Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Give Your Eee PC 900HA a Touchscreen [Touchscreen Eee]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/Ew-3cVz5D0g/give-your-eee-pc-900ha-a-touchscreen

As one of the few tablet lovers here, I'm going crazy waiting for the Eee tablet netbook. Maybe instead, I ought to just make my own out of Eee 900HA like these guys.

A member who claims to have "very little knowledge on computer things" managed to take about his 900HA and turn it into a touchscreen notebook. All you need is a screwdriver, some tape, a plastic card, a solderless touchscreen kit and some extra wires.

Pretty neat, if it works! A 900Ha is only $320-ish on Amazon and this method doesn't seem to add more than another $100 to the cost. Maybe if Asus hasn't released the T91 in the next month, it'll be time for me to get my screwdriver out. [Eee User Forum - Thanks Shoangore!]

Apple Tablet Described in Patent [Apple]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/lH02aU7lyWE/apple-tablet-described-in-patent

Hidden within the usual litany of claims in a patent awarded this January—titled "Display Housing for Computing Device", which covers their current portable displays—Apple describes a tablet display, with the display housing the computer device.

The patent describes several forms for these displays—most of them already in use in current Apple laptops—, and one of them describes the display as a "housing for a computer device", which includes the computer electronics within the display housing, sandwiched between front and back shells.

[0015]As a housing for a computer device, one embodiment of the invention includes: a front shell; a back shell coupled to said front shell to produce said housing, electrical components for the computer device being internal to said housing; and a foam stiffener provided internal to said housing to substantially fill unused space internal to said housing, thereby providing stiffness to said housing.

Like always, patents don't have to materialize into products, but it's always comforting to see Apple thinking about creating such a device. Or at least, contemplating the possibility and covering all bets in a patent. [USPTO via Electronic Pulp]

ClearCam for iPhone Stitches 2MP Photos Together Into 4MP Ones [IPhone Apps]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/z8JSIqGDDjg/clearcam-for-iphone-stitches-2mp-photos-together-into-4mp-ones

ClearCam is the latest iPhone app to go live on Cydia, home for the jailbreak apps, and turns your 2MP photos into 4MP ones by stitching 6 normal photos into one super photo.

Similar to the manner in which Gigapan created the 1474MP image of the inauguration, Occipital's ClearCam works its magic by creating a composite image using 6 iPhone photos taken in succession. This allows the photo to have the resolution of a 4MP image. And since the UI has infinite multitouch scale, you can zoom in as far as you want (a bit gimmicky, yes, but I did the zoom gesture 50 times, and it took 50 pinches to get the photo back to original resolution).

Essentially, you choose to snap a photo, then it runs off 6 of them into a directory. Then there's a two step process for enhancement. First you hit the button to align the photos, then you hit the button to enhance photos. It takes about 30-40 seconds in total.

Though the resolution is larger, it's worth noting that the image quality does not appear to increase substantially when viewed normally. Instead, the image—especially text—appears a little sharper and readable when zoomed in, and any obnoxious blur is eliminated for the most part. Files sizes are around 2x bigger than the normal image taken with the iPhone camera. Occipital says there's still room to improve as far as enhancement goes, but they need to work on keeping the file size low, first.

In addition to creating 4MP photos, you can also select quick capture mode, which fires off 6 images in 2.5 seconds, selects the best looking one, and discards the rest.

As for dec! iding to release in Cydia as opposed to the App Store, Occipital felt like the rapid shot mode would be rejected, and they didn't want to remove the feature from the app. So they've turned to the jailbreak community instead.

As mentioned earlier, ClearCam is available now through Cydia, and after a 15-day trial, the full version can be purchased for $15. [Occipital]

Extensible OLED Display Is the Stuff Dreams Are Made Of [Next-Gen Displays]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/_sBZ16K80Bs/extensible-oled-display-is-the-stuff-dreams-are-made-of

I would kill for something like this: An extensible OLED display that could be physically expanded to fit different aspect ratios. Bonus amazing detail, a mini-projector to display small images and icons on the desk:

I know that having an extensible display won't mean a thing for many people. If you can have a 30" 16:9 display, why have it adjusted to only 20" 4:3? Well, if you are as anal as I am, you will do it to watch Casablanca with no black letterbox side bands, for example. I can also imagine people adjusting the size for smaller workplaces, but maybe the most useful thing would be to sightly bend it to have an enveloping effect at its largest size.

