Breaking: BJ’s Black Friday deals
Posted November 20, 2008 at 09:39 AM by JG Mason
Section: Video, HDTV, Computers, Web, Websites
BJ’s, the land of bulk buys, is looking good for Black Friday this year according to a flyer I just got handed. The deals range from in-store deals to online deals at bjs.com (how there were able to secure that domain name I’ll never know). Here is a look at the deals:
TVs
Sharp Aquos 52” 1080p LCD HDTV. Save $300 now just $1399.00 Samsung 32” LCD $100 off, now just $499.99 Samsung 46” 1080p $200 off, now just $1099.99 Sylvania 37” LCD HDTV $80 off, now just $599.99Computers
Sony 16.4 Notebook, Hi-Def LCD, Centrino Dual Core processor, 4GB RAM, 250GB HD. $200 off, now just $799.99. HP 15.4 Notebook, Dual Core processor, 3GB RAM, 250GB HD, $150 off, now just $549.99 Sony VGC-JS1100/SC All-in-One PC. 20” LCD, 4GB RAM, 320GB HD $100 off, now just $849.99 HP Desktop Bundle, AMD Triple core processor, 22"LCD with HDMI input, 5GB RAM, 500GB HD. $100 off, now just $799.99.Storage
PNY Technologies 8GB USB Drive or 4GB SD Cards 2pk. $19.99Misc
Magellan Roadmate 1200, $30 off, now just $99.99. Nikon S550, $50 off. Pandigital 7” Digital Picture Frame $20 off, now just $49.99 BJs.com Memorex 26” LCD HDTV with built in DVD player. $80 off, now just $399 Broksonic 22” LCD HDTV $40 off, now just $259.99 Memorex Blu-ray Disc Player $30 off, now just $199.99 Garmin nuvi 250, $40 off, now just $129 Garmin nuvi 760, $100 off, now just $249.99 10.4” Portable Digital Photo Frame, $50 off now just $99.99 Audio-Technica LP-to-Digital Recording System with USB Turntable. $15 off, now just $84.99 TomTom One 125, $70 off, now just $99.99 Westinghouse 32” LCD HDTV, $100 off, now just $449.99 Philips 42” 1080p LCD HDTV, $150 off, now just $849.99 Toshiba Satellite 15.4” Laptop with travel kit and Canon Multifunction Printer. $100 off, now just $779.99It appears no coupons are necessary for the online deals. A quick look over at bjs.com shows there are many other deals available now.
Ocarina Wars: A challenger appears!
Posted November 20, 2008 at 08:15 AM by NEWS
Section:
FROM APPLETELL - Is the world big enough for two Ocarina applications? Will there be “throw downs” between rival gangs of electronic Ocarina enthusiasts? Will the iTunes store, and perhaps Apple itself, be torn asunder? MORE »
Game defender Prof. Henry Jenkins leaves MIT, heads into the “heart of the entertainment
Posted November 20, 2008 at 07:44 AM by NEWS
Section:
FROM GAMERTELL - Henry Jenkins transfers from MIT to USC to expand on his research methods, which not only cover video games but also includes media literacy, civic media, creative industry and fan/culture research… MORE »
Same old same old nebooks again
Posted November 19, 2008 at 10:12 PM by Christian Milsom
Section: Computers, Mobile Computers
We haven’t heard from Dospara for a while, so perhaps you were wondering what they have been up to. Well don’t worry, they have been doing exactly the same as everybody else: making a netbook. I’m sure you could recite these specifications blindfolded, but in the interest of comparison I will tell you. It has a 1.6GHz Atom N270 processor, a 120GB hard drive, 1GB RAM, 1,024 x 600 screen, 802.11b/g WiFi, Linux and a reasonable battery. To be honest, it is exactly the same as loads of other netbooks, and that is the point that I want to make. Coming in at $413 it has an average price, with average spec and average looks: the netbook market is most definitely stagnating. As if to prove my point I discovered Epson’s Endeavor Na01 which I was not astonished to find that they were incredibly similar. Processor? Same. Operating system? Same. RAM? Same. USB ports? Same. Resolution? Same! They even share the same drab black color which means that if it wasn’t for the manufacturer’s name on them, you would be hard pushed to tell them apart.
They also come within $50 of each other and it would appear that within a year of this craze all the manufacturers are getting in on the act with their own branded monotonous netbooks (apart from the Dell, Acer, Asus, and HP editions). Yes, there is a possibility that this is driving prices down, and it does give you more choice, but it is getting to the point that one is overwhelmed.
This may seem like a bit of a rant (and that is probably because it is) but I think the way in which these companies follow the pioneers in the field like a pet, waiting till they are successful before putting their neck out, is really bad for the industry. Where is the excitement? Where is the color? The problem with netbooks is that people accept that they are only really for going on the web, so there are no real improvements on the old netbooks. No new colors, no more RAM or storage, no interesting designs, just the same old, same old.
So please, can all you manufacturers out there, can you please use your imagination and get back to where computing should be: the pinnacle of design? Brave new design, controversy, the thrill that comes when you are in suspense to see which laptop has the best graphics, the excitement as you pre-order the best that a handhold gadget can offer and the crushing blow as your mate gets a better one a week later.
This is my pre-Christmas wish: can someone make netbooks exiting again?
