Archive for July, 2010

1&1 SmartPad Android Tablet

Posted in Android by Conner Flynn on July 2nd, 2010

German company 1&1 has now shipped the Android-powered 1&1 SmartPad tablet. The device comes packing a 7-inch LCD WVGA touchscreen display, an ARM 11 500MHz processor, 256MB RAM, 1GB ROM and Wi-Fi N connectivity.

There’s also a USB WWAN dongle that can be used as a wireless bridge to 2G or 3G connections. Some other features include a music player, use as a digital picture frame and access to 1&1 Video-on-Demand service maxdome.

Maytag Bravos Steam dryer is smarter than your dryer

Posted in Home by Conner Flynn on July 2nd, 2010

This dryer is smarter than the one in your home. The Maytag Bravos Steam dryer ships with Intellidry Sensor technology that can sense whether the clothes inside are already dry and even offer you a real time estimate on when everything within will be dry. No more using a timer.

There’s also a steam refresh mode that helps with wrinkles, a 150 minute wrinkle prevent drying mode andan interior light. It will cost you $1,199 and comes in four cool colors

Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse to be Apple Magic Mouse rival

Posted in Mouse by Conner Flynn on July 2nd, 2010

A new product listing has listed a Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse for $70. So of course rumors of Microsoft working on a rival to Apple’s Magic Mouse have begun. The prototype pictured above comes with a similar arc-shape to the current folding Arc mouse from Microsoft.

Curved transparent plastic and frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) will be used to track several points of contact. And remember, touch/multitouch is already natively included in Windows 7, so a mouse like this would compliment it.

Verizon DROID Incredible gets 720p HD video recording

Posted in HTC by Conner Flynn on July 2nd, 2010

Verizon’s DROID Incredible is about to get a bit more incredible with 720p HD video recording capability and 3G Wi-Fi hotspot functionality through a firmware update. Neither feature is available on the DROID Incredible right now and HTC has not released any information on the potential of either inclusion when asked about it.

We will just have to wait and see. There’s no official word on when the firmware update will be announced or released just yet. The current Droid Incredible has a 800 x 480 resolution for video recording. A jump to 720p is pretty amazing.

OnStar users now sending Google Maps directions to their cars

Posted in Google by Conner Flynn on July 1st, 2010

Today is a special day. It’s the first day that turn-by-turn capable GM vehicles as old as 2006 can search for destinations using Google Maps and have those destinations sent directly to their vehicles. Proof that some of us are living in a future slightly ahead of the rest of us. Those with GM vehicles.

The OnStar eNav feature is now fully functional and totally Googled. Hopefully other factory navigation systems start doing this very soon.

Casio CD/DVD Title Printer

Posted in Uncategorized by Conner Flynn on July 1st, 2010

The Casio CD/DVD Title Printer prints titles directly onto discs for a more professional appearance. It’s both permanent and safe. The thermal printer creates up to 16 lines in any of 18 alphanumeric or four graphic preset formats at 200dpi.

This printer also features a large LCD that displays up to 12 characters at a time. If you have a ton of unlabeled discs, you can purchase the Casio CD/DVD Title Printer for just $129.95.

Microsoft kills the Kin

Posted in Microsoft by Conner Flynn on July 1st, 2010

The Microsoft Kin is now dead just six short weeks after the launch. The Kin range has been officially dropped. Apparently the handsets had staggeringly low sales figures. One rumor claimed that only 500 Kins had been sold.

Pricing was also likely an issue as Verizon positioned it with smartphone-like pricing. Microsoft’s official statement simply said that their Kin team would be integrated into the Windows Mobile 7 team and that they were not going to ship the KIN range in Europe.

India may ban Blackberry, Skype and Gmail

Posted in Google by Conner Flynn on July 1st, 2010

Odd as it seems, the Department of Telecom in India could ban BlackBerry devices, Skype and even Gmail services if those services won’t comply with the government’s request to ensure that data going through their networks will be made available to security agencies in a readable format. Good luck with that.

