Gadgets Base

Posted Jan 28th 2008 3:57AM by Thomas Ricker
Filed under: Cellphones
In a move meant to bolster its software development prowess, Nokia just announced the acquisition Trolltech. Who’s Trolltech? Well, its software can be found in some 10 million devices. In fact, Trolltech’s Qt is used by such familiar applications as Skype, Google Earth, and Photoshop Elements while their Qtopia was spotted on a hacked Archos 5 series earlier this month. By acquiring Trolltech’s software development frameworks and application platforms, Nokia hopes to help developers create Internet applications that work on PCs and across Nokia devices. Specifically, Nokia claims that the move will “further increase the competitiveness of S60 and Series 40.” The deal also grandfathers Nokia into the LiMo Foundation and its attempt to bring open-source to your handset. Hear that Android? The $153 million offer must still be processed through regulatory channels and approved by shareholders — all expected before June in out.

Posted Jan 28th 2008 5:46AM by Thomas Ricker
Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment var Gartner, the fat lady of research firms, is singing HD DVD’s swan song this morning. Hiroyuki Shimizu, Principal Research Analyst in Japan, says in Gartner’s Semiconductor DQ Monday Report that, “Gartner believes that Toshiba’s price-cutting may prolong HD DVD’s life a little, but the limited line-up of film titles will inflict fatal damage on the format.” He goes on to call the recent price cuts “useless resistance” in avoiding the inevitable. What’s that, you coyly ask? According to Shimizu, “Gartner expects that, by the end of 2008, Blu-ray will be the winning format in the consumer market, and the war will be over.” With 5 of the 7 major studios now backing Blu-ray exclusively, Gartner’s certainty on the subject doesn’t appear to be much of a stretch.

Another hour another pink phone coming, this time its from AT&T in the form of the Sony Ericsson W580i. As usual with the newly colored handsets, the W580i is going to keep the same specs as the original black model that was launched back in October.

The pink W580i retails for $79.99 after a mail-in-rebate and comes along with a 2-year agreement.

Read [AT&T] Via [EngadgetMobile]

Here’s a fun weekend project for all you hardware hackers out there. The Ybox2 is the latest version of a programmable IP-connected set top box which can fit entirely inside an Altoid box.

The system can be programmed to display widget-like channels on your television, using a library of freely-available software. There’s even a built-in IR sensor so it can you can change widget “channels” with a remote control.

click to view this video clip

Designed by engineer Robert Quattlebaum, the Ybox2 connects to your computer network using a built-in 10BaseT Ethernet port, and outputs video to your TV using a simple Composite video output (NTSC or PAL). The device is based on Uncommon Projects’ original Ybox platform, which first surfaced back in 2006 (shown in the video above).

The entire Ybox2 can be built for about $50, less than half of what the original version cost to build. At the heart of the system is a programmable Propeller 32-bit multi-processor, and the latest version improves on the original by adding an internal speaker as well as a multi-color status LED.

You can find more details, including the board schematics, parts list, and source code over on deep darc.

[via MAKE]

read more about:

circuit, hardware, open source, programmable, video, widget, ybox

Posted Jan 28th 2008 1:53AM by Thomas Ricker
Filed under: Gaming
Holy Teraflops gamers, AMD just launched the Radeon HD 3870 X2. Their new flagship card previously known by its R680 codename features a pair of RV670 GPUs with CrossFireX built-in to a single card. According to HotHardware’s performance testing, The 3870 X2 was “usually the highest performing single-card in the group.” Yes, that group includes the NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTX. Here’s the rub though, according to HotHardWare: the X2’s performance is determined by how well the card’s drivers scale in a particular game — a new game without appropriate support renders the card’s performance to that of a single-GPU HD 3870. A problem initially demonstrated during their Crysis testing and later solved with a new set of AMD drivers. Still, as PCPer sums-up, the ~$449 3870 X2 meets or beats NVIDIA’s best in today’s most demanding DX9 and DX10 titles and should be on your “short list” if searching for the ultimate performance graphics card.

Read — PC Perspective
Read — Hot Hardware
Read — Press Release

Posted Jan 27th 2008 10:16PM by Joshua Topolsky
Filed under: Transportation, Networking
It’s coming to planes, so it was bound to make its way onto trains. According to a report, a 45-mile commuter railroad line in Massachusetts is about to get a WiFi upgrade, bringing wireless connections to more than 18,000 passengers across 17 stations. Utilizing Sprint’s EV-DO service, this will be the largest deployment of train-based WiFi outside of Europe and will bring access to 45 coach cars in the line. “There is not one commuter rail system in the country that has this right now,” said Kris Erickson, MBTA deputy chief of staff, adding, “We know there are going to be some technical glitches, but we want to get in there and test it in a real environment and get a much better idea how to do it.” The plan is to eventually bless all 13 commuter lines in Massachusetts with wireless capabilities, thus allowing networked games of Sid Meier’s Railroads! to actually be played while on a railroad.

[Via Wi-Fi Networking News]

Posted Jan 28th 2008 12:38AM by Joshua Topolsky
Filed under: Cellphones
Sure, it seemed like we’d heard the end of the story on HTC phones and the case of the missing drivers, but the cats over at the xda-developers forum have something else in mind. There is currently a $5199.51 bounty on offer from various members of the group for a hacker (or hackers) who can come up with drivers to get their Kaisers’ Direct 3D up to par, thus increasing the video capabilities of the phone. If you’ve followed the case, you’ll know that HTC has essentially stonewalled users looking for an upgrade to their poorly performing handsets, and has intimated that if customers want improved video performance, they should look to future hardware as opposed to upgrades on their current models. Clearly owners are looking to take matters into their own hands — and they’re willing to pay for it. We can’t wait to see what they come up with, and if anyone out there has the ability and the time, here’s a stack of cash that could be yours.

[Thanks, Jaime]

Posted Jan 27th 2008 8:13PM by Joshua Topolsky
Filed under: Robots
Ever wondered what would happen if you were to pit the Wowwee Roboquad against an excitable, yapping puppy? Wonder no longer, friends, as the answer to this age-old question has been captured on video — replete with NES sound effects and 8-bit scorecard. Watch the battle for ultimate supremacy after the break… our money is on the dog.

[Via Digg]

Posted Jan 27th 2008 6:09PM by Joshua Topolsky
Filed under: Laptops
Just in case you were really, really anxious to get your hands on the MacBook Air, word on the street is that the little slivers are already in stores, and you’ll actually be able to stroll up into the place and nab them this Tuesday. Of course, old Jobsy has already said as much (”two weeks”), but the Boy Genius is making extra-dextra sure that everyone knows they really will be on the floor come next week. If you’re lucky enough to be employed by Apple as a “Genius,” then you’ll be getting some Air training tomorrow. Hey, it’s never too late to sign up and instantly be accepted for a job… oh, wait, it probably is.

People that travel a lot, tend to take plenty of adapters to keep all the gadgets with charge, but if you only want to take one adapter, this Universal device is the best option.

Basically, it features a USB Power Port , which means that you can easily charge your cellphone, laptop, MP3 player, and other devices. To indicate when the power is on, or off, there is a power indicator light - much like what happens with USB flash drives.

Since it is made for travelers, it has to be light and small, that is why it weighs 80 grams, and has the following dimensions: 62 x 48 x 50mm.

The Universal Travel Adapter with USB Power Port costs $17.

• Use with Class II electronic device up to 3A (Max. 100V~250V/50~60Hz) and the UK
• Eliminates the need to carry multiple adapters

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