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Sony Ericsson released three new, low-cost phones for Europe, Asia, and the Americas today.

The K510 is a compact, 1.3 Megapixel camera phone with push email, 4x digital zoom and optional true camera flash. Before sharing, pictures can be made more captivating with simple effects such as face warp, sepia colorizing and panorama views. The K510 has an external antenna connector, Bluetooth support, USB Cable in the box, and PC synchronization software syncs with Outlook applications, including Calendar, Contacts, Notes and Tasks.

The Z530 features expandable memory up to 1GB with a Memory Stick Micro (M2) card.
Stored pictures are found with the multi-way thumbnail photo album searched for by timeline. The stills and video camera has 4x digital zoom and connectivity is by MMS, Bluetooth, USB 2.0, push-email, and a full HTML Internet browser. An Ultra Bright Color 65k and a 1” monochrome sub-display on the outer shell deliver a crisp, clear viewing experience.

The K310 is the pocket picture album, integrating a camera phone with a 65K Ultra Bright Color (UBC) display and imaging effects such as face warp. To search the picture album simply browse through thumbnails of pictures for instant viewing or send them on by MMS or infrared. Useful business applications are provided by PC synchronization, push e-mail, mobile Internet browsing and a speakerphone. Finally, the K310 has MP3 ringtones, 3D games and a media player with MP3.

Nintendo is hoping to strengthen the appeal of the dual screen DS with another the world’s first. Trauma Center: Under the Knife is a role-playing game where you play a rookie doctor and have to prove yourself by performing a series of gradually more complex operations. You use the DS stylus to make incisions via the touch screen, manipulate human organs, and patch people up to save lives. As you progress, you have to master multiple surgical techniques and tools, including scalpels, syringes, tweezers and lasers. While you are performing your ops on the bottom screen, you receive advice on the top screen and can use this display to monitor your patient’s condition throughout the procedure.

This seems cool, unless your surgeon actually was certified with this game.

Google announced last week on their blog that they will begin to facilitate payments on Google Base in the near future. The blog post from Google pointed out that Google is already accepting payments on their video service as well as when users purchase software such as Google Earth and that this will be extended further in the near future.

TechCruch points out that Google’s latest updates to Google Base is to compete directly with eBay by not only allowing sellers to post items to base, but also by facilitating the transaction through Google Payments (see this blog post on purchasing via Base from the Google Base team).

From the users point of view, it makes purchasing items on any Google property extremely simple. The checkout process is extremely quick and much faster than Paypal’s, it also has a much nicer interface making it easier for a user to navigate their way through a checkout and purchase. Overall with Google Base and payments the experience for a user is much nicer than what it is on eBay, a very nice interface and many search features while maintaining the very minimal yet functional interface as expected from Google.

Read [TechCrunch]

At Apple’s Special Event earlier today, Steve Jobs announced among other things a new Mac mini.  The new mini features an Intel Core Duo processor, making it up to 4 times faster than its predecessor.  There’s also a Core Solo version available.  The mini will start at $599 and include iLife ‘06, an Apple Remote, and Front Row.  The mini, and all other computers with Front Row, will now be loaded with Apple’s new Bonjour, which lets you share iTunes playlists, iPhoto libraries, and video throughout your home.  Bonjour is Apple’s “zero configuration wireless networking” built into OSX.  The mini also includes 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed access, DVI outputs, and VGA outputs for connecting to your TV or plasma.

Check out the Press Release for full specs.

So Apple has done it, they are going head-to-head with iPod accessory manufacturers by releasing a standalone iPod speaker system, the iPod Hi-Fi. The iPod Hi-Fi features handles to easily transport your stereo anywhere, a removable front grille with precision-mounting clips, touch-sensitive volume control buttons, the Apple Remote for easy song and volume control from anywhere in the room, a universal power supply incorporated into the all-in-one design so there’s no bulky power brick to weigh it down, and the ability to power iPod Hi-Fi from six D-cell batteries for true portability.

It also Featuring seamless integration with all iPods with a dock connector, iPod Hi-Fi automatically recharges your iPod while docked and displays features of iPod that maximize the iPod Hi-Fi experience such as Tone Control, Large Album Art mode and volume mirroring. iPod Hi-Fi includes a dual-purpose 3.5-mm auxiliary input that accepts either analog or digital signals for easy connection to a wide range of audio sources.

The Apple iPod Hi-Fi is available now for purchase at Apple stores and online.

Thanks for joining us for our live coverage of Apple’s special event.  The event is at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, CA where Steve Jobs will be announcing some of their “fun new products.” We weren’t lucky enough to be on Apple’s invite list for todays event, but we’re still going to give you live coverage of what’s going on.  The event starts at 10:00 PT.

So check back here in a few and we’ll keep you up to speed on what Steve J has for us.  While you’re waiting, you can read over the anticipated products and rumors from the past couple of days.

Just a little reminder, F5 will refresh this post for you (so you don’t have to keep clicking refresh).

8:59 PT: Apparently the press just got inside…

New version of iTunes is up on the site… version 6.0.3.  check it out here.

9:55 PT: 5 minute countdown begins.... NOW!

The Apple Store is officially down.  Here come the new products…

I’m betting on a 12” or 13” MacBook (formerly the iBook), a iTunes Movie Store, and a new partnership with Cingular for an iPhone (no likely but I can still wish).  Post your predictions down in the comments.

10:08: Everyone is seated in the room.... eagerly awaiting the presence of Steve.  iLounge says “Apple design guru Jonathan Ives in front row.”

10:10: Steve comes on stage and discusses the Intel transition and talks about “fun new things” they’ve got for us today.

10:11: New Mac mini! “Based on Intel, single-processor and dual-processor chip versions.  2.5x - 3.2x faster” I’m willing to be that it’s going to be $399. 

