Saturday, June 13, 2009

SATA HDD Multimedia Dock II, Now with HDMI [Docks]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/HF7_sJwQscA/sata-hdd-multimedia-dock-ii-now-with-hdmi

Brando, Brando, oh purveyors off all things plastic and electronic in a myriad forms and shapes. If you didn't like the Brando SATA drive horizontal dock with HDMI output, now you can have the vertical model.

Adding to the composite, component, and USB, the SATA HDD Multimedia Dock II also has an HDMI port, although it only supports 1080i. The media player supports the following formats:

• MPEG-1 (MPG, DAT)
• MPEG-2 (MPG, MPEG, VOB)
• MPEG-4 (AVI, MP4)
• DivX 3.11/4/5 (AVI, DIVX)
• XviD (AVI)
• AVI decode audio: MP3, AC3, ADPCM
• VOBSUB: srt, sub, smi, txt, ass, ssa
• MPEG-1 Layer 3, 24-320kbps (MP3)
• AC3 (in the movie)
• Microsoft PCM Wave (WAV)
• Advance Audio Coding LC (AAC)
• Microsoft Windows Media Audio WMA7/8 (WMA), no support for WMA9 Pro
• MP2 (MPA)

Looks like crap, but nice for $79. [Brando]




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The World's Smallest DV Camera Could Reveal World's Largest Scandal [Video]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/i0wjstpDeEQ/the-worlds-smallest-dv-camera-could-reveal-worlds-largest-scandal

In the era of HD, you thought good old DV was dead? Wrong! Because manufacturers can now make these low resolution cameras smaller than ever.

The Muvi Micro DV Cam measures just 2x0.8x0.4 inches but still manages to record 640x480 video at 30fps for 2-3 hours per charge. All of the footage is saved to your own MicroSD card and can be transferred while the camera recharges over USB.

Beyond basic recording, the camera can also be cued to record at a threshold of 65 decibels of noise. And with the disclosure of that spec, several thousand Giz readers immediately Googled "decibels lady changing." $129. [i want one of those via geekalerts]




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XERO Project Green Building Concept: Veggie Does Dallas [Architecture]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/Lp34BPytc9Y/xero-project-green-building-concept-veggie-does-dallas

Somewhat like a vegetarian version of the Dragonfly building in Manhattan, the XERO Project is a proposed idea of bringing local agriculture, orchards, gardens and food stalls into the city of Dallas, all under one roof.

Don't put those BBQ ribs down quite yet—Texans can breathe a sigh of relief as this project is still only a concept, which was first submitted to the Vision Dallas design competition looking to make Dallas a greener city. [Archinect]




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Kopin crafts world's smallest VGA microdisplay, 2k x 2k postage stamps up next

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/12/kopin-crafts-worlds-smallest-vga-microdisplay-2k-x-2k-postage/


Think your cellphone display packs a lot of pixels into a small space? Pssh. Kopin Corporation has just announced the smallest VGA color-filter liquid crystal display, checking in with a 600 x 480 resolution and a 0.27-inch (diagonal) size. The feat was accomplished by shrinking the color dots to 2.9 x 8.7 µm from 3.75 x 11.25 µm, and according to the company, it's a huge step in reaching its goal of creating a "2,048 x 2,048-resolution display in a size smaller than a typical postage stamp." Already, the firm has stated that it can concoct SVGA (800 x 600) displays at 0.34-inches, XGA (1,024 x 768) displays at 0.44-inches and and SXGA (1,280 x 1,024) displays at 0.56-inch using the same color dot size, which will apparently be used in digicams, camcorders and possibly even handsets. And you thought that D90 panel was something to ooh and ahh over...

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Kopin crafts world's smallest VGA microdisplay, 2k x 2k postage stamps up next originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blu-ray gets Managed Copy next year, requires new hardware

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/12/blu-ray-gets-managed-copy-next-year-requries-new-hardware/

Managed Copy
It took over three years, but mandatory Managed Copy is set to become a reality next year as each studio is required to sign the recently finalized AACS license by December 4th 2009, and any studio that signs early receives up to a 25 percent discount on licensing fees. What isn't mandatory, though, is hardware support, and although the current generation of players definitely won't work, most expect the majority of new BD devices to. The cost (you didn't think it'd be free, did you?) and the number of copies is up to the studio, but at least one copy will be allowed. That copy can be made via a menu on the disc and can take the form of another Blu-ray Disc or a DRM-laced Microsoft file. Up until now, Apple hasn't joined the party so no joy for iPod users -- although this could still happen. Either way, a connection to either the AACS' or studio's authorization server will be required to make it work. As cool as this all sounds, we're still skeptical; and although we'll be the first to try it, somehow we don't think it'll live up to our expectations.

