Archive for January, 2009

HP DX9000 TouchSmart Business PC

Posted in HP by Conner Flynn on January 8th, 2009

HP DX9000 TouchSmart Business PCHP intros the new all-in-one PC. The HP DX9000 is actually a business version of the HP TouchSmart IQ506 PC. The computer comes equipped with the HP Power Manager, an energy-savings tool that allows you to manage the energy used by computers, which sets it apart from it’s predecessor.

It also comes with HP Total Care Advisor, a diagnostic tool that may reduce IT requests and CarePack Services and aftermarket warranty.

iRobot introduces second generation Looj

Posted in iRobot by Conner Flynn on January 8th, 2009

iRobot introduces second generation LoojOut of all the robots they could have introduced, it had to be the Looj. That gutter cleaning bot that is cool from a practical standpoint, but not so cool as far as robots go.

According to them, it has new features to make it more efficient. It drives easily under gutter straps, propelled by a three-stage auger that dislodges and eliminates all of that nasty dirt and gunk. It sports a new antenna, smart speed, and a battery door that doesn’t need tools to be opened. Yeah, not much to jump up and down about, but hey, gutters will be clean.

Memorex TouchMP touchscreen media player

Posted in Memorex by Conner Flynn on January 8th, 2009

Memorex TouchMP touchscreen media playerMemorex introduces the TouchMP touchscreen portable media player. The TouchMP comes with 8GB of storage capacity and features a 2.8-inch QVGA color display and touch screen LCD with 320×240 resolution. The device plays MP3, WMA, WAV audio, WMV, MPEG-4, AVI in MP4 format video as well as JPEG images.

TouchMP also includes FM radio, support for podcast and Audible audio books. If 8GB isn’t enough for you, the Memorex TouchMP comes with a microSD card slot. It will be shipped in March for $99.99.

Sirius XM rolls out MiRGE satellite radio

Posted in Sirius by Conner Flynn on January 8th, 2009

Sirius XM rolls out MiRGE satellite radioSirius XM has merged some of its channels and at CES they’ve rolled out their very first interoperable satellite radio: the MiRGE (Get it?, Sirius XM…Merge). It will let you switch between Sirius and XM signals easily and the radio will also display three other channels as you view your current channel.

You’ll even be able to pause and rewind up to 60 minutes of live programming. XM Sirius has also rolled out a new “Sirius Everything plus XM Everything” package for the radio, which will cost you $19.99 a month. Apparently it gives you everything you’d get when you subscribe to the two separate services.

Sony Vaio P details: 1.4-pound, super widescreen Netbook

Posted in Sony by Conner Flynn on January 7th, 2009

Sony Vaio P details: 1.4-pound, super widescreen NetbookLooks like Sony has gotten all official on us, even though everyone already knew that this Netbook was real. Sony’s hyped-up Vaio P Netbook weighs under 1.4 pounds, is under an inch thick, and it packs in an 8-inch screen with a 2.08:1 aspect ratio (1600×768!).

The netbook also sports Verizon WWAN 3G mobile broadband, has a keyboard that’s 10% smaller than the Vaio TT and 802.11n wi-fi. It also comes with an instant start OS that lets you access music, internet and email without fully booting Windows Vista. As you might expect, the Sony Vaio P will be available in several colors. Five to be exact. Red, green, black, white and onyx.

NVIDIA offers up GeForce 3D Vision

Posted in NVIDIA by Conner Flynn on January 7th, 2009

NVIDIA offers up GeForce 3D VisionNVIDIA’s GeForce 3D Vision package is loaded up with powered 3D glasses (charged via USB) and an IR emitter to keep everything synced between the display and your glasses. The good news is that you’ll have something to use these with since Left 4 Dead, WoW: WotLK and several other games are already compatible. More are expected to follow soon.

CES had a demo and so far we haven’t heard about any headaches or other strange side-effects so it’s all good and completely stereocopic 3D. The price? $399 for the display and $199 for this set when it’s available in the next few days. But I have one question for you. Just how close do you really want to get to those zombies?

jOG forces Wii gamers to move around more

Posted in Wii by Conner Flynn on January 7th, 2009

jOG forces Wii gamers to move around moreSure, you’ve flicked your wrist again and again playing Wii Tennis. You’ve swung your arms about while playing baseball. Now, prepare to run…jOG. The jOG for Wii (also compatible with PS2) only allows gamers to use their joysticks if they’re physically jogging at the same time.

The device works by connecting to your controller through a cable and then being attached to your pants. After that, if you want to use the controller’s joystick, you better be jogging fatty. The jOG-S21 will be available in the near future and will cost around $25. Below you’ll find a video demonstrating how the jOG works.

Hands On with the iTami FiTrainer virtual coach

Posted in Exercise Gadgets,Review by Darrin Olson on January 7th, 2009

iTami FiTrainer headsetReviewing a technology gadget is usually is fair amount of work anyway, but trying out the FiTrainer from iTami turned out to be a little more than I had bargained for. The FiTrainer is essentially a customizable, virtual fitness coach with direct access to your current level of exertion and your ears.