Intel Core Solo, Intel Core Duo versions, 2.5x - 3.2x faster, Same exact form factor, Front Row software, IR sensor on right of disc slot, Six button Apple remote…

Read on for more after the break.

10:16: Here’s a new feature… Shared Music… You can now share music with the new Bonjour technology.  It allows devices to find themselves automatically over a network.

“And, of course, you can also hook it up to televisions.”

MacWorld: The new Mac mini, like its iMac sibling, features Front Row, an application that makes it possible to view movies, listen to audio, watch music videos and more from your Mac, in full-screen, using an infrared remote control from across the room. The Mac mini now sports an infrared sensor in the front of the Mac min, next to the machine’s optical disk drive slot.

10:20: Shared Photos… same as Shared Music only with photos.

The Mac mini is the same form factor as before but a lot faster.  The new Front Row announced… Jobs is calling it “Front Row with Bonjour”

NOTE: I forgot to mention the gigabit ethernet

10:25: The standard features on the new minis:  Tiger and iLife 06, Remote and Front Row, Airport Extreme and Bluetooth, DVI video out, SPDIF and analog in and out.

Here’s the scoop on the new minis:

MacWorld:The entry-level Mac mini system, available starting today, is a 1.5GHz Core Solo system with 667MHz bus, 512MB RAM, 60GB SATA hard drive and “Combo” DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive for $599—$100 more than the previous base model.

The 1.67GHz Core Duo-based model features an 80GB SATA internal hard disk and 8x “SuperDrive” that can burn DVDs as well as CD-Rs, for $799.

10:26: Jobs makes a good point… “It took McDonalds 8 years to sell a billion burgers.”

10:29: Announces new Leather iPod cases.  They’re due out mid-march for 99 bucks a pop.  I don’t even have a case yet because they’re always sold out.  Steve, please send me a sample!

Jobs: 40% of all autos sold this year in US will have iPod connectivity as an option.

Sounds like Steve is about to announce Hi-Fi for the iPod.

10:32: Yep, I’m right!  “Home stereo… Reinvented.” iLounge: “Looks like a center channel speaker with iPod dock on top.”

10:36: About the iPod HiFi:

iLounge: Power it off of six D-size batteries if you want. “Several hours outside.” Two 80mm mid-range drivers in sealed acoustic suspension.  In center is 130mm dual voice coil woofer, ported bass reflex design.

The Boombox integrates with your iPod with the new software update.  In addition, the iPod can be controlled with the Apple Remote.  It’s $349 and goes on sale today.  Apparently Jobs doesn’t care about the accessory companies.  I wonder how Griffin is going to take this.  It can also run on 6 D batteries for your long walks on the beach.

10:47: Recap of what’s been talked about today… a new Mac mini running 5x faster, Front Row with Bonjour, Leather iPod cases, and the new iPod Hi-Fi.

Jobs just walked of stage… Looks like that’s it for today.  Thanks for joining us for our semi-live coverage of the Apple Special Event.  Lookout for our new podcast to be released later today.  We may even sit down for a little and discuss Apple’s annoucements for a special episode of the podcast.  Have a good day.

Special thanks to Engadget, iLounge, and MacWorld for their live coverage of todays event.

MatrixStream Technologies has announced that it will soon be releasing the world’s first H.264 AVC Video on Demand and IPTV Set Top Box (STB) and PC Player capable of 1080p HD signal formats. MatrixStream uses proprietary H.264 solutions to offer HD video over existing best effort broadband connections. All you need to do is plug the STB into a television set and a broadband connection to get going. The 1020HD is scheduled for production for the end of Q1 of this year.

Read [Krunker]

Instead of 8 versions of Vista, like we previously announced, there will be 6. Three for home users, two for business, and one for emerging markets (and they’re required to release a European versions too without Windows media player). Microsoft made sure to note that XP currently has six versions too, so we should all stop complaining. This is what they will look like:

Vista Starter - Streamlined version meant for low-powered PCs in developing nations.

Vista Home Basic - For those content to browse the web, use email, and create and edit basic documents from their PC. Includes desktop search and security tools.

Vista Home Premium - Includes everything in Basic but also includes the Aero graphical interface, Media Center functionality, and ability to connect to Xbox 360. The version most of us will own at home.

Vista Business - The basic version for companies of all sizes with tools to help organizations manage their PCs.

Vista Enterprise - Includes everything in the basic business version with improved encryption and BitLocker system to keep data from being read on a stolen computer.

Vista Ultimate - All the features of Home and Business in one.

Read [Engadget]

Sony Ericsson and Google today announced that they have worked closely together to integrate Google’s Blogger and Web Search features on Sony Ericsson mobile phones. The two companies are the first in the industry to provide a pre-loaded blog application with integration to the camera and automatic set-up for consumers who do not have a personal blogs. Icons leading to Google Web Search have been integrated into the phone user interface to provide easy access to the information that Google Web Search can provide.

Additionally, Google will become the standard search engine for all new Sony Ericsson Internet-capable phones. Users can directly activate a Google Web Search option from whichever page they are viewing without the need to launch a new web page to complete a search.

The first Sony Ericsson products to offer the new service are the recently announced K610 UMTS phone and new flagship imaging handsets, the K800 and K790, announced today and available in Q2 2006.

The iRiver G10 has a 4-inch, 260k color LCD, that is both a gaming console and a media player (mimicing a Sony PSP). The G10 runs Windows Mobile 5.0 and includes WiBro networking for online game play. So far only two game titles have been announced for the G10, and it’s unclear whether developers will line up to support the device.

The G10 will lauch in Korea in August of this year.

Read [Gear Factor]