Having a built-in, low-cost mini-projector to display icons over the desk is a touch of genius. I hate having the dock icons jumping or any other graphic overlay on my work screen, but visual alerts are necessary and useful. Having a simple mini-projector built in the display—to show simple alerts over the desk or the background wall—would be absolutely perfect. [Petit Invention via Oled Display]

Next-Generation iPhone 3G to Arrive on June, the Arabs Say [Rumor]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/P6tFIfIhM30/next+generation-iphone-3g-to-arrive-on-june-the-arabs-say

The iPhone 3G is finally arriving to Etisalat—the censoring dreadful cellphone provider in the United Arab Emirates—but the interesting part is that they are hinting at a June release for the next version:

The latest 3G model will become available on February 15 according to Dow Jones, and etisalat will be targeting private and business users. Both post-paid and prepaid subscribers will be able to use the product and voice, data and SMS services will be available. And the next version of the device, which is due out in June, will be launched in the UAE at the same time.

While the article doesn't specifically quote Mark Davis, Programme Director for iPhone at etisalat, on the June release, it seems like the piece of information may have been dropped by Davis himself, given that all the article seems to be based on an interview with him. June seems like a logical release time, but this is the first time that there's a mention of a new version coming around that date. [Business 24-7 via Shuffle-Gazine]

iPhone 4G Concept Is a MacBook In a Phone [Concept]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/xd-jeYOnGQw/iphone-4g-concept-is-a-macbook-in-a-phone

Oh. So. Pretty. It needs some small aesthetic fixes here and there, but boy I would like to see something along these lines coming from Apple. And I like the fantasy specs too.

(Click on the image for a 1,600-pixel version)

• Titanium and Glass.
• OLED screen
• 3G
• GPS
• Front camera for iChat
• Removable battery
• 3.2 Megapixel camera
• Video
• 32 GB

Square is the new round. [Thanks Kyle]

Toshiba TG01 May Be Best Windows Mobile Answer Yet to iPhone and Android Camps [Smartphone]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/jBdpN1PsA3U/toshiba-tg01-may-be-best-windows-mobile-answer-yet-to-iphone-and-android-camps

There may not be a Zune Phone, but coming from Toshiba—the Zune manufacturer—the new Windows Mobile 6-based TG01 smartphone is close enough. And with a 4.1-inch screen and being 9.9mm thick, it looks extremely good.

And for those who hate the Windows Mobile interface (guilty as charged), the new Toshiba TG01 has a revamped interface that, on the surface, looks pretty. According to Electric Pig, the new phone looks amazingly good, specially next to the iPhone and the BlackBerry Bold, making them look "tubby".

Head to Electric Pig for a large gallery with details and other angles. [Electric Pig]

Amazon Game Downloads Store Offers 'Try Before You Buy' Titles for $10 [Gaming]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/2u1DDTWOEDQ/amazon-game-downloads-store-offers-try-before-you-buy-titles-for-10

Amazon has long offered music and movies for download and/or streaming. And now they've stepped into the wild world of video game downloads.

Amazon Game Downloads, still technically in beta (though open to the public), currently offers 600 titles priced at $10 and less. For any title in the store, you can download the full version and play it for 30 minutes before deciding whether or not it's worth a purchase.

As of now, it's definitely intended to be a service for casual games, but obviously Amazon will expand their reach as the market dictates in the future.

Oh, and for those of you who like freebies, Jewel Quest II, The Scruffs, and Built-A-Lot are all available for free download this week only. Live it up. [Amazon via Kotaku]

BenQ has much love for all-in-ones in 2009, none left for handsets

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/02/benq-has-much-love-for-all-in-ones-in-2009-none-left-for-handse/

BenQ has much love for all-in-ones in 2009, none left for handsets

BenQ is one of those manufacturers that produces a lot of different electronics for a lot of different markets, but has apparently decided that 2009 is a good time to get a bit more focused. The camel-case company has no plans to announce or release any new handsets this year, instead focusing on a new line of all-in-one PCs dubbed nScreen, set to debut sometime after February. After that you can expect to see the usual selection of other gadgetry coming out this year including digital cameras, netbooks, LCDs, and whatever else people buy in the midst of global economic crises.

