghost Repellent scares away evil spirits from your haunted house

2009-03-14T12:54:00.000-07:00

If you are one of those superstitious kind who take the plot from the movie ‘The Grudge’ a tad too seriously then perhaps this next item is something you may need. The "Trisaksri Ghost Repellent", is a unique device that claims to be able to detect spirits in your new home and even take an “invisible Picture” to then convert that data into a “Wave Killer” circuit then create an electro magnetic blast to scare the spirit away. Now if you really find all this believable then perhaps buying that new house built on an ancient graveyard at half the cost isn’t that bad is it?

Apple to announce iPhone 3.0 firmware upgrade on March 17

2009-03-14T12:53:00.000-07:00

Apple will soon be unveiling the 3.0 firmware upgrade to its popular phone, its has not yet confirmed any details ahead of the unveiling on March 17, but users are not short of suggestions. Cut-and-paste - iPhone needs to catch up with the BlackBerry Storm, HTC Android G1 (and soon the G2 Magic) in this meat-and-potatoes feature. Photo messaging - All the elements are in place, but the iPhone still can’t send a pxt. Again, BlackBerry, the G1 - and, heck, almost every other phone on the planet, are ahead in multimedia messaging (mms). Shooting and recording video, using your iPhone as a modem for your laptop.

Nokia 5030 - The mini radio phon

2009-03-13T13:01:00.000-07:00

The Nokia 5030 is an ideal economical radio phone for those buying their first phone and a perfect solution for remote parts of the world where radio still rules when it comes to entertainment and news. The phone features a “really loud” loudspeaker and boasts of a whole day of audio playback capability and up to 10 hours of talk time. When the device is placed sideways on the table, it looks like a tiny version of the large radios from eras gone by.

Halo 3 reaches the 1 billion mark in online matches played

2009-03-13T04:43:00.000-07:00

The billionth game of Halo 3 was played last Saturday. The hours spent on the game played online excluding custom maps were then calculated and the results were astonishing. It reached a whopping 2 plus trillion seconds which is nothing but 64, 000 years! To those who want to know how big that number is! 64, 000 years ago, the Neanderthals walked the Earth and the modern man didn’t even put his foot in Asia yet. I am really proud of you all out there who contributed to this and wish you all many more years back in time!

Mimi Switch uses facial expressions to control iPods

2009-03-13T04:42:00.000-07:00

Don’t you like it when your music player runs on the shuffle mode and seems to play all the songs you like on a good day? On the other hand, when going through a bad day, the urge to trash away your MP3 player along with everything else grows higher as the songs go trashier. Well, a new device called the Mimi Switch allows the wearer the freedom to control his iPods just by changing his/her facial expressions. The devices do not rely on our fingers but rather picks out subtle clues from tiny infrared sensors that are integrated into the ear buds. So if we you stick your tongue out u get a track change, it doesn’t just limit its functionality with that, the device can make approximate judgments as to what track to play next based on prior expressions. So if a particular music makes you smile a lot the device will play it the next time it detects you frowning or sulky.

Is Apple releasing a Touchscreen Netbook this summer?

2009-03-12T04:38:00.000-07:00

Commercial Times have reported that an Apple Netbook can be expected in the third quarter of this year. Their information comes from Wintek, the company slated to provide the touch panels for the device – the netbook will itself be made by Quanta Computer. But are these rumours true? Commercial Times were true when they came out with the news of the iPhone. But there were times when they were wrong also. So I guess it’s going to be a wait and watch game to see if a Touchscreen Netbook is coming soon or not.

Robotic fish can swim and looks very realistic

2009-03-12T04:37:00.000-07:00

Took a look at the above video, does it ever strike to you that the fish swimming has actually a battery and motors instead of a heart and gills. The sea bream robot as it is called has been developed by the Yamamoto laboratry in Japan. The movement of fins is based on the elastic oscillation wing system which makes the movement looks very realistic.

Samsung S5600 and S5230 touchscreens phones to hit Europe

2009-03-11T04:40:00.001-07:00

Samsung is all set to release the S5600 and S5230 touchscreen phones in the European markets. Just 12.8mm thick the S5600 has a 2.8 inch QVGA touchscreen, 3 Megapixel camera, Bluetooth 2.1, FM radio and 7.2 Mbps HSDPA. The S5230 on the other hand is 11.3mm thick has a 3 inch QVGA touchscreen, 3 Megapixel camera with 15 fps video recording and DNSe technology to deliver optimum sound. Release date and pricing is not known yet.

