Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Friday, October 02, 2009

Asus EeeBox EB1501 Nettop: DVD Slot Drive, Ion Graphics, and 1080p HDMI [Asus]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/F7qqGcPAohk/asus-eeebox-eb1501-nettop-dvd-slot-drive-ion-graphics-and-1080p-hdmi

Wow, this could be my fallback plan for a lightweight entertainment PC if the Eee Keyboard ends up sucking. The EB1501 is the first EeeBox with an optical drive, Windows 7, and a classy new design.

Otherwise, its specs are the same as the recent EeeBox EB1012. That means dual-core Atom N330 processor, 2GB of DDR2-800 RAM (expandable to 4GB), 250GB hard disk, and Nvidia Ion graphics.

The optical drive is only a DVD-RW, but I can use my PlayStation for Blu-ray. Otherwise, the EB1501 can pretty much connect to anything and everything: it's got 802.11n Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, 6 USB 2.0 ports, an SD card reader, and an eSATA connection for external hard disks. An S/PDIF connection also gives you 5.1 audio.

What a crazy little box. We're still waiting on U.S. pricing and availability, but it's expected to be €399 ($580) in Europe, and should arrive around October 22—when Windows 7 arrives. [Asus]

Time's "Hulu for Magazines" Idea Is So, So Doomed [Magazines]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/LqZIWPR-59M/times-hulu-for-magazines-idea-is-so-so-doomed

Magazines are basically fucked. They know this, and figure the only way they're going to survive is if they manage to successfully navigate the transition to digital. Time's grand plan? A "Hulu for magazines." Oh boy.

Here's how it'd work: There'd be a new company running a digital store for all of the publishers where people could buy and manage their magazine subscriptions that would be delivered on "any" device. Supposedly, Time Inc's gotten Conde Nast (publisher of Wired, Vanity Fair, etc.) and Hearst (Popular Mechanics, Esquire, etc.) ramped up about the idea as well, which would launch in 2010.

Great, except that it's not going to work. As Peter Kafka points out, they have to convince people to sign up for another service—not an easy feat if they're already tangled up with a Kindle or Apple. Especially if this new service will be just magazines, and not include newspapers. And there's no way Amazon or Apple will let the publishers tie a separate service into their devices, pissing in their pool. The whole point of the Kindle is that Amazon controls the delivery method, and that's likely how Apple's tablet will work—downloading magazines and newspapers and textbooks through iTunes, just l! ike iPho ne apps or iTunes music.

Which basically leaves the the publishers with a handful of generic readers they could get their goods on, meaning they're screwed. At this point it looks like all roads to ereaders people will actually buy to pass through Amazon or soon, Apple. Sorry magazine dudes: Give in, give up or get out. [All Things D]

Sony Getting Closer to TVs With No Cables Whatsoever [Wireless Power]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/w-KJ2iMeT3w/sony-getting-closer-to-tvs-with-no-cables-whatsoever

This TV has absolutely no cables connected to it. No video cable. No audio cable. And no power cable. How's this wicked sorcery possible? Thanks to Sony's new Wireless Power Transfer technology, which can send 60 watts over the air.

Sony's Wireless Power Transfer can push 60 watts of electrical energy over almost 20 inches (50 centimeters). That's a pretty decent distance, especially when they say that it can be extended using passive extender units. In fact, they have already achieved 31 inches in other tests.

They claim that their method—which sounds similar to Intel's—uses some dharmastastic magnetic resonance, in which electromagnetic energy gets transmitted from one device to another, both sharing the same resonant frequencies.

Sony says that this system offers 80% efficiency, which may get reduced to about a minimum of 60% if there is a misalignment in the frequencies, which needs to be corrected.

