Gadgets Base

Posted Feb 20th 2008 2:02PM by Nilay Patel
Filed under: cellphones
iphone cloners: meet your new king. We’re not kidding when we say we even tried fake names and disguises at CES to score an early picture of the DaXian X999 you see here, only to be shot down by the eagle-eyed vendors in the International Pavilion — but it’s out now, baby, and never has KIRFdom been so thoroughly rocked. Not only does the hardware ape the iPhone — 3.2-inch single-touch QVGA screen, dual 2MP cameras, motion and proximity sensors — the UI is actually a TouchFLO clone running on what is surely an unlicensed copy of Windows Mobile 6.0. That’s a hat trick, people — and to top it all off, the list price is a staggering $369. It’s like we don’t even have to make the jokes — except to say that if your love / hate relationship with Apple compels you to buy this thing, you should probably seek therapy. Random dramatic video of the UI in action after the break.

[Via thegadgetsite]

Posted Feb 20th 2008 12:42PM by Darren Murph
Filed under: cellphones
After yesterday’s barrage of unlimited calling plans left us all terribly underwhelmed, it seems as if Sprint is hoping to emerge as the knight in shining armor by undercutting the oh-so-popular $99 price point. According to unspecified “analysts,” the carrier is gearing up to “offer flat-rate calling plans at up to a 40-percent discount to its rivals,” meaning that yappers could talk ’til their batteries died (and then some) for around $60 a month. Of course, Sprint has yet to confirm nor deny the reports, but we’re all for a price war in the cellular space, regardless.

Do you enjoy watching videos on your mobile phone or other mobile device? I’ve watched a few clips here and there, but I generally try to avoid such strains on my eyes. Honestly, if I’m going to stare at something that small, it’s going to be my DS. However, for those of you that want to watch TV on your mobile phone (without settling for whatever channels your wireless carrier offers) you might be interested in PacketVideo’s Mobile Broadcast Receiver.

This little device will take your digital TV signal and converts it into a format that’s usable on a phone. It will come in versions for each of the major mobile broadcast standards such as Tdtv, DVB-H, MediaFLO and WiMAX. The device looks like it will only be compatible with some of the higher-end phones, as they listed Nokia N-series, Apple iPhone and HTC Smartphones as some of the compatible products.

I suppose that if I had a phone with a larger screen such as the iPhone I might be a little more willing to watch videos on it. However, the iphone has little appeal to me, so I think I’ll just stick to playing my DS when I’m bored. There is currently no word on pricing or availability.

Source: UberGizmo

Sony has always been the trendsetter with personal audio devices. If your remember back to the 80’s, then you will remember they pioneered the first portable cassette Walkman. Now, their latest range, the NW-E series looks to be healthy competition for the ipod shuffle and Creative Zen Stone Plus. It comes in a range of colors, dare I say more appealing than the Shuffle, and in 1GB, 2GB and 4GB models.

It also has more features than the Shuffle, ATRAC/MP3/WMA/AAC files are all compatible and it has a built-in FM radio tuner. It looks to be a hip device, but the price tag of around $149 (4GB) may deter some.

Via [Engadget]

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If you happen to be one of those folk who find it difficult to park your car in the garage without nicking the paint job, then the Garage Parking Signal is just the thing for you.

Step-by-step bright lights let you know when to stop safely, preventing accidents and making this reliable garage parking system a must-buy for owners of larger vehicles such as a mini van, MPV or large estate car. Order your Garage Parking Sensor today and park safely and confidently every time.

Installation is a snap, but do take note that should you choose to power it via batteries, do perform checks from time to time to make sure that there is enough power left. The Garage Parking Signal at £14.95 surely is a bargain.

This problem always seems to happen when I’m dining at a restaurant: I have read the menu, and made my selection. However, the waiter or waitress never seems to come around, even though I’ve got the menu folded up on the corner of the table. I then have to wave my hands to get his or her attention, and that is just plain awkward.

Okay, I guess it is not really a problem per se, but this is the digital age, for crying out loud, and there is always a technological alternative to the middleman. A Japanese manufacturer has addressed this issue with the Deli-Touch.

The Deli-Touch is a digital pen that looks a lot like the Fly Fusion from Leap Frog. It interacts in the same way as a customer can use it to scan an item in the menu. From there, the data is transmitted wirelessly to a printer, then the kitchen staff read it and make it. All the waiter or waitress does is bring it to you.

I’m guessing this would not be the tool of choice for a fancy restaurant, but it would probably fit right in at the local Applebee’s. Of course, I haven’t heard what would happen if your order gets lost in transmission. I mean, you really have to accept on faith that your order reached the kitchen. I guess if you’re waiting too long, you’ll probably need to wave your hands to get your wait-person’s attention.

The Deli-Touch system is available to rent for $418. The kit comes with 30 pens, a server, and printer.

Source

In a surprising move, Apple has eliminated the Xserve RAID from their product line. On their website, the Xserve RAID page has disappeared and now takes you to a new page where they offer the Promise VTrak E-Class RAID in its place. From the new Apple webpage:

The Promise VTrak E-Class RAID Subsystem delivers outstanding performance, reliability, and expansion for video and server applications. Configure up to sixteen 750GB 7200-rpm SATA or 300GB 15,000-rpm SAS drives in a 3U rack-optimized enclosure for up to 12TB of raw capacity on one or more RAID sets. Promise RAID is an ideal storage solution for direct-attached or SAN-based server and workstation applications, qualified for use with Mac OS X, Mac OS X Server, Final Cut Studio 2, and Xsan 2.

