Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Friday, September 26, 2008

OpenPeak gets official with Atom-based OpenFrame IP "media phone"

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/402120846/

Filed under: Household

OpenPeak was showing off an Atom-based version of its OpenFrame touchscreen / phone combo at IDF last month, but it's only just now gotten fully official with it and, naturally, it's taken the opportunity to dish out some new, prettied-up pictures. Not much looks to have changed with the device itself in the past month or so though, with it still promising to "simplify everyday family and media interactions" and, just as importantly for OpenFrame, "drive new revenues for service providers" -- it'll handle phone calls, too. Unfortunately, while OpenFrame is still saying we can expect to see the first devices based on the platform early next year, it's apparently not yet ready (or able) to announce exactly who those OEM partners might be.

[Via HotHardware]

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Hasselblad bringing 60-megapixel H3DII-60 in April 2009

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/402186603/

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Hasselblad's doing a fine job of pimping its mildly fresh 50-megapixel H3DII-50 at Photokina 2008, but being that we're hardly ever satisfied with the here and now, we've latched onto a few juicy tidbits flowing from the lips of CEO Christian Poulsen. Reportedly, the exec made clear at the show that a 60-megapixel version of the camera (H3DII-60) would be made available in April of 2009, and while it would demand a £4,000 ($7,393) premium over the £14,750 ($27,261) H3DII-50, that increase would pay for a sensor that provides 94% full-frame coverage. It's okay, your D40 is still bombastic in its own right.

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T-Mobile G1 impressions: what we love, what we don't

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/402212475/

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

T-Mobile, HTC and Google stood hand in hand yesterday to debut the first Android phone, the T-Mobile G1. It felt a bit like a new era for the mobile industry -- though the rollerblading seemed a tad out of place -- with high-profile companies backing a Linux-based, touch-driven mobile OS, and spouting the word "open" every two sentences. But, naturally, high aims alone don't build a killer phone; there are a lot details to get right, and a lot more that Google and company have seen fit to leave in the hands of developers. Let's take a look at what's working so far, and what might need some more time in the oven:

Continue reading T-Mobile G1 impressions: what we love, what we don't

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Canon EOS 40D owner hacks camera, records silent movie

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/402217982/

Filed under: Digital Cameras

This enterprising EOS 40D owner wants a DSLR that records video, too -- and he's taking action. This hack uses CHDK -- the free firmware enhancement for Canon PowerShot cameras -- and LiveView to capture video to the camera's CF Card. There are still a few issues: LiveView shuts down after a period of inactivity, video can't be transfered via USB, and unlike your $79 consumer grade camera, the EOS 40D won't record audio. But what's a little challenge in the face of a good camera mod? There's no word on file format, frame rate or resolution (though the camera's display weighs in at 320 x 240), but there are lots of other juicy details available once you hit the read link. And be sure to catch the video after the break.

[Via Hack A Day]

Continue reading Canon EOS 40D owner hacks camera, records silent movie

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Motorola shows off femtocell-in-a-digiframe concept

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/402263377/

Filed under: Cellphones, Desktops, Displays, Wireless

After personally trying out Sprint's AIRAVE, we're confident that femtocells have a place in this world. Thankfully, Motorola's already trying to make them less of an eyesore by integrating a CDMA femtocell into something we wouldn't mind showing off in the den: an inconspicuous digital photo frame. The "3-in-1" concept also includes a VoIP soft phone that would theoretically enable calls to be made right from the frame. Of course, Moto's not handing out any sort of release time frame, but let us be the first to say that this thing needs to hit store shelves on the double -- just make sure it's not carrier specific, and toss in a GSM version while you're at it, okay Moto? Check out the demonstration vid after the break.

[Thanks, Dave]

Continue reading Motorola shows off femtocell-in-a-digiframe concept

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ASUS takes Eee PC 901 for an HSUPA data ride

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/402498902/

Filed under: Laptops

If you like the Eee PC 901 then you're going to love this. ASUS just announced an integrated HSUPA option for its 8.9-inch netbook. When coupled with that 7.5-hour (rated) 6-cell battery you'll have ample time to try and locate a carrier "in many destinations around the world" capable of delivering 7.2Mbps down and 2Mbps up -- ASUS doesn't say but we're sure it'll step down to older WWAN coverage as required. Available in October (just missing the September launch rumor) for an undisclosed price on undisclosed frequencies.