I don't know if this is safe for our bodies or not, but I would like to have it. Even if that requires me not wearing my tinfoil hat while watching the sixth season of Lost. [Sony via i4u]

GE shows off 1TB holographic discs but Wolf Blitzer remains skeptical

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/01/ge-shows-off-1tb-holographic-discs-but-wolf-blitzer-remains-skep/

We're confused as to how technology that was supposed to be available in 2006 can still be featured at an Emerging Tech conference in 2009, but so it is for General Electric's attempt at holographic storage. Predicting drives for archival purposes in two or three years with consumer products around two years after that, manager Peter Lorraine claims Blu-ray has "two to four years of life to go" and expects licensees to clean up with speedy 3ms access time, 1TB+ storing (up from a mere 200GB), backwards compatible hardware. The latter portion, plus other breakthroughs in cost and reliability are listed as reasons to believe the market will catch HVD anytime soon, but right now it's about as likely returning to a matching 2006-era MySpace page or believing Wolf was staring at anything other than a mark on the floor on Election Night.

[Via Physorg]

Filed under: HDTV, Storage

GE shows off 1TB holographic discs but Wolf Blitzer remains skeptical originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 23:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Secrets of Nikon's Coolpix S1000pj projector camera revealed

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/02/secrets-of-nikons-coolpix-s1000pj-projetor-camera-revealed/

Perplexed by the mystery of Nikon's Coolpix S1000pj projector camera? Like the puzzle of free energy or Google Wave, it's a quandary that has perplexed researchers and common folk alike for decades (or at least a few months). It looks we can now finally lay this particular quandary to rest, however, as leading scientific journal Tech-On! has finally revealed how something can be both a camera and a projector at the same time. It turns out the key is a new L-shaped projector module developed by Nikon itself, which is just the right size to fit inside the camera alongside some repositioned optical components, and some new heat control measures that keep the whole thing from getting too toasty. Still skeptical? Hit up the read link below for a closer look and some additional details.

[Via About Projectors]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Secrets of Nikon's Coolpix S1000pj projector camera revealed originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 04:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Casio Exilim EX-H10 gets new blue and gold outfits

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/02/casio-exilim-ex-h10-gets-new-blue-and-gold-outfits/

The Exilim EX-H10 superzoom looks just dandy in its minimalist black exterior, but Casio has decided to furnish its Japanese customers with a couple more options. To be fair, our far-Eastern brethren have had to choose between a less classy silver affair and a zany pink number, so they'll probably welcome the newfound diversity. The specs remain the same, of course, with a highly competent 12.1 megapixel sensor, 10x optical zoom and 720p video recording being the highlights, so we wouldn't expect the as yet unannounced prices to differ either. The blue version above will be joined by a gold variant (picture after the break) when the two are released on October 9.

[Via Akihabara News]

Continue reading Casio Exilim EX-H10 gets new blue and gold outfits

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Casio Exilim EX-H10 gets new blue and gold outfits originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 08:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tachyon XC 3D helmet cam hands-on

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/02/tachyon-xc-3d-helmet-cam-hands-on/

If you're the sort who does interesting things whilst wearing a helmet, things that you might like to capture on video for friends, family, or strangers to watch, it's an awfully good time to be a gadget lover. There have never been more helmet camera options than there are today, and one of the most interesting we've yet had the opportunity to affix to our lid is the Tachyon XC 3D. It's a pair of generally pedestrian cameras that, when joined at the hip, combine Voltron-like to do something rather more interesting: capture 3D renderings of your extreme endeavors. But, is an extra dimension worth the $380 price of admission? Read on to find out, and to experience the depth for yourself.

Gallery: Tachyon XC 3D

Continue reading Tachyon XC 3D helmet cam hands-on

Filed under: D! igital C ameras

Tachyon XC 3D helmet cam hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sigma's DP1s gets official, hitting shelves in November?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/02/sigmas-dp1s-gets-official-hitting-shelves-in-november/

Sigma's DP1 had a lot going for it -- despite a somewhat steep asking price, plenty of folks were won over by both its sturdy build and image quality. Now, after the world offered up a somewhat muted response to the DP2, the company's announcing an update of the former device. The DP1s features the same sensor and processor as the DP1 but adds some functionality, including the ability to simultaneously shoot separate RAW and JPEG images, and an option to allocate the QS (Quick Set) function to the digital zoom buttons. Also in this build is a 14 megapixel (2,652 x 1,768 x 3 layers) FOVEON X3 direct image sensor, which the company says will improved performance when shooting backlit subjects, a 16.6mm F4 lens, and more. No price or street date yet, but the rumor mill says to look for it sometime in November. PR after the break.