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Blu-ray gets Managed Copy next year, requires new hardware originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung B7610 Louvre rematerializes, spec'd and caught on camera

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/12/samsung-b7610-louvre-rematerializes-specd-and-caught-on-camera/


It's been some time since we've heard a word about Samsung's enigmatic QWERTY slider, the B7610 Louvre. Now it looks like we've got on our hands a new, decidedly more clear pic of the phone care of GPSAndCo, along with a list of technical details. According to the site, we're looking at a quad-band Windows Mobile 6.1 device (upgradable to 6.5) with 7.2Mbps HSDPA, 3.5-inch WVGA AMOLED touchscreen, 5 megapixel camera, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.0, FM radio, miniUSB, 1GB built-in memory, and a microSDHC slot. Still not official, but should this pan out, Orange and SFR business customers can look to it sometime in July with the price lining up somewhere between €250 and €500.

[Via WMPoweruser]

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Samsung B7610 Louvre rematerializes, spec'd and caught on camera originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Friday, June 12, 2009

ClickZ: Consumers Have Changed, So Should Advertisers - http://ping.fm/ZAbzY - Augustine Fou

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http://ping.fm/EqR1H

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source: http://ping.fm/LrjJf Countdown To The Facebook Username Land Rush Begins http://ping.fm/syHX6

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Samsung Crest E1107 Solar Cellphone: Sun-Powered, Dirt Cheap At $59 [Cellphones]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/KdCa9-S0wYI/samsung-crest-e1107-solar-cellphone-sun+powered-dirt-cheap-at-59

Samsung has announced it's first solar powered GSM cellphone, the Crest E1107, for eco-friendly, budget conscious types that don't seem to be concerned with practicality.

Apparently, the Crest can generate enough power for 5-10 minutes of talk time with one hour of exposure to the sun. Like I said, practicality flies out the window here. Not surprisingly, the additional features are basic—like an FM radio, MP3 ringers, fake call feature (for avoiding unwanted calls) a flashlight, and a few minor features tailored to specific markets. However, there is no denying that it is easy on the budget. Besides the power savings, Unwired View claims the device is already on sale in India for around $59.

Cheap or not, we probably won't be seeing it in the States anytime soon. The Crest E1107 is slated for release in India, Europe, Southeast Asia, Southwest Asia, and Latin America starting this month.

Samsung Introduces Its First Solar Powered Mobile Phone

Samsung leads solar panel mobile market with

the launch of Crest Solar (E1107)

Seoul, Korea, June 10, 2009 - Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd, today announced its first solar powered mobile phone, the "Crest Solar" (E1107). The new handset enables its users to charge the battery anywhere the sun is shining when electricity is unavailable.

"The Crest Solar represents our effort and commitment to strengthen our leadership in the solar panel mobile market," said Executive Vice President JK Shin, head of the Mobile Communication Division at Samsung Electronics.

"With Samsung's cutting edge technology and consumer-oriented strategy, I believe the Crest Solar will be the! perfect fit for anyone in any market – not only because it is solar powered, but because it has features that were designed to appeal to various cultures."

The Crest Solar will be available in numerous markets including India, Europe, Southeast Asia, Southwest Asia, and Latin America from June 2009.

Powered by the Sun

With an extended solar powered battery, the Samsung Crest Solar solves the problem of unavailable or unstable electrical outlets, particularly in rural areas. The phone has the capacity to provide around 5~10 minutes of talk time with one hour of solar charging.* Moreover, the solar panel charging allows its users to save money and energy consumption on traditional electrical charging.

* Measured when the phone is turned-off under the sun light of 80,000 Lux. Results can be different depending on circumstances.

Localized Features for Various Markets

The Crest Solar comes in a compact design with essential mobile phone features such as FM radio, MP3 ring tones, embedded games and a powerful torch light. For consumer safety, the phone offers Mobile Tracker, which automatically alerts when the SIM card is changed or sends out an SOS message in an emergency. The Crest Solar also has a fake call feature, so users can pretend they have an incoming call to escape unsafe situations.