Although reports say that Apple is still going to be selling the Xserve RAID “while supplies last”, it seems that either their supplies are already gone or that they’re not selling them to the general public anymore.

Working hand in hand with this new RAID hardware, Apple’s latest press release mentions the upgrade of it’s Storage Area Network file system manager. The press release after the cut:

Apple Introduces Xsan 2

CUPERTINO, California–February 19, 2008–Apple today introduced Xsan 2, the first major upgrade to its easy to use, high performance, enterprise class Storage Area Network (SAN) file system for Mac OS X. Combining enhanced performance with Apple’s legendary ease of use, Xsan 2 makes it easier for first time users to set up and quickly deploy a SAN; introduces MultiSAN, allowing users on a single workstation to access multiple SANs at the same time; is fully integrated with Mac OS X Leopard and Mac OS X Server Leopard and is now qualified to work with third-party RAID storage.

Administration tools have been completely redesigned in Xsan 2, making it easier than ever to set up and manage a SAN file system. Xsan 2 intelligently handles different data types, file sizes and usage scenarios for ideal performance. For example, administrators have the ability to pre-set volume workload settings for optimal streaming of all file types, from very large files, such as uncompressed HD video to small data center files. Xsan 2 includes a new feature, MultiSAN, for users who need to access multiple Xsan volumes from the same workstation or server, such as in newsrooms with separate SAN volumes for production and broadcast.

Xsan 2 is fully integrated with Mac OS X Leopard and takes complete advantage of core Mac OS X features, such as Spotlight to search across multiple SAN volumes. Xsan 2 also works seamlessly with Server Assistant in Leopard Server for easy setup and configuration of SAN volumes. Leopard Server features, such as iCal Server, Mail Server and Podcast Producer, can now integrate with Xsan 2 to support clustered file systems, improving performance and scalability and reducing the impact of a service outage from the loss of any one server.

For the first time, Xsan 2 has been qualified with third-party RAID storage hardware. Along with Apple’s Xserve RAID, Xsan 2 supports third-party RAID solutions from Promise Technology in configurations tuned and optimized for Xsan, Mac OS X Server and Apple’s professional applications.

Pricing & Availability
Xsan 2 is available immediately through the Apple Store (www.apple.com) and through Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail price of $999 (US) per node.

Apple has qualified Xsan 2 with Xserve, Mac Pro and Apple Fibre Channel PCI-X cards. Xsan 2 requires Mac OS X version 10.5 or Mac OS X Server version 10.5 software installed and will support qualified Fibre Channel switches from vendors such as Brocade, QLogic and Cisco, and RAID storage hardware including Xserve RAID and Promise VTrak E-Class RAID subsystems.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its ipod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iphone.

[Apple.com via Gizmodo]

I remember back in the heydays where Pokemon really took off, and there were a slew of other “monster” franchises that made an appearance as well. Digimon was one of them which actually hung around long enough to become a respectable brand of its own while picking up a fair bit of followers in the process, although I never really found that “brand” of monsters appealing. Many years later, it looks as though Digimon is here to stay with Bandai America releasing a whole new line of action figures and role-play toys that target boys in the age group of 4 to 8. You will also be able to catch hold of popular toys such as the new Digivice Data Link and DNA metal chip-laced action figures.

Colleen Sherfey, senior director of marketing, Bandai America claims that “the new Digimon series introduced a fresh crop of fans to the action-oriented property and helped make it a hit. The collectibility of the action figures, as well as the action from the electronic Digivice, have proven to be a successful combination.”

The Digivice Data Link has just gone back to the drawing board, where it has been redesigned and fashioned after the similar device that Marcus used in the series. For those who are not in the know, the Digivice Data Link is actually “a dynamic, action-packed electronic role-play toy that allows young boys to feed and train their own digital monsters”. You get some pretty interesting features such as infrared technology that enables a couple of two Digimon trainers to battle one another and a scanner function that collects DNA skills from an included DNA metal chip to strengthen characters. This scanner is also there to help you unlock special, secret items and DNA powers for your digital monster.

Press Release

I’m a big fan of the robotic vacuum cleaning Roomba, but he doesn’t help with all the crumbs and keyboard fluff on my desk which is where the new (and unrelated) Robo Vacuum come to the rescue, a robotic cleaner for your desk.

Picking up life’s little messes is easy with the Robo Vacum™! This tiny desktop robot is a perfect for sucking up those kitchen crumbs and desktop debris. It’s easy to use and easy to clean! Simply push top button to activate the vacuum and slide over dry crumbs and other debris. No vacuum bags required! It hold all of the debris in it’s crumb compartment. Just pop open the top and empty it out!

Robo Vacuum is available now from WowZzers for $18.99.

Posted Feb 20th 2008 3:20AM by Nilay Patel
Filed under: Storage
Are you searching for some way to express your devotion to the Wii, but trapped in a corporate job that might disapprove of ill-considered tattoos or Mario outfits? Well, at least you can cart around your Excel spreadsheets in style — check out these Wiimote lookalike Wedisk flash drives from SolarMemo. The A button releases the USB connector… and that’s about as much fun as you can have with it, short of miming your sick WarioWare skills when no one’s looking. Available in sizes up to 8GB, but sadly there’s no pricing information available — but can the true fanboy really put a price on devotion?

[Thanks, Dave]