Continue reading Sigma's DP1s gets official, hitting shelves in November?

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Sigma's DP1s gets official, hitting shelves in November? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Down economy drives more rational (less emotional) purchase behavior, as consumers buy necessities & do more research to get the best value

Thursday, October 01, 2009

When entrepreneurs need someone to kick the tires until they bleed (the tires, not the entrepreneur) - http://bit.ly/Ce2zG

The Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter Now Has Digital Audio [Adapters]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/bQZAagz0cg0/the-mini-displayport-to-hdmi-adapter-now-has-digital-audio

The USB audio version of the Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter hasn't shipped yet, but Kanex just came out with an even more updated version of it with digital audio.

There isn't a whole lot to explain, other than the fact that the adapter is now basically set to deliver full audio quality to the video content played back on your Mac, and all through one HDMI cable. The previous version was held up because of manufacturing issues, so we'll have to see if this version suffers from the same difficulties. [Kanex]

Spotify Adds Offline Music Caching to Its Desktop Player, Makes iTunes Look Prudish [Software]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/ERL5kwsYlaU/spotify-adds-offline-music-caching-to-its-desktop-player-makes-itunes-look-prudish

Not being allowed to have music subscription service Spotify is now officially the worst thing about being an American: Subscribers will soon be able to listen to unlimited music offline, just like in the murders-everything-else Spotify iPhone app.

The feature, which lets users designate any or all of their content to be available offline, is only available to the £9.99/month or £120/year premium subscribers, but effectively hands them unlimited music, available at all times, for a flat fee. The mobile app is still the showstopper here—we've seen a few all-you-can-eat DRM music services before—but, you know, still, insult to injury. Our only consolation? Spotify thinks they can launch in the US before the end of the year, though I'll be eager to see if they can get as cozy a licensing deal as they found in the UK. [Techcrunch]

Custom Camera Rig Allows For a Stunning Vertical Panorama of a Giant Redwood [Nature]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/oIU9I2cu950/custom-camera-rig-allows-for-a-stunning-vertical-panorama-of-a-giant-redwood

Wildlife photographer Michael Nichols wanted to photograph a 300-foot-tall redwood in a dense forest with no clear lines of sight. So he built a custom camera rig to take tons of close-ups to stitch together.

The result is a stunning composite of 83 different shots of this incredible tree. Look for a huge foldout of the image in the October issue of National Geographic, and here's a video of Nichols talking about the process of capturing the image.

[NPR via Hack-a-Day via Make]

Why is Panasonic the First to Invent a Two-Way Iron? [Iron]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/MoQ6nW_OjsQ/why-is-panasonic-the-first-to-invent-a-two+way-iron

Unless my Google skills are failing me, this Panasonic 360-Degree iron is the first iron to have the pointed tip at both sides of the iron. It's been staring us in the face for 100 years, and Panasonic's is first?

By making the back of the iron pointed instead of flat, like every single other iron out there, you can go back and forth with the Panasonic NIW810CS as much as you want without screwing up your ironing pattern and wrinkling what you already pressed. Best of all, Panasonic only charges $50 for this bit of ingenuity. [Amazon]

Mobile Web Finally Easy Enough For Old People, Female People and Teen People [Charts]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/-4DG2EYH444/mobile-web-finally-easy-enough-for-old-people-female-people-and-teen-people

Nielsen's mobile web statics show that, from July 2008 to July 2009, the demographic groups of 65+, female and 13-17 showed the most usage growth. The least? 18-24 year olds, who are all up in this mobile web already.

Also equally interesting: we have a higher percentage of male readers than the NFL, the NBA or even MAXIM. More women look at softcore boobies than look at gadgets! [Nielsen]

ASUS ships $100 O!Play HDP-R1 HD media streamer

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/01/asus-ships-100-o-play-hdp-r1-hd-media-streamer/

Hey, you -- yeah, you. Remember that O!Play HDP-R1 media player that ASUS teased us with back in June? Remember how you dedicated a calender to it so you could count down the days 'til its arrival? Time to stop all that madness, as said box is finally on sale and shipping right now within the US of A. For the surprisingly reasonable price of $99.99, users can utilize this very device to stream and play back an array of formats with 1080p resolution support. Heck, there's even an eSATA and Ethernet port there, just waiting for your love. So, will you show it? Or is life still worth living knowing what you've neglected?

