Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Asus Eee Box B202

ASUS Eee Box B202 Details Emerge

A few weeks ago, we showed you some pictures of what was supposed to be the ASUS Eee Box desktop PC.  Initially, the images evoked mixed reactions from readers.  Some thought the Eee Box looked just like a Nintendo Wii, while others questioned whether or not the images were real at all.

In the weeks that followed, more news regarding the ASUS Eee Box desktop hit the web and any speculation that the images were 'faked' were eliminated.  And today, we can finally put an official stamp on the images because ASUS has revealed the final specifications for what will become the first batch of Eee Box desktop systems.  Take a look...


Name and Model: Eee Box B202
OS: Linux System / Hardware Compatible with Windows XP
Processor: Intel Atom N270 (1.6 GHz, FSB 533)
Memory: DDRII 512 MB / 1 GB / 2 GB (see US configs below)
Storage: 80 GB / 120 GB / 160 GB / 250 GB (see US configs below)
Chipset: 945GSE + ICH7M
VGA: On-board Intel GMA 950, 1600 x 1200 maximum resolution
Networking: 10/100/1000 Mbps LAN, 802.11n WLAN, Bluetooth optional
SD/MMC/MS slot: SD, SDHC, Mini SD, (Micro SD through adapter) ; MMC, MMC plus, MMC4.x, RS MMC, RSMMC4.x (MMC mobile through adapter);MS,MS PRO
Audio: Azalia ALC888 Audio Chip

   

Front Ports:
USB x  2
Card Reader x  1
Headphone-out jack (WO/SPDIF) x  1
MIC x  1

Rear Ports:
USB 2.0 x  2
Gigabit LAN x  1
DVI out x  1
Line-Out (L/R) with S/PDIF x  1
WiFi antenna

Accessories:
19Vdc, 4.74A, 65W power adaptor
Mouse (optional)
Keyboard (optional)
VESA mount (optional)
WiFi antenna
Stand

Dimensions: 8.5" x 7" x 1"
Net Weight: 2.2 lbs.
Gross Weight: 6.6 lbs.


US Configurations and MSRP: 
$269 - 1GB memory + 80GB HDD Linux edition
$299 - 1GB memory + 80GB HDD XP edition
$299 -  2GB memory + 160GB HDD Linux edition



As you can see from the information above, the Eee Box is based on the low-power Intel Atom processor and configurations with 512MB, 1GB, or 2GB of RAM will be available.  Although we've have the actual dimensions posted here, we've also snagged an image from ASUS' booth at Computex that really gives a sense of scale.  In the image to the left, the Eee Box is standing next to a paperback book and if you disregard the stand, the Eee Box is actually smaller than the book.  Talk about tiny.

One drawback to the diminutive Eee Box's form factor is that the machines do not feature an optical drive.  But there is plenty of connectivity, so we don't view the lack of an optical drive as a big detriment.  The addition of a simple USB DVD will do the trick.

We haven't fired up an Eee Box for ourselves just yet, but it is safe to say these systems will feature Linux and Windows operating system installations that are very similar to the Eee PC mini-notebooks.  Pricing is said to be in-line with the Eee PC philosophy as well.  A 2GB model with a 160GB hard drive will cost only $299.

We're expecting the Eee Box to hit the market in the US in mid-July. For French-speaking Canadians, a French Linux version will be available the following month.

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Block Text Message Spam on (Almost) Any Cell Phone [Cell Phones]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/313064844/block-text-message-spam-on-almost-any-cell-phone

cell_scaled.jpgThe New York Times' David Pogue put together a super-helpful list of ways to block text message spam on your cell phone, covering most major wireless carriers. Each involves logging in at your cell provider's web site and heading to often unadvertised blocking features. Some carriers (AT&T, Verizon) offer advanced filtering and even alias creation to avoid deleting legitimate web-to-phone messages sent to your xxxxxxxxxx@whatever.carrier.com address, while others offer more wholesale web/email filtering. Got a nice multi-carrier solution to share? Let's hear about it in the comments. Photo by Kirill.

How to Block Cellphone Spam [Pogue's Posts | NYT]

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Search Saved Passwords In Firefox 3 [Firefox 3]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/313034717/search-saved-passwords-in-firefox-3

Trying to recall which username and password you use for which web site, or if you even have a log in to begin with? Firefox 3 includes a built-in search function for the saved passwords.

To check it out, go to Tools, Options and then the Security Tab. Then click on the "Saved Passwords..." button under the Passwords section.
Enter a full or partial search term and find that elusive username and password. (Firefox 3's official release is scheduled for tomorrow, June 17th.)

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Dia Does Powerful Diagrams and Flowcharts [Featured Download]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/313204283/dia-does-powerful-diagrams-and-flowcharts


Windows/Linux only: Open-source application Dia is a robust flowchart and diagram tool. Like a free version of Microsoft Visio, Dia provides you with all the tools you need to create anything from a simple flowchart to a powerful and complex diagram, and files can be saved in many formats, including a Visio Drawing-compatible VDX filetype. Dia is free, Windows and Linux only. If you'd prefer building your diagrams on the web, check out previously mentioned Gliffy.