New Samsung Fabrizio PDP TVs unveiled

2009-03-11T04:35:00.000-07:00

Two new HDTVs have been introduced by Samsung – the Samsung Fabrizio PAVV PDP 450 series. We can now be assured that the plasma age is not dead yet. The 450 series of plasma TVs have just been unveiled in South Korea and apart from its weird name; the piano black bezel makes the TV look more than stunning. It comes in two sizes of 42-inch and 50-inch. The TVs have a 600Hz refresh rate and uses Samsung’s Crystal Engine for perfect pictures. We do not have any other confirmed specifications. The sad news is that it is currently available only in South Korea but we will definitely let you know if there is UK shipping as soon as it’s announced.

Motorola MC55 phones go mini rugged for tough execs

2009-03-11T04:33:00.001-07:00

The new Motorola MC55 series of ruggedized enterprise digital assistants, feature an Intel XScale PXA270 520 MHz processor, 128MB SDRAM, 256MB Flash, a large 3.5 inch (320x240 pixel) touch screen, a 2 megapixel camera with autofocus and flash with decode capability and 1D/2D bar code scanners. all this runs on Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 OS series. Among its other features there is Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, quad-band GSM/EDGE, VoIP and PTT.

World's first 3D nanoantenna or invisibility cloak directs light away from eye

2009-03-10T03:02:00.000-07:00

A new metamaterial has been created by scientists in Rice University that could hide objects from human sight. By creating perfectly aligned dimples in a material, the scientists channeled specific wavelengths of light from many directions into one uniform direction. You can call it whatever you want, the world’s first 3D nanoantenna or an invisibility cloak. The scientists claim that we could do some interesting things with this material. So does that mean we are closing towards creating hollowman? According to Halas, this is world’s first truly 3D metamaterial. The creation of the first nanoantenna was relatively simple.

The thinnest Bluetooth headset in the world revealed by CyberBlue

2009-03-09T00:41:00.000-07:00

The ultra-slim Bluetooth headset which was showcased during the CeBit 2009 is only 4mm thick making it the thinnest headset in the world. It has a unique aluminum casting and has the latest CVC echo and noise cancellation to reduce background noise. It is also has the lowest power consumption enabling a talk time of 3 hours and a standby time of 50 hours. The headset has dimensions of 49.3(L) x 15.8(W) x 4(H) mm. The headset also comes with a 4 pin USB plug that can be directly inserted in to the PC for recharging. We still don’t have any information on when it is going to be released or the price.

Aston Martin One-77 is now the second most expensive car in the world

2009-03-09T00:40:00.000-07:00

Because of the depreciation of the British Pound, the upcoming Aston Martin One-77 will now become the world’s second most expensive car by giving the first place to the Bugatti Veyron Fbg par Hermes. The One-77 was priced approximately at US $2.4 million (GBP 1 million) when it was first announced last August. Now the value has come down to US $1.415. The Bugatti now costs US $1.956 million. This is definitely because of the variations in currency exchange values but what we have to note that is now the potential customers cannot boast of having the world’s most expensive cars to their fellow barons in any yacht fair. This means a lot to the potential customers of Aston Martin. Well wonder how they will make it the most expensive then? Probably a diamond studded steering wheel, platinum gearbox and platinum plated alloy wheels might just do the trick!

10.1 megapixels EXILIM Zoom EX-Z29 from Casio

2009-03-08T00:39:00.000-08:00

Casio has announced a new EXILIM digicam EXILIM Zoom EX-Z29. The new camera sports a compact & stylish form factor, a 10.1 megapixel image resolution, a 3x optical zoom lens, and a 2.7 inch wide LCD display. It also has a 17.8 MB built-in flash memory and supports SD and SDHC memory cards. The camera has dimensions 3.64 x 2.16 x 0.91 inches and comes in black, silver, blue, pink and purple colors. It is slated for release in April for a price of $149.99

Worlds most expensive CD sells for $100,000

2009-03-08T00:38:00.000-08:00

Japan may be one of the front runners in those hit hardest by the economic downturn but this is not stopping companies in introducing ridiculously expensive products like an audio CD which can get you a condo in Florida. The CD went on sale at the Takashimaya department store at Nihonbashi for a cool 10,000,000 Yen ($ 100,000). The high price is because the CD comes in a platinum case which is studded with around 2 carats of diamonds. The same CD is available for $20 without the platinum case.

Microsoft beta testing Windows 7 without IE 8

2009-03-07T00:37:00.001-08:00

Microsoft may be testing a Windows 7 OS version which has IE 8 disabled by default, why the company wants to do this is a huge mystery to me, but it sure has the web abuzz. This new option is more than likely in response to the recent accusations by the EU for antitrust issues that Microsoft has used its dominant Windows market share position to force other software, like Internet Explorer, onto the market. The company is probably finding that it is becoming quite expensive to be so strict on their integrated software.