[Via Slashgear]

Filed under: Home Entertainment

ASUS ships $100 O!Play HDP-R1 HD media streamer originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASUS ships $100 O!Play HDP-R1 HD media streamer

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/01/asus-ships-100-o-play-hdp-r1-hd-media-streamer/

Hey, you -- yeah, you. Remember that O!Play HDP-R1 media player that ASUS teased us with back in June? Remember how you dedicated a calender to it so you could count down the days 'til its arrival? Time to stop all that madness, as said box is finally on sale and shipping right now within the US of A. For the surprisingly reasonable price of $99.99, users can utilize this very device to stream and play back an array of formats with 1080p resolution support. Heck, there's even an eSATA and Ethernet port there, just waiting for your love. So, will you show it? Or is life still worth living knowing what you've neglected?

[Via Slashgear]

Filed under: Home Entertainment

ASUS ships $100 O!Play HDP-R1 HD media streamer originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: BumpTop 1.2 with multitouch support available now

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/01/video-bumptop-1-2-with-multitouch-support-available-now/

BumpTop 1.2 is now available, adding multitouch support to the already impressive list of features available for the 3D desktop. Check out the free download and you'll soon be introduced to a host of new gestures, including the scrunch (where you can grab a handful of items and pull 'em into a pile), wall focus and rotate, and some quick and easy photo editing. As always, you can download the free version to get started, but if you want to take advantage of stuff like un-watermarked image previews and unlimited sticky notes, you'll have to shell out $29 for the pro version. Sorry, Mac and Linux users -- this is still a Windows-only affair. But we do have a video for you! You know where to find it -- after the break, of course.

Continue reading Video: BumpTop 1.2 with multitouch support available now

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Video: BumpTop 1.2 with multitouch support available now originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASUS EeeBox EB1501 comes packing Windows 7, Atom 330

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/01/asus-eeebox-eb1501-comes-packing-windows-7-atom-330/

We just caught a glimpse of ASUS' EeeBox EB1012 nettop last month, but it looks like the company is already doing things one better with its new, redesigned EB1501 model. As before, this one packs the increasingly common one-two punch of NVIDIA's Ion chipset and Intel's Atom 333 dual-core processor, but makes its mark by being the first EeeBox (and one of the first nettops) to come pre-loaded with Windows 7, which also means it's not shipping until the end of the month. Otherwise, you'll get the usual 2GB of RAM (expandable to 4GB) and 250GB hard drive, a built-in DVD burner, and an HDMI port to make it feel right at home in your home theater. No official pricing over here just yet, but it looks like this one will start at €399 (or about $580) when it hits Europe.

[Via Notebook Italia, thanks Magnus]

Filed under: Desktops

ASUS EeeBox EB1501 comes packing Windows 7, Atom 330 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keep up with the latest trends using Google Search

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~3/ljNeGBaiS-o/keep-up-with-latest-trends-using-google.html

Today, we're launching a new web search feature that will help you stay in touch with the latest trends on the web.

You might already be familiar with Hot Trends, which lists the fastest rising searches on the web at any given hour. Now, when you search Google.com and your query matches one of the top 100 fastest-rising search terms, we'll show you a graph at the bottom of page, with more information — like how popular the query is, how fast it's rising over time, and other useful data.

Below is a picture of what you'd find today if you searched for [reina capodici], who just wed American Idol star Justin Guarini. Or try another example: [gotthard base tunnel], which is set to become the longest tunnel in the world. (But make sure you search for these examples today — nothing stays hot for long.)

To coincide with this change, we've also reduced the number of trends listed on the Google Hot Trends homepage to 40 from 100. This feature, however, will show up for any query that matches the top 100. We hope this change will make for a simpler user experience, and help you focus better on the top, most interesting content.

This new feature is available in the U.S. and Japan. We hope it will help you keep up with everything there's to know about the latest trends online. No more being out of the loop at your office watercooler!

Posted by Aaron ! Wise, As sociate Product Manager and Hiroshi Kuraoka, Product Manager

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