To satisfy Crest Solar users in various markets, Samsung offers localized features for different countries. For instance, it offers profile screening for bikers in the Southeast Asian market that provides incoming call alerts only from selected contacts for safe riding. The Crest Solar also provides specialized features for different religions, such as alerts for prayer time.




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Samsung's Bigfoot Android Phone to Hit T-Mobile 'Really Soon' [Bigfoot]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/kyq-HewjEJo/samsungs-bigfoot-android-phone-to-hit-t+mobile-really-soon

T-Mobile's next gen T1 Android phone—Samsung's Bigfoot—looks like it features AMOLED and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, and will actually be available sooner than we thought.

Contrary to previous reports of the phone being released in October for $150, Boy Genius's source is reporting that the Bigfoot will be launching "really soon"—perhaps as early as this summer. [Boy Genius Report]




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Archos' Latest Touch Tablet, the Archos9, Runs Windows 7 [Archos]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/L4XaLTJ1JPE/archos-latest-touch-tablet-the-archos9-runs-windows-7

Although we have yet to hear anything about an Android MID from their event today, Archos has announced the Archos9—a UMPC that runs Windows 7.

Unlike its predecessors, which are basic touchscreen internet media tablets, the Archos9 is a touch tablet that can run a full computer OS. It also features a built-in webcam, 120GB hard drive, full touch support, an external mic, streo speakers, and a toggled-on optical trackpad and an on-screen keyboard, and will be available in Europe this October—around the same time as Windows 7's release—for €450 ($635).

Not far behind the quiet April release of the Archos 2, the Archos 3 has made an appearance on Archo's web site. Looking slim and shiny, the Archos 3 is an 8GB MP3 player, which touts a 3-inch color touchscreen, 14 hours of battery life, and supports photo, audio and video playback, voice recording and more. There is no word on pricing and availability as of now. [Archos via CNet and UMPC]




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The iPhone Is a Pretty Damn Big Platform to Develop Games For [IPhone]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/yRyvk1AuN8M/the-iphone-is-a-pretty-damn-big-platform-to-develop-games-for

This is how the 40 million iPhones and iPod touches, a figure given by Apple at the WWDC Keynote, stack up against actual consoles.

Even though the iPhone has the distinct disadvantage of being a platform that's not purchased just for gaming—pretty much every person who buys a PSP buys it to play games, for example—it's still a pretty damn huge market. Combine this with the fact that the faster graphics support in the iPhone 3GS is going to make it a pretty damn good gaming device, you've got a juicy target for game developers to hit.

Note: sales data was taken from Wikipedia, and in some cases the figures are from as far back as March 2009. There shouldn't be a huge jump between March and May/June numbers, so it's close enough for the ballpark chart we're showing.




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The Kindle DX Disassembled [Kindle Dx]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/suYk4M1UoPE/the-kindle-dx-disassembled

In this five-step tutorial, RapidRepair shows you how to carefully disassemble—and reassemble—your Kindle DX to get a closer look at its innards.

When dismantled, you can see that even when the power is switched off, the text is still clearly displayed on the front LCD. And, we knew the Kindle DX was thin—full review right here—but when taken apart, it's simply amazing how much gadgetry is shoved into it—six memory chips and a processor. Head over to RapidRepair for instructions and more photos. [RapidRepair]




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Gang Uses Stolen Credit Cards to Buy Own Music on iTunes, Collects Royalties, Still Not Famous [Crime]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/2pOn_ehTgeE/gang-uses-stolen-credit-cards-to-buy-own-music-on-itunes-collects-royalties-still-not-famous

In what probably seemed like a two-birds-with-one-stone situation (before the arrest, we mean), a 9-member British gang used stolen credit cards to purchase their own music on iTunes and Amazon, then collected the royalties—an estimated $300,000 total.

The gang, made up of six men and three women, included one DJ who created the music. They then listed it on iTunes and Amazon and negotiated a pretty plush 40% commission for themselves before using stolen credit cards to purchase $750,000 worth of their music.

British police stated, "We will not know why they did what they did until we have conducted all the interviews," which confirms my suspicion that there is no crime, and possibly not even formal currency, in England. The scheme managed to inflate their almost certainly fragile musical egos and net a pretty penny at the same time, and the British police won't know why they did it until they ask them?

Unfortunately, the artist name they used hasn't been released, so I can't make fun of whatever clanging noise they passed off as music. Apple and Amazon helped the police track down the culprits, who are currently being held in jail. [Times UK]




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