Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Turtle Beach upgrades, iterates USB soundcard line, adds optical output for true 5.1 surround

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/turtle-beach-upgrades-iterates-usb-soundcard-line-adds-optical/

Turtle Beach upgrades, iterates USB soundcard line, adds optical output for true 5.1 surround

The USB soundcard race may not be the hottest, but it just got a little warmer just the same. Turtle Beach upgraded its Amigo and Micro external cards to be the -- wait for it -- Amigo II and Micro II. Both feature a new design that makes them larger than before but extends the device away from your laptop (or whatever you connect it to), giving a bit more flex room to connect your headphones or microphone. That's all you'll be connecting to the Amigo II, as it sports a pair of 3.5mm connectors: audio output and microphone input. The Micro II ditches the input, but adds S/PDIF digital optical output (via adapter) so you can get proper 5.1 out of your laptop. Both devices are said to be available soon for a very reasonable $24.95.

Continue reading Turtle Beach upgrades, iterates USB soundcard line, adds optical output for true 5.1 surround

Turtle Beach upgrades, iterates USB soundcard line, adds optical output for true 5.1 surround originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 03:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Iomega v.Clone turns your whole computer into a portable, bootable VMWare image

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/iomega-v-clone-turns-your-whole-computer-into-a-portable-bootab/

We're not used to thinking of Iomega as a software company, but with EMC -- the maker of VMWare -- in the background now, some sort of synergy was bound to happen. Iomega's new v.Clone software is the result, and it sounds pretty great. Basically it backs up your C: drive into a bootable, standalone app-wrapped VMWare image, which can run off of a compatible Iomega drive (new eGo and Prestige lines, for starters) on any other Windows computer. Any changes you make to your system in VM mode will then be synced back to your main machine when you return. We're guessing there will be some performance implications to the setup, and it'll take some using to know just how practical this might be, but it presents an intriguing opportunity for people to untether from their increasingly bulky, store everything desklaptops if it works -- and their friends don't mind them jacking in.

Iomega v.Clone turns your whole computer into a portable, bootable VMWare image originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 04:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Iomega ScreenPlay Director HD media player gets busy with CinemaNow

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/iomega-screenplay-director-hd-media-player-gets-busy-with-cinema/

Iomega's making a Full HD play for the living room at CES with the introduction of its new ScreenPlay Director device. The 1TB HD media player brings a bevy of TV connectivity options including HDMI composite video, component, and more. It's also DLNA- and DivX-certificated in addition to boasting H.264, WMV, AVCHD and MKV format support at 1080p. A trio of USB ports give you room for external capacity growth while baked in 10/100 Ethernet (or optional 802.11n USB WiFi Adapter) gets the pup online where you can rent or buy movies from CinemaNow or browse content on Flickr, YouTube, Shoutcast radio, and RSS feeds. ScreenPlay Director HD lists for $250 when it goes on sale, well, today if you order through Dell.

Iomega ScreenPlay Director HD media player gets busy with CinemaNow originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 05:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Netgear to stream Full HD anywhere in the home over 4x4 MIMO WiFi

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/netgear-to-stream-full-hd-anywhere-in-the-home-over-4x4-mimo-wif/

Hey Netgear, did you have a surprise for us at CES? Say the world's first 4x4 MIMO 802.11n WiFi HD Video bridge? Sorry, but Quantenna just revealed your partnership that promises to deliver Full HD video quality streams across distances of "100 feet or more, regardless of signal interferences and dead zones." According to the Quantenna press release, anyway. That's up to 5x the distance of existing wireless HD solutions thanks to Quantenna's 4x4 Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technology, adaptive transmit digital beamforming, and wireless channel monitoring and optimizing; a lot of scary sounding jargon that should allow the device to carry up to four streams of full HD video pretty much anywhere in the house with claimed "near-perfect transmission performance." While we don't have pics yet you can expect Netgear's baby to be sporting 4 antennas (like the Quantenna reference design pictured) when it's announced proper in the next few days.

