Archive for May, 2009

Russian casemod looks menacing

Posted in Cases by Conner Flynn on May 18th, 2009

Russian casemod looks menacingWild casemods are nothing new. But this one is pretty unique. It has a menacing look and looks like it would keep you warm in place of a fire as you sip your Vodka.

There isn’t much info on it. Looks like bronze built around some Demon trapped Inside. Which makes it a great solid piece of furniture instead of a boring PC case.

Napster relaunching: $5 a month streaming, five free downloads

Posted in Napster by Conner Flynn on May 18th, 2009

Napster relaunching: $5 a month streaming, five free downloadsIf subscription music services are for you, check out Napster, who is about to cut their price to $60 per year and let you keep a handful of tracks forever to boot. Beginning tonight, Napster will launch its new $5 per month deal that gives subscribers unlimited, on-demand streaming access to Napster’s library of music. That’s 7 million tracks from major and independent publishers.

Best Buy’s music service will even let you keep up to five unrestricted “CD quality” MP3 tracks every month. Pretty sweet deal.

Activision announces Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen game

Posted in Activision by Shane McGlaun on May 18th, 2009

transformersfallen-sbI went to see Star Trek on opening weekend and out of the 600 trailers that ran before the movie started, one of the coolest was for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The movie looks pretty good and today anytime we hear of a new movie that can possibly support a video game tie in, we know it’s coming.

Activision has announced that the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen game to go along with the film is under development and will use voice talent from the films leading starts including Shai “I really (really) love my momma” LeBeouf and Megan “Miss Hotness” Fox.

Details of Sony a230, a330, and a380 DSLRs emerge

Posted in Sony by Shane McGlaun on May 18th, 2009

sonya230-sbSony has been offering its line of Alpha DSLR cameras for a while now. Many of its cameras are not targeted at entry-level DSLR users in price of features. Sony has announced full details for its new DSLR cameras including the a230, a330, and a380 cameras.

We talked a bit about the cameras earlier this month, but at the time no details were available. We now know that the a230 and the a330 are both 10.2-megapixel cameras. The a230 is being billed as the lightest and most compact DSLR camera body ever offered at 15.9-ounces.

DisplayLink offers Linux source code for USB GPUs

Posted in Computer Components,Video Cards by Shane McGlaun on May 18th, 2009

displaylink-sb1USB graphics adapters are a great way for Mac and PC users to add additional screens to their computers without having to open the computer up or install a new video card. DisplayLink reported last week that it had sold 1 million USB GPUs, without support for Linux.

The company has now announced that it will be releasing the source code for Linux under the LGPL agreement to allow developers to build drivers to support DisplayLink GPUs on Linux notebooks, desktops, and servers.

Custom formed Ultimate Ears UE 4 Pro monitors unveiled

Posted in Logitech by Shane McGlaun on May 18th, 2009

ultimateearssuctomep-sbMusicians often use in-ear monitors so they can hear what they are saying or playing over the crowd and music in the venue. The monitors also help prevent the musicians from losing their hearing over time. Emerging artists may not be able to afford the same high-end ear monitors as the big stars, but they can get custom monitors on the cheap.

Ultimate Ears makes a full line of headphones for iPod’s and other MP3 players as well as a full line of professional in ear monitors. The company has announced a new budget pair of monitors called the UE 4 Pro that retail for $399.

GefenTV Wireless HDMI extender sends 1080p HD video up to 100 feet away

Posted in HDMI by Conner Flynn on May 17th, 2009

GefenTV Wireless HDMI extender sends 1080p HD video up to 100 feet away The GefenTV wireless HDMI extender will send HD video from the player to an HD display up to 100 feet away. The HD video delivered over the air will even deliver 1080/30p quality with Dolby 5.1 surround sound within that 100-foot distance.

It uses Amimon’s 5GHz wireless technology, which is able to deliver clean and lag-free HD video over air. The extender consists of just a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is connected to a video player, whIle the receiver is attached to an HD display.

Samsung a167 GoPhone launched by AT&T

Posted in Samsung by Conner Flynn on May 17th, 2009

Samsung a167 GoPhone launched by AT&TAT&T has rolled out the new Windows Mobile-powered smartphone in the form of the Samsung a167. This clamshell will be part of the GoPhone family, for all you pay-as-you-go users. Some features include: dual-band GSM/GPRS connectivity (850/1900 MHz), a 128 x 160 internal CSTN display, web browser, a 2MB internal memory and a VGA camera.