BlackBerry 9630 Niagara CDMA device leaked images pop up online

2009-03-07T00:35:00.001-08:00

These are the first images of what is said to be the forthcoming BlackBerry Niagara 9630. While there is very little information about the device except the fact that this one's CDMA , the images only seem to be a prelude to further leaks that might happen in the near future. The handset looks similar to the current Bold and Curve line up and will certainly be a handsome addition to the rather staid CDMA line up RIM currently boasts.

Wii Motion Plus could be out by June 18 to compliment EA Grand Slam Tennis release

2009-03-07T00:34:00.001-08:00

Despite Wii's market-leading status, it is routinely relegated to third position in the development hierarchy, and often even forth position behind the piracy-stricken PC format. The Wii MotionPlus (remote add-on that enhances the precision of the Wii motion control) will become available sometime before June 18th. By tracing the Tennis title release date to June 18th, leading to the assumption that the MotionPlus accessory will make it to stores sometime ahead of the date. Additional announced titles supporting the peripheral include Ubisoft's Red Steel 2, Wii Sports Resort and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10.

Spectrus from Art Lebedev - A multicolored USB hub

2009-03-07T00:33:00.001-08:00

If you thought that the Dosugus was cool, then perhaps this new device could be of your liking. The Designers at Art Lebedev came to the obvious realization that most USB hubs come in many shapes and sizes, most of them are just chunky and ugly. So a new modification was in order, the Spectrus is the answer to the geeky physics fanatic. The designers claim that it is supposed to represent a glass prism, refracting light into its constituent colors. However finding seven different colored devices will surely be a challenge to the most ardent of USB users. Each socket packs in a light conductor to enable the rainbow effect on transparent USB cables. No word on price or availability as of yet.

The M1-Pro is a sleek and light notebook cooler for the Macbook

2009-03-04T03:49:00.000-08:00

The M1-Pro is designed for Macbook, Macbook Pro, Macbook Air and other laptop users to protect their precious laptop. It is made with precision, crafted from a block of aluminum. With the benefit of corrosive resistant finishing and shiny appearance, brushed finish process is carefully applied on the device. It's designed with ergonomic, provides best viewing angle and comfort for your neck and legs. Its also available in a CRYSTALLIZED - Swarovski Elements option, M1-Pro blends both classic and contemporary elements on its appearance that manifests your unique taste wherever it is used.

Facebookers with countless friends only keep in touch with the chosen few

2009-03-03T03:48:00.001-08:00

On my initial outings at the social networking sites, it baffled my mind as to how Facebookers managed to find so many friends, and keep in touch with all of them. If one was to guesstimate it would take hours from a person’s week and days from a month to keep in touch with 100 friends even if it meant just sending a poke or two to each one of them.

A new study has proved that the most sociable friends actually may boast of having 500 or more friends, but in reality these same people may just keep in touch with ten good friends if they are males and sixteen if they are females. This does not include the countless lost friends we find on it from our childhood or some pen pals from letters gone by. This maybe because we humans still crave personal affection from the ones that really matter to us and the rest are just there to attract the right person in the end.

Neuroscientist Susan Greenfield, even goes as far as saying that the instant gratification that sites like Twitter and facebook provide are causing alarming changes in the minds of teenagers, turning them into self-centered people.

New Sony Bravia LCD TV's allow you to pay for VOD using the remote control

2009-03-03T03:46:00.001-08:00

Sony Japan has announced new additions to the W and F series of Bravia LCD TV's. Their remote control (pictured after the jump) comes with a Felica / Edy e-Wallet reader which lets users make wireless payment for on demand video. The newly developed Bravia engine 3 delivers a dynamic contrast ratio up to 100,000:1 along with noise reduction and better color reproduction. The W5 will be made available in three sizes 40, 46 and 52 inches whereas the F5 series will come in 32, 40 and 46 inches.

Asus’s Display-Only computer concept at Cebit

2009-03-03T03:45:00.000-08:00

For the moment, this is just a concept, but it has been built by Asus by following the feedback that the company has received on WePC.com, a site on which users can submit ideas and feedback on laptops. By the way it looks; it could be useful as an eBook. If there is enough demand, Asus might just build a working version.

Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce is finally official

2009-03-03T03:44:00.001-08:00

Bologna's best automaker has just released official info and pics on its latest mighty Murc, and this one tops them all. The LP 670-4 SuperVeloce is described by Lamborghini as "exceptionally purist". The description fits as the LP 670-4 SV is more powerful, lighter and therefore faster than the already pretty quick LP-640. As its name suggests, the LP 670-4 SV boasts an increase in power to 670 hp and 487 lb-ft of torque for Lambo's 6.5L V12, all of which was achieved through simply optimizing the engine's valve timing and tweaking the air intake system. With a weight decrease of 220 lbs, the car is able to clock 0-62 mph in just 3.2 seconds. A larger "Aeropack Wing" offering more downforce is also available, but the additional drag drops top speed to 209 mph.