[Thanks, Michael A,]

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Iron Is Google Chrome for the Tinfoil Hat Crowd [Featured Windows Download]

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/402110416/iron-is-google-chrome-for-the-tinfoil-hat-crowd

Windows only: Free application Iron is a slightly modified version of the Chromium source of Google Chrome that removes components of Chrome that report your usage habits to Google. In practice, that means it removes your unique user ID, doesn't send user-specific info to Google, skips crash reporting, and doesn't check with Google for updates. Some features—like crash reporting and update checks—are built into most browsers anyway, but if you're already squeamish with the amount of your information Google already has on its servers, the extra layer of privacy Iron offers might be up your alley. The download site and installer are in German (here's a translation), but the app runs in English.

Iron [via Download Squad]

Dealzmodo: Eye-Fi Home for $60 [Deals]

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/401906217/dealzmodo-eye+fi-home-for-60

When the Eye-Fi hit last year, we loved it, but the price was $100. Now as Eye-Fi has complicated their line a bit, prices are coming down in a major way. The Eye-Fi Home (which allows you to upload your digital camera shots to your PC over your home network) is going for just $60. The price reduction may be permanent, as it's available at a few different vendors, but our link scores you free shipping, too. [Buydig via CNET]

Lightning Review: The Wicked Lasers Torch Flashlight Can Burn Paper [Review]

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/402345538/lightning-review-the-wicked-lasers-torch-flashlight-can-burn-paper

The Gadget: The Torch flashlight from Wicked Lasers is currently being reviewed by Guinness as the world's most powerful flashlight. At 4100 lumens, the Torch can easily start fires and even fry eggs.

The Price: $300

The Verdict: Simply put, the Torch flashlight is like carrying around a floodlight in your hand. It is easily the most powerful and semi-frightening flashlight I have ever seen. However, let's not kid ourselves into thinking that this a practical device. The only reason anyone should ever buy the Torch is to impress other nerds.

Last month I reviewed the 160 lumens Duracell Daylite and found it to be a good choice for anyone looking for a powerful, practical flashlight. It's not a fair comparison by any means, but analyzing the results from that test against the Torch gives you a good idea of how bright this thing really is.

In order to illustrate its power, Wicked Lasers has released several videos showing the Torch burning paper, lighting matches and frying eggs. These claims are true—as you can see from my own test illustrated in the video above. But the heat this thing gives off is not all fun and games for pyromaniacs. It also severely limits the usability of the flashlight. After a few minutes of use, the Torch becomes too hot to hold in yo! ur hand. According to the user's manual, it should only be used in 3 minute intervals with at least 2 minutes of "rest" in between.

As you might have guessed, the battery life for the Torch is almost nil. I'm not sure what the exact figures are, but I doubt that you could get more than 10 minutes of continuous use out of a full-power 30-minute charge. And, to be quite honest, the scary charging unit above is fairly unreliable. I found myself frequently resetting the magnets because it registered a full charge prematurely.

Obviously, I can't recommend something this expensive, impractical and, quite frankly, dangerous—but if you are willing to drop $300 on a gadget that will impress your friends for a minute or two, the Torch will definitely get the job done. [Wicked Lasers]

T-Mobile Removes 1GB 3G Data Cap for G1 Android Phone [T-mobile G1]

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/402239896/t+mobile-removes-1gb-3g-data-cap-for-g1-android-phone

T-Mobile's just rolled back on their 1GB usage cap on their 3G plans for upcoming G1 Android customers, instead going to a hold-up-while-we-figure-this-out route. The statement they give now states that they can reduce throughput for "a small fraction" of users who are using too much data, but exact terms and limits are still being reviewed before they're finalized. Statement after the jump.

Our goal, when the T-Mobile G1 becomes available in October, is to provide affordable, high-speed data service allowing customers to experience the full data capabilities of the device and our 3G network. At the same time, we have a responsibility to provide the best network experience for all of our customers so we reserve the right to temporarily reduce data throughput for a small fraction of our customers who have excessive or disproportionate usage that interferes with our network performance or our ability to provide quality service to all of our customers.

