Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

DesignREM announced earlier this week a new USB device which records full speed keyboard strokes from a USB keyboard. The KeyPhantom, according to DesignREM, works by connecting between a computer’s USB port and a USB enabled keyboard. As keystrokes are typed into the attached keyboard, the KeyPhantom records each and every one (up to around two weeks worth of typing) into its flash memory. A user can later retrieve the stored keystrokes by opening a text editor and logging into the device via a command which will bring up a menu of selectable access options.

Journalists and writers have shown a particularly strong interest - the ability to record the last 3 years of typing in secure flash memory is proving to be an invaluable backup tool.

The KeyPhantom is available now for $199.

Read [Design Technica]

Frustrated because you have to use separate programs to convert your video for your PSP, iPod 5G, Tivo, and Xbox 360? Problem solved, Videora Converter is a free downloadable program that allows you to convert your regular PC video files (avi, mpeg, etc) into the proper video format that your mobile or fixed video device understands. When combined with Videora, Videora Converter + Videora allows you to download, convert and copy video to your device, automatically using BitTorrent and RSS technology.

Nintendo’s President, Satoru Iwata, came out and said that the Nintendo Revolution will be sold for less than $300 when it debuts next year. This has been expected for some time, stressing that the ‘new’ gaming experience (the controller) is more important than processing power or graphics (the components that cost most).

The article is in Japanese if you would like to Read.

If you’re interested in knowing when future versions of Firefox 2.0 will become available, Mozilla has a site for you.  This Mozilla site lays out the timeline for the 2.0 Firefox release.  That’s the beauty of open source… they give you all the information you want to know, and more.  If you’re interested in the specific dates, we’ve listed the current release schedule below.

• 02/10/2006 : Alpha 1


• 03/10/2006 : Alpha 2 (feature complete)


• 04/07/2006 : Beta 1 (string complete, feature frozen)


• 05/05/2006 : Beta 2 (string frozen)


• 05/26/2006 : Release Candidate 1


• 06/07/2006 : Release Candidate 2


• 06/19/2006 : Release Candidate 3


• 06/27/2006 : Firefox 2

On Wednesday 28 Dec , Lenovo said that it would sell its one million’th ThinkPad notebook with an integrated fingerprint reader next month, making it the largest provider of biometric-enabled PCs in the world. Lenovo estimates that password resets account for 35-50 per cent of all helpdesk calls. By automating and securing the password reset process through Lenovo’s password manager software and integrated fingerprint reader, users can avoid timely and costly support calls.

We place a huge priority on security and deployed ThinkPad notebooks with fingerprint readers because they were the only notebooks to offer an integrated hardware and software security solution, said Mike Sink, director of infrastructure, Kichler Lighting. Lenovo’s ThinkPad notebook with integrated fingerprint reader has been an immensely popular tool with our employees while providing a higher level of security and convenience.

Read [EFY Times]

By now I expect you are aware of real world speeds vs. advertised speeds (cable modems, DSL, Wireless). So when Cingular announced that their new HSDPA network would support speeds of over 10Mbps we have all been waiting to see the actualy results. Repots were of 400-700Kbps. Now tests have been able to bump speeds to3.6Mbps “category 6” HSDPA. Apparently, Option successfully tested an HSDPA card based on a QUALCOMM MSM 6280 chipset to running at the category 6 speed limit of 3.6mbps on Nortel base stations in France.

Cingular’s HSDPA towers apparently support category 6 speeds too. While this is a great future prospect here at home you should not expect to get more than the 400-700Kbps of capacity they’ve promised at the outset, there certainly exists the possibility for some significant speed increases in the future.

Read [Nortel]

Engadget is reporting that an Israeli gadget site is showing these two possible Motorola designs. The ROKR E2 (pictured left) may or may not be based off a device that may or may not actually exist, while the E3 (pictured right) sure looks a lot like a mystery device we spotted at the MOTONOW event last year. While these pictures are really nothing new they just reconfirm the fact that Motorola is looking to get a ROKR E1 replacement out ASAP.

Read [Engadget]

The Nokia 7380 mobile phone doesn’t have a keypad. So don’t bother looking for it. It’s not hidden, it doesn’t slide out and it doesn’t clip on. There simply isn’t one.

