Gadgets Base

Posted Jan 30th 2008 6:07PM by Nilay Patel
Filed under: Digital Cameras We’re not certain why Sony didn’t include the Cyber-shot DSC-W110 with all the other pre-PMA camera updates it hit us with the other day, but here it is, in titillating shady scan form. The shooter boasts 7.2 “effective” megapixel resolution, 4x optical zoom, a 2.5-inch LCD, a Carl Zeiss lens, ISO3200 sensitivity, and face detection software that distinguishes between kids and adults. No word on price (probably lower than the W120’s $200), but it’ll hit in the May with the rest of its Cyber-shot bretheren.

Apple announced today that the AppleTV “take 2” update will be delayed. According to Apple the new “software will be available as a free automatic download to all Apple TV customers within two weeks.” Of course we were told two weeks during Macworld which would have meant yesterday. While its not a reason to hold off on purchasing an AppleTV, it is annoying to those of us who cannot wait to start renting HD movies.

Read [Apple]

It seemed like the white Touch was going to be headed to Verizon as the VX6900, but in a surprise move Bell Mobility has offered it up first. Specs for the white Touch remain the same as the regular colored model and include the 2-megapixel camera, camcorder, Bluetooth, speakerphone, EV-DO and running Windows Mobile 6 Professional along with HTC’s TouchFLO.

Bell Mobility customers can grab the white Touch for CAD$99.95, which comes with a 512MB microSD card and also a 3-year agreement.

Via [the unwired]

Posted Jan 30th 2008 4:13PM by Donald Melanson
Filed under: Peripherals While it won’t reduce your carbon footprint as much as something like, say, the HumanCar, the folks behind the Ecobutton seem to think their new device will do its small part nonetheless, even if it’s actual necessity may be somewhat in question. Apparently, the device will let you switch your PC to “ecomode” at the press of a button, although exactly what that is and how it differs from your usual sleep or hibernation mode is a bit of a mystery. The button seemingly does something to your PC, however, as the FAQ warns that some older computers and certain HP PCs may have trouble reactivating due to BIOS issues. No word as to when they’ll be available directly to consumer just yet, but those looking to turn ‘em into a business opportunity can order some now from “recognized promotional gift distributors” for between $12 and $18 apiece depending on the quantity.

[Via OhGizmo]

Posted Jan 30th 2008 1:41PM by Joshua Topolsky
Filed under: Displays
The boys and girls at Sony are firing on all (or a few) cylinders today, launching not one, but three new digital photo frames for your digital photo-framing pleasure. All the frames in the new lineup contain 800 x 480 WVGA displays with a Bizarro World aspect ratio of 15:9, and are capable of scaling and display pictures up to 48-megapixels in size — which we’re sure you’ll be taking advantage of real soon. The 7-inch DPF-V700 and 9-inch DPF-V900 both sport 512MB of internal storage, can communicate via Bluetooth, and have what appears to be a first in digital frames: HDMI outs. The thriftier, 7-inch DPF-D70 halves the memory and nixes the Bluetooth and HDMI, but all three frames are coupled with a remote, and can utilize Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick PRO Duo, SD, MMC, Compact Flash, Microdrive, and xD-Picture cards. The DPF-V900, DPF-V700 and DPF-V700 digital photo frames will be available for $250, $190 and $140, respectively, and will ship in March.

Posted Jan 30th 2008 10:51AM by Joshua Topolsky
Filed under: DesktopsGateway is releasing two new desktops today, both sporting some features we’ve grown accustomed to, but also introducing some new hotness into the typically stale market. The new models — the GM5664 and GT5662 — share a slew of the same features, like the ATI Radeon HD 2400XT graphics card, 3GB of RAM, and 8-channel 7.1 audio, but they also have some notable differences. The GM5664 comes equipped with a Hybrid-SuperMulti optical drive, which gives you the ability to play Blu-ray or HD DVDs to your heart’s content, while also handling typical DVD-RW functions. The system is also packed with a 2.3GHz AMD Phenom 9600 CPU, 1TB hard drive array, and an analog / digital TV tuner. The GT5662 includes a 2.2GHz AMD Phenom 9500 CPU, does away with the dual format drive, halves the storage space, and axes the TV tuner. Both are available now for $1,149.99 and $749.99, respectively.

Minox is set to introduce the DC 6033 digital camera, which could be the ideal camera for the outdoors. This 6-megapixel camera is rubberized making it very tough and impact resistant; it can withstand sand, dust, dirt, salt. It also can be submerged in up to 33-feet of water, where its built-in flash may come in handy to take well-light pictures. It features 16MB of internal memory, a 2-inch TFT screen for previewing pictures and adjusting settings and 4x digital zoom. It also takes SD cards of up to 2GB in size. Its powered simply by 2 AA batteries and should set you back around $300. No word yet on availability.

Read [Aving] Via [Gizmodo]

There are some technologies that I like to hold off on buying, no matter how great they seem. Take HD movies for example. Had I purchased one a few months ago, I’d likely be kicking myself, as I would have chosen to side with the HD DVD camp (which lets face it, is a sinking ship).Other times I fear that a technology may never catch on, and thus be useless altogether. This would be one reason why I haven’t jumped on board with Wireless USB (WUSB) just yet. I will admit, they are making it much easier to even get older hardware working with this new standard, which is apparent from the announcement of a CardBus WUSB adapter.

Part of me wishes that I could get excited about this CardBus WUSB adapter, but I can’t really say that I’d have much use for it. There aren’t a ton of devices out there that support the standard, and I can’t really think of anything else I’d want to connect to my laptop that doesn’t use Bluetooth. Unfortunately IOGear has not made any announcement on pricing or availability, they’ve only told us that it’s coming.

Source: EverythingUSB

While I love a bouquet of long-stemmed red roses and a box of fine chocolate as much as the next person, I don’t like them as gifts for Valentine’s Day. I suppose they’re somewhat romantic in a commercialized or show-off-at-work sort of way, but they’re just not for me, especially on the day that thousands of other women are getting the same thing from their special someone.

If you don’t want to be accused of being unoriginal or cliche by your sweetie this Valentine’s Day, why not skip the flowers and candy and opt for something more unique? Take this heart-shaped mouse, for example. Sure, it’s wired (USB) and questionably ergonomic, but creativity that’s both functional and one-of-a-kind is hard to pass up for only £25.

Via Tech Digest.

Whether you’re a podcasting wonder-kid, professional musician, or member of a garage-band (with secret aspirations of fame and fortune), Belkin’s TuneStudio might be the single best investment you make as an audiophile.

Belkin’s TuneStudio for iPod lets you create and record high-quality digital recordings directly to your iPod, with instant playback. The 4-channel mixer allows for the input of up to four different instruments or audio sources and records at 16-bit, 44kHz quality in uncompressed WAV format, which translates as “crystal clear!”

TuneStudio’s compact and durable design is perfect for portability. Podcasters, musicians (professional and garage band alike) can record shows and sessions directly to their iPods anywhere they go.

In spite of the 29 different dials, this basic design is also surprisingly user-friendly:

* LEDs indicate master audio level, power status, peak indications, and compressor
* Compression is controlled by a single knob. And, audio is streamed though the built-in USB interface to and from a PC or Mac
* TuneStudio functions as an external sound card, allowing input and output of audio to a PC from its connectors

TuneStudio is currently compatible with:

* iPod classic (6th generation–80 GB and 160 GB);
* iPod nano (3rd generation–4 GB and 8 GB; 2nd generation–2 GB, 4 GB, and 8 GB)
* iPod video (5th generation–30 GB, 60 GB, and 80 GB)

(Available March 1, 2008)

Special discounted price: $249 at Belkin.com

Pre-order price: $299.99 at Amazon.