The first time we laid eyes on iGUGU's InterneTV marketing materials, we sensed something was strange in the neighborhood. After seeing the unique product in action though, we've decided to give it a bit more credit. Unlike most internet TV solutions that rely on set-top boxes to stream content, iGUGU's product attempts to make connecting an existing computer to a TV easier using software, a wireless or wired TV connector, and a special QWERTY keyboard remote. The software then provides a not-so-pretty TV interface for browsing through any type of content a computer could normally access online. True to its word, we watched the system play videos on ABC.com and other blocked sites devices like a Roku box or AppleTV can't access. The application also allows users to play local content stored on the computer and aggregates content in pre-populated "channels" like local news, movies, and TV shows. That's all gravy, but we're not sure its worth $99 considering it still requires a computer to work. For more shots of the UI and included components browse through the gallery below.
This festive season has ignited celebrations of the highest magnitude as the entire country is lit with beautiful lights and fireworks. The mood is amplified by lines of lamps, floral decorations and exchange of gifts that lend grandeur to the occasion. Not wanting to be left out, the technological space too was sparkled with attractive gadgets. With modern life is driven by cool gadgets, we indeed witnessed a wide array of exuberant innovations. Here we list out some gizmos that added glimmer to the tech world this October.
Razer made an appearance with its thrilling Naga Maelstrom Special Edition and Molten Special Edition gaming mice. Gamers can look forward to an unmatched level of performance and distinctiveness. The enticing Maelstrom turns on with a whirlpool of charming blue light emerging right from its swirling core. The Maelstrom boasts of a zero-acoustic Ultraslick feet and glowing vertex design and offers 5600dpi Razer Precision 3.5G laser sensor and 1000Hz Ultrapolling/1ms response time while the Molten includes 5600dpi Razer Precision 3.5G laser sensor. The solutions house 17 fully-programmable MMO-optimized buttons and advanced macro functionality. This month we also spotted the company unfurling a new line of peripherals based on StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty which included the Spectre StarCraft II gaming mouse, Marauder StarCraft II gaming keyboard and Banshee StarCraft II gaming headset. The month delighted many mobile enthusiasts with a new mesmerizing Nokia handset dubbed N8. Featuring unrivaled attributes, the mobile phone comes powered with the Symbian ^3 OS. Adorning a stunning real-glass 3.5-inch AMOLED screen, the device allures social buffs with several social networking options. Photo enthusiasts can capture their memorable moments as the phone sports an enthralling 12MP equipped with Carl Zeiss optics. Individuals can enjoy a complete entertainment experience since the device offers impeccable Dolby Digital Plus surround sound. The incredible N8 promises to put forth an enhanced user and developer experience. Dell uncloaked its new Dell Streak tablet which puts forth a unique combination of powerful and exciting mobile computing and broadband communication. Users can view remarkable images and videos on the vibrant 5-inch multi-touch WVGA display. The slim attributes enables owners to quickly slip the device into a pocket or purse. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8250T mobile processor, the offering flaunts a captivating 5MP camera and a VGA front facing camera, thereby offering an effortless shooting experience. Individuals need not worry since the tablet functions seamlessly with an advanced battery life. Owners can store their most liked movies, videos and photos as the solution offers expandable 32GB memory. The solution undoubtedly creates a benchmark in the way individuals will experience the internet. Another beauty that popped up this month was the Apple MacBook Air, which comes without mechanical hard disks and optical drives. Nipping its waistline, the laptop now measures 0.68-inches at its thickest point and 0.11-inches at its thinnest tip. Crafted in an aluminum unibody framework, it integrates Intel Core 2 Duo processors coupled with Nvidia GeForce 320M graphics solution. This gizmo incorporates a built-in FaceTime camera, mic and stereo speakers, enabling users to make video calls effortlessly. Operating on the Mac OS X Snow Leopard, this laptop comes in two screen size variants, 11 and 13 inches. Fashioning enticing aesthetics, Apple’s latest offering sure seems to be an eye grabber. Up next is the recently launched BlackBerry Torch, which