Gadgets Base

We first heard the news that Asus was planning a desktop model for their Eee series lineup a while back, and while details still remain a mystery, we now have what are claimed to be a leaked picture showing what the upcoming Eee Box could look like. According to Hot Hardware, the above pics are in fact the upcoming Eee Box from Asus, although they make it clear that these are not official pictures and cannot comment on the source.

Overall, at least since the introduction of the Wii, theses images look to be more like a game console than a desktop computer. Either way they are sharp looking, be certain that we will keep you updated as soon as we can find out some more details.

Via [Hot Hardware]

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Rumors are around that Microsoft will be releasing their latest update to Windows Mobile on April 1, 2008, which is also know as April Fools Day, so this may or may not be a lead-in to a huge disappointment. While the version 6.1 release is not a full new version, it is said to offer a lot of usability improvements over the current version 6.0.

Microsoft’s rumored Windows Mobile version 6.1 is expected to feature an improved web browser, copy and paste from IE, a Vista-like user interface, new fonts, a better task manager, Wi-Fi indicator and an some improvements to ActiveSync that will allow it to be auto-configured.

While this may be a big lead up for an April Fools joke, it does have good timing with CTIA, which will take place in Las Vegas beginning on none other than April 1. Luckily its only a short wait to see just how accurate this rumor is.

Via [Slash Gear]

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Today Google.co.uk has “turned the lights out” in an effort to help save energy. While making the background black doesn’t really save energy since modern displays, regardless of the display, also use the same amount of power, Google did this to openly participate in the Earth Hour campaign.

The Earth Hour invites people from all over the world to turn their lights off today, March 29, at least for an hour, between 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Energy conservation is what the Earth Hour organization wants to happen. To help spread the awareness, Google UK decided to go “black” for a greener environment. Special Earth Hour events will be held today at Tel Aviv, Melbourne, Dubai, Chicago, and Copenhagen, and in other countries around the world.

As of this writing, few countries in Australia and Asia have already participated in the campaign. For an hour, the famous Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House went dark.  Even Bangkok’s Wat Arun Buddhist temple also participated as well as homes in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Only Google.co.uk’s homepage is changed to black. Other Google search pages are in usual white.

Via [Google.co.uk]

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With spring in full swing, who wouldn’t want to enjoy a little TV watching in their patios? With Pantel’s latest pair of weatherproof HDTVs, you can confidently mount them outside and not worry about the spring rain destroying your shiny new TV. In fact, you don’t need to mind the weather at all, as these new panels can withstand just about anything Mother Nature decides to throw at them. The 32-inch PAN320 and 42-inch PAN420 can withstand temperatures of -40 to 140 degrees fahrenheit. Pantel has equipped both TVs with a dual-flow ventilation and built-in heating system to keep them nice ‘n cool in the summer and warm ‘n toasty in the winter. Spec-wise, both models feature 1366 x 768 resolution, an anti-reflective glass, 1600:1 contrast ratio, waterproof remote control, and a wireless RF receiver—which allows users to broadcast HD video and audio to the TV from 150 feet away.

The Pantel PAN320 and PAN420 retail for $3,950 and $4,450. The company has teased that 52 and 60-inch models are in the works, but no details have been announced. We’ll have more information when Pantel decides to dish out.

Product [Pantel] Via [GearLog]

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Now that Blu-ray has won the format war over rival hd dvd, a lot of people are saying that it is indeed the next generation optical disc standard. That may be true, as long as a better format does not come out in the next few months or years.

Strategy Analytics Connected Home Devices recently sent out a report that 30 million Blu-ray devices would be found in homes before the year 2008 ends, although not all devices will be used for movie playback. Global sales of Blu-ray players are expected to hit 18.8 million units this year. With thirteen million of those being consoles, four million stand-alone players and two million found in computers. After four years, the number is also expected to increase to 57.4 million units. I don’t know if this is just a guess or an estimate but the report says the market will be largest in Europe, then US, and Japan coming in at third.

Keep reading for a summary of the report:

Blu-ray Disc has now been confirmed as the de facto next generation optical disc standard. Our forecasts for BD players, games consoles and PCs indicate that total annual device sales will reach 57.4 million units annually by 2012. We estimate that nearly 30 million households worldwide will own at least one BD device by the end of 2008, and predict 132 million BD-owning households by 2012. This forecast datatable presents Strategy Analytics’ latest projections for global sales and ownership of Blu-ray Disc devices. It presents 5-year market forecasts for the US, Europe and Japan. Segmentation includes standalone Blu-ray Disc players, BD games consoles, and BD-enabled home PCs.

Now I ask myself; Is it still the right time to make the Blu-ray commitment?

Read [Strategy Analytics] Via [DVD Town]

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Hawking Technologies has released its Wireless-300N USB Adapter with Upgradeable Antennas, targeting Mac users specifically in order to provide significant range extension options. Suitable for small office/home office (SOHO) and small-to-medium business (SMB) users, the new compact 802.11n 300Mbps USB Adapter known as the HWUN1A has the distinction of being the first such adapter designed for Apple Mac users that features a couple of two removable antennas. The included external antennas are easily removed and can receive an upgrade in the form of a Hawking Hi-Gain antenna for superior improvement when it comes to its wireless range.