Nintendo DSi gets three new colors

2009-03-01T03:17:00.000-08:00

Nintendo Japan has announced three colors for the DSi, the handheld console will now come in pink, lime green and metallic blue. The DSi is currently available in Japan only it will be hitting the world markets starting April with the US getting black and blue color options. Japan gets the three new colors from March 20 at the same price - 18,900 Yen ($ 200).

Apple loses POD trade mark in Australia

2009-02-28T03:16:00.000-08:00

Apple has failed in its bid to trademark the word “pod” in Australia, due to an objection from a guitar electronics company that produces a product by a similar name. Guitar accessories group Line 6, manufactures the “POD” device, blocked the trademark claim, arguing it has a pre-existing trademark in the same category related to musical devices. While Line 6 has sold far fewer units of its product than Apple’s range of iPod devices, Australian Trade Marks Office hearing officer Iain Thompson declared that the POD device was still an established product. Apple is believed to have spent around $15 million promoting the iPod in the last 18 months, too bad for Apple to learn about the down under legal system with such a rude shock. Maybe the iPod will be renamed as the iGot sued brand name.

Sony OLED Walkmans to be available in UK with pricing and dates

2009-02-28T03:12:00.000-08:00

Residents of United Kingdom will be receiving soon the new line of Sony’s OLED Touchscreen-capable Walkmans pretty soon as pre-orders have already opened up at Amazon UK. The X series will come in 16GB (NWZ-X1050B) and the 32GB (NWZ-X1060B). The walkmans will have a shipping period ranging from a fortnight to five weeks. The 16GB and the 32GB models will be available at retail price of 214 GBP ($300) and 283 GBP ($400) respectively.

MSI turning up the heat against Macbook Air with the X-Slim X340 and X600 netbook line

2009-02-27T03:18:00.000-08:00

MSI seems to have even the field with the announcement of the new X-Slim netbook line. The range starts with the X340 and X600 models, it features a small form factor with a 13.4 and a 15.6 inch screen. The netbooks will be lightweight and will feature HDMI outputs and a price tag ranging from $700-$1000.

LG launches 27 inch LCD monitor and HDTV combo

2009-02-27T03:10:00.000-08:00

LG Display in technical collaboration with Philips has launched a 27 inch monitor for the Korean market. The sleek LCD monitor actually doubles as a HDTV. It features a 8ms response time, 120Hz clear motion drive, 1920 x 1080 resolution and 16:9 image aspect ratio. It is not known if the monitor will ever make it out of Korea.

Top Neuroscientist’s warning to parents – social websites harm children’s brain

2009-02-26T03:13:00.000-08:00

Social networking websites are causing alarming changes in the brains of young users, an eminent scientist has warned. Sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Bebo are said to shorten attention spans, encourage instant gratification and make young people more self-centered. These are some of the claims by neuroscientist Susan Greenfield that will make disturbed reading for the millions of people world over whose social lives depend upon logging on to their favorite websites each day. These sites are extremely popular and profitable but a growing number of psychologists and neuroscientists believe they may be doing more harm than good. Baroness Greenfield, an Oxford University neuroscientist believes repeated exposure could rewire the brain.

LG Versa hitting Verizon on March 1

2009-02-26T03:12:00.000-08:00

The long rumored LG Versa makes you start life as a full touchscreen slate, and for emailing, texting or note-taking, you can just snap on the included cover that has a full QWERTY keyboard. The cover also features its own OLED display which is handy, as the Versa’s 480 x 240 display is concealed while the cover’s closed. The phone also comes with a 2MP camera with face detection and video recording, MicroSD expansion and GPS. The LG Versa is will be available from March 1 onwards for $249.99 on contract before a $50 mail-in rebate.

Samsung SPH-W6450 the OZ Double Folder Phone

2009-02-26T03:10:00.001-08:00

Targeting mobile Internet users Samsung Korea has launched the SPH-W6450 in the local market. Nicknamed the 'OZ Double Folder Phone' the clamshell can be folded vertically when texting or calling and horizontally when watching DMB TV or using other multimedia functions. The SPH-W6450 has a 2.8 inch LCD screen, 3 Megapixel camera, Bluetooth 2.0, dictionary, etc. Available in Korea only for 600,000 KRW ($ 410).

USB SentrySafe is waterproof and fireproof

2009-02-26T02:37:00.000-08:00

The SentrySafe is not only practical for storing those important paper files and jewelry, it can also be used to store data that you would want to keep away from thieves and damage from fire or floods. There is also an USB slot which makes it possible to access files within the safe, without actually having to get into it. As long as your data is password protected, no one else would be able to get to it. You can keep the safe closed and still get to the files without ever opening it. It's a good option against those average thieves but no guarantee on hackers who double up as thieves too. The SentrySafe is pretty expensive at $1800 or 165, 000 yen.