The powers that be in that part of the world have also decided to amend the IT laws, making it compulsory for foreign companies, as those that do not require a local license, to provide all the data required by Indian law enforcement agencies.

Fujitsu PH520 Netbook ships for $599

Posted in Fujitsu by Conner Flynn on July 1st, 2010

Are you in the market for a new netbook? Something from Fujitsu may fit you. Hey that rhymes. The Fujitsu LifeBook PH520 has begun shipping in the US, priced at $599, with some decent specs.

Some of those Specs include an 11.6-inch 1366 x 768 pixel display, 1.7GHz AMD Athlon II Neo K125 processor, Windows 7 Professional, 320GB hard drive, 2GB RAM, Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth, Ethernet, 5,800mAh battery, HDMI output, 3 USB ports and a Built-in card reader.

Yahoo Mail, Messenger, and Search now available in the Android Market

Posted in Android by Conner Flynn on July 1st, 2010

Do you like Yahoo search and want it on your Android-powered phone? If so, then check out the new Mail, Messenger, and Yahoo Search apps from Yahoo, which are now available in the Android Market.

Yahoo Mail offers push-email, contact book integration, and even the ability to add photo attachments from your phone’s camera or gallery. Yahoo Messenger also includes push notifications, allowing you to continue to receive notifications, even when it’s running on the background. Head on over to the Android Market and get some Yahoo.

Milestone XT720 specs get changed again, less RAM

Posted in Motorola by Conner Flynn on July 1st, 2010

We have some bad news for fans of the Motorola Milestone XT720. If you were looking for a powerful device, you may want to look elsewhere. There had been previous reports that it had a processor speed aof 550MHz and 720MHz.

But now the specs for this Android phone on Motorola’s developer page have been changed again, most notably it has gotten a drop in RAM from 512MB to 256MB. We aren’t sure why.

Sony’s Active-Shutter 3D Glasses now shipping for $150

Posted in 3D by Conner Flynn on July 1st, 2010

Ahh, the dorkiness that is/are 3D glasses. If you need to pick up an extra pair of Sony’s Active Shutter glasses, they’re available now on Amazon for $150 each. Making 3D movies some very expensive rentals or buys.

They are compatible with Sony’s HX800, HX909 and LX900 3DTVs, and the batteries last for up to 100 hours before they need charging. Don’t forget, you’ll also need an emitter for $48 if you don’t have one already and a 3D Blu-ray player. The 3DTV too of course. And lots of money.

Microsoft announces InstaLoad battery technology

Posted in Batteries by Conner Flynn on July 1st, 2010

Microsoft’s new InstaLoad technology sounds amazing. It promises to redefine the way you insert batteries into your devices, letting you forget about positive or negative polarity. That’s possible thanks to a patented battery contact design, which Microsoft says “simply works,” and is compatible with a whole range of battery sizes, both standard and rechargeable.

Microsoft is already licensing the technology to third party device suppliers, and is even offering a royalty-free license for suppliers and manufacturers of accessibility products. This could change the entire battery game.

Use your bicycle as a shopping cart

Posted in Concepts by Conner Flynn on July 1st, 2010

Now you can take your bike shopping and also take your shopping cart for a ride thanks to the transforming Ville concept folding bicycle. It’s a bike/shopping cart hybrid vehicle for eco-friendly shoppers. It is bicycle and grocery cart in one.

The idea is that thanks to the bike’s shopper-friendly design, you can take it with you inside the store, so you don’t have to have it stolen. The fact that it will actually hold your groceries is a bonus.

Pixel Qi display available for DIY netbook repairs

Posted in DIY by Shane McGlaun on July 1st, 2010

Lots of netbook users take their devices with them wherever they go. The small and portable stature of the netbooks makes them idea for travel. If you use your in the sun a lot and want a more readable screen or have broken your screen, Pixel Qi has a DIY repair for you.

The Pixel Qi screen famous for its sunlight readability is now available for DIY repairs for $275. The screen is 10.1-inches and will fit most netbooks with screens that size.