Archive for February, 2009

MSI AP1900 is the slimmest All-In-One LCD PC

Posted in PCs by Conner Flynn on February 8th, 2009

MSI AP1900 is the slimmest All-In-One LCD PCMSI intros the slimmest all-in-one LCD PC in the world with the AP1900. It measures just 35mm in depth. Obviously this all-in-one will give you more desk space. You also won’t have to worry about those black bars on the top and bottom of the screen.

Some features include : 160 degree viewing angle, Intel Atom processor, Energy-saving and noise-reduction functions, Adjustable 5° to 15° back-and-forth, Integrated webcam, Dual track quality microphone, Stereo 3W speakers, and Multi DVD burner.

I’m a PC and I’m 4 and a half!

Posted in Microsoft by Conner Flynn on February 8th, 2009

Video: Kylie
In the latest $300 million “I’m A PC” ad campaign, set to air Sunday night during the Grammy awards, 4 and a half year old Kylie uses Windows Live Photo Gallery to send a picture of her fish to her parents. So, now they’re using cuteness, which is a steep departure from their previous attempts. Some of the previous ads were downright creepy.

Cute is probably the way to go. How many 4 year-olds do you know that use a mac? I bet they aren’t as cute as this kid. How Apple will retaliate is anyone’s guess, but the ball is now in their court.

Review: Clarion MiND mobile internet navigation

Posted in Review by Darrin Olson on February 8th, 2009

Clarion MiND hands on reviewThe Clarion MiND appears to be a GPS navigation device at heart, but expanded into a special type of mobile internet hybrid device packed with connectivity and applications bringing dangerously close to a mobile PC, but just not quite. The mobile device has many addition features such as an internet browser, YouTube viewer, media player, file storage, weather, news, maps and of course navigation but runs its own type of hard-wired OS that leaves little for customizations.

The MiND is basically a small mobile computer running on an 800 MHz Intel Atom processor with 512MB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage (with an additional MicroSD card slot) and connects to the world via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and of course GPS. It also houses a couple of USB ports for connecting and transferring data, a headphone jack, speaker and docking port for an included dash mounting kit.

Three new iPhones rumored for 2009

Posted in iPhone by Conner Flynn on February 8th, 2009

New iPhone in June?According to an analyst with the Canadian research firm Canaccord Adams, three new iPhones will appear in 2009. According to a report on Seeking Alpha, analyst Peter Misek identifies the most lavish of the trio as a 32GB iPhone 3G that will be available in a variety of colors. Then there’s a lower-cost handset based on the 2.5G iPhone, which is targeted for China and India. Third is a smaller version of the phone, about one-third the size of the 3G iPhone that will cost 40% less and we should see that one by year’s end.

The rumor seems to be gaining traction, and it fits with some of what we’ve been hearing, but we are taking it with the usual grain of salt until we hear more.

LG Arena KM900 gets official

Posted in LG by Conner Flynn on February 8th, 2009

LG Arena KM900 gets officialFinally, after all of it’s teasing, LG has officially announced it will launch the LG Arena KM900 flagship at MWC 09 in Barcelona. They also announced some new features, while confirming Wi-Fi and A-GPS capability. The LG Arena will also support 7.2 MBps HSDPA data throughput.

It will come with “Dolby and Divx technologies… and feature audio and video technologies never before seen on a mobile phone”. The real interesting thing is their new 3D S-Class user interface: A cube-based layout that will give you four customizable home screens for direct access to all features on intuitive, touch-based 3D menus.

BlackBerry Storm price drops to $99 on Amazon, no rebate required

Posted in BlackBerry by Conner Flynn on February 8th, 2009

BlackBerry Storm price drops to $99 on Amazon, no rebate requiredLooks like the touch screen BlackBerry Storm has dropped to $99 on Amazon with no rebate required. Previously the price had been $249.99 with a $100 rebate, which brought the total to $149.99. It’s probably a result of Amazon competing against Verizon’s own buy one get one free sale going on through March 31, 2009.

If you don’t need two BlackBerry Storms, then why not head over to Amazon and get one for $99 (after a 2 year new subscriber agreement). I guess this should make anyone who wants one very happy.

ACME Ray Gun pen

Posted in Pens by Conner Flynn on February 7th, 2009

ACME Ray Gun penI haven’t written in pen for a long time, but had I had the Ray Gun pen, I would be writing in pen constantly, making pew pew sounds followed by explosions. This pen comes from a company named ACME and is clearly the best pen ever made.

The “Ray Gun” is a retractable roller ball with a “special ‘gun sight’-shaped clip,” a stand that completes the look and even some cool packaging. It was created by U.K. designer Ben Hall and will be available this month for $130.