The device is essentially a pair of somewhat-large headphones with a built in heart-rate monitor, music and voice prompts to continuously keep you in the “right” zone for your workout. Users enter in the type of workout and their age and then start exercising. The voice inside the headset guides you through the rest.

Panasonic’s SDR-H80 Compact Digital Camcorder

Posted in Panasonic by Conner Flynn on January 7th, 2009

Panasonic’s SDR-H80 Compact Digital CamcorderPanasonic fans have some new gear to get excited about. Here’s the new SD compact camcorder from Panasonic. Weighing in at just 300grams, this video recorder features a 60GB HDD, and a SDHC port so you can easily record video on both the HDD or SD Card.

You’ll be able to record 14 to 54 hours of video on it’s 60GB HDD (in XP to LP mode) or 1 hour 40 minutes in XP Mode on a 8GB SD Card.
 The Panasonic SDR-H80 also boasts Panasonic’s O.I.S Image Stabilizer with 70x optical zoom, face recognition software, and a YouTube Video mode. You’ll also get a 2.7-inch LCD monitor.

Linksys by Cisco Wireless Home Audio system unveiled

Posted in Cisco by Conner Flynn on January 7th, 2009

Linksys by Cisco Wireless Home Audio system unveiledCisco has introduced it’s Wireless Home Audio line and three new dual-drive NAS’ during CES 2009. The Wireless Home Audio system uses Ethernet, 802.11n, and DLNA to stream audio over multiple zones throughout your home.

Some of the new products are the Conductor DMC350 Wireless-N Digital Music Center, Director DMC250 Wireless-N Music Player with Integrated Amplifier, Player DMP100 Wireless-N Music Extender, Stereo Speaker Kit DSPK50, DMWR1000 Wireless-N Touchscreen Remote, iPod docking station and the DMRIR500 IR Remote. The price starts at $300 and goes up from there.

Toilet Seat Scale allows you watch as you lose weight

Posted in Home by Conner Flynn on January 7th, 2009

Toilet Seat Scale allows you watch as you lose weightScales come in many shapes and sizes. Sometimes they are on your mouse. Sometimes they are on a chair. And sometimes they can be found on a toilet seat.

Which makes sense. Losing weight is hard. It might help motivate you, if you can see visually just how much you lose on the old John. Because we all know we lose some weight on the throne. Now it’s time to see just how much. Judging by that rabbit-thing’s reaction, it seems that he/she has just pinched a weighty loaf.

Sony to offer wearable walkman

Posted in Walkman by Conner Flynn on January 7th, 2009

Sony to offer wearable walkmanSony is all set to offer a completely different type of Walkman. This time it’s aimed at the budget conscious consumer who wants something to match their active lifestyle. The upcoming W-series Walkman has some nice aesthetics for such users. It sports 2GB of storage, and a low price point ($50-75).

The design looks a little too cutesy with the heart shape and all. It’s basically a sleek wrap around earphone that has magnetic connectors on each end to keep it bound together when not in use. That’s what forms the shape. What you see is the entire player. The earphones are 13.5mm EX quality, and currently supported codecs include MP3, AAC, WMA (w/ DRM) and PCM.

Uemis Zurich scuba dive assistant with OLED display

Posted in Outdoors by Conner Flynn on January 7th, 2009

Uemis Zurich scuba dive assistant with OLED displayWhether you live the life of James Bond or Lara Croft, you may occasionally find yourself underwater, scuba diving. From Swiss company Uemis comes this computer with colored OLED display. The Uemis Zurich diver assistant supports 10.000:1 contrast ratio in a colored display, has intuitive menu control, and 5-way navigation with three non-slip slide controls.

The scuba driver assistant can be connected to a PC via USB and the myUemis can also be synchronized in a similar manner. It also has a tank pressure sensor which transmits the tank pressure to the SDA uemis Zurich. The wristbands are available in three different sizes, in case you have an odd wrist.

Sony Walkman X-Series has Wi-Fi, touchscreen & noise cancellation

Posted in Sony by Conner Flynn on January 7th, 2009

Sony Walkman X-Series has Wi-Fi, touchscreen & noise cancellationSony’s Walkman NWZ-X1000 is a real looker. It features an OLED touchscreen, Wi-Fi and built-in noise cancellation and once again make the brand the world’s music player of choice, assuming the price is right. Like the iPod Touch, it comes in 16GB and 32GB and can be used to surf the web. The OLED screen’s a half inch smaller, so the colors should be brighter with better contrast.

It also comes with digital noise canceling, which is interesting. The feature, allows your 13.5mm EX headphone to block out ambient noise. It’s got all the right specs, but the price may be it’s downfall. If typical Sony pricing applies, this won’t compete with the iPod Touch.

New Garmin GPS unit helps your golf game

Posted in GPS by Nino Marchetti on January 7th, 2009

Garmin Approach G5

Garmin, in expanding its line of outdoor recreation GPS devices, feels now is the time to unveil a GPS unit for those among us who golf. It is called the Approach G5 and there is not yet any pricing information available.

The Garmin Approach G5 sports a three-inch touchscreen display and is designed specifically for the golf course. It is said to show golfers the precise distance to the center of green or other key course features, helping to improve a golfer’s score. It comes preloaded with thousands of courses in the United States.