Cube debuts on the App Store for free
Posted November 19, 2008 at 09:00 PM by NEWS
Section:
FROM APPLETELL - Cube, a first-person shooter for desktops, has been ported to the iPhone. The best news of all is that it drops at a very attractive price…free. But, as you might suspect, it’s not perfect. MORE »
Deal of the Day: Buy 2 select games at Amazon and get $25, buy 3 and get $50
Posted November 19, 2008 at 08:15 PM by NEWS
Section:
FROM GAMERTELL - Amazon is offering a pre-Black Friday deal today (November 19, 2008), where if you buy 2 or 3 select PC, PS3, Wii and Xbox 360 titles, you will receive a $25 or $50 credit on a future Amazon video game purchase. MORE »
MySpace suicide court case begins
Posted November 19, 2008 at 07:33 PM by Christian Milsom
Section: Web, Websites
This story has all the makings of a tragic soap: a vulnerable love sick teenager, a sick vengeful adult and death. Unfortunately this story is not confined to the pages of a book, but is a reality that took place in October 2006 and resulted in Megan Meier, aged 13 at the time, taking her own life. But why did she do it? What had happened before? Who caused it? And what does this have to do with technology?
It all started when Megan fell out with the daughter of her neighbor Ms Drew in St Louis, prompting Ms Drew to take it upon herself to spite Megan. She did this by creating a fictitious 16 year old boy, Josh Evans, who lived in the local area which she did by creating a fake MySpace account. This was then used to contact the unassuming Megan, and create a friendship, although the implication is that Megan believed it to be more serious than that.
But why would she do this? The idea was to get back at Megan by then breaking up the virtual relationship, which of course would cause harm to Megan—the aim of the whole scheme. However the comments were incredibly harsh, including one that said the world would be better of without her and a distraught Megan took her own life. Now, Ms. Drew is on trial under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, something only previously used against computer hackers but the only law in Missouri that the prosecutors could take her to court for.
Although she is not being directly charged with the death of Megan (the judge had considered this, but later dismissed the idea of excluding suicide evidence) she could still end up with a 5 year prison sentence. However this will end up being a very gray area, as Dean Steward the defense lawyer believes “The jury is going to end up thinking that Lori Drew is being tried for the death of Megan Meier. . .“ Nevertheless, there is still a chance that the jury will take this into account regardless, which although is not ideal, it could result in a full 5 year sentence.
So what can we learn? Firstly that there are bad people out there, and that we are in danger of becoming immune to this threat because of the amount that it is publicized. Perhaps the teens of today don’t care what adults say and will go out of their way do to the opposite, but we must remember that they are still vulnerable and that social networking can be dangerous. So if you are considering getting back at an ex, a hated enemy or an irritating boss, remember that it is not hard to track this kind of thing.
Source [BBC]
New Xbox Experience features Street Fighter II Turbo “branded destination”
Posted November 19, 2008 at 06:16 PM by NEWS
Section:
FROM GAMERTELL - It’s almost officially time to stop drooling and start throwing down folks. Capcom and Microsoft are double teaming fighting game fans with tomorrow’s official launch of the New Xbox Experience and the Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix. MORE »
Some GPS deals to consider on Black Friday
Posted November 19, 2008 at 05:24 PM by Natesh Sood
Section: Gadgets / Other, GPS/Navigation
One of the hottest gifts this holiday season is going to be GPSs. Everyone, at some point in their life, has gotten lost multiple times while on the road and owning a GPS these days seems almost as necessary as having a cell phone.
In case you want a general idea of what to look for in GPSs, you can check out Gadgetell’s Buying Guide for GPSs. However, if you are in need of a GPS and plan to buy one on Black Friday, then you will want to know what’s going to be sold at a cheap price and where it’s going to be sold.
We have three different GPS companies to talk about - TomTom, Magellan, and Garmin. Overall, we have four different GPS models that are going to be sold in many different stores. First, let’s begin with the TomTom One 125, which is going to be sold at Sears, Circuit City, Office Max, RadioShack, and Navy Exchange - all for the same price of $99.99.
This GPS comes with a 3.5 inch touch screen, voice guidance capabilities, FM Traffic updates, and maps of US and Canada. Right now, this GPS is available for $179.99 at Circuit City, so it definitely will be marked down by a lot come Black Friday.
Next up, we have the Magellan RoadMate 1200, which is going to be available at Meijer, Military BX, Sears, Target, and Navy Exchange. Meijer will be selling it for $89.99, Military BX for $95.00, Sears for $99.99, Target for $99.99, and Navy Exchange for $99.99. If there is a Meijer store located near you and you want to buy this GPS, you should probably head over there first to see if they have it in stock. Now, this GPS features a 3.5 inch touch screen, 1.3 million POIs, SD memory expansion, Auto-Route recalculation, as well as a Dash Mount. I went to the Target website for this GPS as well as the Sears website and right now they are selling this for $199.99 and $149.99, respectively. Again, this gives you some perspective on how much GPSs are being marked down.
Moving on, we have the Garmin nuvi 260 only available at Circuit City for $149.99. This GPS comes with a 3.5 inch touch screen, SD memory expansion, maps of the United States and Canada, picture display, many POIs, and voice guidance. Also, this GPS is available right now for $249.99 at Circuit City.
Lastly, we have the Garmin nuvi 260W, which is only available at Best Buy for $189.99. This comes with maps of North America, a 4.3 inch QVGA TFT LCD touch screen with 320 x 240 resolution, SD memory expansion, automatic rerouting, and a high-sensitivity receiver, meaning it will calculate available routes fast. Also comes with voice guidance, POIs, conversion calculators, 2D and 3D mapping, and a battery life of up to 5 hours. This is available right now at Best Buy for $299.99.
Stay tuned to Gadgetell for more GPS deals as they become available.
Via [BFads]
Microsoft to offer free virus protection
Posted November 19, 2008 at 03:39 PM by Shawn Ingram
Section: Computers, Software / Applications
You’d think that with all the viruses, malware, spyware and what not on Windows, Microsoft would offer some sort of protection. Well, actually it does, currently the service costs $49.95 per year and is called Microsoft Live OneCare. It’s one of the many things Microsoft has that’s easy to forget about. That’s not a bad thing, though, as it will be leaving on June 30, 2009.