strides in as the first handset from RIM to mix in a QWERTY keypad with a full touchscreen display. Powered by the latest BlackBerry 6 OS, this smartphone is Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled. One key highlight of the phone is the Universal Search which allows mobile aficionados to rummage through the device to locate any content on the smartphone. Flaunting a 5 megapixel camera, it furnishes an 8GB integrated memory and up to 32GB of additional storage support. Furthermore, the newly enhanced WebKit-based browser proffers seamless web navigation. Even though the smartphone amalgams a QWERTY and a touchscreen, it does not lose out on its sleekness. Windows’ recently launched 4GB Xbox 360 console might just appeal to Indian gaming enthusiast with a tight budget. Crafted with a matte finish, this gaming system has been embedded with five USB ports and touch-sensitive buttons. Fitted with a dedicated jack for the forthcoming Kinect, it will allow players to gain the most out of the controller-free system and offer a superior gaming experience. Supporting Wi-Fi connectivity, it also renders optical digital audio. The console furnishes three variants, namely the 4GB, Arcade and the 250GB systems.
Novel technological advancements are here to stay, spreading the light of knowledge and enhancing minds world over. So while homes are being renovated to look fresh this Diwali, users can add a touch of technology to their lives this festive season. Let the true essence of Diwali sink in as the celebrations unfold.
The season of lights, sweets, gifts and wishing each other has almost taken the plunge, leaving all of us with soaring excitement about how to surprise our loved ones. Why not be a little ‘just out’ this time and bring in a tech-filled festive season. So here we list out Top 5 gadgets that won’t only save you from digging a hole in your pocket this Diwali, but will also make your loved ones feel special. For Cervantes, ‘he who sings scares away his woes’, but for you it might stand next to being flip-side. Well, to delight your loved ones this Diwali, the Creative Zen X-Fi2 music player crawls on to our list. The super exquisite device furnishes an ultra slim exterior to complement one’s style statement and is well-lit with refulgent traits. Buckled down to make that special person kick up her heels, or say his shoes for that matter, the creatively framed player sports a noteworthy 3-inch touchscreen and Xtreme Fidelity X-Fi audio technology. The integration of video-out functional capability for viewing videos and photographs on a TV via an optional cable further makes it nab some extra brownie points. This one will make you fork out Rs. 7,000 for 8GB model, while the 16GB version settles for Rs. 9,500. If getting by without entertaining tidbits is challenging for your dear ones, the second druthers from our table may look all bright to you. To help one stay plugged into a social network while being on the wheels, LG’s Optimus should be thought over without any puzzlement. The smartphone brimmed with useful features keeps one occupied with a wide selection of Android applications and enhanced social networking functions. If eager enough to ice up your dear one’s delight on receiving it, its 3 megapixel camera can partner you. Access to Twitter, Facebook and Bebo accounts is also provided by the handset’s Social Networking Client. You can buy this handset for Rs. 12,500. Our next pick just reminded us of an old proverb – ‘a book is like a garden carried in the pocket’. If your loved ones enjoy stowing their reading backyard when on the move, here’s a perfect option. To nourish that reading habit, EC Media’s Wink XTS multi-functional e-reader should get lauded. The device hugs an impressive 6-inch display that exhibits 800 x 600 resolution and sports a 16-level grayscale. Dressed in an eye-catchy wrapping, the elegant e-reader covers many miles with its support for 15 languages. It also keeps one engrossed with the backing of publishing houses such as Penguin, Roli, Oxford University, Harper Collins and Permanent Black. The integration of Wi-Fi connectivity, GPRS, USB 2.0, and audio and video playback support are some other characteristics to draw one’s attention. The e-reader carries a price tag of Rs. 11,490. Here comes our next option which falls slightly heavier on being among our favorites. With the gala time and phrase of celebration, cherishing memories is something which would convince that sensitive part in you. LG’s beautifully sketched out F8010N digital photo frame falls in just at the right time. All ‘in the saddle’ to vivify old memories, the moment-preserver comes fitted with a vibrant 8-inch widescreen and will prove to be ‘on the button’ for viewing and