Gadgetstronics

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Jun 5th 2008 at 11:14AM
As we inch towards the towering precipice of WWDC 2008, rumors swirling around Apple’s next iteration of the iphone are being deposited onto the interblogs at an alarming rate. The latest set comes in three distinct flavors, the first of which recalls an earlier story that telcos would be offering subsidies for long-term contract signers. According to separate sources, Spain’s Telefonica and the UK’s O2 would offer the 3G iPhone at discounted rates (as low as €100) for those willing to put pen to paper, while some are claiming that O2 might also offer a “free” upgrade to the new phone for existing users. In other pot-stirring news, iDealsChina is reporting that the phone will suddenly be 2.0mm shorter and 0.5mm thinner than previously spec’d by Griffin in its new casing molds, thus causing all kinds of trouble for the accessory-maker… and people with big hands. Finally, we can safely report that AT&T has run out of stock of the device online (finally joining Apple). The site claims it’s a “temporary” situation — one which we suspect will be rectified by the appearance of a new model. Time to get in that line?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Read - Telefonica to be sole distributor of 3G iPhone in Spain for 100 euro
Read - Rumour: O2 plans free iPhone 3G upgrade and pay-as-you-go
Read - iPhone 3G last minute size change!
Read - AT&T iPhone page

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Filed under: cellphones

by Paul Miller, posted Jun 5th 2008 at 3:12PM
We just got our hands on Nokia’s sexy new N78, which it’s bringing to us previously Nokia-starved North Americans in full-fledged, unlocked 3.5G. The phone boasts Nokia’s new maps 2.0 app, along with photo geotagging, and of course all those N-series trimmings like WiFi and dual cameras. There’s no N-Gage support yet, but a firmware update is forthcoming. Unfortunately for us, we had trouble getting geotagging or even online photo uploads in general to work at all — we didn’t stoop so low as to look at the manual, but Nokia certainly has some interface kinks to work out here. Maps 2.0 is all it’s cracked up to be, and the phone tracked our walk down the block with accuracy bordering on creepiness. The keypad is a bit of a departure for Nokia, with ridges instead of full keys, but it didn’t take us long to get comfortable with. We’re less impressed with the touch sensitive “Navi wheel” on the d-pad, given Nokia’s sporadic software support and its generally janky nature. The overall build of the device is classic Nokia, light but not too light, certainly not too thin but quite comfortable to use and pocket. We had no problem reading the screen in direct sunlight, and it’s bright indoors as well. Though we can’t recommend this unit without reservation, it’s certainly one of the hottest phones for its form factor going, and once Nokia spruces up the new software a bit — S60 3.2’s new transitions are nice but aren’t quite enough to make up for the shortcomings — our gripes will be pretty much non-existant.

Gallery: Nokia N78 for North America hands-on

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Filed under: cellphones

Unlike the recently released Xacti DMX-CA camcorder, the HD1010 is not waterproof. However it certainly is packed with powerful features that you wouldn’t expect a tiny gadget such as this one to have.

Boasting of a 4-megapixel camera with 10x optical zoom, the Xacti HD1010 combines both the functionality of a digital camera and a digital camcorder offering up an advanced, next-generation video performance and high quality stills in one small, lightweight camera. The Xacti HD1010 can record both 1080i HD-video and take 4-megapixel digital still images.

Other features of this new camcorder include a 2.7-inch LCD display, 10x optical zoom, video and still image stabilization, sequential shooting, face detection on still images of up to 12 faces, face chases “video” of up to 12 faces. This camcorder also features a high quality audio recording, wind roar and red eye reduction, webcam functionality, support for SDHC cards and 40MB of internal memory.

Product [Sanyo Digital] Via [Akihabara News]

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by Nilay Patel, posted Jun 5th 2008 at 4:57PM
Sony’s Bravia Internet Video Link hasn’t really gotten much attention, but the little box is growing up so fast — Sony’s just announced that as of today, YouTube content will now be available at no extra cost. That’s in addition to channels from Style.com, Sports Illustrated, blip.tv, and others, and YouTube content should pop up in the BIVL’s XMB inteface just like all the rest. Sounds great — now to figure out how to RickRoll the sucker.

