Archive for October, 2009

DSi XL coming to America in early 2010

Posted in Nintendo DSi by Conner Flynn on October 29th, 2009

Nintendo officially announces large-screen DSi LLLooks like that extra-large DSi LL, unveiled in Japan this morning will be coming to North America and Europe in the first quarter of 2010. It will be known as the Nintendo DSi XL in North America and Europe, which is fitting given all of the XL sized Americans who will be buying it.

This new DSi offers a screen 93% larger than the current Nintendo DS Lite with a better view angle, a longer touch screen stylus, and preinstalled Nintendo DSiWare™ software. The new version will arrive in North America and Europe in the first quarter of 2010.

ASUS WiFi, 3G and WiMAX ebook readers confirmed for March 2010

Posted in ebooks by Conner Flynn on October 29th, 2009

ASUS WiFi, 3G and WiMAX ebook readers confirmed for March 2010We had heard that Asus was planning some ebook readers and now some new details have emerged. Executives from the company apparently confirmed that WiFi, 3G and WiMAX versions will be announced before the year is out. The ebook readers will apparently hit carrier partners in the US and Europe in March 2010, with prices that will be “competitive” with what’s offered from Amazon and Sony.

Previous rumors have ASUS readying two different sized readers, one with a 6-inch e-ink display while a second model will have a larger 9-inch panel. WiMax seems like overkill, but Asus apparently thinks it will sell well.

Ericsson Spider PC concept

Posted in Concepts by Conner Flynn on October 29th, 2009

Ericsson Spider PC conceptAt the Taiwan Broadband show Ericsson showed off it’s take on a portable computer of the future. It uses a pico-projected screen and laser-projected keyboard. At least you won’t make any noise while typing. Pictured above is just the prototype.

Ultimately they would like to house it in a spider-leg tripod design. It would have wireless broadband connectivity and of course a battery. Laser projected keyboards by 2020? We can do better than that by 2020 can’t we? I think so.

Nintendo officially announces large-screen DSi LL

Posted in Nintendo DSi by Conner Flynn on October 29th, 2009

Nintendo officially announces large-screen DSi LLThat was certainly quick wasn’t it? Just a few days after we heard word from Japan’s Nikkei newspaper that Nintendo was planning a new version of the DSi with a larger 4″ screen, Nintendo has gone and announced it. For Japan. Because as you know from the Black Wii situation, Americans come last as far as the big N is concerned.

This version of the DSi is called the Nintendo DSi LL and will be released in Japan on November 21 for ¥20,000 ($221).

Qooq recipe and cooking tablet PC

Posted in Kitchen Gadgets by Conner Flynn on October 29th, 2009

Qooq recipe and cooking tablet PCCooking tablets and recipe readers are usually very blah, but this one looks like it might actually be great for cooks. The Qooq is a 10.2-inch kitchen helper that features the usual recipes, along with meal prep videos, instructions and even advice on choosing the right ingredients, shopping lists, meal planners and more.

All of that info can be updated monthly with a subscription. It sports a touchscreen, Ethernet and USB ports, SD slot, WiFi, and a built-in stand. There’s no browser, but it does have built-in weather, digital photo viewing, and internet radio apps, which is cool.

Sony recalls VAIO power adapters due to shock hazard

Posted in Sony by Shane McGlaun on October 29th, 2009

sonyadapter-sbThe last few weeks have seen several large recalls of products by consumer electronics makers. Sony is certainly no stranger to recalls and was one of the companies that recalled huge numbers of batteries a few years ago.

This week Sony announced that it was issuing a recall on 69,000 VAIO computer AC adapters model number VGP-AC19V. The adapters were sold with VAIO AIO computers, docking stations, VCG-LT and VGC-JS2 series computers, and VGP-PRBX1 and VGP-PRFE1 machines.

Eye-Fi SD cards get update for sending video to Facebook

Posted in Digital Cameras by Shane McGlaun on October 29th, 2009

eyefi-sbOne of the best things I bought to go along with my wife’s digital camera was the Eye-Fi SD card. She can never remember how to upload pics to Facebook and I end up having to do it for her. Thanks to the Eye-Fi, the uploading is done automatically and I don’t have to bother.

Eye-Fi announced a new update today that allows users of digital cameras that can record video to automatically upload the video directly to Facebook without having to use a computer. The video is also added to RSS feeds to tell friends when it is uploaded.

ZAGG talks ZAGGbox details

Posted in Computers by Shane McGlaun on October 29th, 2009

zagg-logoYou may recognize the ZAGG name as the company who offers the full line of invisibleSHIELD protective films for notebooks and mobile phones. The film is fantastic and keeps your gadgets from getting scratched and marred. ZAGG has announced some details on a new product that is coming next year called the ZAGGbox.