Kindle 2 official images and price leak

Posted in kindle by Conner Flynn on February 7th, 2009

Kindle 2 official images and price leakMobileread has some official-looking Kindle 2 photos and info that it’s being released for $359 on February 24. It looks dramatically thinner than it’s predescessor and it may be smaller too, judging by that large hand.

Also the back is apparently made of metal and there are stereo speakers at the bottom. It seems pretty official and it has us convinced, but there’s no way to know for sure until we hear from Amazon. We’ll find out for sure on Monday.

Upcoming Fujifilm camera uses new CCD sensor

Posted in Digital Cameras by Nino Marchetti on February 6th, 2009

Fujifilm F200EXR

Fujifilm this week debuted a high end new compact digital camera sporting a newly developed sensor. The camera is the F200EXR and the sensor is known as the Super CCD EXR.

The Fujifim F200EXR, pricing around $400, will be available this month. This special new sensor it makes use of is said by Fujifilm to provide “true image quality…a combination of many factors like tone, hue, color fidelity, dynamic range, sharpness, and resolution.” Other primary offerings on this camera include 12-megapixels, a Fujinon 5.0x wide angle optical zoom lens and a three inch high-resolution LCD.

Ideum debuts interactive museum tables

Posted in Furniture by Nino Marchetti on February 6th, 2009

Ideum MT Table

Ideum, a developer of computer-based exhibits and installations for North American museums, is rolling out an interactive table designed to grab the attentions of museum goers. This new MT Table is currently set to be installed at two museums in Amarillo, Texas and Birmingham, Alabama.

The MT Table, said Ideum, is designed to support multi-touch and multi-user interactions. It sports a 50-inch display surface which is touch sensitive and can support multiple users at the same time using hand gestures to manipulate images or media or to interact with computer-based programs.

Samurai Sword handle umbrella

Posted in Apparel by Conner Flynn on February 6th, 2009

Samurai Sword handle umbrellaThe Samurai Sword handle Umbrella will not only make you look cool, like you have an actual Samurai sword, but it will also make it so that your mouth doesn’t sync up with your words. You might even consider undertaking a Samurai Quest or two.

Of course, you might also look pretty silly if they see you turn your sword into an umbrella too. $30 is a fair price for putting yourself in a situation where you can potentially get tazered by the police. But hey, you’re a Samurai, you can handle it.

Film 2 SD negative scanner

Posted in Scanners by Conner Flynn on February 6th, 2009

Film 2 SD negative scannerFilm 2 SD is another gadget that helps you transfer negatives from your old photo collection to an SD memory card. The device features an integrated LCD display so you can preview. It will let you mirror, flip or rotate your images for direct transfer onto your computer or SD card via USB.

For £119.95 you get a 1GB SD memory card, which is enough to store about 700 5 megapixel images. It’s also compatible with microSD/SDHC memory cards. Time to archive all of those old negatives so they’re safe.

Logitech Harmony 1100 available for $500

Posted in Logitech by Conner Flynn on February 6th, 2009

Logitech Harmony 1100 available for $500We told you about Logitech’s flagship Harmony 1100 touchscreen universal remote a month ago and now it’s available at retailers. The main selling point is the customizable, 3.5-inch QVGA full-color touchscreen and the new black anodized aluminum body.

The unit boasts a rechargeable battery and RF capabilities, and the guided online setup makes programming simple. You can get an RF extender that’s sold separately for additional control options, up to 100 feet away.

Alarm clock forces you to play a game of Simon in the morning

Posted in Clocks by Conner Flynn on February 6th, 2009

Alarm clock forces you to play a game of Simon in the morningWant to wake up in the morning only to have your brain trained with a retro memory game? Here’s the ticket. This alarm clock will not shut up until you play a version of the vintage game and get it right.

If you correctly remember the sequence of lights and press the buttons on the clock in the correct order, you can earn some peace and quiet, then either get out of bed or go back to sleep. On the other hand, you can always smash it to bits. I don’t see any info on price or availability.

Intel X25-M SSD under $370 on Newegg

Posted in Intel by Shane McGlaun on February 6th, 2009

Newegg Intel SSD DealIt wasn’t so long ago that adding a SSD to your computer meant $1000 or more in additional costs. Buying a SSD to add as an upgrade was only marginally cheaper with even small capacity SSDs selling in the $800 range.

SSD prices are coming down quickly in part thanks to the technology getting cheaper and in part due to the poor global economy putting price pressure on manufacturers. Intel’s X25-M SSD can now be had on Newegg.com for under $370.