Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Microsoft burns our eyes with Vista promo video

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/271573224/

It's official, Microsoft knows no shame. We used to think that the Zune tattoo guy was bad for publicity, but now it's clear that the video promo team needs zero outside help in dragging whatever shred of dignity this company has through the mud. Whoever thought up this Bruce Springsteen-defiling "Rockin' Our Sales" piece of garbage to promote the launch of Vista SP1 should be fired instantly and sued for defamation. It's just that good. Video is naturally after the break.

[Thanks, Jacob S.]

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BenQ introduces 14.1-inch Joybook R45

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/271623578/

Filed under: Laptops

Here's to hoping you North Americans don't fall too hard for BenQ's latest Joybook, as the R45 is destined for almost everywhere but here. Nevertheless, this globetrotter packs a 14.1-inch WXGA (1,280 x 800) display, Intel's 2.1GHz Core 2 Duo T8100 processor, NVIDIA's GeForce 8400M GPU, up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM, an optional dual-layer DVD writer, 802.11b/g WiFi, optional Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, 2-megapixel webcam and a 4-in-1 multicard reader. Additionally, you can count on four USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet / modem jacks, an HDMI output, VGA, ExpressCard slot, audio in / out, 4-pin FireWire and a six-cell Li-ion good for around 2.5 hours of use. Sadly, BenQ left us hanging in regard to a price, but look for this pleather-coated lappie to land in China, Taiwan, Southeast Asia and Russia later this month.

[Via PC Launches]

Gallery: BenQ introduces 14.1-inch Joybook R45

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OS X made to run on a Samsung Q1 Ultra Premium

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/271674523/

Filed under: Handhelds

With all the Psystar-related drama going on in the OSx86 scene this week, it's easy to overlook the fact that people are doing some pretty wild things with the community-led project -- we've already seen OS X boot on a Sony Vaio UX, and now the crew at jkOnTheRun have managed to shoehorn it on to a Samsung Q1 Ultra Premium UMPC. The Q1's 1.33GHz Core Solo and upgraded 2GB of RAM are enough to run Leopard smoothly, it seems -- Apple sold Mac Minis with similar specs a while back, after all -- and while not everything works exactly right, it appears the digitizer is recognized, allowing Ink to work. It's not perfect, as there are some calibration issues, but it's a fun little peek into what an OS X tablet might look like -- minus the command button, of course.

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Zalman's ZM-M2020W Trimon 3D monitor gets reviewed

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/271992589/

Filed under: Displays

Zalman may be far from being a household name, but a stranger to 3D displays it isn't. The company's latest 22-incher not only packs a 1,680 x 1,050 resolution panel and a bundled set of glasses, but it features the ability to render graphics in 3D. The eager critics over at Trusted Reviews had a nice sit with the device, and when all was said and done, the ZM-M2020W was seen more as a building block for revision two than a runaway winner as it was. On the upside, it did manage to render some pretty phenomenal scenes in 3D -- and even managed to change the reviewer's perception of the technology -- but the overly glossy screen and steep price tag kept it from being recommended without hesitation. Still, if you're willing to pay the premium to fit into the niche, by all means, give the full review a once over in the read link below.

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Altek reveals GPS-enabled 8MP point-and-shoot

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/272141113/

Filed under: Digital Cameras, GPS

Picking up a camera with built-in WiFi not good enough for you? How's about a point-and-shoot with integrated GPS? DigiTimes has it that Altek, a Taiwanese ODM / OEM maker of digicams, has just unveiled a camera with an 8-megapixel sensor, 3-inch touchscreen and GPS. The latter will enable users to "automatically record the longitude and latitude of where a picture is taken," giving the geotagging crowd one gigantic reason to take notice. Reportedly, the firm is already negotiating orders with potential clients in Europe and the US, and shipments could start heading out as early as this quarter.

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