Archive for Gadgets

Microsoft Zune "Gaming" Phone Coming to CES 2009?

{ December 13, 2008 @ 8:41 am } · { Gadgets, Mobile }
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CES 2009 could see the pre-release of Microsoft’s much needed answer to Google’s Android and the Apple iPhone according to various sources on the Internet.

According to Trip Chowdhry from Global Equities Research, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer could take the centre stage at CES to unveil a device that will combine features from the Zune music players and Danger’s Sidekick handhelds.

But Zune’s Group Manager, Brian Seitz, has already said "No Zune phone at CES" but Project Pink, which is the name given to a group of services that Microsoft aims to deploy on mobile platforms could well be on the agenda.

It is unlikely that Microsoft will take on its own partners with a competing product; instead Microsoft could an intermediate version of Windows Mobile which will bridge the gap between the current Windows Mobile 6.1 and 7.

This could be a beta Windows Mobile 6.5 which is rumoured to be a minor upgrade and one which should bring in much needed improvements to the platform.

The Inquirer is also predicting that the new Zune phone could also double as a gaming phone – in fact, it could be more gaming console than phone.

Microsoft is already working with Nvidia on the Tegra platform which will boost the video capabilities of its mobile platform.

Danger is the mobile phone company Microsoft acquired at the beginning of the year for an undisclosed sum; Danger is also the company which was founded by Andy Rubin, who moved on to Google – through the acquisition of his startup, Android – to spearhead the Internet giant mobile project.

Related Content:

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Microsoft’s Ballmer to talk Windows 7 at CES

Rumor Smash: No Zune Phone at CES

More Zunephone rumours gathering in CES run up

UPDATED: New Zunephone Rumours

Microsoft Zune Phone to rival Apple’s iPhone

Zune Phone Makes Sense, but Politics Could Prevent It

Zune phone makes sense, but Microsoft says don’t count on it

Microsoft: Future of personal health (video)

{ March 15, 2008 @ 8:11 am } · { Computers & Internet, Gadgets, Technology News }
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The concept video produced by Microsoft Office Labs that was shown at a MIX08 session last week has found its way to the interwebs. Unfortunately it is a rip from the official MIX08 session webcast so the quality to begin with is not that great, and YouTube doesn’t do it much justice either. Having said all that, you can still get a pretty good idea of what Microsoft foresees as the future of personal health management with some advances in natural interface interactions.

Apple Announces New 2GB iPod shuffle For Just $69

{ February 20, 2008 @ 10:58 am } · { Gadgets }
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Apple announced that its iPod® shuffle, the world’s most wearable music player, is now even more affordably priced at $49 and that it is introducing a new 2GB model of the iPod shuffle for $69. The popular iPod shuffle is just half a cubic inch in volume, weighs just half an ounce, features an aluminum design with a built-in clip and comes in five colors—silver, blue, green, purple and a (PRODUCT) RED special edition.
“At just $49, the iPod shuffle is the most affordable iPod ever,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPod Product Marketing. “The new 2GB model lets music lovers bring even more songs everywhere they go in the impossibly small iPod shuffle.”
The 2GB iPod shuffle won’t be available till later this month!

iPhone firmware 1.1.4 imminent?

{ February 18, 2008 @ 1:52 pm } · { Gadgets, Mobile }
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Faithful Macenstein reader max found something interesting on Tiny Code’s website, namely the first official mention of iPhone firmware 1.1.4:

Tiny Code no longer produces fixes or applications for firmware 1.1.3.
We can’t say much, but we are working with Apple and with their SDK for the next firmware release and SDK applications and we shouldn’t be missed for long. We will no longer update our Installer.app repo for legality reasons and you should see us soon on iTunes.

iphone_firmware_1_1_4

But what’s really interesting is they mention on the far left of their site “Now targeting fw 1.1.4 Alpha2“. Looks like the apps made with the new iPhone SDK will require yet another firmware revision to run, obviously giving the jailbreaking folks (who had some trouble with 1.1.3) more homework. One thing we’re a little worried about is we’re not sure that “1.1.4 Alpha 2″ sounds like it ready for primetime. With the rumored iPhone SDK kit allegedly being released in a week or two, we’d have thought any new firmware should be beta by now, but what do we know?. Odds are Apple has all 1000 of its code monkeys typing away at keyboards right now, so perhaps the development is progressing more rapidly than we know.