To replace OneCare, Microsoft is working on “Morro.“ Morro is the project-name for its new, free virus protection program. According to the Reuters article, Morro is being designed to work on “smaller, less powerful computers.“ That probably means it is being made to work with netbooks.
There’s no word on what Windows platforms will be supported by Morro, though given that it will be released “the second half of next year,“ it seems natural to include Windows 7, though it will most likely work on XP and Vista as well. At least that’s what I would assume.
Rueters claims this is a direct shot at McAfee, which it could be. Although, I don’t know anyone who actually pays for virus protection anymore. Most everyone I know has Avast, or maybe AVG. This might be more of a shot at those programs more than McAfee. It seems a bit ridiculous to have to pay every year for a new version of virus protection for a computer, though it is needed. This gives Microsoft more of a chance to either control more aspects of computers, or manage to screw them up somehow (which is unlikely). It is more competition for free personal virus protection, and that can only lead to good things for the average user in the long run.
Read [Reuters]
Contest: can you be Yahoo’s next CEO?
Posted November 19, 2008 at 02:20 PM by JG Mason
Section: Web, Web 2.0, Websites, Features, Contests
Being a CEO of a major brand on the net isn’t easy. Getting the job is even harder, that is where Gadgetell comes in. By entering our contest, you’ll earn our public recommendation to Yahoo!‘s board for the open CEO position. Warm up those golf clubs, here is what we think Yahoo! needs:
To be the next CEO at Yahoo!, we believe the company needs a big personality. Google has the rollerblading wonder twins, MS now has almost larger-than-life Ballmer and Apple’s got a guy with a closet full of black mock turtlenecks. While we don’t believe having rollerblades, being nutty or sticking to one outfit is a prerequisite, here is what we do think is:
Qualifications: Yahoo! needs some life pumped back in. The CEO needs to be able to stand up and say this is why we have the largest user base. This is what makes us #1 and why we should be kicking some royal tush, no groveling for MS to come and vacuum this mess up. Vision. If you are picked as CEO, you need to have a vision of where you can take Yahoo! leveraging things like popularity and its awesome AJAX library. Openness. As the CEO you need to be clear with your vision and show us some goods. You’ll have to walk the tightrope of being open while still offering us surprises now and then (see the wiki on Steve Jobs for reference). Channel Kenny Rogers. For this CEO job, you have to know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em. A buyout may become a real possibility at some point and you’ve got to know when to pull the trigger. If it helps, sing the song a few times in a karaoke bar just to get in the groove. Yang wouldn’t take our advice, maybe you will. Enter to winSounds easy enough right? What is awesome about Yahoo! is I’ve found people love different things about it. So, here is the contest part. If you believe you are up the challenge, here is what we need:
leave a comment below citing 3 things you’d do on your first day on the job to signal Yahoo!s return to dominance. Impress us. Wow us. Make Robert Scoble cry (love ya big guy). Show us that you’ve got the moxy to get Gadgetell’s nod. In our vast expertise, the editors at Gadgetell will review the entrants and pick one winner based almost blindly on who can best lead Yahoo! to being a player once more. We’ll post the results on Friday and send Yahoo! our best candidate for the job. You’re still waiting? Get to commenting!This is your chance to earn some big bucks, get some free perks (if nothing more than a year’s supply of Yahoo! stickers), and national attention if you are selected by Yahoo!. Gadgetell is proud to sponsor this contest.
Fine print: you must be 18 to enter, no purchase necessary to enter, Gadgetell really has no say in who Yahoo! picks as CEO, we can merely suggest on quite possibly deaf ears - I mean they’ve never listened to us before, but that shouldn’t stop us from trying, right? We strongly suspect there will be a drug test involved, crack heads need not apply. Thanks to Dougie B for getting me thinking about Yang’s replacement.
Fiio unveils the Shuffle look-a-like E5 headphone amplifier
Posted November 19, 2008 at 01:04 PM by Robert Nelson
Section: Audio, Headphones, Portable Audio
Fiio has just released the E5, and despite it offering a design very similar to that of the iPod Shuffle it is not a media player but instead a headphone amplifier. The E5 comes as a replacement to the previous E3, and in turn offers 30-percent more power than the E3. The E5 has a power output of 150mW at 16Ω or 12MW to 300Ω and less than a 0.009-percent distortion at 10mW. Additionally, the E5 has onboard volume controls (an item that was lacking on the E3) and a built-in battery that should offer around 20 hours of use. Otherwise the E5 measures 1.73 x 1.50 x 0.48-inches and weighs in at a lightweight 0.92-ounces. The E5 is currently available and retailing for around $20.
Read [GenerationMP3]
Asus rumored to launch Eee Top all-in-one PC tomorrow, beginning at $499
Posted November 19, 2008 at 12:04 PM by Robert Nelson
Section: Computers, Desktops
We have recently seen the official announcement of the MSI Wind Neton and now we are seeing reports that Asus will be launching their competing all-in-one desktop as early as tomorrow. The Asus all-in-one desktop PC is the Eee Top, and it comes in two models, the ET1602 and the ET1603. The announcement is expected to come during an Asus news conference on November 20.
As for the specs, the ET1602 features a 15.9-inch touchscreen, a 1.6GHz Atom N270 processor, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, Wi-Fi 802.11, a 1.3-megapixel webcam, and a pair of built-in speakers. The ET1603 will offer similar features as the ET1602 but has a better (ATI HD3450) graphics card along with a battery. Of course, the ET1603 weighs in at 9.7-pounds, and given that it seems the battery would serve more as a backup in case of a power loss, than provide for portability.