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Filed under: Home Entertainment

by Thomas Ricker, posted Jun 5th 2008 at 5:52AM
var Ooo, ahhh, you feeling that 3D display on your 2D panel? You should, it’s the world’s largest 3D LCD panel from VMJ measuring in at 65-inches. The stereoscopic panel developed with support from VisuMotion features a 1920 x 1080 resolution, 6-ms refresh, 120-degree viewing angle, and DVI and RGB inputs. Best of all, no goofy 3D glasses of any type are required thanks to the incorporation of Sharp’s Parallax Barrier viewing technology. Priced at ¥3.15 million (about $30k) when it starts advertising CosaNostra Pizza around Mr. Lee’s Greater Hong Kong.

[Via Akihabara News and Impress]

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Filed under: Displays

Here is a piece of concept furniture made for people that are proud to show off their movie or music collections. Created by designer Peter Lea, the Digitable, as it is called, not only works as storage for keeping your precious DVDs and CDs close at hand, but the table can play them as well. Built into the center of the glass top is a DVD/CD player that can be controlled via buttons on the horizontal support ring. You could grab your favorite DVD or CD from the storage ring in the bottom of the table and you would not even have to get up to play it. It’s the ultimate furniture for a couch potato or a movie buff.

How the Digitable would get power and plug into your television isn’t exactly demostrated by the picture. After all, it’s just a concept piece and I’m sure those issues are being worked out. It does look high-tech and pretty though, as if it belongs in a sci-fi movie like, 2001: A Space Odyssey. The only thing missing would be a built-in game console with hidden storage for the controllers. You add that to the Digitable, Mr. Lea, and you’ll have a heck of a place to put your coffee.

Read more at Peter Lea’s Website via Gizmodo.

The Razer Salmosa might have been released a few months ago, but there is a new China pro-gaming editin that was co-developed with top Asian pro-gamers. Those who are thinking of getting their hands wet with a gaming mouse in the east might want to give this a shot - after all, with an endorsement by XiaoFeng “Sky” Li who plays on Team World Elite’s Warcraft III team, it can’t be all that bad, right? I don’t think this ambidextrous mouse will cost significantly more (if any) than the regular version. What’s the best gaming mouse you’ve ever used?

LG will be concentrating plenty of effort in taking great looking images with its new KC550 handset that features the following :-

• 5 megapixel camera
• Built-in LED flash
• ISO 800
• Sliding lens cover
• Video recording @ 30fps in 720 × 480 resolution
• Motion sensor

No idea on how much this will cost, but does getting one mean you’ll be ditching your point-and-shoot digital camera?

I absolutely adore this speaker concept known as…the Speak-er. It features the form factor of a cartoon speech bubble that adds to the cuteness, bringing both form and function into a single sleek device. I wonder when will these actually be manufactured - they’d definitely be best sellers if the design is realized. I’m pretty surprised nobody thought of this before, but perhaps different variants can be released which includes thought bubbles?

The Tony Hawk Sidekick LX is official.
T-MOBILE USA ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH WORLD-RENOWNED PROFESSIONAL SKATEBOARDER TONY HAWK

Collaboration Includes the New T-Mobile Sidekick LX Tony Hawk Edition

BELLEVUE, Wash. – June 5, 2008 – T-Mobile USA, Inc., has aligned with one of the world’s greatest action sports stars, Tony Hawk, for a multiplatform partnership that includes the creation of a limited edition T-Mobile® Sidekick LX™ device, presenting sponsorship support and programming for Tony Hawk’s Boom Boom HuckJam 2008 North American Tour, and events benefiting the Tony Hawk Foundation.

As one of the most renowned professional skateboarders in the world, and a respected ambassador of the ever-popular action-sports world, Tony Hawk has brought attention to the sport of skateboarding on a mass level, becoming a household name and role model for his fans, while maintaining an authentic edge among his core peers. Through close collaboration with Tony Hawk, T-Mobile is providing Sidekick enthusiasts with a limited-edition version of the popular T-Mobile Sidekick LX this summer.

Tony puts his personal design on the iconic device by giving it a true skateboard look. The bottom cover of the device is outfitted to resemble and feel just like the top of a skateboard, including a texture like grip-tape and eight simulated screws. The limited-edition Sidekick also features a slate-grey shell, accented with blue and white designs, and Tony’s well-known hawk graphic. A customized Tony Hawk theme will be included on the device featuring an exclusive video of Tony performing tricks, a Tony-inspired background, and skate-themed swivel screen open and close sounds.

In addition, the T-Mobile Sidekick LX Tony Hawk Edition will be the first Sidekick to ship with video record, play and share. It also includes other enhancements such as a more personalized Web browsing experience, stereo Bluetooth support, easier downloads and more options for theme and background personalization.