And if those code monkey are taking requests, by any chance, here’s hoping 1.1.4 adds support for the SDK AND copy/paste.
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[UPDATE: Faithful Macenstein reader phelim alerts us that Tiny-Code is now down. Not sure what to make of that.]

HiPhone –Another iPhone Clone

{ February 10, 2008 @ 8:05 am } · { Gadgets, Mobile }
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hiphone

This photo shows the HiPhone, a GSM phone that is a fairly good copy of the iPhone – from the outside, of course. The shallow geek that’s in you can get the cool – for less.

It costs $239, is unlocked (works with any GSM carrier) and does not come with a service contract. It also come with two batteries and that’s pretty much all that we know about this phone.

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iPhone 16GB and iPod Touch 32GB Available

{ February 6, 2008 @ 8:50 am } · { Gadgets, Mobile, Technology News }
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The iPhone 16GB is now available for ordering at the Apple Store. Same specifications, no 3G in the iPhone, just more space so you can put double the music, double the images or double the non-authorized applications. Both the iPhone 16GB and the iPod touch 32GB will be available for $499. Full press release after the jump.Apple Adds New iPhone & iPod touch Models
CUPERTINO, Calif., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Apple(R) today added new models of the iPhone(TM) and iPod(R) touch which have double the memory, doubling the amount of music, photos and videos that customers can carry with them wherever they go. The revolutionary iPhone now comes in a new 16GB model for $499, joining the 8GB model for $399. iPod touch now comes in a 32GB model for $499, joining the 16GB model for $399 and the 8GB model for $299. “For some users, there’s never enough memory,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPod and iPhone Product Marketing. “Now people can enjoy even more of their music, photos and videos on the most revolutionary mobile phone and best Wi-Fi mobile device in the world.”

Both iPhone and iPod touch feature Apple’s revolutionary Multi-Touch(TM) user interface and pioneering software that allows users to find and enjoy all their music, videos, photos and more with just a touch of their finger. All iPhone and iPod touch models include the latest software enhancements announced last month including the ability to automatically find your location using the new Maps application*; create Web Clips for your favorite websites; customize your home screen and watch movies from the new iTunes(R) Movie Rentals. Both iPhone and iPod touch feature the world’s most advanced mobile web browser in the world with Safari(TM) and great mobile applications including Mail, Maps, Stocks, Weather and Notes.

Pricing & Availability
The new 16GB iPhone is available immediately for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) through the Apple Store(R) (http://www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and AT&T retail and online stores. The 32GB iPod touch is available worldwide immediately for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) through the Apple Store (http://www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. iTunes Movie Rentals are available in the US only. iPhone and iPod touch require a Mac(R) with a USB 2.0 port, Mac OS(R) X 10.4.10 or later and iTunes 7.6; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional (Service Pack 2) or later and iTunes 7.6.

Ad for Microsoft’s Sync pretty funny

{ January 13, 2008 @ 12:21 pm } · { Cars, Gadgets }
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Microsoft’s product marketing tends to be fairly dull. Even inside the company, its methods for naming, marketing, and packaging have been the subject of scorn and derision.

So, that makes this commercial for its Sync in-car entertainment system all the more noteworthy.

The company illustrates the power of the system’s voice controls, by showing what happens when you take those commands beyond the car.

It’s a good approach to explaining a whole new type of technology–something that is often tough–just ask TiVo.

What do you think? Does it make you want to get the system, or does it just make you laugh. Or does it not even do that?

Sony Rolls Out Goofy Music Player: The Rolly

{ January 13, 2008 @ 9:01 am } · { Gadgets }
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Is Sony’s egg cracked? Japan never ceases to amaze me with its abundance of new gadgets. The most recent gizmo to come from Japan, the Sony Rolly, is no exception.

rolly-1

Unveiled on Monday, the Rolly is an egg-shaped music player that can flap and rotate its robotic wings, gyrate across the floor, and spin up a storm amidst a neon show of green and blue lighting.

rolly-2

In addition to playing back music from its internal memory the Rolly can also receive music streamed via a Bluetooth connection.