Still unknown is the pricing, although Asus CEO Jerry Shen did mention in the past that it would be a low priced device. As for the actual availability, hopefully we will find that out, along with the official pricing tomorrow.
Via [CIO]
Gamertell Review: Seinfeld Scene It? for DVD
Posted November 19, 2008 at 11:48 AM by NEWS
Section:
FROM GAMERTELL - Seinfeld Scene It? is a great game for fans of the series but people who are very familiar with the show might find it too easy… MORE »
MSI intro’s the Neton all-in-one desktop PC lineup
Posted November 19, 2008 at 11:03 AM by Robert Nelson
Section: Computers, Desktops
MSI has recently unveiled their all-in-one desktop PC lineup, which has been dubbed the MSI Wind Neton. The PCs will be available in three models, the M16, M19, and M22 all of which offer touchscreen displays, are being powered by Atom processors and have the option to include a TV tuner.
To begin with, the M16 features a 15.6-inch display with a 1366 x 768 resolution and will also have a DVD burner. Next up we have the M19, which has a slightly larger display coming in at 18.5-inches with a resolution of 1366 x 768. Finally, closing it out, we have the full HD-capable M22. This model features the largest display of the bunch coming in at 22-inches with a 1920 x 1080 resolution. The M22 can also be configured with a Blu-ray drive and a remote control.
As for the processing power, as mentioned earlier, they are being powered by Atom processors. The Wind Neton can be ordered with either Windows XP or Windows Vista. The XP models will have single-core processors while the Vista models will have dual-cores.
Still unannounced was any information regarding storage and memory. As for availability, the M19 is expected first and it will start at $500 depending on configuration, the M16 will follow in February and begin at $400 with the M22 coming in March 2009 with prices starting at $799.
Via [Engadget]
Peek device gets price cut and adds texting
Posted November 19, 2008 at 10:15 AM by JG Mason
Section: Communications, Email / IM, Mobile
In a very interesting move, the Peek e-mail device added some features last night that make it more of a compelling product in my mind. In addition to picking this up now for the reduced price of $79.99 from folks like Target, the device can now send text messages to phones. I am now considering getting this for my tween.
Users can simply input a phone number in the To: field of the device to send a text message. Also added is the ability to see images like .JPG, .GIF .PNG and BMP. Not a big deal, but more functionality is a plus.
I’ve been debating this cell phone but can’t believe how much they want to charge for just basic service or the beginning of a family plan. This device and $20 reoccurring fee for connectivity seems like a pretty good deal. Since my wife and I are uber-connected at all times, this could work. Probably not the device’s target market, but hey, a sale’s a sale.
The Peek device comes in Aqua, Grey and Cherry and is now $20 off from $99.
Source [jkOnTheRun] Purchase [Target]
Mozilla wants you to Fashion Your Firefox
Posted November 19, 2008 at 09:12 AM by Shawn Ingram
Section: Computers, Software / Applications, Web, Downloads, Web Browsers
There are a lot of add-ons for Firefox out there. Over 5,000 of them to be more precise. But, its a bit hard to actually find the most useful ones unless you’re searching for them specifically. Mozilla is trying to help us all out with that. It recently opened a page called “Fashion Your Firefox,“ an easier way to find the add-ons that you might find useful.
Obviously, Fashion Your Firefox doesn’t list every add-on, only about 40 of those available at the moment. It’s broken up into categories ranging from “News Junkie” to “Shutterbug,“ “Digital Pack Rat,“ and a few other categories for how people use their internet browser. According to the FAQ, there are a few points the add-ons needed to meet. They had to be popular, compatible with Mac and PC (I suppose Linux doesn’t count?), easy to use (oh, right, linux is supposedly hard to use), and “ffer a well-rounded set of functionality.“ Sounds a bit reasonable to me.
Looking at the add-ons, the choices make sense. Especially the fact that StumbleUpon, possibly the most popular, and most unproductive add-on is the first on the list. There are others on the list that I have used, and they all deserve to be on the list. There are even a few that I haven’t heard of before that seem like they’d be very useful, if not always useful to me. I do have one question, though: if this is supposed to highlight the best Firefox add-ons, why isn’t it advertised on Mozilla’s front page?
Read [Fashion Your Firefox]
HP introduces the TouchSmart TX2 laptop
Posted November 19, 2008 at 12:02 AM by Iyaz Akhtar
Section: Computers, Mobile Computers, Laptops, Features
HP is rolling out their newest TouchSmart and it’s a Tablet PC. What’s the big deal? Well, Gadgetell got a chance to actually play with the HP TouchSmart TX2 and it is really something.
At first blush, the TX2 looks like a standard Tablet PC with a hinge that allows the entire 12.1-inch screen to be turned around and folded down for a slate style experience. The real fun is in the touch screen which is capacitive and not resistive; that means you don’t have to press the screen very hard for the computer to register inputs. A simple tap to the screen is enough for the TX2.
Multi-touchThe laptop supports multi-touch input as well. While Windows Vista doesn’t do multi-touch yet, HP has built this technology into the drivers. The multi-touch inputs are translated into keystroke commands so you can have multi-touch beyond HP’s MediaSmart software.
The screen was pretty responsive to touch, although there were instances where my touch didn’t register. Strangely, the same thing happens to me on my iPhone. Perhaps I do not play well with touch screens, but when others tried the screen, it was very responsive. It was very easy to close apps, hit the Start button, and it was even possible to get into the system tray using a touch if you were careful. Considering that the TX2 has a 12.1-inch screen, I was rather impressed.
Quirks
Since this is a Tablet PC and not a desktop, there were some quirks. The HP MediaSmart software, HP’s multi-touch enabled photo/video/music player, does not play well in portrait mode. In fact, if you are running the software and switch to portrait, a message will pop up on the screen saying that the HP MediaSmart software is not optimized for this display and will now quit. The app doesn’t just disappear, you do have to click an “OK” button.