What’s more surprising is that you probably won’t miss it after a while. You see, this iconic slim camera phone has a clever rotating dial on the front. Turn it, then press the central button to choose a feature. When you need to make calls, you can search through the phone’s memory, use voice-activated calling or even use the dial to enter a number.

But this isn’t just a phone. There’s a 2 megapixel camera with flash, a video recorder, a stereo FM radio and an MP3 player. Powerful stuff. All this technology means you’ll need plenty of memory, which is why the Nokia 7380 packs in 52MB of storage. There’s also a mobile internet browser, Bluetooth connectivity and a handsfree loudspeaker. Check out another picture and full specs after the break.

Voice

• Voice dialing


• Voice commands


• Voice recording up to 3 minutes3


• Integrated handsfree speaker


• Last-number redial from dialed calls list (Send key shows dialed calls list)


• Automatic redial


• Vibrating alert


• Keypad lock

Multimedia Messaging Service

• Create, send, receive and edit videos and pictures with AMR voice clips 1,14


• Text messaging: Supports concatenated SMS, picture messaging, SMS distribution list1


• Presence-enhanced contacts: Check the status of your friends before you call them1


• Nokia Xpress audio messaging: Record your own voice message and send to compatible devices1


• Predictive text input

Camera and video

• 2-megapixel camera19


• 4X digital zoom


• Automatic flash


• Modes: standard, portrait and night


• 10-second self timer


• Image format is JPEG


• Video recorder


• Video capture is QCIF (176 x 144 pixels)


• Video streaming1


• Video playback formats: H.263 video, MPEG-4


• Up to 52 MB internal memory for your gallery

Display and User Interface

• Smoothly slides open to reveal the hidden camera and breathtaking mirror-finish display


• Display: 104 x 208 pixel resolution, up to 65,536 colors


• Nokia Naviâ„¢ Spinner


• Indicators for battery power and signal strength


• Menu shown in list format


• Downloadable themes and wallpapers1

Connectivity

• Remote over-the-air (OTA) synchronization 1.1.21


• Local synchronization with PC using PC Suite5


• Bluetooth wireless technology22


• Apple iTools compatible - synchronization of photos, audio files, and video clips using Nokia Collector v1.0


• WAP 2.0 xHTML/HTML mobile Internet browser1,2,12


• XHTML over TCP/IP


• EDGE: Class B, multislot class 61,15


• GPRS: Class B, multislot class 101,15


• HSCSD (high-speed circuit-switched data)

Organization

• Shared memory of 52 MB for user data: contacts, text messages, multimedia messages, ringing tones, images, video clips, calendar notes, to-do list, and applications


• Phone book with up to 1000 entries, multiple numbers per name


• Alarm clock


• Notes


• Calendar with reminders, up to 900 entries


• To-do list, up to 30 entries

Personalization & Fun

• Integrated music player for MP3/AAC/M4A formats


• FM radio (requires stereo headset, sold separately)


• Ring tones: Video ringing tones, MP3, AAC, MIDI-64 ringing tones


• Save photos as wallpaper and screen savers

Specifications

• Weight: 2.82 ounces


• Dimensions: 4.49 x 1.19 x 0.79 inches

Service

• GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz

Battery Life

• Standard Li-Ion Battery 700 mAh - Digital Talk Time up to 3 hours - Digital Standby Time up to 10 days

Logitec Japan (not to be confused with Logitech) has announced the match box size LHD-PBM2GU2. This unit has a FAT 32 formatted 2.2GB HDD compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems, is plug-and-play complient, and is powered by USB 2.0. The HDD is enclosed in an aluminum casing weighing in at 35gms with dimensions- 50.8 x 10.5 x 50mm.

Current price is approximately 10,920 Yen. ($ 75) Another pic after the break.

Read [New Launches]

EconomicTimes reported that Intel may be dropping its long-standing “Intel Inside” tag line and logo which has been a large part of Intel’s branding and switching to a new logo and campaign. The new launch is expected in the first week of January.

This timing overlaps Macworld and the possible inroduction of the Intel Mac. We are still not sure whether or not Apple would participate in the co-branding and promotion push that is currently performed by PC manufacturers.

Recent pictures of the new logos that appear in the new campaign may not be dramatically different.  More of their new logos after the break.

Read [Mac Rumors]
Read [Gizmodo]