Gadgets Base

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 21st 2008 at 11:35AM
Shortly after Samsung unveiled its summer stable of cameras, along comes Panasonic with a new trio of its own. Kicking things off is the zoom-infatuated DMC-FZ28, which features a remarkable 18x optical zoom, 10.1-megapixel sensor, Intelligent Auto Mode, Auto Focus and a 27-millimeter wide-angle lens. Moving on, we see the DMC-LX2’s rightful successor — the unimaginatively named LX3 — which lands in August alongside the aforementioned FZ28. Said shooter packs a 10.1-megapixel sensor, F2.0 24mm LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens and the ability to capture 720p movies at 24fps. Bringing up the rear is the pocket-friendly LUMIX DMC-FX37 (due in September), which touts a 25mm ultra wide-angle LEICA DC lens, 10.1-megapixel sensor (are you sensing a trend?), a 5x optical zoom and 720p movie mode. Ready for the sting(s)? Try $449.99, $499.95 and $349.95 in order of mention.

[Via LetsGoDigital]

Read - DMC-FZ28
Read - DMC-LX3
Read - DMC-FX37

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

Gigabyte has been teasing us with bits and pieces of information about its convertible M912 tablet pc for quite some time now. If you recall, we reported that one of its variant, the M912V was already released in Taiwan with an estimated retail price of around $892 US.

But new information about the M912 showed up via a Taiwanese poster at UMPC Fever. We learned that the Vista-powered M912V will actually have a suggested retail of around $656. It will also come with 1GB of RAM, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

We also learned that another model, the M912X which will come with Windows XP will have a retail price of around $620. And finally another model, the M912M with lower resolution display of 1024 x 600 will have a retail of around $556. Aside from the lower resolution, the M912M will also not have Bluetooth, hence the lower price tag.

So for those still waiting for Gigabyte’s convertible tablet PC to hit the market, at least you will have three options to choose from once they become available.

Via [Engadget]

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I am one of those people who never wears a watch on my wrist. Among the lame reasons that I don’t is that I find all watches cumbersome to fasten. Lazy me.

The runner-up at the global watch design competition “Timex2154: The future of time,” held by Timex and Core77, is a stunner that promises to fundamentally change the way watches are worn and used. TX54 is a concept for a translucent watch that can be worn on your . . . thumbnail. Add to that a lovely indiglo display with color options for the displayed text, and the translucent feature that allows the watch to blend completely into your nail unless it is “activated.” A deadly combination of fashion and functionality, if you please.

Well folks, since I am pretty sure that I will not last until 2154, I am just keeping my fingers crossed (and ready) in the hope of seeing this selling sooner.

Via Gearfuse.

by Paul Miller, posted Jul 21st 2008 at 10:24AM
There’s just one problem with this, the way we see it: most folks with $3000 earmarked for a gaming laptop probably already own an Xbox 360. Just a thought. Other than that we see little to dislike about this little promotion. Dell is offering up its top-of-the-line XPS M1730 system with an Xbox 360 Elite bundle tossed in for good measure. The bundle includes, a pair of faceplates, two game and of course the Xbox itself, and while it’s not exactly “free” — you’re looking at a couple hundred dollar premium over a similarly specced M1730 — it’s still a savings of over $300, and should be eBayable, if nothing else. Offer expires July 24th.

[Thanks, Cezar]

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Filed under: Gaming, Laptops

Sony will be rolling out the playstation PlayTV service in the UK when September 10 comes about, and this news was confirmed by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe president David Reeves at E3 last week. For those who are not in the know, the PlayStation PlayTV is a digital TV recorder that works well with both the PS3 and the portable PSP, enabling you to record whatever’s showing on TV while having your fun with games. Of course, with Internet connectivity via Wi-Fi on the PSP, you will also be able to watch live TV broadcasts on the PSP.

You will need to sacrifice a USB port on your PS3 though if you want to use the PlayTV service as the PlayTV tuner takes up one USB port. Of course, that is but a simple matter of throwing in a USB hub if you’re fast running out of ports, so no biggie here. The best part about the PlayTV service would be the ability to watch, pause and record free-to-air digital TV whenever you feel like watching TV instead of gaming. It records both standard and High Definition channels as long as the latter is available, and works somewhat like a personal video recorder as you watch a channel with the option to record another simultaneously. Thanks to the built-in program guide, you will be able to view listings and schedule recordings for the following week.

Folks who prefer to rock on with the more portable PSP will also be able to carry these features along with them wherever they go as long as they remain within the radius of a wireless Internet connection. The Remote Play function also lets you watch live TV, access previously recorded programs and organize your media library. The PlayTV tuner will retail for approximately £79.99 when it is available this September.

Source: BIOS

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Last summer, we reported that Spider-man 3 broke the record for the most successful opening weekend. I’ve just heard that this record has been broken by The Dark Knight, which is on the verge of becoming the best superhero movie ever.