According to Daniel Chan, Associate Product Manager at Hawking Technologies, “The problem with wireless networks these days isn’t the speed, but the distance. If your wireless adapter does not have the wireless strength to go the distance, your network speed won’t make any difference. You’ll either end up with a weak signal or get dropped from your network entirely, and that results in slow file transfers and a lack of mobility. Like its sister product, the HWUN1 for PC users, the HWUN1A provides Mac users with the extended wireless range they need by utilizing new Wireless-N technology. The removable antennas give Mac users the ability to customize their wireless networks for their specific applications. Most importantly, the HWUN1A can resolve most WiFi trouble spot scenarios by allowing users to choose from our full line of Hi-Gain WiFi Range Extending solutions. And the best part: installing the HWUN1A is easy – just pop in the CD to install the software, plug in the adapter, and you’re connected.”

Some of the key features of the HWUN1A include :-

• Wireless networking compatibility with any Mac OS X 10.3 and up (Intel or Power PC) system
• 2 Upgradable Antennas allow for better wireless range and performance options
• Installs in seconds with intuitive, easy-to-follow Setup Wizard
• Supports WPA2, WPA, and WEP wireless security
• Plug-and-Play compatibility with all Hawking Hi-Gain WiFi Range Extending Antennas
• Latest 802.11n technology delivers wireless data transfer speeds of up to 300Mbps

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Anyone who wants to visit the famous Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington can now do so without having to set foot in the US capital as a new interactive website was recently launched this week.

Footnote.com, in cooperation with the National Archives and Records Administration, came up with the website as a project for historical document. The site serves as a virtual version of the memorial honoring almost 8,000 American military men who fought in the Vietnam War.  Searching for a name on the real 246 foot National Monument may take some time but with the virtual website, the name would come up in a few seconds. So it’s more like a database of the heroes’ names.

I tried the virtual wall and searched on the surname “Santos”, the only common surname I could think about.  There were 12,803 matches returned that could still be narrowed down by the first name, last name, title or collection, year of birth, place, or other categories. A ‘quick look’ button will show at the left side of a name. I clicked on one and the name showed up as it is posted on the real wall.

What first came to my mind was Google Maps. The virtual wall must have taken the Google Map idea as you can also move the page and drag it many directions while the searched name pops us. There were 2,000 photos of the real wall taken, resulting and stretching up to 460 feet of image for the web version, almost twice as that in Washington.

The virtual wall aims to bring together the family and friends of the veterans by building a new community, albeit online only.  However, website access is unlimited for a price at $7.95 monthly or $59.95 per year. There is a 7-day free trial so you may want to check it now and save instead on your gas or plane fare going to DC. And for only $1.95, you can buy a single image that you want to see.

Read [Wired]

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Microsoft will soon be releasing Service Pack 3 for Windows XP. How soon is soon? Reports have it coming as early as April and will be released in two groups. Service Pack 3 (SP3) will come first for those users with the Simplified English, Chinese, French, Korean, Spanish, and Korean versions with any remaining versions to follow about 3-weeks later.

Microsoft has also confirmed that SP3 for Windows XP Media Center and Windows XP Tablet Edition will not be available as an integrated version, meaning those users will only be available to update to SP3 using Windows Update. Its also safe to say that this will be that last major update Microsoft will push out before they stop selling XP this June. Which hopefully becomes a point where users will finally feel comfortable enough to make the move to Vista.

Via [Gizmodo]

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Posted Mar 29th 2008 5:42AM by Nilay Patel
Filed under: Gaming
No matter how we might try and stop it, Nyko’s wireless Wii nunchuk adapter / abomination ceaselessly advances upon the unsuspecting American consumer, stopping at nothing to ruin the delicate aesthetics of the Wii controllers and pump us full of even more unnecessary RF. The adapter and its receiver have just hit the FCC, and our nation’s government has managed to use every ounce of photographic skill at its disposal to render these mutant hunks of plastic in as flattering a light as possible — just look at that stained blue backdrop. Seriously, is anyone going to drop $20 on this thing? Isn’t that money better spent on games? Explain yourself in comments, in ten words or less.

[Thanks, Mickel]

Read - Wireless adapter
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USB devices are dime a dozen these days, and it can get pretty tricky trying to get all of them hooked up to your computer or notebook which has extremely limited USB ports. If you happen to want a USB port of sorts, why not consider the USB Star Hub II? Here’s the product description, in completely broken English (I’ve left it unedited to contribute to the quirkiness of the entire device).

USB Star Hub II allows you to connect 4 different USB devices at the same time. Each port can turn 180° that make you more convenience to use and the colourful design can help to decorate your desk.

The USB Star Hub II retails for $12 a pop.