sharing images. Concerns like storage folder, image browsing, slide/multi show and image pause/zoom are taken care of as well. This particular pick will also lend support to various file formats while enlivening the journey with 800 x 600 resolution. You can grab this one for Rs. 8,990. Missing on a photographic equipment to capture those special memories during the festive season is simply infeasible. Topping off our recommending list, the FinePix Z700 from Fujifilm makes a great gift this season. To freeze your moments of festivity, the sleek 12 megapixel device will make one realize how ‘every picture matters’. Adorning a 3.5-inch 460k-pixel LCD, the entrancing unit walks the scene with EXR sensor technology, and the latest digital imaging technology merged with new YouTube and Facebook web-uploaded tool. In order to serve with incredible features, the camera offers high-definition movies in 720p with sound and high-quality still playback. If vibrancy in shades is something your loved ones get attracted by, then tinges of black, red and pink can make them even more tickled pink. Users can snap up this camera for Rs. 12,999. Well, with this, our helping hand comes to a nap. Hopefully, these hot gadgets will not only make you feel good about spending, but will also spawn a special day of memories. So here we leave you with warm wishes for this coming festive season. A very Happy Diwali to all our readers! By the way before we sign off, which one have you finally fixed upon to sift out?
Look who's back. The LCD plus digitizer combo that we first laid eyes on last month seems to have leaked out again, still claiming it'll be part of Apple's upcoming (unannounced, but popular knowledge anyway) iPod touch 4th generation refresh. It continues to insist it'll have a front-facing camera, pointing to the rounded hole in its forehead as evidence, and we're now inclined to trust it that little bit more given the leaking site's prior record. A visual inspection reveals it to have the same fused design as on the iPhone 4, which naturally invites speculation that the retina display will be pulling some PMP duty as well. Skip past the break to see the new screen side-by-side with Apple's latest phone display and third-gen iPod touch hardware.
After releasing the innovative X Mark I print, here’s another gadget galloping into Canon’s X series of calculators. Canon has launched the 3-in-1 X Mark I wireless laser mouse which not only includes a calculator, but can also be used as a numeric keypad for PCs.This sleek, angular and feature-rich offering is cited to be constructed out of recycled Canon materials. The gadget offers Bluetooth 2.0 capabilities to its users apart from the scroll-wheel and three click buttons. The 1200dpi mouse maybe considered apt for managing PCs as well as to carry out calculations. The device is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating environments. Additionally, the offering integrates a user-lock feature to prevent accidental pressing of keys while employing it as a mouse. Clear and legible data is flashed on the high-resolution display panel of the gadget which is made up of ten digits. Users are also provided with updates regarding the operational status. Apart from being crafted out of recycled materials, this eco-friendly mouse is also energy efficient thanks to its Auto-power Off function. To offer a prolonged battery life, the peripheral is equipped with a low power indicator. Available in a glossy white or black shade, the X Mark I mouse is expected to arrive in November this year. This 3-in-1 gadget is priced at £39.99 (approx. Rs. 2,450).
Given the extreme performance and category dominance we discovered with Alienware desktop computers, we shouldn’t be very surprised that the Alienware M17x garners such high ratings among gaming laptops. The brand continues its dominance of the gaming category without missing a beat and even the extreme graphics motif that makes it stand out among desktops is carried over to the laptop units. If there are any two points that we find just a little disconcerting about this laptop, the first has to be its very designation into this category. This unit is both large and heavy. Be really careful when shopping for a bag to carry it around. The typical laptop bag designated for 17-inch computers just won’t do it. If you can find one that claims to accommodate two 17-inch computers, you’ll be in good shape. As for weight, at about thirteen pounds, depending on how it’s configured, it’s not going to be a suitable replacement for a netbook…nor is it intended to be. The other bone of contention is its price. Of course, shoppers considering Alienware are looking for performance rather than a bargain price so that’s no big surprise.