Netgear to stream Full HD anywhere in the home over 4x4 MIMO WiFi originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 06:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eye-Fi announces 802.11n Eye-Fi Pro X2 memory card

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/eye-fi-announces-802-11n-eye-fi-pro-x2-memory-card/

Eye-Fi just busted out at CES with its next generation WiFi-enabled SD card, the Eye-Fi Pro X2. The big features of the new 8GB Class 6 SD card are 802.11n support and the Endless Memory mode, which automatically clears photos and videos as they're uploaded to your machine over WiFi, and there are also some new sharing options in the mix, as well as geotagging support. No word on a ship date, but it's up for pre-order on Amazon and other retailers now for $149. Eye-Fi is also launching its new Eye-Fi Center software, which should make managing media delivered from Eye-Fi cards a little simpler -- it'll be out later this month. Couple more images in the gallery, full PR after the break.

Gallery: Eye-Fi announces 802.11n Eye-Fi Pro X2 memory card

Continue reading Eye-Fi announces 802.11n Eye-Fi Pro X2 memory card

Eye-Fi announces 802.11n Eye-Fi Pro X2 memory card originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIZIO's 2010 XVT LCDs go up to 72-inches with 3D, LED, WiFi & WirelessHD

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/vizios-2010-xvt-lcds-go-up-to-72-inches-with-3d-led-wifi-and-wi/

Remember VIZIO's LED backlit 55-inch XVT LCD with WiFi and widgets that debuted for two grand last year and seemed like such a value? Great, now go ahead and forget it because the company's top of the line model in August will switch over to a monster 72-inch 480Hz LCD (above) with 3D, WirelessHD, VIZIO Internet Apps widget platform and Wireless-N for $3,499. If that's too big to fit your budget (or in our case, tiny shoebox apartment) there will also be 55- and 47-inch versions available, with all the same features plus a new antireflective panel for those of you who like to keep the lights on during, they'll cost $2,499 and $1,999, respectively. These 3D displays feature SENSIO technology and Bluetooth-synchronized active shutter LCD glasses from XpanD, while a VIZIO XVT Pro Wireless HDMI Adapter is available separately with 4 HDMI inputs to blast HD signals across the room on the 60Ghz band. Cinema enthusiasts also have something to look forward to, check the gallery below for shots of the 58-inch ultrawidescreen 21:9 aspect ratio XVTPRO580CD, no word on a ship date or price but when it appears later this year you can kiss black bars during movies goodbye. We're sure we'll see more models from VIZIO before CES is out for the smaller, less 3D friendly homes, but right now it doesn't look like the company plans on giving up its LCD sales crown anytime soon -- these combinations of features and pricing may prove very difficult to say no to. PR with other details is after the break.

Gallery: VIZIO XVT LCDs for 2010

Continue reading VIZIO's 2010 XVT LCDs go up to 72-inches with 3D, LED, WiFi & WirelessHD

VIZIO's 2010 XVT LCDs go up to 72-inches with 3D, LED, WiFi & WirelessHD originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung flirts coyly with 7-inch AMOLED Digital Photo Frame

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/samsung-flirts-coyly-with-7-inch-amoled-digital-photo-frame/

We know exactly what you were thinking when you first heard the news that Kodak was selling its OLED business to LG: 1) wait, Kodak had an OLED business, and b) who the hell will I buy my $1,000 OLED digital photo frame from now? The latter part of this conundrum has just been answered by Samsung who will unveil its 700Z Digital Photo Frame here at CES. Sammy's offering boasts a 7-inch AMOLED display, 4GB of internal memory, Bluetooth with video support. Unfortunately, the frame's million-to-1 contrast ratio isn't enough to distract this product model from her dreams of beauty pageant stardom.

