Full FeedMotorola phone with 5-megapixel Kodak camera surfaces
Pictures of a new Motorola slider phone have surfaced. The phone, reportedly named the ZN5, sports a monster Kodak-branded 5 megapixel camera. However, in a forehead slapping moment, the camera does not have autofocus.
Other specs include the phone’s ability to run on quad-band, however the data speeds are limited to EDGE (again, come on Motorola!). The ZN5 runs on the MOTOMAGX platform, which is Linux-based. The phone also has Bluetooth built in, along with 100MB of internal space plus a MicroSD slot. The touch wheel used for navigation also doubles as a 5-way directional pad.
Via [IntoMobile]
RelatedYahoo launches Messenger 9 Beta
Yahoo’s Messenger software has been around the block a few times, and the new beta version (9) of the software adds some social features. While the overall look and feel of the app remains very much the same, users can now invite contacts on AOL, Gmail, Orkut, Hotmail, Myspace, and others to connect through to the Yahoo service. The new beta version will also sport slightly larger emoticons, so you can “express yourself with more oomph.” Also present are the ability to play games with your contacts, right inside Yahoo Messenger. The status bar is split into two sections: one for availability, one for a place to share a link or thought.
The full version for Windows is due out in Q3 of this year, with a Mac version coming later into the year.
Hit the jump for a video demo of the new Yahoo Messenger.
Nokia’s N96 expected to ship in July
The Nokia N96, is now expected to ship in July of this year. Announced earlier this year, the N96 once again pushes the upper limit of the Finnish phone manufacturer’s N Series. The quad band N96 has Wi-Fi, GPS, and support for DVB-H mobile tv—all built in. The phone sports a stellar 5-megapixel camera with dual-LED flash and auto-focus. A neat hardware feature of the N96 is a little kickstand for the device, enabling you to prop it up to watch videos.
Play.com has listed the phone for 599.99 GBP, which converts around $1,200 USD. However, the Nokia MSRP is currently listed at a slightly more reasonable $800. Either way, Play.com says the N96 will be shipping on July 31st.
Keep your wallets padded Nokia fanatics, because come July, they’ll be taking a heavy hit.
Via [Symbian Guru]
RelatedIomega unveils the 1TB Super eGo external hard drive
Iomega’s eGo external drive line has now hit 1 Terabyte of storage. Entitled the “Super” eGo drive, the portable storage device contains one single 1 terabyte drive. The drive’s physical size is also increased, as it is a 3.5 inch drive, as opposed to the normal 2.5 inch size portable hard drives have. As a reference point, this thing can hold 1.5 thousand hours of video. It comes in three colors: ruby red, midnight blue, or jet black. However, the Super eGo only interfaces through USB 2.0, and with a drive of that size I would’ve liked to see a FireWire interface. You can pick one up now for $270.
Via [Gizmodo]
RelatedVia’s new OpenBook reference design
Via, the company that brought us the NanoBook, has a new reference design; a computer called the OpenBook. This design is changed from the previous iteration, modeled to compete with the Asus Eee PC which has launched since the original NanoBook was unveiled. The computer sports an 8.9-inch display, with a 1024 x 600 resolution, three USB ports, VGA out and two 2-megapixel cameras. Additionally, it can connect to the internet via HSDPA, WiMAX or EV-DO. For the small form factor, a colossal 2GB of RAM and a 2.5-inch hard drive is squeezed in. You can run Windows Vista, XP or any Linux distro as your operating system. The OpenBook is based on the C7-M ULV processor and the VIA VX800 chipset, and you can get around 3 hours of battery life; in optimal conditions.
Via is putting the CAD files of the hardware up for download under a Creative Commons license, OEM manufacturers can have a go at making this the best they see fit.
Via [UMPC Portal]
RelatedFirst Glimpse: Nokla 7310 Classic
This image is apparently the upcoming Nokia 7310 classic. The phone, which is mainly for casual mobile phone users, is based on the S40 platform.
Aside from the normal calling and text messaging features, the 7310 will sport a 3.2-megapixel camera. The phone also has support for stereo Bluetooth, a built-in FM radio and a 3.5 millimeter headphone jack. Also, the device has room for expandable memory, through memory sticks as well as USB connectivity. All of the S40 menu systems can be seen on the 7310’s 2.2-inch 16 million color display.
The 7310 Classic should be available in stores in a few months, but no word on a US carrier as of yet.
Via [unwired view]
RelatedKodak unveils the Olympics-themed M2008 digital camera
Most companies have, at some point, released some sort of themed device, with the theme of the last two years being this summer’s Beijing Olympics. Lenovo, put out their so-styled laptop, a very long time ago. Now Kodak is keeping true to customs with their Olympic-themed M2008 digital camera.
The device features the Olympics logo, along with text that reads “Beijing 2008.” From a more technological standpoint, the M2008 offers a 10-megapixel camera and 3x optical zoom. The standard Kodak menu system can be viewed via the 3-inch LCD on the device. You can even record events, sporting or otherwise, in 720p with the video functionality, a nice touch.
Those of you living in China can pick one up for around $270, but no word about a Stateside release. Keep reading for a few more pictures.
MyDVR? WD adds Dish DVR Storage Support to External Drive
Western Digital has just unleashed their My DVR Expander external hard drive. This WD drive is certified to work as an external storage device for Dish Network DVRs.
The hard drive line sports 500GB of storage, which in TV terms, is 300 hours of standard definition content and 60 hours of high definition content. The drive will definitely work with the Dish set top boxes. However, on top of the device’s $149.99 price, you will have to pay a fee to activate the USB port on your set top box.
Western Digital is hoping to expand the compatibility of such external drivers to other TV providers.
Via [CrunchGear]
RelatedXbox 360 to get Blu-ray?
Even though Microsoft has “officially” stated that a Blu-ray drive would be sold for the Xbox 360, this rumor just does not want to die. The latest information is coming courtesy of the Chinese newspaper, Economic Daily News, and it seems to indicate that Microsoft is still interested in utilizing the apparent winner of the HD disc war for their game console.
The Economic Daily News is reporting that Pegatron Technology, a subsidiary of Asus, has orders, from Microsoft, to assemble Xbox 360 consoles that are equipped with a Blu-ray drive. This purported assembly is set to begin in the Q3 of this year. Microsoft has yet to comment on this latest chapter in the Blu-ray/Xbox rumor, so more as it happens.
Read [Digitimes]
RelatedGet out your wallets, no more free Radiohead
For the majority of you who paid nothing for Radiohead’s most recent album, In Rainbows, you may be sad to learn that the UK based band has no future plans to offer any similar promotion in the future.
Lead singer, Thom Yorke, called the revolutionary experiment a “one-off” thing.
“It was one of those things where we were in the position of everyone asking us what we were going to do,” Yorke told the Hollywood Reporter.” I don’t think it would have the same significance now anyway, if we chose to give something away again. It was a moment in time.”
While Radiohead is calling this just a “moment in time” it seems some other artists, most recently Nine Inch Nails, have adopted and fully understand the free music theory. Hopefully, artists will continue to be as gratuitous as Radiohead has been in the past, as they move into the future.
Read [Reuters]
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