Alienware computers are famous for their radical appearance and this one is no exception. The anodized aluminum case is available in silver, black or red but that’s just the beginning. The screen features edge-to-edge glass on the display that announces immediately that you’re not dealing with any run of the mill machine. Alienware has a system call Fusion FX which allows you to set the colors behind the backlit keys. In fact, as many as four different colors can be selected simultaneously so that different regions of the keyboard display different colors. Certainly not necessary but definitely cool looking. The lighting options extend down the front of the keyboard in a grill-like arrangement that is either reminiscent of a stealth fighter or a 1950s concept car.
Features:
When talking about extreme gaming computers, it’s always the graphics card setup the gets most of the attention. That’s certainly the case with the M17x which comes standard with an awesome NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M card featuring a substantial 1GB of video memory. If that’s not enough for your extreme gaming requirements, the computer can be ordered with a pair of the NVIDIA cards which will support outrageous gaming requirements or amazing multitasking.
Alienware’s M17x can be built with either Inter Core 2 processors or the newer i5 and i7 CPUs. For Core 2’s, the included processor is a substantial Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 running at 2.4GHz, 3MB Cache and 1066MhzFSB but there are lots of upgrade options. There are two faster Core 2 Duo processors available with the T9600 running at 2.8GHz clock speed and 6MB Cache or the T9800 that kicks the speed up to 2.93GHz with the same Cache. A couple of different Intel Core 2 Quad processors are also options. The first is the Q9800 with the four cores running at 2.0GHz or, for ultimate performance, the Intel Core 2 Quad QX9300 with four 2.53GHZ cores, 12MB Cache and 1066 MHz FSB.
The alternative base processor is the Intel Core i5 520M running at 2.4GHz and 3MB Cache. There’s also the option of an i5 540M running at 2.53GHz. There are four Intel Core i7 options with the basic processor running at 2.66GHz and sporting 4MB Cache. The top of the line is the Intel Core i7 920XM which clocks at 2.0GHZ or up to 3.2GHz in Turbo Mode and has a 8MB Cache.
When you have a need for speed, the next essential piece of the puzzle is RAM memory. The basic unit comes equipped with 4GB of dual channel DDR3 1066MHz RAM. It’s upgradable to 6GB or 8GB with the snappiest option being 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 running at 1333MHz. While the base 4GB is pretty substantial for a typical laptop, for this gaming monster, we can’t help but think a RAM upgrade is a no brainer.
There are several storage options available, too. The starting point is a pretty pedestrian 250GB drive running at 7,200RPM. The 7,200RPM drives can be upgraded to 320 or 500GB or you can choose to sacrifice speed for size by opting for a 640GB drive that spins at 5,400RPM. To really get fast, both 128GB and 256GB solid state drives are also available. They’ll give far faster data access speed than any mechanical hard drive can but have notably smaller storage space available.
Available optical drives include a DVD/CD burner, a drive that will also play Blu-ray discs and a final upgrade to one that includes a Blu-ray burner. The included optical display, i.e. the screen, is a 17-inch WideXGA+ which displays 1440 x 900 pixels (900p). That can be enhanced by adding a 17-inch WideUXGA screen displaying 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution (1200p).
The M17x comes with a one year basic service plan which can be increased to three or four years. There’s also an advanced in home service plan available but it requires remote diagnosis before a technician would be dispatched
Parrot has finally unveiled its quadricopter for public purchase in the US come this September 3rd as expected, although our friends across the pond have already had their fun since last month. You can place your pre-order at Brookstone, where this unique quadricopter will rely on augmented reality and can be piloted with an iPod touch, an iPhone or an iPad. It has a price tag of $299 and will ship to customers from September 3rd onwards, while those who want to pick it up themselves physically can do so at Brookstone stores through October 31st. Perfect to keep yourself occupied this fall and holiday season, eh? You can see a video of the Parrot AR.Drone in action after the jump.
