Full FeedShuttle annonces new small form factor media PC
Everyone’s favorite small-form-factor PC maker, Shuttle, announced a new Media-centric PC with support for Blu-Ray and HD-DVD playback (does anyone really care about HD-DVD anymore?). The XPC G5 6801M features an AMD Athlon 64 X2 1 GHz processor, an nVidia chipset and runs Microsoft Vista. It packs the usual stuff for a media center PC, such as an LCD front panel and media center remote, 8-channel audio (7.1) and either dual analog tuners, dual T-DMB tuners or a hybrid analog-and-digital tuner, as well as a host of front panel ports, a 25-in-1 memory card reader and up to 4GB of RAM. Most importantly, the system runs cool and quiet thanks to its “Shuttle I.C.E. (Integrated Cooling Engine) advanced I.C.E. Heatpipe technology, linear controlled 92mm fan SilentX cooling and noise reduction technology with Active Airflow”.
Apart from being quiet, small and capable of playing both HD formats (one of which is now extinct), there really isn’t much to get exited about. The Shuttle XPC G5 6801M will be available soon in Europe (perhaps making it States-side in a few weeks) for 1,234 EUR or about $1950.
RelatedD’Cube D9 portable media player announced
For all you PMP fans out there, the D’Cube D9 (an upgrade to the D7 and D5) has been announced and it is packing a nice set of features; a 320 x 240 3.5-inch screen, 2 or 4GB of built-in memory and a microSD/SDHC expansion slot. It supports live T-DMB (available only in Korea, of course) and is capable of playing MP3, WMA, OGG, AVI, WMV and JPG files. The D9 is equipped with a 1450 mAh Li-Po battery that is capable of 15 hours of audio playback, 8 hours of video playback and 6.5 of live T-DMB . It is also able to record T-DMB over-the-air programming, which would make it sort of a portable Korea-only TiVo of sorts. Did I mention that it also includes a strap and a nifty kickstand? No word on availability, but when it does drop, expect to pay about 128,000 won or about $130 green backs for the 4GB version.
Via [PMP Today]
RelatedAircell receives FAA approval; we are one step closer to in-flight broadband
Aircell just got two big thumbs up from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) in regards to their in-flight Wi-Fi service. They just received an ATG (air-to-ground) and a PMA (parts manufacture approval) from the government agency which will allow the company to expand their in-flight broadband offerings to all of American Airlines’ and Virgin America’s 767-200 fleet. The rollout is set to occur by the end of the year and will initially be offered for flights between LA, San Francisco, New York and Miami, and then expanding to Seattle, San Diego and Washington D.C. The service will be provided by Gogo Inflight Internet. Will this be a curse or blessing to the road-warrior types that use their time on a plane to be disconnected from the world? Or will it annoy everyone with people watching the evolution of dance video over and over again in mid flight? Only time will tell.
Read [MobileTechNews]
Related
WMG to integrate wireless charging technology into new phones
Wireless Mobile Group (WMG) is set to integrate Slashpower technology into their new batch of smartphones. This technology will enable you to charge your phone (and not just phones) by just placing it on a pad; it works by magnetic induction. Currently, you can add modules to a regular phone so that it can be charged wirelessly, but it won’t be necessary by integrating Slashpower directly into the batteries of the phone. Hopefully other manufacturers will hop on the bandwagon and embrace this neat technology, that will get rid of half a dozen cables on my nightstand.
Via [ubergizmo]
Related
ShakeMMS; shake to read that text message
I find it amusing how our phones now have more ways of interacting with them than just buttons. Accelerometers, touchscreens, proximity sensors, all make our experience with our phones a bit more interactive. Now we see the introduction of ShakeSMS, an app developed by a keen user, that employs the accelerometer in the Nokia S60 to interact with the phone. Instead of unlocking the device, then navigating to through menus to read a new text message, the user simply has to shake the device to read the message, and shake it again to close and lock the phone. This app is still being developed and lacks a UI, and is not currently available to the public, but still an innovative way to interact with a device. Check out this video to see the application in action.
Form-shifting Moldable Mouse
Ever wish you could mold your mouse into any shape you pleased? Well, there is a new concept, winner of the Red Dot Design Award 2007, called the Moldable Mouse, developed by Lite-On Technology that will let you do just that. The mouse itself is made out of clay covered with polyurethane and nylon which allows the user to transform the mouse into just about any shape you may want. The base of the mouse houses the electronics and the batteries and the buttons aren’t conventional ones, but RFID stickers, this way the user can place them wherever his/her heart desires. Unfortunately this is still a concept but hopefully a manufacturer will pick up the design and start mass-producing this ergonomically-friendly device.
Via [Techpin]
RelatedMinox intro’s the DC 6033 all resistant digital camera
Minox is set to introduce the DC 6033 digital camera, which could be the ideal camera for the outdoors. This 6-megapixel camera is rubberized making it very tough and impact resistant; it can withstand sand, dust, dirt, salt. It also can be submerged in up to 33-feet of water, where its built-in flash may come in handy to take well-light pictures. It features 16MB of internal memory, a 2-inch TFT screen for previewing pictures and adjusting settings and 4x digital zoom. It also takes SD cards of up to 2GB in size. Its powered simply by 2 AA batteries and should set you back around $300. No word yet on availability.
RelatedSony announced the VPL-VW40 full HD Bravia Projector
Sony just announced a new projector, the VPL-VW40, which has many top-of-the-line features for a (yet unspecified) lower price than previous models. It is capable of full HD (up to 1080p, 1920 x 1080) resolution, it has a 15,000:1 contrast ratio and adjusts automatically to the level of lighting that is being projected for optimal results (this feature is called Advanced Iris 2). Connectivity wise, it has 2 HDMI input ports and it also features Sony SXRD, which is Sony’s response to Texas Instruments’ DLP technology, to deliver crisp images. Match this up with a 300-inch screen and this quiet projector (22dB at its loudest) could be the centerpiece of your new home theater setup.
Press Release [Sony] Via [New Launches]
RelatedIs the HD-DVD format really doomed now?
This may be the definite death of the HD DVD format. Financial Times is reporting that Paramount may switch over to Blu-ray thanks to a clause in their contract with HD DVD that states that they will be able to make this move if and when Warner Bros. goes exclusively with Blu-ray, which is now a done deal.
As it stands, Blu-ray has 70% of Hollywood’s output, and if Paramount Studios makes the switch to Blu ray, that would leave HD DVD solely with Universal Studios. The question is, does Universal Studios have the same clause in their contract with the HD DVD camp?
Read [Financial Times]
Related$200 PC Blu-ray drive from Sony
Would you like to watch some nice high-def Blu-ray movies but don’t have $400 for a Playstation 3? Well, if you have exactly half that amount of money you could get the Sony BDU-X10S, a Blu-ray drive for your desktop or your laptop. Even thought Blu Ray burners have been available for quite some time, this is the first drive that is read-only. It comes bundled with CyberLink’s PowerDVD BD Edition, so that you can actually watch the movies. It uses a SATA interface and it is compatible with Windows Vista and XP, and you will need a monitor connected via HDMI to watch movies (due to DRM restrictions). Sony says that releasing this device will help consumer adoption of Blu-ray:
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Palm Pre Information & Updates
Palm just introduced their next-gen smartphone, the Palm Pre, and next-gen operating system, Palm webOS. Gadgetell's got the latest Pre and webOS information and news for you right here.