As far as I’m concerned the best part of the Rolly is its reported ability to analyze music and come up with the dance moves. Users can even program the Rolly’s moves themselves.

The gadget is small enough to fit in your hand and comes standard with 1GB of internal memory (some 500 songs, though programing the Rolly with more complex dance moves will diminish that capacity), stereo speakers, and a five hour battery life.
It goes on sale in Japan on September 29 for equivalent of about $353 U.S.

If Sony’s marketing campaign is any proof, it appears trying to imitate the thing on the dance floor is half the fun of owning one. Here is a link to an amusing commercial for the Sony Rolly airing in Japan where people try to keep pace with Rolly moves.

Finally a dance partner for Sony’s Aibo robotic dog. Lets hope the robotic dog doesn’t eat the robotic egg.

iPhone versus iPod Touch: What to buy

{ January 12, 2008 @ 11:41 am } · { Gadgets, Mobile }
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itouchgallery

With the iPod Touch set to debut any second, I’ve been getting a lot of mail and phone calls asking: “Which should I buy? The iPhone or the Touch?” Here’s a quick reference to help you make your decision.

Cost. At $299, the iPod Touch costs $100 less than the $399 iPhone. If you’re looking for the least expensive entry point, your choices are the 8GB Touch or a refurbished 4GB iPhone. The Touch has double the memory for the same price.

Form Factor. The iPhone is bigger and heavier than the Touch. It weighs in at 4.8 ounces and 11.6 mm depth versus the Touch’s slim 4.2 ounces and 8mm thickness. Not a huge difference to be sure but those extra 4 mm definitely feel different in the hand.

Built-ins. The iPhone offers a built-in microphone, speakers and 2.0 megapixel camera. The Touch does not. You can’t snap a photo and email it on the go with the Touch the way you do with iPhone.

Contract-free use. The iPhone is designed to be used with a monthly service fee. The Touch is contract-free out of the box. The iPhone requires activation through semi-nefarious hacking before it can be used without a contract and/or phone service.

Hackability. The Touch is probably just as hackable as the iPhone but the iPhone is a known quantity.

EDGE. Surfing on the Touch is a WiFi-only prospect. The US iPhone offers EDGE for when you’re away from WiFi hotspots. Even with EDGE, though, coverage is spotty.

Zune 3 Concept

{ January 3, 2008 @ 1:55 pm } · { Gadgets, Technology News }
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Zune 3Zune 3Zune 3Zune 3We know little about the Zune 3 except that meetings have already begun involving the design team. The big question at hand is whether Zune will compete with the iPhone and iPod Touch devices. Now that Google has thrown it’s hat in the ring with “android” and the iPhone seems popular, will Zune join the fray?

player

Some speculate that a Zune phone platform would cannibalize Windows Mobile. Forum member Teccom747 has come up with a possible design for the Zune 3. The images above show the same imaginary device in Zune mode and phone mode. Yes, it looks like an iPhone, but the Zune 30 looked a little like the iPod 30 so anything is possible. Teccom747 also came up with specs for the Zune 3 and a screenshot of the device inside the Zune software as well.

Specifications:

The Zune 3 is also a phone with all the features of the Zune 80, with new features such as internet explorer, wifi marketplace, common phone apps, and more.

The Zune 3 is fully touchscreen, however, the lower panel buttons are touch “sensitive” play/pause/call, zune, and back/hang up buttons that glow, they are permanent (similar to the chocolate’s buttons).

The Zune 3 is available in 16GB, and 32GB flash memory sizes.

Navigating the Zune 3 is similar to the 80’s squircle except on the touch screen.

The screen itself is a high quality, scratch resistant, touch-sensitive glass that covers most of the front of the device.

Around the perimeter of the glass is a glowing light that can be customized to the color of the user’s choice through the settings menu.

The remainder of the device’s exterior is similar to the Zune 80’s finish, including the hold switch to de-activate touch.

Video’s are now presented in high-quality widescreen format.

The Zune 3 is not restricted to any particular network.

The device has external speakers for speakerphone functionality and to share music with your friends!

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