Now you can use your Android-powered smartphone to lock, unlock and start your vehicle as long as it relies on a Viper remote start system. The app is now available on the Android Market and through Viper creator Directed Electronics' site as well, just in case you can't be bothered to find a Wi-Fi hotspot or do not have an unlimited data plan for your Android device. The iPhone version was already released in October last year, while BlackBerry users had their turn in the spotlight at January earlier this year. The Android app will be exactly the same as the other versions, so don't expect to see new or additional features here. While the app itself costs nothing, you will need to have Viper's SmartStart security hardware installed in your vehicle apart from an active subscription to the company's $29.99 a year security service.
Japan seems to be a society that is slowly but surely moving towards having robots serve the people there, and they are the main draw currently at an expo in Tokyo. Some of these little robots would be the sound-sensitive Chapit, who is capable of answering simple questions while cracking jokes with people, helping the lonely fight loneliness while keeping their minds alert even in old age. It would be extremely interesting to see whether robots will start becoming more mainstream in our homes here in the US.
Anyone who sees the Float Table in the living room will probaby wonder what kind of magic or sorcery you dabble with when they lay their eyes on it the first time round. Comprising of 64 cubes in total, they are all magnetized in a manner that they will never touch each other, levitating perfectly in mid air as well. A series of steel cables within help everything remain in place without sliding off somewhere and falling apart, and you also have the choice rearranging the cubes and cables in a way you want, limited by your imagination. Just make sure you don't place anything sensitive like a portable hard drive or credit card since if it falls through the crack, you might as well kiss it goodbye.
It seems that the BlackBerry Bold 9650 isn't the only kid on the block that is capable of running on OS 6.0, as a leaked video of the BlackBerry Bold 9780 shows the same operating system running just fine as well. This could very well be the device that will ship at RIM's event next week, but bear in mind that this is a pre-release device, so you can bet your bottom dollar that the released device will run the final software version. It seems that the Bold 9780 has pretty minimal improvements which include a similar screen resolution to the 9700, as well as 512MB RAM just like the 9650. Check out a video of the 9780 running OS 6.0 in the extended post.
The HRP-2 Promet from AIST has surely come a long way, where this robot is now able to handle minor changes in height on the ground which it is walking on. Of course, this is still a far cry away from Boston Dynamics’ BigDog, let alone another bipedal robot from the good people at Boston Dynamics (again) - we're talking about the PetMan this time round. Hopefully AIST will be able to play catch up, and fast! At least this is a good start, now for the real hard work to begin.
Toshiba seems to be banking pretty heavily on the world of stereoscopic 3D, with a 3D upgrade kit being made available to its range of Blu-ray recorders, following in the footsteps of its Regza line of 3D HDTVs. All the new Blu-ray recorders will be armed with a hard drive within, where the flagship RD-X10 will feature 2TB of storage space while letting you play 3D movies out of the box. Arriving in Japan this September, it will retail for $2,500 after conversion. Apart from that, there will be also three more models which will take advantage of the aforementioned 3D upgrade kit, although there is still no word on pricing as at press time.
Iriver has just introduced its new sleek and elegant looking framee-Smart digital photo frame over in Japan. The framee-Smart sports a 7-inch 480 x 234 pixel display, and surprisingly only supports JPEG pictures, so that means no BMP, GIF, or TIFF format files. This classy looking photo frame will be available in either black or white, and will be going for 8,000 Yen ($91).