Also, the HP MediaSmart music player did not have any onscreen volume controls. This is not really a problem in most cases, but if you are using the TX2 in slate mode, you will have to go into your Windows system tray to adjust the volume. The HP rep was a bit confused by this oversight as well, so I would imagine it will be fixed in the long run.
The HardwareThe laptop hardware is very nice. The hinge on the device seemed pretty sturdy as it required some force to turn the monitor around. The hinge locks into place after you’ve turned it 180 degrees. If you push down on the monitor, you can turn the TX2 into a slate-style PC. A latch locks the monitor down once you’ve converted it into slate mode.
The keyboard was fine. While it looked a bit glossy, my fingers did not slip at all. The function and escape keys on the top row are smaller than average, but the main part of the keyboard is very comfortable.
HP has packed in an optical drive, an ExpressCard34 slot (which HP has filled with an IR remote for media center) and dual headphone jacks so you can share your screen with someone. The laptop comes equipped with two IR sensors so that you will be able to use that included remote in any of the laptop configurations. That’s a small thing, but very helpful.
The laptop weighs a little over 4 pounds and is available today starting at $1,149.99.
SPECIFICATIONS
OPERATING SYSTEM
Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate OR, Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium OR, Genuine Windows Vista® BusinessPROCESSOR
AMD Athlon X2 Dual-Core Processor QL-64 (2.1 GHz, 1MB L2 Cache) OR, AMD Athlon X2 Dual-Core Processor QL-62 (2.0 GHz, 1MB L2 Cache) OR, AMD Turion X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor RM-74 (2.2GHz, 1MB L2 cache) OR, AMD Turion X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor RM-72 (2.1GHz, 1MB L2 cache) OR, AMD Turion X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor ZM-80 (2.1GHz, 2MB L2 cache) OR, AMD Turion X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor ZM-82 (2.2GHz, 2MB L2 cache) OR, AMD Turion X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor ZM-84 (2.3GHz, 2MB L2 cache) OR, AMD Turion X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor ZM-86 (2.4GHz, 2MB L2 cache)
MEMORY
Up to 8GB DDR2 SDRAM System Memory (2 SODIMM; 64-bit OS)
VIDEO GRAPHICS
ATI Radeon HD 3200
HARD DRIVE
160/250/320/400G/500B 5400 rpm SATA
FINISH AND FEATURES
HP Reaction Imprint finish with HP Webcam and integrated microphone
MULTIMEDIA DRIVE
SuperMulti 8X DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Support OR, LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD±RW with Double Layer Support
DISPLAY
12.1-inch diagonal WXGA (1280 x 800), Integrated touch-screen, Convertible display
NETWORK CARD
Integrated 10/10/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)
WIRELESS OPTION
802.11b/g WLAN OR, 802.11b/g WLAN and Bluetooth OR, Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n WLAN OR, Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n with Bluetooth
AUDIO
Altec Lansing
KEYBOARD
101-key compatible and 3 Quick Launch Buttons
EXTERNAL NOTEBOOK PORTS
3 USB 2.0 ports 1 VGA 1 RJ-11 1 RJ-45/Ethernet 2 Headphone out - 1 with SPDIF Digital Audio & 1 stereo 1 Microphone in 1 Expansion port 3 1 Consumer IR for remote control Digital pen with integrated docking bay
DIMENSIONS
12.05 in (L) x 8.82 in (W) x 1.23 in (min H) / 1.52 in (max H) (with 4-cell battery)
WEIGHT
Starting at 4.33 lb / 1.97 kg(16) (with Touchscreen, Digitizer, Weightsaver, 4-cell battery)
POWER
4-cell (37 WHr) OR, 6-cell (55 WHr) OR, 8-cell (73 WHRr) Lithium-Ion battery OR, 65W HP AC Adapter
Microsoft to cut prices on the Zune starting tomorrow
Posted November 18, 2008 at 09:07 PM by Natesh Sood
Section: Audio, Portable Audio, Video, Portable Video
Microsoft sure has been busy with their Zune lately. First, they announce a new 3.1 software update which includes a few free games and now they are set to cut prices on the Zune.
The price cuts aren’t jaw-dropping, but they are pretty nice, nonetheless. Price cuts around the holiday season might just do the trick to persuade some potential PMP buyers to go with the cheaper Zune. The 4GB version’s price goes down to $99. Meanwhile, the 8GB model goes from $149 to $139. The last model, the 16GB model, goes down by $20, from $199 to $179. If you want to pick up some Zune accessories to go with your new Zune, then you will be happy to know that Microsoft has also cut prices on several Zune products.
You might recall that Canada had already received a small price cut for a week when Future Shop sold the 8GB player for $82. In case you missed out on that offer, then you will be happy to know that these price cuts are also affecting Canadian Zunes come this Friday. For us Americans, the price cut will take place tomorrow.
Will this price cut make it a happy holidays for Microsoft? Adam Sohn, Zune marketing director, said the price cut will “ensure hopefully we have a good holiday season.“
Via [cnet]
Adobe and ARM parter to optimize Flash for ARM powered devices
Posted November 18, 2008 at 07:15 PM by NEWS
Section:
FROM APPLETELL - Adobe and ARM have announced they are working together to optimize Flash Player 10 and Adobe AIR to run on ARM powered devices. Adobe Systems Incorporated and ARM today announced a technology collaboration to optimize and enable Adobe Flash Player 10 and Adobe AIR for ARM Powered… MORE »
Microsoft rolls out new 3.1 update for the Zune
Posted November 18, 2008 at 06:18 PM by Natesh Sood
Section: Audio, Portable Audio, Video, Portable Video, Computers, Software / Applications
Today, Microsoft has officially released the new 3.1 update for the Zune, which comes with a few major additions such as four new games as well as some general improvements.