“I’ve been a loyal Sidekick user since the first model that launched back in 2002; I use my Sidekick for everything from staying connected to friends to keeping my hectic schedule on track,” said Tony Hawk. “I’m excited to be collaborating with T-Mobile to create a brand new, custom Sidekick LX that will represent action sports, as well as my own style.”

“Tony Hawk is a global sports icon revered and respected by people of all ages,” said Mike Belcher, Director of Integrated Marketing for T-Mobile USA. “His ability to keep connected to his friends, family and others while maintaining a busy, fast-paced lifestyle is what the Sidekick brand is all about.”

To support the availability of the T-Mobile Sidekick LX Tony Hawk Edition, T-Mobile will launch a national consumer promotion and also implement programming for the Tony Hawk Foundation and the annual Tony Hawk’s Boom Boom HuckJam action-sports tour. For the national promotion, beginning this summer, T-Mobile Sidekick will offer consumers and Sidekick fans alike a chance to win the ultimate prize package that will include a trip to Los Angeles and an opportunity to meet Tony in person, including a VIP pass to attend his annual charity event, Stand Up For Skateparks, in Beverly Hills, Calif., benefiting the Tony Hawk Foundation. More information on the promotion, including full contest entry rules and restrictions, can be found at www.sidekick.com later this summer.

Tony Hawk created the Tony Hawk Foundation in 2002 to help promote and finance public skateparks in low-income areas. The Foundation will launch its signature Stand Up for Skateparks benefit in East Hampton, N.Y., later this year to benefit the cause, raise funds for the development of future skateparks, as well as to launch the new T-Mobile Sidekick LX Tony Hawk Edition. T-Mobile will also be a Premier sponsor of the Foundation’s Stand Up For Skateparks annual benefit in Beverly Hills, Calif. In addition, T-Mobile Sidekick is the presenting sponsor for Tony Hawk’s Boom Boom HuckJam 2008 North American Tour, a multicity tour beginning this summer featuring the world’s best skateboarders, BMX bikers and freestyle motocross riders performing exciting routines on a million-dollar ramp system over live music. Since its inception in 2003, the hugely successful HuckJam tour has sold out venues across the country every year. In select markets of the Boom Boom HuckJam Tour, T-Mobile Sidekick will work with local radio stations for additional ticket giveaways and provide another opportunity for Tony Hawk fans to meet their icon.

This summer, all Sidekick LX customers will receive an over-the-air update that includes the new functionality that is integrated in the T-Mobile Sidekick LX Tony Hawk Edition, such as video recording and playback ability, an alarm clock, stereo Bluetooth support, and Bluetooth file transfer support. The limited-edition Sidekick also features all of the great functionality that Sidekick LX customers have grown accustomed to, such as seamless Web browsing; a dynamic MySpace experience, available for download; instant messaging; e-mail; and a best-in-class keyboard.

Key features of the T-Mobile Sidekick LX Tony Hawk Edition include:

* Iconic swivel screen and full-QWERTY keyboard (manufactured by Sharp)
* WQVGA screen with high-definition LCD technology
* Stereo Bluetooth support
* Web browser and JavaScript support
* Personalized Web surfing: full-page layout similar to a PC or standard Sidekick screen-size layout to scroll and read a page; use Mini Page to zoom out on an overview of an entire Web page; save images from Web pages to the microSD card
* Record, play and share videos: record videos using the camera; receive video attachments from e-mail, picture messaging, or sideload videos to the microSD card; play video using the built-in media player; share videos via e-mail, Bluetooth support or picture messaging
* Easy downloads: install and use downloads without the need to restart the device; set a theme as the device’s default instantly
* Built-in music player that supports MP3 and AAC
* Mood lights: customizable light settings for various communication alerts including SMS, MMS, IM, phone, e-mail, Web browsing and organizer reminders
* Customized MySpace Mobile application available for purchase through the Download Catalog

Current Sidekick customers will have a chance to be the first to upgrade to the T-Mobile Sidekick LX Tony Hawk Edition in July through www.t-mobile.com or by calling 1-800-T-MOBILE. It will be available nationwide soon thereafter at select T-Mobile retail stores and dealers. All customers will be able to pre-register on www.sidekick.com and will receive a notification to alert them when it is available. Please visit www.sidekick.com for T-Mobile Sidekick news and updates.