San Francisco launches several electric recharge stationsMayor Gavin Newsom and electric vehicle charging station developer, Coulomb Technologies, unv

2009-02-26T02:31:00.000-08:00

Mayor Gavin Newsom and electric vehicle charging station developer, Coulomb Technologies, unveiled three electric vehicle charging stations in the city of San Francisco. These include charging points for City CarShare and Zipcar plug-in hybrid vehicles. Coulomb's score in San Francisco comes on the heels of its installation of three electric vehicle stations in San Jose, Calif., last month. The three electric vehicle chargers in San Francisco will be used for a two-year demo; the startup's business model is based on subscription plans.

Prices include a limited-time "Basic Access" subscription offer, which the company says includes free charging through 2009. Then there are several monthly plans, including: $15 per month for 10 night time charging sessions, $30 per month for unlimited night time charging sessions, $20 per month for "grid-friendly" charging sessions, $40 per month for unlimited "grid-friendly" charging sessions, $25 per month for 10 anytime sessions, and $50 per month for unlimited charging at anytime.

82-Inch 1080p LCD coming soon from Honeywell

2009-02-25T02:30:00.000-08:00

Honeywell, better known for top-secret government contracts, will be soon selling its mammoth 82-inch 1080p LCD in the US this year. It is licensing its All-American name to the Taiwan-based Soyo who will be producing the TV set weighing 300 pounds. The TV has 120Hz motion-blur reduction, 3HDMI inputs and a stated dynamic contrast ratio of 120,000:1. It has very long model number - MT-HWGWT8218AM. Price and availability are yet to be announced.

Russian Roulette Beer Bong is good for frat house fun

2009-02-25T02:27:00.000-08:00

The Russian Roulette Beer Bong is an amusing party gadget that encourages the worst kind of irresponsible drinking behavior. You fill the barrel in the center with beer (it holds up to two liters) and then you take turns with your companions at pulling out the bottles underneath it. The right bottle will unleash a torrent of amber pain into the unfortunate puller's gullet.

Panasonic displays 103-inch plasma multitouch air hockey table

2009-02-24T02:35:00.000-08:00

Panasonic displayed at ISE 2009 in Amsterdam, its 103-inch plasma multitouch air hockey table. It is made possible by Panasonic's plasma and a U-Touch overlay from uicentric. A startup arcade would definitely need this as a centre of action. I really envy those who were able to grab a game on this beauty!

D-Link unveils D-Life Web-based home surveillance cameras

2009-02-24T02:25:00.000-08:00

D-Link offers the D-Life Web-based home surveillance camera systems that utilize Powerline networking. The D-Life consists of three products, the DHA-390 Surveillance Camera Starter Kit, the DHA-310 Expansion Kit and the DHA-330 video player. The DHA-390 is the camera that connects to home network. The set up is really easy with D-Link's zero-configuration. If you want to add more cameras, you just get the DHA-310 expansion kit. Lastly, the DHA-330 is a 7-inch LCD video player that allows for easy monitoring of all D-Life cameras connected to the network.

Calvin Klein get preachy with a message on a bottle with an MP3 speaker

2009-02-23T02:32:00.000-08:00

What do you do when your brand keeps loosing its value as the consumer base gears down its rate of conspicuous consumption? You bring back the brand with a preachier humanitarian message engraved on previously consumed products and add a gadget for a great sale too. That's what the popular fashion brand Calvin Klein seems to have done. The company has started a "we are one" slogan campaign. Through which it is offering CK One & CK Be bottles in a modern packaging with a removable MP3-player speaker in the base.

EA to soon unveil the EA Sports Active line of fitness games for the Wii

2009-02-23T02:24:00.000-08:00

The Electronic Arts is all set to launch EA Sports Active exercise package. It is being promoted by two newly released trailers featuring celebrity fitness expert Bob Greene, reports VG247. The videos suggest a more serious health improvement package than the chart-topping Wii Fit, as EA's Peter Moore has already suggested. While EA Sports Active is being presented as ideal for families and friends trying to get healthy together, the training it also focuses on cardio workouts and strength improvement challenges that are bound to please more dedicated fitness fans. Unlike Wii Fit, EA's forthcoming exercise software also comes with a specially designed leg strap which houses the Nunchuck while the Wiimote is held in the hand, meaning the package can be track upper and lower body movement with a degree of accuracy.

LG Netbook LG-X120 boots like a spark

2009-02-23T02:22:00.000-08:00

The new LG Netbook LG-X120 is an eye-catching white and lime green or pink color schemed netbook. It will be featuring a 3G HSPA connection, 160GB hard drive, and 3.5 hour battery life. The netbook also features a quickstart shell like Splashtop, which allows netbook zap themselves online in moments without actually dropping into the main OS, conserving resources and improving usability. The LG-X120 can do this in a purported five seconds, hopping onto Firefox 2, Skype, or Splashtop Chat instead of booting up the included Windows XP.

HTC Launches the Touch Diamond2 and the Touch Pro2 with some hot business apps

2009-02-22T05:47:00.000-08:00

HTC has just announced two new phones, the Touch Diamond2 and the Touch Pro2, which are upgrades to the already popular models. The Touch Diamond2 is a slab-style, all-touch-screen Windows phone with a 3.2-inch, 800x480 touch screen. It's running a 528 MHz Qualcomm processor, and has 288 Mbytes of RAM and a MicroSD memory card slot supporting up to 16-GB cards. It connects to the Net using Wi-Fi 802/11b/g, Bluetooth or 3G cellular. There's a 5-megapixel camera on the back, a VGA camera on the front and an FM radio. The phone also has 50 percent longer battery life than the existing Touch Diamond.

MBL 101 X-Treme Speaker System weighs 1.5 tons to give luxury surround sound

2009-02-22T03:37:00.000-08:00

The MBL 101 X-Treme Speaker System features four omni-directional mirror imaged speaker arrays with a single bass tower and integral amplifier. The loudspeaker uses three pulsating spheres as a starting point. The loudspeaker has been made using materials like carbon fiber, aluminum, steel, acrylic and wood making it a massive four-tower speaker system.

Platronics Bluetooth headset for $50,000

2009-02-22T02:39:00.000-08:00

If you have $50,000 to spare, then you could be the proud owner of the limited edition of Platronics Bluetooth headset encrusted with gold and diamonds. The company has also made an one off version of its Discovery 925 with the hope of auctioning it off for the Elle Charity. This is perfect for those who would want to show off that they are not affected by the current recession. For those who don't have the budget, the company is selling a black, white or purple for just 69.99 pounds.

New Wii accessories from Nyko

2009-02-22T02:25:00.000-08:00

Nyko has unveiled new accessory packs for their Wand 3rd-Party Wiimote. First is the Wand Action Pak and the second is the Wand Core Pak. The Wand Action Pak includes one Wand and Pistol Grip. This new pistol grip has a digital connection to the remote instead of the usual mechanical connection to a button. It is Trans-Port and they claim that this will reduce wear and tear from use. There is also a switch on the bottom of the grip that can flip the A and B buttons for use in different games. The Wand Core Pak includes a Wand and a wired Kama, Nyko's own version of the Nunchuck.

Aquavolo showerhead comes with waterfall and rainfall style shower

2009-02-21T03:36:00.000-08:00

The Aquavolo showerhead from Italy's Bossini looks pretty stylish and modern. It also gives you the option to choose between either a pouring out waterfall style shower or and a rain shower. Just flip the stainless steel shower fixture up or down to switch between the two. Who knows, what if you wanted to re-enact a shampoo commercial you saw on TV with a waterfall experience! Make sure you have enough hot water though for it.

US launch for Nintendo DSi gets a date

2009-02-21T02:34:00.001-08:00

Nintendo has been selling DSi in Japan since last November. The DSi is a small step up from the current Nintendo DS Lite, with a slimmer body, addition of two cameras, SD Slot and a larger 3.25-inch screen. Nintendo is also planning to roll out DSi Shop, a commerce system that allows gamers to buy and download games or demos using DSi points. Nintendo DSi is slated for US launch on April 5th and will be available at a price of $170.

New My Book World Edition Network Hard Drives with storage capacities of 1 and 2 TB

2009-02-21T02:28:00.000-08:00

The world leader in external storage solutions introduced its newly redesigned My Book World Edition network storage drive, simplifying the critical but tedious task of backing up of entire household's precious files. The new drive will be compatible with PCs and Mac computers. All you have to do is to plug the drive into a network router, click a few buttons and the storage device backs up files from all the PCs and Macs on the network.

Any changes to the files on these computers are automatically and continuously backed up to the drive. Some of the notable features are Media server capability with DLNA 1.5 and UNnP certification to stream content to Xbox, PS3, remote sharing of personal content with family and friends, high-speed data transfer with Gigabyte Ethernet and a 3-year limited warranty.

Airbus A380 VIP Saloon – the perfect playground for zillionaires

2009-02-21T00:57:00.000-08:00

Imagine having a huge house party, cavorting in the sitting rooms, bouncing on the big beds and splashing in the showers 35000 feet in the air. That is exactly what Lufthansa Technik , the luxo-sport decorating and customization arm of the fabled German airline has in mind for the VIP saloon on the Airbus A380 which is meant for bailed out bank billionaires and zillionaires. A gorgeous group of unreal renders portrays what the good life must be like in the proposed VIP saloon while all those "little people" sit in their conventional chairs.

Garmin-Asus M20 announced

2009-02-20T00:54:00.000-08:00

Garmin-Asus today announced the Garmin-Asus nüvifone M20, an all-in-one phone, mobile web-browser and premium navigation system with a Windows Mobile operating system . As the first Garmin-Asus nüvifone powered by Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional with enterprise email, the sleek and colorful nüvifone M20 is designed for on-the-go professionals who want a fashionable and functional smartphone to manage their busy work and personal lives. This powerful device combines a dual-band 3.5G/tri-band GSM phone with Wi-Fi connectivity, desktop-like internet browser, push email, document viewing, multi-media capability, Bluetooth and Garmin sat nav.

Casio 9.1 Megapixel Hello Kitty edition with a dash of crystals

2009-02-20T00:53:00.000-08:00

An upgrade to the Casio Exilim 720 is here, the latest digital camera bearing Japan's favorite cat packs in 9 Megapixels and 2.6 inch TFT. It packs in a 3X optical zoom lens and can shoot video in MOV format. Other specs include digital image stabilizer, red eye reduction, 41Mb of internal memory and SDHC card slot. The pink chic camera is further sprinkled with pink crystals around the lens area. Available in Japan it sells for 47,250 Yen ($ 525).

Ultrasone Edition 8 headphones for the true audio lover

2009-02-19T00:52:00.000-08:00

Ultrasone has announced a new range of headphones called the Edition 8 range. It features a 40mm titanium plated driver and a neodymium magnet that provide a frequency range of 6 Hz to 42 kHz and a sound pressure level of 96 dB. The interior ear-cups are lined with Ethiopian sheepskin, while the outer cups are plated in Ruthenium. Both the standard 1.2m cord and the 4m extension are built with oxygen-free copper cable and gold plated plugs. The headphones integrate the company's S-Logic Plus technology that is designed to provide an accurate sound with vivid definition and an expanded soundstage. MU-Metal shielding is claimed to reduce the amount of harmful radiation by up to 98 percent.

Samsung DoReMi is an MP3 player for the no frills music addict

2009-02-19T00:51:00.000-08:00

The Samsung DoReMi doesn't do anything special, it is designed for those among us who don't fancy a touch enabled screen to scroll through playlists or adjust the volume. It is designed to replace the U4 launched last summer and has the same USB key form factor. It features a 4-line OLED display, integrated USB plug, 18 hours of playtime, FM radio support, and recording capability.

Rinspeed iChange an electric car which needs the iPhone as key

2009-02-18T05:46:00.000-08:00

Now before any of drop your jaws, this isn't the everyday backseat action we are talking about, the Rinspeed iChange concept is a one of a kind vehicle which can adapt itself to accommodate varying number of passengers depending on the need of the driver. That's not all it's even controlled by an iPhone, eliminating the need for the key altogether. This streamlined one-seater sports car transforms into a comfortable car with ample room for three. At the push of a button the rear end of the teardrop-shaped car magically pops up. The iCharge is powered by an electric motor mated to lithium-ion batteries available in two different stack configurations, one for short- and one for long-distance. Both choices will apparently be charged by any electric power source including solar.

Bionic Body Armor from IBM – for dodging bullets

2009-02-18T00:49:00.000-08:00

IBM has filed for patent on technology that will heighten our reflexes so fast that we can actually dodge bullets. The present invention is for protection from projectiles fired from a firearm. The Bionic Body Armor would continuously scan the area for incoming projectiles. If any were detected, the system would deliver a shock to the muscles causing a swift, reflexive action away from the bullet.

Talking cars to be on road by 2012

2009-02-17T03:41:00.001-08:00

Cars that talk to each other and respond to danger much faster than humans could be on the road as soon as 2012. A team from the University of South Australia has used Dedicated Short Range Communications technology to develop a system that broadcasts information to other cars using a combination of GPS and WiFi. The information would be updated 10 times a second. The cars would actually be able to figure out where there would be a safety issue, for instance around blind corners. In extreme cases it can control sections of the car, for example, in a collision it would start actions like seatbelt tensioning and deployment of airbags. Information about surrounding traffic could also help drivers choose the best route.

Spongebob USB drive holds 64GB

2009-02-17T03:38:00.000-08:00

Memorette would be launching a 64GB Spongebob themed USB drive in the Korean market. The square shaped USB drive will also be shown at the upcoming Cebit 2009 fair. Pricing and availability is not known yet, but it makes me wonder what will a 12 year old do with 64 gigs of memory.

