Tech Gadgets Reviews

by Paul Miller, posted Oct 17th 2008 at 1:50PM

CTL’s sticking with the “2go” branding for its next-gen Classmate PC, but it’s not hard to spot the difference: it’s a convertible tablet. We’ve seen hands-on shots of the Intel concept a couple times before, but now CTL’s starting firm up some details for its own OEM version, and even sent along a few new live shots of the device for our enjoyment. The specs are unsurprising for a netbook-style device (we suppose the proper term is “netvertible” now, yes?) with a 1.6GHz Atom 270 processor, 1GB of RAM, 60GB HDD and 802.11b/g/n WiFi, but the departure is in the tablet functionality. The 8.9-inch, 1024 x 600 screen handles stylus and finger input, swivels flat for slate usage, and has an accelerometer for orienting the screen and potentially other (read: games) usage. The webcam swivels from back to front as well. CTL’s hoping to have an XP Pro version of the laptop available, but if Microsoft has its way we’ll probably be looking at a Vista Home SKU at retail (CTL’s existing Classmate PC sells at Costco and Amazon.com), in addition to a Linux version for more direct sales.

Gallery: CTL’s 2go Classmate PC netvertible due in January for under $500

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Filed under: Tablet PCs

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 17th 2008 at 11:31AM

Nearly two full years after DViCO introduced its TiVX 5010-P HDTV recorder, along comes a new duo in the line to finally up the ante. But it’s not the infantile TViX R-2230 ($399; pictured) that we’re really interested in — though it can play back ripped VOB / ISO files. Rather, it’s the $599 TViX-HD 6500, which also includes support for playing back Blu-ray backups via HDMI. We’ll spare you the legal spill, but for those too frightened to potentially scratch their precious Blu-ray Discs, this looks to be the unit for you. So far as specs go, you’ll find HDMI 1.3, component, S-Video and composite jacks, support for a smorgasbord of file formats, a USB port for loading up media from flash drives / external HDDs and an optional digital TV tuner to boot. Why do we get the feeling both of these things will be next to impossible to locate in the US?

[Thanks, Geller]

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Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 17th 2008 at 10:48AM

One day, not too far off in the distant future, we have a dream that all 3D displays will be able to engross us in the third-dimension sans goggles. That these no-glasses-required 3D displays will be the rule, and not the exception. Till that fateful day arrives, however, we’re still going to be impressed with ones similar to NEC’s latest, a 12.1-incher with an SVGA (800 x 600) resolution. Reportedly, the outfit has developed the prototype screen to show off 3D material without requiring the viewer to ugly up their face with a set of those wonky glasses. There’s no sign of a commercial release just yet, but we’ll be keeping our naked eyes peeled just in case that changes.

[Via Tech-On]

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Filed under: Displays

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Oct 18th 2008 at 1:26PM

According to the UK’s Telegraph, mobile phones are responsible for yet another one of the great terrors of the 21st century: dermatitis. Apparently, “skin specialists” have discovered that certain metals used in cellphones are causing some users to suffer inflamed, reddened, dry, blistered, and cracked skin. Sounds awesome, right? It seems that about a third of heavy talkers are sensitive to nickel — a substance commonly found in gadgets — which can become irritating after repeated exposure. Says Brown University’s Dr. Lionel Bercovitch, “Given the widespread use of cellphones, the presence of metal in the exterior casing of these phones and the high prevalence of nickel sensitization in the population, it is not surprising that cellphones can cause allergic contact dermatitis.” There’s probably little you can do to out-and-out escape the problem, so we suggest full face mask whenever a call needs to be made — also, for dinner parties.

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Filed under: Cellphones

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 17th 2008 at 10:26AM

So it seems Nikon had a press preview all setup for October 22nd, reportedly to discuss the forthcoming MX format. We’re not precisely sure if this ties directly in with that mysterious ad we saw at the front end of this month or not, but either way, it looks like the world will be waiting to find out. Reportedly, the new date for the conference will be on or around November 20th in Denmark, but we’d even take that with a hint of salt for the time being. In all seriousness, it’s like Nikon is stuck in a perpetual warp tunnel of rumors, so don’t be shocked to hear something else totally juicy between now and then.

[Via Electronista]

Read - Original plans
Read - Delay notice

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

Toshiba launched their new Dynabook Satellite PXW Series in Japan. Two models are available, the PXW/55GW and PXW/57GW.The PXW/55GW comes with a 15.4-Inch LCD screen with WXGA resolution (1280×800), an Intel Celeron 575 (2GHz), an Intel GL40 Express chipset, 2GB of memory (up to 4GB), 160GB of HDD, and DVD Super Multi Drive.It costs around 800€.

The PXW/57GW features a 15.4-Inch Super View LCD screen with WXGA resolution (1280×800), an Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 (2.26GHz), 2 GB of memory (up to 4GB), 160GB of HDD, a DVD Super Multi Drive.

930€.

Both feature Wi-Fi b/g/n, multi-card reader, and three USB ports.
[Source]

by Donald Melanson, posted Oct 17th 2008 at 4:07PM

A few Samsung laptops have managed to make it over here in the past under the guise of other manufacturers, but it looks like the company’s new Q310 model here is now officially the first bearing the company’s name to show up at a US retailer actually ready to ship, and, as we had heard, only the first of more to come. There’s actually two versions of this particular model available (at Newegg, at least), the $1,049 Q310-34G and the $1,249 Q310-34P, the former of which packs a 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo T5800 CPU and a 250GB hard drive, while the latter ups things a bit to a 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo P8400 and a 320GB hard drive. Otherwise, you can expect 3GB of DDR2 RAM and integrated Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics on each, plus the usual DVD burner, built-in webcam, 802.11n WiFi, and a 1280 x 800, 13.3-inch display — not to mention some of that snazzy red touch of color detailing.

[Via Crave]

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Filed under: Laptops

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 18th 2008 at 4:20PM

We knew they didn’t like it, and now they’re going out of their way to prove it. After FCC chairman Kevin Martin set forth a proposal to use the freed spectrum from the forthcoming 2009 digital TV transition for bringing mobile broadband to more locales, broadcasters who’d rather not deal with the trouble are stepping in with a collective “nuh uh!” Station owners and the four television networks filed an “emergency request” on Friday afternoon in hopes of convincing the FCC to hold off on its plan to vote on white space rules until “everyone had a chance to comment on the findings.” The report that’s mentioned found that no significant interference would come into play should the waves be opened up for unlicensed devices, but a spokeswoman for the National Association of Broadcasters stated that “the FCC is misinterpreting the actual data collected by their own engineers.” Whether or not NAB will get the 45-day grace period it’s asking for, however, remains to be seen.

[Via Mobile Tech Today, image courtesy of Orbitcast]

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Filed under: Wireless

by Tim Stevens, posted Oct 17th 2008 at 9:21AM

Okay, so the prophylactic jokes are strong with this one, but bear with us as we attempt to stick to the straight and narrow about XS Games’ PopStar Guitar for Wii. It’s a game that, if this were an SAT exam, would be to Guitar Hero as Mini-KISS is to KISS: somewhat short of the real thing. The screen shots look rather simplistic and, of course, familiar, but what stands out is the sheath accessory that slips onto your Wiimote, giving you four (yes, just four) fret buttons to manipulate while you “strum” with the Nunchuck. After a few hours of this we think you’re more likely to be in a wrist brace than rock ‘n roll heaven. It’s an experience you can feel for yourself when the game hits stores at the end of the month.

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Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

Alltel Wireless has announced that the LG Rhythm is now available in Alltel retail stores. This sleek and stylish music phone comes equipped with Digital Signal Processing and a graphic equalizer professionally tuned by Mr. Mark Levinson. The handset also has an FM transmitter that streams songs to a car stereo for up to 10 feet distance. Other features include a 120 MB of internal memory, 1-inch circular touchscreen, a 2-inch main LCD display screen, a 1.3MP camera with zoom and camcorder, Bluetooth 2.0 capabilities, background music mode and a microSD external memory port supporting up to 16GB. Alltel Wireless offers the LG Rhythm in black or white for $119.99 after $50 mail-in-rebate and a two-year service agreement.
[Source]