Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Dell debuts Studio Hybrid line of "petite" desktop PCs

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/349071506/

Filed under: Desktops

Like most product from Dell these days, there's little surprise left in Dell's Studio Hybrid desktop lineup of eco-friendly little PCs. First unveiled as a bamboo-clad concept in April, the computer is finally being released by the hardware giant with a starting price of $499, with interchangeable sleeves of Bamboo, Emerald, Quartz, Ruby, Sapphire, Slate and Topaz -- the latter six being of the shiny plastic ilk. Dell isn't slouching on specs though, and seems to realize the potential of the Studio Hybrid -- which can be stood vertically or horizontally -- in the living room. There's an HDMI port standard, along with options for WiFi, a wireless keyboard and mouse, Blu-ray and a TV tuner. Dell doesn't ignore the "green" roots of this project, either, and is including a system recycling kit, along with the natural reduction in packing and manufacturing materials. The Studio Hybrid should be available today.

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Dell debuts Studio Hybrid line of "petite" desktop PCs

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/349071506/

Filed under: Desktops

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Dell's new Inspiron 13 and Inspiron 518 are after your back to school dollar

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/349080645/

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Dell has never failed to provide compelling reasons -- particularly pricetags -- for students and / or their cash-strapped parents to pick up a Dell desktop or laptop on the way back to school. This year seems no exception, with Dell adding some special Inspiron configurations to its already beefy budget lineups. The Inspiron 13 laptop (pictured) is pretty much laptop 101, with a 13-inch screen, 8-in-1 media card reader and slot-loading DVD drive in the base model -- you'll have to fork over extra for WiFi, a webcam or Bluetooth. Wal-mart will be carrying a $699 version starting August 3rd, with full configuration coming to Dell.com later that month. The Inspiron 518 desktop (after the break) is similarly straightforward, with DirectX 10 integrated graphics, gigabit Ethernet and a pair of easy-access USB ports on top of the case, in addition to options for a 500GB hard drive and quad core processors. The starting price is $349, and the systems should be available today.

Continue reading Dell's new Inspiron 13 and Inspiron 518 are after your back to school dollar

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Microsoft multi-touch Sphere surfaces in Redmond

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/349127682/

Filed under: Displays

There it is, right on cue Microsoft's Surface has gone spherical over at Microsoft Research. Rumored since March, the prototype relies upon an infrared system to detect hands, fingers, and objects as well as an internal (not external like Surface) projection system developed by Global Imagination (and customized by Microsoft) to deliver its multi-touch UI. At the moment, Microsoft is demonstrating photo manipulation, a spinning globe, 360-degree video, and a simple Pong-like game, the latter giving us a taste of future gaming possibilities. Sphere is expected to make its first public appearance Tuesday at Microsoft's Faculty Summit in Redmond. Ultimately, it will appear in public spaces like lobbies as part of a larger ecosystem of Surface gear. The prototype UI looks a bit jumpy compared to its tabletop cousin -- hit the read link to see for yourself.

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iriver's touchscreen Spinn gets priced for pre-order

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/349162394/

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

You read that title correctly, iriver's Spinn is apparently touchscreen (not D-Click as mentioned in the FCC leaked user manual) and features haptic feedback to boot. Now that it's officially spec'd on iriver's Korean site, we're also seeing a slightly degraded audio lifespan of 24-hours (not 27) and the apparent removal of the mini SD slot -- it's no longer mentioned in the specs and we don't see a suitable slot on any of the pictures. Otherwise, it's the same sleek slab of 10.7-mm thick metal and plastic sporting a 3.3-inch, 480 x 272 pixel AMOLED display, T-DMB TV, Bluetooth, and new analog SPINN Wheel we've seen kicking around since CES. Currently on pre-order for South Korea with the 4GB model fetching 259,000KRW (about $259) or 8GB for 299,000KRW (about $299). That's right, it maxes out with just 8GB of flash. Check the gallery while we all anxiously await iriver's international launch plans including the rumored August UK release.

Gallery: iriver's touchscreen Spinn gets priced for pre-order

[Via DAP Review, thanks Al]

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Leaked Eee PC roadmap shows 23 models, redefines brand dilution

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/349276240/

Filed under: Laptops

Engadget Chinese received the slide image above showing ASUS' Eee PC roadmap. Go ahead count 'em up, we'll wait... Right, 23 Eee PCs before they're done, some of which we've already seen. The "extreme slim and light" S101 and S91 models, however, are new and tantalizing Eee PC "Ultimate" series additions and should compete nicely with the Dell E Slim. Really though, 23 models ASUS? Guess we shouldn't be surprised, after all, this is the same company that offers more than 50 models (not just configurations) of laptops.

Read -- Engadget Chinese
Read -- ASUS Notebook list

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Matsushita sets goals for itself: 40-inch OLED TV by 2011

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/349371198/

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

A bit earlier this year we heard that Panasonic (Matsushita's red-headed stepchild) was vying for a little recognition in the OLED TV game, but outside of that, details were scarce. Now, however, we're being told that the outfit is planning to start selling 40-inch OEL (organic electroluminescent, better known as OLED 'round these parts) televisions "as early as 2011." Reportedly, it will be investing "several billion yen" to construct a prototype production line for OEL panels "20-inches and larger" that will go into service next spring. We'd be pretty stoked if the final product were within sight, but make sure to ring us early on next decade to make sure we haven't completely forgotten about this here promise.

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Dell slots in 24-inch widescreen S2409W LCD monitor

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/349392494/

Filed under: Displays

Just over a month after Dell added in a new 27-incher to its (admittedly unwieldy) LCD monitor family, along comes a sibling with a few less pixels and a much smaller price tag. The 24-inch widescreen S2409W checks in with a 1,920 x 1,080 panel, 300 cd/m2 brightness, 5-millisecond response time, 1,000:1 contrast ratio, VGA / DVI / HDMI sockets, and 160- / 170-degree viewing angles. The best part(s)? It's available for just $379, and it's shipping within one to two days. Hooray!

[Via Electronista]

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Monday, July 28, 2008

Amazon Watcher Auto-Orders Items When They're In-Stock [Shopping]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/347513116/amazon-watcher-auto+orders-items-when-theyre-in+stock

Windows/Mac OS X: Amazon Watcher isn't the first gadget that can monitor Amazon items for price drops and availability, but it is the rare tool that can automatically buy your rare gear for you. Once you add your account information (and assuming you have payment methods stored on that account), you're set to have Amazon Watcher buy x units of whatever you're hunting, but it can also pop up the order page or email you, if you're less jumpy. Having all your must-grab items constantly ready for purchase can probably break strong wills, however, so, luckily, this app can reduce to the system tray. Amazon Watcher is a free download for Windows or Mac OS X systems.