First, let’s begin with the new game updates. Checkers, Sudoku, Space Battle, and a multiplayer version as well as a single player mode of Texas Hold’em have all been made available for free. Apple has many more games available, but some of them cost money. I’m sure Zune users will be happy to know that they can get some free high quality games. The above picture of what the Texas Hold’em splash screen would look like on the Zune.
Microsoft updated the Zune Social aspect of the Zune by fixing up the service to make it easier for their users to navigate around. In addition, they added a new feature which figures out how the music you frequently listen to compares with the music of your friends.
On a not so interesting note, Microsoft also improved upon the play count feature and when you go to synchronize your content between the PC and the Zune - overall adding more stability. To get this update now, you want go on the Zune software for your computer, go to settings and then check for updates.
Via [Zune Insider]
DosPara intro’s the limited edition, not so special Prime Note Cartina netbook
Posted November 18, 2008 at 05:44 PM by Robert Nelson
Section: Computers, Mobile Computers, Laptops
DosPara have recently announced a new and limited edition netbook. The new model has been dubbed the Prime Note Cartina and will be limited to just 30 units. The netbook will be released only in Japan, which typically would be a cause of some jealousy, but judging from the specs of this so-called limited edition model I am not sure it will be missed elsewhere.
Feature-wise the Prime Note Cartina will include an 8.9-inch display, an Atom N270 processor, 120GB of storage, 1GB of RAM, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g and will be running Linux. Oh, and it only weighs 2.4-pounds. Wait, what exactly makes this a limited edition, seems more like it should a limited supply. This netbook seems to be doing nothing more than cashing in on a popular trend.
Via [Akihabara News]
Another iPhone battery/case combo for this holiday season from Incase
Posted November 18, 2008 at 04:39 PM by NEWS
Section:
FROM APPLETELL - Add battery life to your iPhone without removing it from its case with the Power Slider from Incase. MORE »
DSi price drops at RenChi and NCSX
Posted November 18, 2008 at 04:20 PM by NEWS
Section:
FROM GAMERTELL - Two import internet video game retailers, NCSX and RenChi, have dropped the price of the DSi from $299 to $249. So if you need to get the latest DS incarnation, it’s now a little cheaper. MORE »
Rogers announces Nokia E71 upcoming availability
Posted November 18, 2008 at 03:27 PM by Robert Nelson
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile
Rogers has just confirmed the upcoming availability of the Nokia E71 smartphone. The details are still pretty light, so far Rogers has simply stated that the “highly anticipated Nokia E71 smartphone will be coming soon to Canada.“ Still unknown is the price and release date, but the brief announcement may be reason enough for Rogers customers looking for a 3G handset that is not a Bold or an iPhone to hold off just a little bit.
As for specs, the Nokia E71 features a 320 x 240 display, 128MB RAM, 256MB ROM, a microSD card slot, aGPS, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, microUSB, a 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus and flash and a full QWERTY keyboard.
Via [MobileSyrup]
Colombia orders up Windows XP based XO laptops
Posted November 18, 2008 at 03:24 PM by Robert Nelson
Section: Computers, Mobile Computers, Laptops
Just a few months back, we saw Peru become the first country in the world to begin a Windows XP based XO laptop pilot program, and now Columbia will be joining them. The announcement, which comes courtesy of Microsoft, is calling for the program to initially take place in Quetame and Chia, but will also be expanded in the future.
As one would expect, the “pilot programs are an effort to introduce more technology into schools and prepare kids for high tech jobs in the future.“ Unfortunately, nothing was mentioned as to how many XP-based XO laptops were being deployed. That may not sound all that important; however, it was reported that the Peru deployment included only 50 laptops.
This Colombian Windows XP-based pilot program comes in addition to another recent announcement from OLPC. Just last month, it was reported that schools in Bogota Columbia would be getting 20,000 XO laptops, and that an additional 90,000 would be sent to Cartagena courtesy of Colombian foundations and private donors. Of course, these will not be running Windows XP.
Read [NetworkWorld] Via [OLPC News]
Optimus AUX pre-production image released, set to cost $650
Posted November 18, 2008 at 02:32 PM by Robert Nelson
Section: Gadgets / Other, Miscellaneous, Peripherals, Mice / Keyboards
Art Lebedev Studios has offered up a new image of their Optimus AUX keypad. The new photo (above) is said to be a glimpse at the final pre-production prototype, and, in addition, they have given some idea of a price point. Sadly, the price, just like many of the other Art Lebedev items, will be out-of-reach for many customers. The Optimus AUX is expected to retail in the ballpark of $650.
Of course, one of the original concepts behind the Optimus AUX was to have it used as a supplement to the Optimus Maximus keyboard, and if you can afford to shell out $1,590 for a keyboard, then this may also be in your budget.
Personally, I will be thankful for the nice pre-production image that they have supplied, because that is about as close to it as I will be getting. As for availability, that has yet to be announced.
Read [Art Lebedev]
Your Wii is being held hostage
Posted November 18, 2008 at 02:12 PM by Christian Milsom
Section: Tech News, Gaming, Console
Getting the newest games console has always been hard, and the Nintendo Wii is no exception with ‘Out of stock’ signs adorning many games hardware outlets. In addition to unrelenting demand, would be buyers are facing constraints from an unlikely source. If you can’t get a Nintendo product this year: blame Somalian pirates.
Not content stealing folks using Torrents, but sword in mouth, eye-patched, rum-swilling pirates. Thought today’s crews cary RPGs and fast boats to seize your electronics as their booty.