The device serves several functions including storing, recording, and playing media. It can transcode video to a version for TV and for the iPod or iPhone at the same time. The device has a universal remote and can control other devices with an IR blaster.

Booq unveils laptop bag you work out of

Posted in Computers by Shane McGlaun on October 29th, 2009

booqviperrush-sbWhen it comes to being a mobile worker, you need some gear if you are going to be productive at all. You need a notebook, a mobile phone and something to carry all that stuff in. The notebook bag is an important part of your gear and booq has unveiled a cool new laptop bag called the Viper Rush.

The bag comes in XL and M sizes with the M version fitting the 15-inch MacBook and the XL version working for the 17-inch MacBook and 15-inch PCs. The bag is semi ridged and is designed to allow you to work on your laptop without pulling it out of the bag.

Lenovo teases new ThinkCentre all-in-one

Posted in Lenovo by Conner Flynn on October 28th, 2009

Lenovo teases new ThinkCentre all-in-oneLenovo has a new all-in-one PC. This one is the first in the Lenovo ThinkCentre range, an all-in-one targeted at business users. Lenovo’s Flickr says that this desktop is “Lenovo’s first business class, Think-branded all-in-one PC announcing soon at EDUCAUSE 09.”

We don’t have a spec sheet or even a name, so all we know is the obvious. That it appears to come with a wireless keyboard and mouse, integrated webcam, three USB 2.0 and audio in/out ports

Buffalo BR-PX68U2-BK External Blu-ray Writer

Posted in Buffalo by Conner Flynn on October 28th, 2009

Buffalo BR-PX68U2-BK External Blu-ray WriterBuffalo just introduced its latest external Blu-ray writer, the BR-PX68U2-BK to the Japanese market. The device measures just 137mm x 142mm x 20mm and weighs 340 grams.

Some specs include a USB 2.0 connection interface and write speeds of up to 6x for BD-R, 4x for BD-R DL, 2x for BD-RE SL/DL, 8x for DVD-R/+R/+RW, 6x for DVD-RW, 5x for DVD-RAM, 4x for DVD-RW/+RW DL, 24x for CD-R and 10x for CD-RW. So now you can burn BD on the go.

Acer T230H 23 inch Multi-Touch LCD Monitor

Posted in Acer by Conner Flynn on October 28th, 2009

Acer T230H 23 inch Multi-Touch LCD MonitorThe T230H is Acer’s latest addition to its monitor lineup. The T230H features multi-touch capabilities and is a 23-inch widescreen monitor that offers Full HD resolution at 1920 x 1080 pixels, an 80,000:1 contrast ratio, 300 cd/m2 brightness, 2ms response time and a 160/160 degree viewing angle.

This monitor also packs in two 1.5W speakers, along with D-Sub, DVI and HDMI connectors. The Acer T230H should arrive in Europe soon for 349 Euro (or $516).

2010 Cosmos 4RW V8 Muscle Bike

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on October 28th, 2009

2010 Cosmos 4RW V8 Muscle Bike When a motorcycle has four wheels, is it even a motorcycle anymore? We have no idea. This beast has left us dazed and confused, but mostly we just can’t stop staring. This thing looks like it kicks some serious ass.

What you are looking at is the 2010 Cosmos 4RW V8 Muscle Bike. Those wheels are 17-inchers and all four support a 350 cubic inch engine with 350 horsepower. It looks like it came straight out of a Sci-Fi flick.

Logitech Harmony IR Extender System

Posted in Logitech by Conner Flynn on October 28th, 2009

Logitech Harmony IR Extender SystemLogitech has announced the Harmony IR Extender System. The idea is that it makes it easy for you to control your devices even when they are hidden, like say, inside of a closed cabinet. And you can use it right out of the box without any software or other annoyances.

Just place the IR receiver in a convenient, visible location, hook it up to the IR blasters and mini blasters and that’s it. You are done. Stick a fork in yourself. The Logitech Harmony IR Extender System will arrive in the US next month for $59.99.

Netflix streaming hitting Nintendo Wii next

Posted in Wii by Conner Flynn on October 28th, 2009

wii-sb1It’s not rocket science. First it was Microsoft’s Xbox 360, then the PlayStation 3. Now Netflix’s “Watch Instantly” is coming to Nintendo’s Wii. At least that’s what the word is, according to StreamingMedia, who has an undisclosed source that has confirmed that Nintendo is currently testing Netflix streaming on the Wii. And that it will be available “very soon.”

Hopefully that means before the holidays, but it could mean anything. If you have a Wii, you are used to waiting anyway. Waiting for better games, waiting for a better storage option, waiting for something better than 480p…