We removed the 1GB soft limit from our policy statement, and we are confident that T-Mobile G1 customers will enjoy the high speed of data access over our 3G network. The specific terms for our new data plans are still being reviewed and once they are final we will be certain to share this broadly with current customers and potential new customers.

HappyWakeUp S60 Alarm App Uses Your Phone's Microphone to Decide When to Wake You [Cellphones]

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/402321521/happywakeup-s60-alarm-app-uses-your-phones-microphone-to-decide-when-to-wake-you

HappyWakeUp is a new cellphone alarm app developed for S60 (the other open platform) that only wakes you when it knows you're in a light sleep cycle. How does it know? Well, Computerworld says HappyWakeUp actually uses the microphone from your phone to statistically analyze your sleep habits based on noises you make, and when placed under your pillow, it determines what phase of sleep you're in.

HappyWakeUp runs through your normal alarm clock and won't delay the alarm any later than you have it set for. Rather, it's meant to wake you if you're in a lighter state of sleep 20-30 minutes before your wake up time, and could actually make getting up easier. [HappyWakeUp via Computerworld via Raw Feed via Wired]

Hitachi makes like Toshiba and touts "super resolution technology"

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/402823320/

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

We actually had to dust off our spectacles to make sure this wasn't some sort of misunderstanding, but clearly, Hitachi is pulling a Toshiba. Generally, we wouldn't make such a claim, but given that Tosh also calls its wizard-like upconverting technology Super Resolution, we'd say the likeness requires such a comparison. Reportedly, Hitachi has been toiling day and night on its own "super resolution technology," which will theoretically take SD images and scale them to near-1080p. Amazingly, we're told that it can also "convert HDTV images, such as digital terrestrial broadcasts, into images with even higher (what, SHV?) definition." The tech is executed on a frame-by-frame basis and should be exhibited at the upcoming CEATEC trade show in Japan; as for a release, Hitachi's currently aiming to get this into LCDs and plasmas "after 2010."

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Dell's tiny M109S pocket projector gets hands-on treatment

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/402856245/

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment

It's one thing to hear 3.46- x 4.12- x 1.46-inches. It's another thing to see how giant someone's hand looks beside Dell's absolutely minuscule M109S pocket projector. Based on a hands-on session with a near-final prototype of the pico-PJ, the cats over at Popular Mechanics were mighty impressed with what they saw. They noted that "colors were a little more washed-out than a top-end home theater projector," but given the size and the manageable $499 price tag, it still managed to wow. Peep the in-action video in the read link.

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Art Lebedev's Scartel WiMax handset concept: we're moving to Russia

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/402879826/

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Never one to settle, Art Lebedev's design shop is trying its hand at handset design, and we like the looks of it. Art is teaming up with Scartel, a Russian carrier which just launched a WiMax network in Moscow and St. Petersburg, for a flagship handset of sorts, and has left no spec unturned -- at least in the wishful-thinking conceptual stage. In addition to a WiMax radio, the device has WiFi, tri-band GSM, microSD, dual cameras, 3.5mm audio, an A/V plug and a gargantuan 850 x 480 screen. There are minimal buttons at the base: a five-way joystick and call / end, and no keypad, so we're going to assume that we're looking at a touchscreen device. Now all that's left is to pick an OS -- would Android be too much to ask? Another shot is after the fold.

[Via Pocket-lint]

Continue reading Art Lebedev's Scartel WiMax handset concept: we're moving to Russia

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Olympus confirms micro Four Thirds cams coming in the next year

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/402890348/

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Panasonic might be the first to ship its new micro Four Thirds G1, but Olympus definitely stole the hotness crown with that retro concept cam, and the company just confirmed that it'll join the ranks of the shipping -- Olympus European marketing director Miquel Angel Garcia told Pocket-lint that we should expect a camera similar to the prototype within the next 12 months. According to Garcia, micro Four Thirds is "about design and style, not about a smaller black box" -- take that, Panny. Hopefully this means we'll be seeing the DSLR-sized micro Four Thirds sensor shake up the fashion cam market, but we'll see what Olympus has in store -- the sooner the better, guys.

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