You’ll also be happy to know that the phone is dirt cheap. You can get your hands on the AT&T Samsung a167 for just $69.99, without a contract agreement.

Recycled cardboard USB flash drives

Posted in USB Flash Drives by Conner Flynn on May 17th, 2009

Recycled cardboard USB flash drivesIf you’re concerned about the environment, the recycled cardboard USB flash drive is right up your alley. These are basically disposable USB flash drives. As newer, larger capacity drives become cheaper, the older ones typically get tossed aside.

That’s why this is a good idea. No one wants to see a landfill full of old drives. Five of these come together as one large piece. The idea is that when you need one, you just snap one off. And most of the drive can be recycled when you are done with it.

Nokia E75 clone plays NES games

Posted in Mobile Phones by Conner Flynn on May 17th, 2009

Nokia E75 clone plays NES gamesIt may look real…in a cheap plastic sort of way, but don’t let it’s looks fool you. This Nokia E75 clone is not from Nokia by a long shot. But hey, you do get a built-in NES emulator that lets you play all your favorite old school games on-the-go.

Some other features include a 2.6-inch LCD display, 1.3-megapixel camera, and a built-in FM tuner. Even a “magical voice” feature. Other than the NES feature, there’s very little to love with this knockoff.

Sonix7 Media Pro PMP: 20-hours of battery life

Posted in Portable Meda Players by Conner Flynn on May 17th, 2009

Sonix7 Media Pro PMP: 20-hours of battery lifeLooking for a PMP with a long battery life? You might want to check out the Sonix7 Media Pro. The PMP features a 3.2-inch touchscreen display with an impressive 20-hours of video playback on just one charge. But that isn’t the only trick it does.

The player also boasts a camera, MP4, AVI and Xvid support, plus is an eBook reader. The 8GB and 16GB models will cost you £89.99($136) and £104.99($159).

Future iPods rumored to get cameras like the iPhone

Posted in iPod by Conner Flynn on May 17th, 2009

4th Gen 8GB iPod NanoAccording to a new report, Apple may be planning to add camera functionality to a couple of its next-generation iPod models. The report also claims that upcoming iPhones will retain the handsets’ existing size and form factor.

Hardmac, the English-language version of France’s MacBidouille, cites that Apple’s new line of iPod touch and iPod nano players, when launched in September of this year, will have video recording capabilities. While a compact iPod nano with a built-in camera seems foolish, we try to keep an open mind around here.

Microsoft working on Digital Entertainment handheld

Posted in Xbox 360 by Conner Flynn on May 17th, 2009

Microsoft working on Digital Entertainment handheldHere’s a rumor that we’d all like to see come true. A handheld portable that combines the Xbox 360 with the Zune. The project is codenamed “xYz,” and is said to feature a WVGA touchscreen. It will let you play music and movies on the device as well as the Xbox 360.

Team Xbox claims to have sources inside Microsoft who are working on just such a device. We’re talking about a connected handheld gaming system with sweet multimedia features. Obviously we want. But will it ever come to life?

Toshiba Dynabook Satellite TXW/67JW

Posted in Toshiba by Conner Flynn on May 17th, 2009

Toshiba Dynabook Satellite TXW/67JWHere’s another Dynabook notebook from Toshiba. While it looks pretty similar to the rest, the Dynabook Satellite TXW/67JW is available exclusively on its e-Store.

Here’s what’s beneath the hood: Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 2.53GHz processor, 4GB RAM, Intel GM45 Express Chipset, 16” 1,366 x 768 resolution LCD display, 320GB hard drive, DVD Super Multi drive, and Wi-Fi.

FCC approves the Samsung I7500 Android phone

Posted in Samsung by Conner Flynn on May 17th, 2009

FCC approves the Samsung I7500 Android phoneIf you’ve been waiting on pins and needles for the Samsung I7500, looks like the FCC has approved the device. That means it should be hitting retail in the next few months. The 3.2″ AMOLED screen should be pretty frakkin awesome.

Word is the phone will go on T-Mobile’s network but there is no official comment from them. To refresh your memory, here are some specs: Qualcomm MSM7200A CPU at 528 MHz and a 3.2″ HVGA capacitive OLED display, 5 megapixel camera with LED flash and a standard 3.5 mm stereo headset plug. Apparently, the I7500 will support quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE and dualband UMTS/HSPA, Bluetooth, WIFI and GPS and includes 8 GB internal flash memory which can be expanded by microSD memory cards.