Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

With the recent release of Windows Mobile 6 we were bound to see some issues. It seems that support for SlingPlayer Mobile is not yet ready for Windows Mobile 6, so think twice before you update your Dash or run out for the new Wing because it’s going to be a few more weeks before Sling will officially offer support. In the meantime they are aware of the issue and actively working to get the new version out. All current Windows Mobile 6 users will be given access to the beta program until the final version hits in the first part of June.

Read [Engadget Mobile]

Pioneer has just released two new multi-format DVD/CD writers. Whether you are looking for a fast external USB or internal drive these will be great to start making some backups of those important files.

The DVR-X122:

• External DVD/CD Writer


• 18x DVD-R/+R Write Speed


• 10x DVD-R/+R Dual Layer Write Speed


• USB 2.0


• Works with Windows Vista^TM

• Internal DVD/CD Writer (available in black or beige)


• DVD-R/+R/-RW/+RW


• LightScribe Direct Disc Labeling


• 4.7 to 8.5 GB single/dual layer


• Works with Windows Vista®

Read [Pioneer]

Nokia announces the long awaited and rumored 8600 Luna, and keeping with the rest of the recent Nokia releases, this phone looks really nice. A slider style phone made from opaque smoked glass and stainless steel. The 8600 is a quadband GSM/EDGE that has a 240 x 320 display, a 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth and music support for MP3, AAC, AAC+ and eAAC+. The Luna also has a first from Nokia in the single micro-USB port than can be used for charging, audio and data connectivity.

The Nokia 8600 Luna should be available during the 2nd quarter of 2007 for approx €700 or just around $940.00. No word yet on any carrier for the launch.

Product [Nokia]

Working like a Slingbox for music, LobsterTunes will sling your iTunes DRM-free music to your Windows smartphone, allowing you to enjoy music on the go.  LobsterTunes acts like a standalone mp3 player on your smartphone, allowing random, playlists creation and other basic features.  This gem can also tune in internet radio sites.

But its features rely not on being online only.  You can download tracks onto the phone for offline playback as well.  You can also download album art and artist bios.

There is a delay when buffering the first song from your home collection, but after that, it looks forward and minimizes those annoyances.

The software is a simple $19.99 with no subscription fees...it would be like music to my ears if I were into lame puns… It supports MP3, WMA and WAV files.

Nokia has announced two versions (Classic and Slide) of a sleek 6500 phone.  This phone is set apart apparently by hand polishing, insuring no two phones are identical (sounds to me like more of consistent quality issue, but hey, they are Nokia).  Both rely on 3G.

The Classic is a sweet candy bar styled phone.  The shell is crafted by a single piece of aluminum.  No face covers, no cheating.  It sports a full 1GB of memory, 2MP camera and a USB port (allowing the phone to be used as a flash drive - cool).

The Slider mixes things up a bit.  It offers a 3.2 MP camera with Carl Zeiss optics, dual LED flash, and a TV out port.  You can hook all that mobile content up to your TV to enjoy it all.  The Slider is decked out in steel.

Check them out at their own little, almost fun minisite.

Product Page [Nokia]

Cambridge has gone a long way to establish itself as one of the best when it comes to sound equipment such as speakers and radios. Its latest foray is the new Radio 820HD model. It comes with a remote and a glossy finish which will definitely attract many eyes and fingerprints too. This radio is very simple to use, but the price is a bit high at $250 even for HD.

Read [Crunchgear]

OPSODIS stands for OPtimal SOurce DIStribution Technology. This technology is the main driving force behind the new powerful Marantz Es 7001 home theater system. It features 2 x HDMI version 1.1 jacks and 3 x digital optical inputs. The design of this device is definitely something to talk about as it is simple yet elegant. This is definitely one of the devices that is worth a second look. The ES 7001 stands a better chance of challenging the Yamaha YSP series of sound projectors as compared to its predecessor, ES-150. This device will cost a princely $1,020 with an optional subwoofer at $411.

Read [NewLaunches]

Apple updated iTunes yesterday and made available DRM free tracks for the first time. This very good news as we now have more freedom with how and where we enjoy our music. Just don’t try to start sharing those files because your account information is included in each file.

1. Launch Terminal. You’ll need to be comfortable at the command line to perform this check.


2. Navigate to one of your iTunes plus downloads. If you have a US iTunes account, you can download the iTunes plus “Ooh La” single of the week.


3. Use the UNIX “strings” command to look at the text in your data and grep to search for your name. e.g.
   strings 01 Ooh La.m4a | grep name
   Alternatively, open all the strings in TextEdit:
   strings 01 Ooh La.m4a | open -f.

Of course we should all know by now that with or without DRM it is not legal to share music files.

Read [TUAW]

With only some engine “tweaks,” the addition of brake energy regeneration, an optimal shift indicator and an auto off-on system, the 2008 Mini Cooper D (for diesel, not available in the US for ungodly reasoning) will push the mpg to over 60 and reduce CO2 levels 11.9%.

Overall the Mini range will increase MPG to 38 minimum; though no indication from Mini Europe if these improvements will be brought stateside.  I can’t imagine why not, but then I can’t explain why diesel hasn’t taken off as well here as in Europe either…

The improvements are interesting.  Starting with the auto-off feature, the car’s engine will automatically turn off when the car is not moving and shifted into neutral (manual only) and then reengage when the clutch is pressed.  The optimal gear light will take many factors into account and provide the most fuel efficient recommendation.  Brake energy regeneration saves the engine from powering the alternator only when needed instead of always pulling power from the engine.

Read [Autoblog]

It’s not often that you see two moguls of this magnitude sharing the stage with eachother.  Tonight however, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates will sit across from one another at the D: All things Digital conference.  They will take the stage in 15 minutes or so, and we’ll keep up the updates as more develops, so keep an eye on Gadgetell for anything of substance.

Update: Nothing too exciting happened at the event other than seeing old buddies reminiscing.  It was interesting how well Mac and PC got along on stage and how good it made each of them look.  My favorite thing that Steve Jobs said when talking about Bill Gates’ charity work, is that Bill is not trying to be the richest guy in the cemetary.  And no, unfortunately, they didn’t reinact the Mac vs. PC ads.  Maybe next time.

Update 2: We added the highlight video and remove the picture.

Photo Credit: Engadget