The Porsche 918 Spyder which started off as a concept won't remain so for long, as it will be turned into a series production model in due time. It originally debuted as a concept earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show, featuring a plug-in hybrid powertrain that is touted to deliver a whopping 78 miles per gallon. The concept saw a 500-horsepower V8 engine that worked in tandem with a pair of electric motors with 109 hp each, while the lithium ion battery is capable of delivering 16 miles of emissions-free driving from grid energy. While the powertrain was not expected to be altered much for production, Porsche didn't announce when the 918 will be available for the rich and famous to bring one home, although it has been speculated that a €500,000 (about $650,000 USD) price tag should be about right. Well, if it ever makes its way Stateside, expect to gain from a $7,500 tax credit.
Good to know that a burst bubble earlier in the month isn't going to continue for much longer, as the Huawei S7's shipping date has been tagged at September 6th - moving more than a month after the already delayed date of August 5th. Well, if you've waited this long for the Android 2.1-powered tablet, what is another month more, right? Underneath the hood you will find a rather impressive 768MHz Snapdragon processor running proceedings, aided by an SDHC memory card slot for memory expansion capability. Word has it that a 32GB SDHC-bundled version might be hitting the markets as early as this Friday itself for $460, while those who want the non-SDHC-bundled model will have to wait until September with $360 prepared in hand. How will this tablet change the mobile computing scene? Not much, but it will certainly add some flavor to it.
While iOS 4 offers many improved features, particularly to iPhone 3GS owners, but it seems that iPhone 3G owners who opted to update to the latest firmware are also experiencing some problems, most notably with performance and battery life. According to user feedback in the forums, iPhone 3G owners havecomplained about slow keyboard response times, frozen unlock screens, and bad battery life. Fortunately Apple has confirmed that it's now looking into the complaints, and we do hope that the issue for iPhone 3G owners will be addressed soon.
Luxury watch maker TAG Heuer has announced three new models of its Meridiist phone, all of which share the same overall design, but sport different finishes. The Black Diamond is a PVD-coated device, made out of 316L stainless steel, 18-carat pink gold, lizard leather, and 1.34-carat diamonds. The Stainless Steel & Rose Gold model also offers 18-carat pink gold, stainless steel and alligator leather, but lacks the diamonds. Finally, the Meridiist Python Gold Dust offers 1.3-carat diamonds, mixed with gold, East African green garnet, and python leather. Technical specifications of these luxury phones include 1.9-inch QVGA sapphire crystal displays, secondary OLED displays at the top, 2-megapixel cameras, and 2GB of internal memory. Pricing and availability information haven't been revealed just yet, but you can bet it'll cost a pretty penny.
If you ever decided that you needed to digitize your books, you'll probably figure out that it's quite a painstaking process, and if you had some tools to help you along, your life would probably be a lot more enjoyable. Enter the BookLiberator frame, which should help make you get the job done a lot faster, though it it's not automated, so you'll still need to be actively involved in the whole process. The design calls for a frame where you can mount the cameras, and keep the pages for the book pressed down while you hit the shutter button, getting the scans that you want. The BookLiberator kits should be going on sale soon for $120, though you'll need to fork out an additional $80 if you want the cameras too. If you're confident about your DIY skills, the instructions are available online for you to experiment with. Check out a video of this in action after the jump.
Nokia has officially announced its next flagship phone – the Nokia N8. It’s hard to say if the beating that Nokia N8 took in an early review had anything to do with this out of the blue announcement, but we are not complaining. The press release includes plenty of goodies (scroll down for videos and snaps) to please Nokia fans.
Of course, thanks to the early review and innumerable leaks we already know pretty much everything about Nokia N8. Among other things, it will boast of a 12 megapixel camera (with Carl Zeiss optics and Xenon flash), HD Video recording, HDMI port, 3.5-inch 640 x 360 capacitive touchscreen, 16GB of built-in storage, up to 32 GB of expandable memory (microSD), Symbian ^3 OS, Ovi Maps, Ovi Store and Social networking integration .
The new bit of information is that Nokia N8 will cost about 370 Euros before taxes. This amounts to about $500 or Rs. 22,000.