Samsung flirts coyly with 7-inch AMOLED Digital Photo Frame originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Omnivision illuminates the dark side with new 14.6 megapixel CMOS sensor

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/omnivision-illuminates-the-dark-side-with-new-14-6-megapixel-cmo/

Look, we know that a sensor announcement falls on the dull side of magical, but without them there wouldn't be any new cameras now would there? So listen in when we tell you about the 14.6 megapixel CMOS sensor from OmniVision capable of shooting stills or 1080p video at 60 fps (with some pixel binning). The 1/2.33-inch OV14810 sensor features an active array of 4,416 x 3,312 backside illuminated pixels capable of 15fps at full resolution. Omnivision is also sampling its new OV14825 for mobile applications. Both should start appearing in still / video cams and mobile phones shortly after they hit mass production in Q2 of the year twenty-ten.

Omnivision illuminates the dark side with new 14.6 megapixel CMOS sensor originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo University's touchless pointing system could wipe out smudgy screens

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/tokyo-universitys-touchless-pointing-system-could-wipe-out-smud/

Tokyo University's touchless pointing system could wipe out smudgy screens

Touchscreens are wondrous things, but nobody likes smudges, and attempts to magically prevent oil from sticking haven't always found success. The proper solution might not be in fancy screen coatings but rather in removing the touchability together. Tokyo University has developed a system that uses a high-res camera to identify where a finger is in 3D space, so moving around and even air-clicking is detected. Multitouch seems to be right out at this point, and while the video after the break shows some rather deft looking typing on a dinky virtual keyboard, we're not entirely convinced that this is the most enjoyable or ergonomic way to interact with a cellphone. That said, if it makes the compulsive anti-smudge pantleg swipe motion a thing of the past, we'd give it a shot.

Continue reading Tokyo University's touchless pointing system could wipe out smudgy screens

Tokyo University's touchless pointing system could wipe out smudgy screens originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monday, January 04, 2010

I Daresayâ¦ SNAP!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/yankodesign/~3/fv7ZceHA0lA/

No foolies, this concept vehicle right here is called the “SNAP.” This is the first time I’ve seen a transport vehicle that not only offers single-person transportation, but also a multi-singular long-range option. What I mean is this is basically a three-wheel single passenger vehicle until it’s time to get on the train. Each SNAP vehicle is able to simply connect to the main SNAP train, one next to the other, offering private mass transit with ease!

And once you’re on that train, you can open your door and talk to your fellow SNAP pilot along the way to your train’d location. Or keep it closed. Eat your sandwich in there in peace, probably.

What’s more? The SNAP singular vehicle option is similar to a two-wheel motorbike, shelling out tight turns like they were french fries. Adjustable track width back wheels for stability, giant front wheel for ease in leaning. Moveable chassis allow for connection to the locamotive. The train travels with multiple SNAPS at a time for a slightly more gas-friendly and environmental option.

SNAP races are a definite must when these fabulous machines come to fruition. I say so.

Designer: Vít Bechynský

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SNAP concept vehicle by Vít Bechynský

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House Completely Made Out of Glass Is Perfect for Exhibitionists [Architecture]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/Lw3i7glzBGI/house-completely-made-out-of-glass-is-perfect-for-exhibitionists

I would like to live in this glass house, a place in the middle of the woods that even has glass-based furniture. Why? I just want to walk around naked all day. Like I do now, but better.

Sadly, it's just a concept based on a furniture line by Santambrogiomilano. The furniture is real, however. Thinking twice, it would be too much like living under the glass stair of an Apple Store. I still prefer Cameron's house from Ferris Bueller. [Santambrogiomilano via Apartment Therapy]

Your Next Cellphone Might Have a 14.6MP Sensor and Shoot 1080p Video [Cameras]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/iKo8qn7rXRE/your-next-cellphone-might-have-a-146mp-sensor-and-shoot-1080p-video

OmniVision has made a new 14.6MB image sensor specifically for cellphones which will give them the ability to shoot 1080p video at a breezy 60 frames-per-second. Considering that we're talking about cellphones here, that's quite a nice upgrade.

The OV14825 image sensor is designed to go easy on power consumption and will hopefully enter mass production in the second quarter of this year. There's no word on when we'll start seeing it in cellphones, but I'm hoping it's before I buy my next one, even if it's uncertain whether phones hitting the market in the near future will be able to process all that data from the sensor.

Ah well, there's at least always the novelty of saying that it's a 14.6MP phone. [Mobile Burn]

Android Taking Wind Out Of iPhone's Sails [Data]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/cfCxtrNpvTM/android-taking-wind-out-of-iphones-sails

Just in time for Google to unveil its own Nexus One smartphone, ChangeWave Research reports the public is more excited than ever to buy an Android based handset — at the expense of Apple, Microsoft, and Palm.

ChangeWave surveyed 4,068 consumers in the first weeks of December and found that 21% of people looking to buy a smartphone in the next 90 days want to buy one running on Android. That's up from 6% when ChangeWave asked people in September.

Considering Verizon is spending tens of millions marketing the Droid, this shouldn't come as a shock. Google is a popular brand unto itself, so it makes sense that people are excited about its smartphones.

Apple remains the smartphone of choice for now, with 28% of the people saying they will buy an iPhone. The BlackBerry falls to third place with 18% — but interest in BlackBerry devices actually perked up. Meanwhile, Palm needs big help.

Lenovo IdeaPad U1 Hybrid: laptop by day, unhinged tablet by night

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/04/lenovo-ideapad-u1-hybrid-laptop-by-day-unhinged-tablet-by-nigh/

We are still trying to wrap our heads around what Lenovo's just announced here, but it appears that the 3.8-pound IdeaPad U1 Hybrid is a 11.6-inch laptop with a retractable multitouch screen. It's sort of like the Always Innovating Touchbook, but in our opinion a lot more interesting. When the screen is locked into its upright position in the laptop's chassis, it's powered by a CULV Intel Core 2 Duo processor and runs Windows 7 Home Premium. But when the screen is pulled from its shell it morphs into a Qualcomm Snapdragon powered-multitouch slate with a 16GB SSD that boots Lenovo's customized Skylight Linux interface. Two processors and two operating systems? Hybrid is right. It seems like we'll have to wait until June to buy the $999 device, but we've been promised a look at it in Vegas so stay tuned.

Lenovo IdeaPad U1 Hybrid: laptop by day, unhinged tablet by night originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Syabas' Popbox: Get Ready for the New Media Streamer Champ [Hdmediaplayers]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/6CI-zd0pwLg/syabas-popbox-get-ready-for-the-new-media-streamer-champ

Take Syabas' Popcorn Hour C-200, the much-loved streamer of choice for AV nerds. Now make it smaller, add Netflix support and a far superior interface, and cut the price from $300 to $130. That's the Popbox.

The Popbox isn't a replacement of the Popcorn Hour, which remains on as a giant hackable tank of a machine, but it does look fully ready for mainstream adoption. Here's why: Syabas expects to slash the price down to a mere $130, yet it keeps the Popcorn's stellar codec support and a lot of the online channels the Popcorn was missing, like Netflix, Facebook, Twitter, MLB, and a whole bunch more. (It does lose some things, like the internal hard drive bay and Bittorrent support, but it's still all open-source so you can install games, apps, or whatever fun stuff the homebrew community can think up). Plus, Syabas's interface (which Wilson, in his streamer roundup, described as "lame") has been totally revamped, and actually looks, well, kind of awesome. It's got great little touches like animated weather and automatic IMDb and AllMusic lookup for movie, TV and music info.

The hardware's been significantly revamped, too—it's much smaller than the admitted beast that is the Popcorn Hour, and it's fanless (AKA silent), but it'll still pump out full 1080p video over HDMI. It's also got 2 USB ports and an SD slot for added storage, since you lose the hard drive bay the Popcorn Hour has. It remains to be seen whether Syabas has fixed the problems users found with the Popcorn Hour's remote control, but we'll find that out soon enough.

It's set to be unveiled on January 5th at CES, where we'll stop in and get some photos and impressions&mdas! h;but I' m really excited for it already. We'll find out release date there, but they seem locked in on the $130 price point, which is super reasonable—Roku, Asus and the rest should be very scared right now. [Syabas]

Update: Due to a typo in my notes, you may have seen an early version of this story as saying the projected price will be $100. Syabas actually expects the final price to be $130, and I need to practice my typing. Sorry for the confusion.

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