Recently, the numbers of ships coming victim to piracy is rising rapidly, causing many to worry in the retail world. Much of the piracy is focused in the narrows of the the Suez Canal as it cuts cross Egypt from the east coast of Africa to the Mediterranean Sea and is used extensively for shipping all types of goods. However companies are advised to consider diverting shipments around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the pirates, which would result in a 3 week delay, meaning no Wii for you.
“Despite all the publicity over piracy it will really hit home when consumers in the West find they haven’t got their Nintendo gifts this Christmas,“ said Sam Dawson of the International Transport Workers’ Federation).
Various navies are doing their best to fight this. The British navy killed two pirates this week and seizures are continuing. It is becoming increasingly hard with the growing numbers of pirates: numbers have risen from one every couple of weeks to four a day. This is a problem, and the results will be felt by retailers in the upcoming weeks and months.
Some of you smart ones will have noticed that this will not effect America, and your right (boats from Asia sail east to the USA). However Europe is also a massive market for American products which often use this route. So, this could be a bad for Christmas and gadget loving Europeans , cargo shippers, European retailers and manufacturers, however it is very good for 10 Somalians who are proud owners of 1,000 stolen Nintendo Wiis.
Source [Yahoo]
LG’s hot new touchscreen at AT&T
Posted November 18, 2008 at 12:58 PM by JG Mason
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Smartphones, Mobile
Check out this one: LG’s Incite. The 3G world phone has some impressive features as well as an interesting price tag: $199. The lineup of $199 touchscreen phones in the AT&T stable is getting crowded. So how is this one different?
The Incite features Windows Mobile 6.1, so it plays well with the MS Office docs, Outlook and the like. It’s camera is a 3mp jobber and the 3” display has 240x480 QVGA going for it. A bonus stylus tells you fingers may or may not be the best input device. As a note, the Samsung Epix also offered a stylus and I found most tasks (save for clicking the close box in the upper left) were easily done with fat fingers.
Interestingly the screen is haptic (a buzzing is made so you can feel when pressing keys) and the onscreen keyboard comes in two varieties: a basic QWERTY keyboard in landscape or a 20 key keyboard in portait. The switching between the two is automatic based on the devices orientation.
Other bonus features include aGPS, WiFi and Bluetooth; staples for any business user. Also in there is AT&T’s video share, “the first-ever service in the U.S. that allows users to share live video over wireless devices while participating in a voice call.“ The unit has an SD memory slot that is 16GB card compatible according to the press release but the AT&T site disagrees, saying it can handle 32GB.
Product page [AT&T]
Black Friday tips to avoid hackers
Posted November 18, 2008 at 11:38 AM by JG Mason
Section: Computers, Security, Web, Websites
In what promises to be waay worse than the whole Y2K thingy, hackers have officially notified us that they are planning a massive attack to take over your machine. Confirmed by privacy and security company, PC Tools (no jokes, please), the threat comes after analyzing more than 500,000 machines this year. Computer users are warned not to fall trap the basic snares: fraudulent websites, emails from unknown peoples, or the infamous banana in a tailpipe. (Beverly Hills Cop, anyone?)
PC Tools says that last years highest incidence of spyware attacks came three days before Thanksgiving in the US. This year they expect an increase of 15% based on Shop.org’s eholiday study, thanks to bargain hungry shoppers who will take to the net after the stores run out of their early Black Friday specials.
PC Tools acquired their data from their installed base of Threatfire. The software reports back threats it has quashed. Below, the company offers 8 online shopping tips to keep your info safe.
Keep a sharp lookout, as always.
Read [telegraph]
PC Tools’ 8 Tips for Safe Online Holiday Shopping
1. Use web browser protection
While shopping online you may come across what appear to be legitimate-looking websites created with the express intent of committing financial or identity fraud.
Hackers can also infect legitimate or reputable websites, such that by merely going to a website, you could infect your family’s computer and expose your personal details and financial welfare to risk.
Reputable browser protection, such as PC Tools Browser Defender®, warns you about potentially dangerous websites and identifies websites that are trying to infect or harm your computer.
2. Install comprehensive security protection
You can also help protect yourself from malicious attacks by installing reputable security software such as Spyware Doctor® with AntiVirus or PC Tools Internet Security™ which are recommended by leading independent publications. Make sure your security product has real-time and browser protection, which can block attacks as they happen and while you surf the web, as well as behavioral protection, which helps protect against new and unknown threats.
3. Do your homework
Check out the website’s refund and returns policies, privacy policy and legal notices. These documents should be readily available on online websites. You will want to know for example, what your rights are in relation to any goods you buy on line and how a company deals with your personal details.
4. Be click aware
Be wise about clicking on links in emails from online retailers. Cybercriminals wanting to steal your personal information can now create emails that look exactly the same as those that come from well-known online stores. So even emails that may appear to be from a legitimate company may be dangerous. Make sure you have a powerful spam filter that automatically detects suspicious emails as they arrive in your inbox.
5. Look for the signs
When processing payment, the address of the webpage should start with “https” or “shttp” and there should be a security icon at the bottom right hand corner of the screen, such as a padlock or an unbroken key, which indicates that the website has a security certificate. A security certificate is designed to give you comfort that the information you send from your computer is kept secure from access by other parties. You should also check that the security certificate is registered to the website you are visiting. You can do this by double clicking on the security icon and verifying that the name in the certificate matches the name of the retailer.
6. Pay using a secure method
If you use a debit card when purchasing from an online shopping site, the purchase amount will be immediately withdrawn from your account and will be more difficult to get back if the transaction turns out to be fraudulent. If you use a credit card you can contest transactions before you pay your monthly statement. Frequent online shoppers should consider setting up a separate credit card with a low limit, so that if their details do get stolen, a thief will be limited in the amount of money they can charge to the card.