Filed under: Cellphones, Desktops

BenQ has much love for all-in-ones in 2009, none left for handsets originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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16GB Samsung Omnia shows itself, other Samsung rumors surface

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/02/16gb-samsung-omnia-shows-itself-other-samsung-rumors-surface/

We've already seen some Samsung rumors start to crop up in advance of Mobile World Congress, and it looks like the flood gates have now fully opened up, with a slew of new leaks and rumors of varying veracity now making their way across the internet. The most solid of those is the 16GB Samsung Omnia pictured above, which otherwise isn't too radically different from its current 8GB incarnation. That includes quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE and single-band UMTS/HSDPA connectivity, along with the usual 3.2-inch WQVGA touchscreen, a five megapixel camera with built-in flash, a secondary QCIF front camera, and the trifecta of built-in Bluetooth, WiFi, and GPS. In other pre-MWC news, the Dutch site GSM Helpdesk has reportedly confirmed that Samsung will indeed be introducing both a 12 megapixel and an 8 megapixel handset, the latter of which will supposedly be a successor to the Innov8 and run the Symbian S60 OS, while the 12 megapixel phone will apparently run Samsung's own OS. Lastly, but certainly not least, GSM Helpdesk is also reporting that Samsung will be announcing its very first Android phone within the next two weeks, which just so happens to line up nicely with MWC, although it unsurprisingly doesn't have any more details than that.

Filed under: Cellphones

16GB Samsung Omnia shows itself, other Samsung rumors surface originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Caption Contest: Sony Vaio P is escorted to Grand Central Station

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/02/caption-contest-sony-vaio-p-is-escorted-to-grand-central-statio/

Sony looks to drum up a little more buzz for its new ultraportable, the Vaio P, at Grand Central Station.

Paul: "There's a Vaio P configuration for every wig-adorned model in your life."
Josh T.: "She's so fine, there's no telling where the money went. Wait, no. It went to the VAIO P."
Nilay: "Alias has really gone downhill."
Joseph: "It's nice when replicants find honest work."
Laura: "You have no idea how expensive it is to make something look this cheap."
Donald: "Ok, now bring out the mimes."
Chris: "Don't just stand there, let's get to it, strike a pose, there's nothing to it... vogue."
Tim: "Seven blondes walk into a Sony Style ..."
Thomas: "Hey look, those mannequins are just as slow with the VAIO P as Vista!"
Ross: "And like that, Andrew McCarthy and Meshach Taylor knew just what to do to kick-start their careers."

Filed under: Laptops

Caption Contest: Sony Vaio P is escorted to Grand Central Station originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report claims 14.6 million netbooks shipped in 2008, further growth expected

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/02/report-claims-14-6-million-netbooks-shipped-in-2008-further-gro/

While any number of total netbooks shipped or sold is bound to be a little suspect, given that many folks can't even agree on what a netbook is, this latest report from research firm DisplayBank at least gives us a decent impression, and confirms what many likely thought. According to the report, the total netbook shipments for 2008 reached an impressive 14.6 million, with Acer and ASUS leading the way with a 37.3% and 33.2% market share, respectively, and HP a distant third with 7.5%. Those numbers, however, represent just 11% of total laptop sales, although DisplayBank sees that share increasing to 18.9% by 2012. As you might have guessed, to arrive at the number, the folks from DisplayBank also offered up their own definition of a netbook, which they describe as "as having similar functions as NotePC, supports networking and have retail price lower than US$650. Especially, products are narrowed with screen size of 7 - 10.2 inch and with Linux or Microsoft Windows operating system equipped." Yeah, that'll settle things.

[Via China Times]

Filed under: Laptops

Report claims 14.6 million netbooks shipped in 2008, further growth expected originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 15:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Silicon Mountain debuts Atom-based Allio Lite LCD TV-PC

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/02/silicon-mountain-debuts-atom-based-allio-lite-lcd-tv-pc/

It's just been a few months since Silicon Mountain rolled out its first Allio LCD TV-PCs, but it looks like the company has already found some room for expansion courtesy of everyone's favorite cost-reducing processor. While the TV portion of the 1080p 42-inch model and 720p 32-inch model each remain identical to their predecessors, the innards have taken on more of a netbook/nettop flavor, with each packing a dual-core Atom 330 processor, along with a 250GB hard drive, 2GB of RAM, and a DVD drive (no Blu-ray option, it seems), plus Windows Vista Home Premium for an OS. That, as you might expect, lowers the cost of entry a tad, with the 42-inch model now demanding $1,599 (the same as the full-featured 32-inch model), while the Atom-based 32-incher will run you $1,299.

Filed under: HDTV, Media PCs

Silicon Mountain debuts Atom-based Allio Lite LCD TV-PC originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nikon unveils eight new Coolpix cams

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/02/nikon-unveils-eight-new-coolpix-cams/

Nikon just dropped the refresh bomb on its Coolpix line, adding eight new point-and-shoots like the P90 here to the family. Here's the rundown:

Coolpix S230 and S220: 10 megapixels with a touchscreen that lets you write and draw on your photos. Both have four-way VR image stabilization, blink detection, and are available in several colors; the $229 S230 bumps the screen to three inches from the $149 S220's two and a half and adds ISO 2000 sensitivity.
Coolpix S630: 12 megapixels with a 7x optical zoom and an 11fps burst mode, a 2.7-inch LCD, four-way VR image stabilization, blink detection and ISO 6400 sensitivity. Available in five colors for $279.
S620: 12.2 megapixels with a 4x zoom, 0.7-second startup time, subject tracking, four-way VR image stabilization, blink / motion detection and ISO 6400 sensitivity. Also available in five colors for $269.
Coolpix P90: 12.1 megapixel zoomer with a 24x 26-624mm zoom and 15fps burst mode, 3-inch tilt screen, four-way VR image stabilization, blink / motion detection, distortion control and ISO 6400 sensitivity. $339 in March.
Coolpix L100: 10 megapixel with a 15x 28-420mm zoom and a 13fps burst mode, 3-inch screen and four-way VR image stabilization. Only comes in Bright Red for $279 in March.
Coolpix L20: 10 megapixels with a 3.6x zoom and a 3-inch display, motion detection and auto scene selection. AA-powered, will come in Deep Red for $129.
Coolpix L19: 8 megapixels with a 3.6 zoom and a 2.7-inch display, motion detection and auto scene selection. AA-powered, will come in Bright Silver for $109.

Not bad at all, but you've got to wonder why all these companies insist on cranking out so many minior variations on the same theme -- the average consumer has no chance of keeping up. Pictures of all the new shooters in the gallery.

Gallery: Nikon unveils eight new Coolpix cams

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Nikon unveils eight new Coolpix cams originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 23:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic Z1 plasmas bring WirelessHD to Japan first

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/03/panasonic-z1-plasmas-bring-wirelesshd-to-japan-first/

Interested in obtaining Panasonic's 1-inch thick first-with-WirelessHD Z1 series 1080p plasma -- before this summer? Hope you've got a good connect in Japan, because this baby is touching down April 20, complete with YouTube and 2.4GHz remote. Thanks to the slim 40,000:1 contrast ratio NeoPDP panel and ability to work without the usual assortment of cables it was born for stylish wall mounting in your appropriately adorned apartment as pictured above. Throw in half the power consumption of last year's PZ800 model and you've got a very attractive package. Checking in with ¥700,000 (about $7,835) 54-inch, ¥600,000 (about $6,715) 50-inch, and ¥550,000 ( about $6,156) 46-inch models our jealousy extends far across the Pacific, but until these get a U.S. ship date and pricetag, your closest look lies within our CES gallery.

[Via AV Watch]

Filed under: Displays, HDTV

Panasonic Z1 plasmas bring WirelessHD to Japan first originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 02:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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