Gadgets Base

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Jun 8th 2008 at 6:34PM
Someone clearly didn’t want Microsoft fans being left out at this time of extreme Apple coverage. In an interview with SFGate, Robbie Bach manages to deftly deny the rumored Xbox / Blu-Ray match-up, deny a Zune Phone is coming anytime soon (although he intimates Zune software may come to phones), but still cleverly suggests that a Zune Touch could be in the offing. Of course, by “cleverly suggest” we mean he mentions the possibility of a device with touch capabilities, which is like saying Dell might release a laptop with a keyboard. Is that device pictured above? No silly, that’s just someone’s Photoshop work. Steve Jobs — anything to say about this?

[Via wmpoweruser; Image courtesy anythingbutipod]

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Filed under: cellphones, Portable Audio, Portable Video

CNET UK reviews the Palm Centro and writes, “On the consumer front, there’s a basic 1.3-megapixel camera that doesn’t do anything spectacular. You can shoot pictures and video and send them to friends via Bluetooth, email or MMS. Palm hasn’t included an LED photo light or a xenon flash, which is unfortunate for those wishing to take pictures in less than sunny conditions.”

Read more about the Palm Centro.

A recently surfaced coupon code, that when applied during checkout will allow you to cut $400 from the price of a Dell XPS One (PRODUCT) Red PC. The XPS, normally priced at $1,599 will be instantly lowered to $1,199. Just configure the PC and then enter the code ZX9J$$NJNS630C during your checkout.

The (PRODUCT) Red Dell XPS One comes standard with an E4500 Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM, 250GB hard drive, CD/DVD burner, hybrid analog/digital TV tuner with remote control, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, 8-in-1 card reader, Bluetooth 2.0 as well as a wireless keyboard and wireless mouse. The system also ships with Adobe Elements Studio, Office 2007 Home and Windows Vista Ultimate.

A few things to point out; first this coupon code will be valid on for those in the US, second we are unaware of any expiration date, which means that it could end at any time. If you are considering a purchase, better not wait that long.

Product [Dell] Via [Engadget]

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by Ryan Block, posted Jun 8th 2008 at 8:09PM
We had a feeling it was coming any day now, but now we have confirmation that Sling won’t be leaving iPhone and ipod touch users in the lurch when it comes to streaming TV to their devices. The bad news is the software they showed us was pre-alpha proof-of-concept, and their whole situation is hamstrung by the fact that Apple hasn’t officially accepted them into the developer program yet. So what we’ve seen is basically an app developed out of bounds for jailbroken devices — thus it goes without saying that Sling won’t be releasing it until they can do so legitimately. But assuming all goes well, they do intend to get it out the door by sometime this fall or winter. No word yet on the Android release. Video of the app in action after the break.

Gallery: Sling announces proof-of-concept SlingPlayer Mobile for iphone

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Filed under: cellphones

The Sci Fi Channel is working on creating possibly a brand new genre of video game or television series depending on how you want to look at it. Basically, they’ve put video game designers and television writers together to come up with a product that is both a tv series as well as a massive multiplayer game (MMORPG).

While you may be salivating at the thought of this, you’ll have to wait a bit as the target launch date isn’t until 2010. I have to admit I’m looking forward to this, as I think it’ll will be even more immersive than either a video game or a tv show can be by themselves. Good luck Sci Fi.

via LA Times.

Posted in Miscellaneous

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Jun 8th 2008 at 8:17PM
C’mon guys — you’re going to have to do better than this. First you show us that beat looking gray phone with the “dot” front-facing camera. Now the dot has magically grown, and the gray face looks more and more like a Colorware job or a badly cut sticker. But you know what’s really insulting? You show that colored plastic back, and then in the next picture, the original iphone aluminum back is clearly visible. Honestly… it’s like you’re not even trying.

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Filed under: cellphones

Previously, NDrive’s G400 was the only GPS to have an integrated breathalyzer, but now, the Italian company AvMap, has followed and added a breathalyzer into their own GPS. With a GPS unit dubbed the Geosat 6 Drive Safe, it only seems appropriate that it includes a safety feature such as a breathalyzer.

The Geosat 6 Drive Safe comes with a built-in breathalyzer that can tell you your blood alcohol level and let you know if it is advisable to drive, or if you should call up a friend.

“Thanks to Geosat 6 Drive Safe, drivers can now check their blood alcohol level before driving.

The new Geosat 6 Drive Safe comes with built-in sensor for alcohol test: this will allow the driver to decide whether they are sober enough to drive. Taking the test is very easy: select the alcohol tests button on the touch screen, get close to the sensor and blow to get the results immediately to see whether it is wise for you to be behind the wheel.”

Furthermore, it is set to come with a 4.8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth capabilities for hands free calling as well as text-to-speech functionality. It looks like the only safety feature is the breathalyzer, however, if they want to make it safer, they should add some feature to not allow the car start up in case the driver had one too many drinks. Because even a safety feature like this cannot stop stupidity. Otherwise, it is expected to be available in Italy sometime this month for 450 Euros.

Via [NaviGadget]

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CNET UK reviews the Sony Ericsson W890i and writes, “One of our pet peeves about the W880i was that its 2-megapixel camera wasn’t fantastic. We’re glad to see a better, 3.2-megapixel snapper on the W890i. Sadly, this upgraded camera still doesn’t have a flash or LED photo light, so shots in low light don’t come out well…Its camera, however, isn’t substantial enough to replace your dedicated snapper. Without a flash or LED photo light, your best bet would be to stick to daylight pictures. There’s not an autofocus option either so close-up shots aren’t clear.”

Read more about the Sony Ericsson W890.

Live leaked images are typically something that come as a welcomed event, and in the case of the X800 from Philips the handset has a decent look but sadly that is where it stops. It simply does not have the specs to match the design as its missing some important support.

The handset is missing something that many have just come to expect, especially considering it offers such a large (2.9-inch) touchscreen display. It is lacking support for WLAN, 3G and even EDGE.

This handset was officially announced by Philips back in May, along with the Xenium X-Connect, but they have still not released any further information regarding pricing or availability. This, as listed below in the specs is certainly not a handset that we can get all that excited over.

• General: 2G Network GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
• Display: Type TFT touchscreen, 256K colors
• Size: 240 x 400 pixels (Wide QVGA), 2.9 inches
• Screensavers and wallpapers
• Ringtones Type: Polyphonic (64 channels), MP3
• Customization: Download
• Vibration: Yes
• Memory Phonebook: Yes
• Call records: 30 received, dialed and missed calls
• Card slot: microSD (TransFlash)
• Data: GPRS Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
• HSCSD: No
• EDGE: No
• 3G: No
• WLAN: No
• Bluetooth: Yes, v2.0 with A2DP
• Infrared port: No
• USB: Yes
• Features Messaging: SMS, EMS, MMS
• Browser: WAP 2.0/xHTML
• Games: Yes
• Colors: Black

Via [JAMPB] Via [BGR]

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The upcoming blackberry Thunder finally has a live shot, and while it does not cover all the internal specs, it does give us a good idea of what we have in store for us on the outside. Aside from the large touchscreen display, the Thunder has just about all the convenience (button-wise) as any current BlackBerry model. From the image we can see it has the standard send, end/power, menu and escape keys that you would expect. It also has a lock key in the upper left, a play/pause key on the upper right, as well as a left and right convenience key and external volume controls. It also clearly confirms that it will be headed to Verizon—at least initially. 3G iphone who?

Via [BGR]

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