7. Don’t give out too many details
Online retailers should only require your basic contact details (for example, name, billing address and contact number) and card details in order to process a credit/debit card payment. If you are concerned that a retailer is requesting too much information, contact them by phone to find out why they need so much information, how they plan to use it and if they have a privacy policy to protect you.
8. Keep records of the transaction
Make sure you print and save records of any online transactions, including the product description, price and the receipt of payment. If the site turns out to be fraudulent, you’ll need this information to advise the relevant authorities in order to try to get your money back.
Gadgetell Interview: TripIt’s Gregg Brockway
Posted November 18, 2008 at 10:19 AM by JG Mason
Section: Gadgets / Other, Lifestyle, Transportation, Web, Web Apps, Websites
As a frequent traveler, I am awash in trip confirmations, hotels, and rental car info. I often forget who I’ve told I am going away and who I’ve not. TripIt aims to change all that. By simply forwarding them your confirmation emails, they scan the doc and import in the pertinent information into their system and put it out there for you and anyone you give access to. Talk about handy.
I’ve been using TripIt for a bit now and must say it works as promised. It takes email forwarded from sites like Travelocity and Expedia as well as from the airlines directly and travel agents. Entering in new trips was effortless and the data entered was spot on. Even when JetBlue changed a flight time on me, I forwarded the email wondering if it would throw their system for a loop; nope, it changed my data just as I hoped.
My contacts could easily find my trip info and when i was on the road, accessing the data was a snap. I enjoy the service but had some questions. Luckily, Gregg Brockway, CEO and founder of TripIt was willing to answer my questions. Gregg comes out of the travel industry and seems to know his stuff.
Gadgetell: Are there plans for a native iPhone/android app? 
The mobile app is nice, but having the data locally or at least the commands to get the data might be interesting. Yes, this is a feature request we occasionally see. We’re exploring options to provide this. Native apps are one solution. We believe that browser based apps are the future of mobile and as browsers become more powerful, new solutions to this problem are also emerging which we are exploring. Suffice to say, TripIt will provide offline access to your travel information in the near future.
Gadgetell:. How is the site going to make money? Will we see ads at some point?
TripIt is a free service for travelers and plans to add online advertising in the future. However, our approach is likely to be more targeted by working with relevant brands and closely-related travel services, rather than standard banner advertising. We’re also looking into developing premium services for business travelers and corporate travel programs.
Gadgetell:. What is next for the company?
TripIt is growing quickly with great support from our users and the online community. We focused our first year on building out most of the core services that our users requested. Now we’re focusing on being an open platform and working more with partners. We currently support email confirmations from more than 250 booking sites, and have partnerships with Sabre VirtuallyThere (Sabre is one of the largest travel companies in the world) and most recently LinkedIn. With LinkedIn, TripIt was one of a few selected applications to launch to their professional network last week, and in lets their users see where their connections are traveling. These are representative of the other partnerships we’re working on to help our travelers make it easy to organize and share their travel plans online. We’re happy to share more on that in the coming months.
Gadgetell: How secure is the info in TripIt’s hands, how secure is the email forwarding? What precautions should users take?
TripIt takes security of information very seriously and we’re constantly reviewing industry best practices. Email as a way of distributing information has been around for decades. Once the information reaches TripIt, we make sure that our travelers have full control over who is able to access their travel information and how much of that information others are allowed to see. For example, I think it’s very important that my wife see all my travel plans, including flight numbers, hotel addresses, etc. However, for my broader network, I typically only want people to know my destination city and possibly the dates I’ll be there. In some cases, I don’t want anyone to know my plans and I will mark these trips private. TripIt gives travelers the ability to set general rules and update these on a trip by trip basis if needed.
Swedish teen suffers seizure after 24-hour World of Warcraft: Lich King marathon
Posted November 18, 2008 at 09:05 AM by NEWS
Section:
FROM GAMERTELL - World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King has been out for less than a week and it seems the expansion has already claimed its first official casualty… MORE »
Yahoo! CEO Jerry Yang announces resignation
Posted November 18, 2008 at 08:00 AM by Sue Walsh
Section: Web, Websites, Google
2008 has not been kind to Yahoo. It began with a buyout offer from Microsoft that they promptly screwed up, and was followed by the disintegration of their ad deal with Google and two rounds of layoffs. Now it appears CEO Jerry Yang has finally had enough.
Yang announced his resignation last night, saying he will remain on the board of directors and reclaim his old title of “Chief Yahoo.” Yang has been under the microscope of his shareholders ever since he rejected Microsoft’s offer of $33 per share for being too low. Yahoo’s shares are now trading at a mere $11 each. He now appears to regret his decision.
“To this day I would say that the best thing for Microsoft to do is to buy Yahoo,“ he said at a conference two weeks ago. And when quizzed on if he would stick to a higher price that he demanded back in May added, “Oh no. At the right price, whatever the price is.“ But Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer didn’t bite and said a couple of days later, “We are not interested in going back and re-looking at an acquisition. I don’t know why they would be either, frankly. They turned us down at $33 a share.“
Ouch. Yahoo has begun the search for a successor, but finding someone willing to take over the tough job of turning around what was once the net’s top search engine won’t be easy, and for now what lies in the company’s future is anyone’s guess.
Read: [PC World]
Sam’s Club’s 2008 Black Friday ad possibly “doctored”
Posted November 18, 2008 at 07:00 AM by NEWS
Section:
FROM GAMERTELL - This past week several sites reported that Sam’s Club was offering a rather incredible Wii bundle deal for Black Friday but we’ve come to learn that the ad was “doctored by an as yet unknown party”... MORE »