Panasonic 3D FHD Blu-ray Labs is unveiled

2009-02-16T04:57:00.000-08:00

3D HD Live sports have gained immense popularity these days, with the technology gaining positive response since its first debut on BCS College championship game. The contents and availability, to be very frank with you is very limited to select theatres and not easy to find if you are living in the most popular cities. But it is likely to hit your living room soon because Panasonic has already unveiled its 3D HD Blu-ray technology labs. Panasonic has been busy standardizing the technology and its going be soon available at the consumer level with a Blu-ray hardware and 3D contents in a Plasma system. Latest announcement will include an additional 3D-ready digital cinema projector.

$11,000 Diamond studded Mario Pendant spotted on Ebay

2009-02-16T00:46:00.000-08:00

The makers of Mario Pendant feels that the recession is the best time to launch an $11,000 Diamond encrusted Mario Pendant. I guess they have hope in the $700 billion dollar stimulus package of the United States. It is 4.5 inches tall and is colored to match Mario's distinctive overall and the hat, except its "MR" instead of the "M". The actual price is around $11,587 which is being claimed by the sellers but they have put it on sale for $7000 with free shipping too. I don't think it is worth a buy especially when this is unlicensed and not by the original creators of Mario.

Sony DCR-SX41 DV Cam with 8GB onboard memory

2009-02-15T04:56:00.000-08:00

Sony Japan has announced the DCR-SX41 DV cam which has an astonishing 60X of optical zoom. The camcorder will be made available in three colors silver, blue and red. It has 2.7 inch touchscreen and 8GB of internal memory which can be further expanded via the Duo slot. A 16GB Memory Stick can accommodate close to 4 hours of video recording in HQ mode. The unit measures 53×107×59mm and weighs 240 grams. It will be going on sale in Japan by end of March for 50,000 Yen ($ 550).

D-Link Powerline DHP-303 Ethernet uses power lines for secure internet

2009-02-15T04:51:00.000-08:00

A couple of years back a new kind of Ethernet was making its mark, traditional LAN requires the use of and installation of a network of wires to get computers online. This new system did not require the investment and relied more on existing wiring via the electric copper cabling present in all homes and offices. D-Link seems to have woken up to the potential of electric Ethernet and has launched the PLC Powerline DHP-303 Ethernet plug. Not all areas of a home are accessible to Wi-Fi and rewiring a LAN connection is also a headache, this device eliminates this need and uses existent technology to deliver. It features added security at the flip of a switch while utilizing very less energy.

Samsung Blue Earth mobile phone will be worlds first solar charged touchscreen phone

2009-02-15T00:50:00.001-08:00

Samsung will soon be launching a new touch screen phone which screams environment friendly, the device will be made with material derived from recycled bottles and powered by solar energy. The Blue Earth is the first full touch screen, solar powered smart phone in the world, and is apparently designed to resemble a pebble. Screen brightness, backlight duration and Bluetooth can all be adjusted in an energy-efficient mode called "Eco mode". Samsung claims that the panel produces enough electricity to place a call any time you need to. The Phone will also feature an "eco walk" function that lets the user count their steps with an in-built pedometer, calculating how much CO2 emissions have been reduced (and therefore how many trees have been saved) by walking as opposed to taking the car. With recycled packaging, and energy efficient charger, the Samsung Blue Earth will be available in the UK during the second half of 2009.

LG comes out with its own solar powered eco-friendly mobile phone

2009-02-15T00:48:00.001-08:00

It seems Samsung is not alone when it comes to eco-friendly mobile phones. LG has got its own solar-powered phone which will be present during the Mobile World Congress. But the eco-friendly handset is not as ambitious as Samsung's Blue Earth solar-powered phone. LG still promises to use green packaging for this handset and will be printing the user manual in soy ink on recycled paper.

Sony GPS-CS3KA, the brand new photo tagger is revealed.

2009-02-14T04:55:00.000-08:00

Sony GPS-CS3KA has been quietly revealed by Sony. It is the successor to the popular Sony CS1 that was released two years ago. The GPS image tracker is compatible with most Cyber-shot digital cameras and camcorders. The tracker can identify locations of both photos and videos in addition to their date, accepts both MS and SD memory cards and runs on Alkaline or Ni-Mh batteries which give a life of 15 hours approximately.

You can record the time, date and location to each shot you have taken. Once the images and data are on your PC, the supplied image tracker software synchronizes the photos with latitude, longitude and time reading from the GPS-CS3KA. By activating the Picture Motion Browser software, the photos will pop up next to pushpins on Google Maps by the actual location where you shot the picture. Now that is really neat!!