I’m sure a lot of you saw it over the weekend. Some of you might have been greatly impressed by the Batpod, director Christopher Nolan’s take on the classic bat-cycle, without the sidecar for Robin. The Batpod was designed by Nathan Crowley, the same man who designed the Tumbler from the Batman Begins.

The stuntmen had a difficult time riding the Batpod. The vehicle has no handlebars, but shields for the shoulders that allow for steering. It was also difficult to keep balance on the huge 508 millimeter tires, with engines in both hubs of each wheel. Not only that, the driver has to lie belly down on either side of the tank, balanced on two foot pegs spaced 3 ½ feet apart.

I suppose learning how to ride a bike again is a small price to pay for riding the Batpod, especially when it has grappling hooks and machine guns. Boo-yeah!

Since six Batpods were built for this movie, we might see one of these available on Ebay, assuming they were not all wrecked during filming. Perhaps these Batpods might inspire some new extreme sport of some kind, and more of these special cycles could be designed for the casual, non-bat consumer.

Source

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by Darren Murph, posted Jul 21st 2008 at 10:45AMThe world already knew of Toshiba and Matsushita’s separate plans to barrel into the OLED realm, but Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology is all set to become the first in Japan to “mass produce organic electroluminescent, or OEL, display panels.” Reportedly, the two outfits will establish manufacturing lines in the Ishikawa Prefecture in fall of 2009, with plans to churn out one million 2.5-inch EL displays. Granted, the products will be rather minuscule in nature, with the idea being to fit them into cellphones, PMPs and other handheld gadgetry. Better hurry — Samsung’s pulling away over in South Korea.

[Via CNET]

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Filed under: Displays

Folks who own the Wii - the top selling console in the US for this generation, will soon be able to look forward to newer accessories that are supposed to enhance the gaming experience. InvenSense has a hand in these new updates this time round, shipping its IDG-600 multi-axis MEMS rate gyroscope in mass quantities to Nintendo for use in its Wii MotionPlus accessory. What’s the Wii MotionPlus, you ask? Well, it is an add-on peripheral that connects to the bottom end of the Wiimote, using both an accelerometer and the original sensor bar for a more comprehensive tracking process that results in a more accurate reading with each swing of your arm. In an upcoming title, Wii Sports Resort, a brief demonstration has showed that the Wii MotionPlus allows a player to throw a disc through the air and control the angle of flight, opening up new possibilities when gaming.

InvenSense isn’t offering something old, as their new class of silicon-based MEMS rate gyroscopes come in a smaller form factor and uses less juice to help prolong battery life. It is able to incorporate 3D mechanical features directly into single crystal silicon substrates while easily and cost effectively integrating it with CMOS electronics. Guess the integration of such technology with the Wiimote will enable high precision 3D tracking of rapid gaming gestures, opening up new possibilities for future game titles.

Logitech has also taken a ride on the bandwagon by introducing a new keyboard for the Wii. This officially licensed product by Nintendo is meant to make it much easier to enter URLs and communicate on the Wii. It doesn’t use any wires for connection, relying instead on the tried and tested 2.4GHz wireless technology. It comes in pearl white, complementing the Wii’s color and will definitely be a boon for chat-oriented games and the Wii Internet Channel. Special keyboard features include Zoom In/Out, Forward/Back, Quit and OK. The Logitech Cordless Keyboard for Wii will hit the US and Europe from next month onwards, retailing for $49.99 a pop.

Source: Gizmag

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You packed the sunscreen and a trashy beach read, and are now looking in dismay at your tangle of electronics. Here are a few handy devices designed for travel to lighten your load. The ComboSaver, an easy-to-use combination lock from Kensington, has a low-profile design and self-coiling cable for easy travel. The cable, which anchors your laptop securely so it doesn’t walk away, extends from 3-in to 6-ft and fits into the security slot found in 99 percent of notebook computers. $18.95 at Amazon.

You’re renting a car? The LiquidAUX Bluetooth Car Kit, also by Kensington, takes up almost no room in your luggage and enables you to listen to your tunes through the car stereo and enjoy legal, hands-free talking. Two features to love: built-in microphone with advanced noise/echo canceling filter for clear conversations; and 2.4GHz wireless remote control lets you play/pause, skip tracks or answer calls on your phone. $74.99 at Amazon.

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 21st 2008 at 8:15AM
Generally speaking, Oppo has stuck to its bread-and-butter: decently stylish PMPs and a well-received family of upscaling DVD players, respectively. Now, however, we’re seeing a trio of concepts which allude to a future unit (or three) boasting gaming functionality. Unfortunately, details beyond that are few and far between, and we’re not even certain of their place of origin. In other words, don’t bet on seeing these hit shelves in the foreseeable future, but keep your fingers crossed that they do anyway.

[Thanks, Raz]

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Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds