Full FeedNow, even your bathroom scale has Wi-Fi
If you’re trying to lose weight or stay healthy and enjoy metrics and graphs, then you should check out the Withings WiFi Body Scale. The scale’s built-in Wi-Fi automatically transmits your weight, lean and fat mass, and body mass index to your own Withings webpage. You can also have the data transmitted to the free Withings iPhone app called WiScale. Body fat is calculated as actual weight rather than as a percentage using bioelectric impedance analysis. Up to 8 users can track stats per scale - the scale automatically detects who the user is once he or she steps on the scale. The scale design is pretty sleek - it’s only 0.9” thick in a mix of black, steel, and glass. The scale is shipping now and is available from Withings.com or Amazon.com for $159.
Product Page: [Withings]
RelatedGoogle Android Developer Challenge 2 underway, Android to get lots more apps
Google has announced the start of the first round of judging for its second annual Android Developer Challenge. With 10,000 applications already available in Android Market, the Developer Challenge is a way to spur new, creative additions from developers. Users of Android-powered phones can get in on the judging action by downloading the Android Developer Challenge 2 app, which gives you a random set of apps to download and and rate. The first round of judging will be open for a minimum of two weeks starting from September 24 and will go until enough votes have been received to pick the top 20 apps for each 10 categories. The second round will also have a user voting component, so you will have plenty of chances to weigh-in on the contenders.
Read: [Android Developer’s Blog]
RelatedPacketVideo launches TwonkyBeam media-streamer, streams video from the web to your TV for free
PacketVideo has launched TwonkyBeam as part of its TwonkyMedia suite of media-sharing software. TwonkyBeam is a free, downloadble browser plug-in that allows you to stream photos, video, and music from media websites to other devices in your home. After installing the plug-in to your browser, you can stream content by either right-clicking on it or by using TwonkyBeam’s media panel, which displays all available media on a page. Right now, TwonkyBeam is only available for Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher for Windows, though according to TwonkyBeam’s website, there are future plans to support Macs and other browsers. TwonkyBeam is compatible with many popular brands of consumer electronics, including Samsung and Sony HDTVs and Pioneer receivers (a complete list of compatible devices is available on the website). If your device isn’t on the list, an external digital media adapter will make it TwonkyBeam-compatible. TwonkyBeam is available for download from the TwonkyBeam website starting today.
Product site: [TwonkyBeam]
HP’s new all-in-one MS200 isn’t a touchscreen, but it’s light on your wallet
HP Pavilion All-in-One MS200 PC is HP’s new, non-touchscreen all-in-one that is aimed to fit in small spaces like dorms with its 18.5” 16:9 widescreen. The overall body has a smooth, rounded design with a matte black and silver finish. It definitely is a computer that you wouldn’t want to hide in a cabinet. Packed inside is a 1.50 GHz AMD dual processor, 2GB of memory, a 320GB hard drive, stereo speakers, and a built-in webcam and microphone. For movies and photos, the MS214 has a DVD burner and a 6-in-1 media card reader. Pricing starts at $599, which is just right for the dorm and apartment crowd.
Company Site: [HP.com]
RelatedNew Energy Star standards stricter for TVs
Thinking about buying a new TV? Well, new Energy Star certification standards for 2010 and 2012 will make it harder for TV manufacturers to get the Energy Star sticker on their product. The new standards will demand 40 to 65% greater efficiency in power consumption, respectively. In particular, TVs over 50 inches in size will be held to the same in-use requirements as 50 inch TVs, which is 108 watts. Hopefully, the stricter standards will not only influence consumer behavior, leading to purchases of more efficient TVs, but also encourage manufacturers to improve the technology in their televisions.
Read: [CNET]
RelatedSpider-Man is calling: Vringo brings Marvel video ringtones to phones
Vringo has partnered with Marvel Comics to bring you cellphone video clips and video ringtones from Marvel’s Super Hero library. A dedicated storefront at vringo.marvel.com lets you choose from pre-cut video clips/ringtones or search for a Marvel video and clip it to the 30 seconds you want. Then you simply download the video clip to your phone.
Available content ranges from Marvel’s classics to the Marvel properties of today. If you have a Vringo-app-compatible phone (BlackBerry Bold, Tour, Curve 8900; Symbian; Windows Mobile; J2ME), you can make use of the clips as video ringtones. Your first video clip is free and additional clips are available for $1.99.
Read: [Press Release]
RelatedGood news: Pre-DVD movie releases. Bad news: MPAA wants to break your TV to do it.
Since June 2008, the Motion Picture Association of America (“MPAA”) has moved forward with a petition to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the right to use selectable output control (SOC). This practice involves disabling the analog or digital portions of a video stream to the consumer. The MPAA claims using SOC would allow them to offer pre-DVD releases direct to the consumer while still protecting its copyright.
The problem is that the SOC could leave some current home entertainment technology disabled, particularly those that don’t have digital inputs. Estimates of just how many households would be affected range from 11 to 20 million. Right now, the MPAA is taking up the issue of these estimates with the FCC. It argues that there is a lack of a verifiable source for the estimate and that it is overinclusive of households that own both older and newer TV sets.
Read: [Ars Technica]
RelatedGadgetell Experiment: Testing Jolicloud OS for netbooks
For the past few months, I have been running the Windows 7 Release Candidate 1 on my netbook, an Asus Eee PC 1000HE. While Windows 7 was great at first, as time progressed, it became sluggish. So, thanks to our friends at Jolicloud, I got a chance to check out the alpha release of Jolicloud OS for netbooks.
Gadgetell Review: DYMO LabelWriter 450 Twin Turbo
The DYMO LabelWriter 450 Twin Turbo is a double spool label printer for Macs and PCs that utilizes thermal printing technology. It can be print a variety of label types, including address, shipping, and postage. The included labelmaker software, DYMO Label v.8, also includes DYMO File, which sets up barcodes for auto-sorting scanned documents, and DYMO Stamps for printing postage. The DYMO LabelWriter 450 Twin Turbo is available for purchase from DYMO for $209.99.
TiVo to support more web video including podcasts via RSS
Thought having Season Pass recording, direct Amazon movie downloads, and Netflix Watch Instantly was enough for TiVo? Think again. Starting August 5, 2009, TiVo will be offering over 100 free podcast channels, including content from networks such as G4, FOX, and CBS. Beyond these channels, independent video podcast providers can add their content to TiVo via RSS and H.264 video.
Experience what it’s like to download at unlimited speeds from a massive collection of over 800 Terabytes of user uploads. You’ll max out your Internet connection downloading a file in… Continue Reading »
Black Friday 2009
Black Friday is almost here! Gadgetell's got you covered with all the latest news on who's offering the best deals. Dangerous crowds? You're on your own.
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.