Dia [via OStatic]


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Sxipper Automatically Fills in Web Forms [Featured Firefox Extension]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/313305926/sxipper-automatically-fills-in-web-forms

Firefox only (Windows/Mac/Linux): Firefox extension Sxipper automates your web logins and form filling through a simple, attractive interface. Once installed, you can create different personas into Sxipper for quick form filling for site registrations, and Sxipper automatically works with Firefox's existing saved logins. The extension can either learn and build personas based on information you've already used in forms, or you can import other form and password data from other programs like Roboform or plain old vCards. Sxipper is free, works wherever Firefox does.

Sxipper [Firefox Add-ons via Nethackz]

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DIY Heat Blocking Curtains [Heat Hacks]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/313286948/diy-heat-blocking-curtains

heatblockercurtains.png If the sun beating on your windows this summer is baking the place—or just making your air conditioner work harder—you can hang material that blocks the heat in your windows. Do-it-yourselfer thenickboy says:

To save electricity with our super expensive A/C, I constructed reflective curtains to block sunlight from warming our house. Think auto windshield. This is super simple and kind of obvious, but it works well.
Basically he hung foam, reflective material that windshield blockers are made of as curtains. Along similar lines, home blogger Emily Gertz did the same using foam and aluminum foil.



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Why You Should Carry a Digital Camera At All Times [Nature]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/313148711/why-you-should-carry-a-digital-camera-at-all-times

Last Tuesday, Lori Mehmen looked out her front door in Orchard, Iowa and this is what she saw. She had a digital camera handy, and somehow managed to take this photo before crapping her pants and taking cover. This, my friends, is why always having a camera nearby is helpful. Oh, and no one was injured during this tornado, fortunately. [NY Times]

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iPhone 3G AT&T Activation Details: Doing It at Home is Possible, But Requires a Promise [IPhone 3G]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/313190879/iphone-3g-att-activation-details-doing-it-at-home-is-possible-but-requires-a-promise

The two things we previously heard about iPhone 3G activation on AT&T—mandatory in-store activation and a penalty if you don't activate within 30 days—seemed to contradict each other. Not anymore. Apple Insider has just heard through an internal memo that people can actually leave a retail store without activating their iPhone 3G as long as they've signed a form saying that they intend to register with a 2-year service plan within 30 days. The retail guys would then input the IMEI number of your phone into their machines, which would enter AT&T's Death Star tracking machine to allow them to know whether or not you've properly activated. Now it all makes sense. [Apple Insider - Thanks Joel!]

And here's our gigantic FAQ about the iPhone 3G.



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Video of the Samsung Omnia i900 UI in Action [Cellphones]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/313193458/video-of-the-samsung-omnia-i900-ui-in-action

If you were thinking about picking up the new Samsung Omnia SGI-1900 with Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, a little video demonstration of the touchscreen UI could go a long way in helping you arrive at a decision. All-in-all things look great, just don't be surprised if you fall asleep watching the following video. Not because the UI is boring mind you, but the music has that single mom reunited with her child Oxygen movie of the week vibe to it.


[PPCSG via Slashphone]



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HTC Revamping UMPC Line Into Mini Notebook Line Soon [HTC Mini Laptops]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/313238547/htc-revamping-umpc-line-into-mini-notebook-line-soon

HTC's already familiar with the UMPC seeing as they've been shipping the Shift for a while, but they're going to go even more hardcore into mini laptops. Their CEO Peter Chou didn't elaborate exactly what their strategy was, but Digitime's sources say HTC is planning on making mobile internet devices with Intel's Atm and Qualcomm's Snapdragon chipsets. To us this says many Eee PC-like laptops, as well as UMPCs that are running on Windows Mobile 7. [digitimes via Boing Boing Gadgets]



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NVIDIA unearths GTX 280 and GTX 260 graphics cards

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/313036727/

Filed under: ,

Geforce GTX280
Surprise! NVIDIA has officially unleashed its new GeForce GTX 280 and GTX 260 graphics cards. The GTX 280, NVIDIA's flagship model, is reportedly 50% faster than last year's 8800 GX2 when in its overclocked AMP! Edition, and it is loaded with around twice as many transistors as the 9800. The new single-chip processor packs some serious number crunching, such as a 142 GB/s memory bandwidth with a 512-bit memory interface. Other final specs look to include 1GB GDDR3 memory, two Dual Link DVI connectors, and, of course, an overclocked chipset. In short, it's the fastest graphics card you can get. Don't go nuts just yet, though -- the GTX280 with 1GB of RAM will run you a cool $649. The lower-end GTX 260 with 896MB is a more palatable $399. GTX280 availability starts tomorrow, and GTX 260s will hit the streets on June 26. And to finally put this joke to rest: Yes, they will run Crysis.

[Via CNET]
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Sony Ericsson's Xperia X1 gets handled, photographed

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/313178457/

Filed under:


The lucky chaps over at Boy Genius Report have managed to get their hands all over Sony Ericsson's latest and greatest -- the hotly anticipated Xperia X1. Early word is that the 800 x 480 screen, optical joystick, and speedy HSDPA data are all very welcome, but the keyboard (which looks like it would be a joy to type on) leaves a lot to be desired. Of course, the OS should come as no surprise, and they don't seem to have any shots of Sony's "panel interface," so for now you'll have to make do with some nice looks at the exteriors of the device. Hit the read link and check it out yourself.
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