Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Sunday, April 20, 2008

BenQ's Atom-based MID gets detailed

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/273173630/

BenQ has been showing off its first stab at an MID since the Intel Developer Forum last fall, but it hasn't exactly been all that forthcoming about the full specs of the device. That situation seems to have changed at the more recent IDF in Shanghai, however, although those details seem to just now be making their way across the Internet. As we knew before, the device will pack an Intel Atom processor (the base 800MHz model), which will apparently be backed up by 512MB of RAM, a 4GB SSD hard drive, and HSPDA support in addition to some integrated WiFi and Bluetooth. The device will also apparently pack a so-called "G-Senser" for "direct touch and free movement to surf on internet," along with voice activation, and optional GPS. Still no word on the all important pricing or release details, unfortunately, although we hope BenQ will save itself some embarrassment but getting the thing out the door before the next Intel Developer Forum.

[Via Slash Gear]

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Friday, April 18, 2008

Bypass YouTube Restrictions with a URL Hack [Video]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/272852663/bypass-youtube-restrictions-with-a-url-hack

Find yourself on the wrong side of the ocean (or border) from a U.S.-only YouTube video? Don't want to log in to glimpse a clip that might have content that's "inappropriate for some users"? Both are fairly easy to get around by slightly altering the video's URL, according to the Google Operating System Blog. Most YouTube URLs take the form of:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEOID

Note the 11-character code at the end, and place it like so:

http://www.youtube.com/v/VIDEOID

The swift move brings up the widget normally used to play embedded videos—a bit over-sized, sometimes, but nicely distraction-free as well.

Watch restricted YouTube Videos [Google Operating System]

Eee PC-like Deep Blue H1 mini laptop hits the Philippines

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/272960766/

Filed under: Laptops

There's certainly no shortage of Eee PC competitors these days, and it looks like another one recently snuck its way into the Philippines, where Blue Digital's diminutive Deep Blue H1 is apparently now on sale. Unlike the Eee PC, this one packs a 1.0GHz VIA Esther processor, though it boasts a similar 7-inch 800 x 480 display, along with 1GB of RAM, a 40GB hard drive, and the LinPus Linux distro as the standard OS, with Windows XP available as an option. Our tipster in Manilla also informs us that while it's only available in basic black at the moment, you'll apparently soon be able to get your choice of white or sky blue models as well. No word on a release anywhere else, unfortunately, but those in the Philippines can snag one for Php 16,995, or just over $400.

[Thanks, Alan]

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Video: Hands-on Panasonic's DMC-FX500 with 3-inch touchscreen and 720p video

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/272977889/

Filed under: Digital Cameras

No doubt, we liked Samsung's 10 megapixel NV24HD camera with 720p video. But we loves us some Panasonic DMC-FX500. It shoots 720p video and 10 megapixel stills just like its Korean competitor only with a 5x, 25-mm wide-angle Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens instead of the 24-mm 3.6x zoomer found on the Sammy. Oh, and it brings a bigger 3.0-inch touchscreen too. With the unit already making its way out the door in the US for about $400, we're just waiting to hear about the image quality before grabbing one for ourselves. Reviews please, somebody... Bueller? Video hands-on after the break.

Continue reading Video: Hands-on Panasonic's DMC-FX500 with 3-inch touchscreen and 720p video

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Nikon D3 Firmware Update Reveals 24-Megapixel D3x, Already in the Wild [Rumor]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/272566297/nikon-d3-firmware-update-reveals-24+megapixel-d3x-already-in-the-wild

Nikon's flagship full-frame DSLR, the D3, is a lot of things, but a megapixel warrior it is not, shooting a mere 12.1MP to other flagship DSLRs' 20+. Nikon said it was avoiding the pointless megapixel war. But the latest firmware update for the D3 turns up a string for the "D3x" containing the image sizes "6048x4032 24.4 M" and "5056x4032 20.4 M." Given that everyone else is speeding along pro DSLRs with 20+ megapixels, the D3x probably exists, and shares common code w/ the D3. Nikon expert Thom Hogan goes further, suggesting the reason it's in the code is because "there are some D3 bodies out there with the new sensor being tested." That's right, the new DSLR king, out there, right now. [DP Review via Gadget Lab]