Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

Its always nice to be able to give stuff away, especially a very nice sounding set of computer speakers that retail for $528. This latest giveaway is the set of recently reviewed (and loved) Axiom Audio AudioByte computer speakers, and I must say they are hard to part with, but I cannot delay it any longer. They have been packed up and are sitting on my office floor awaiting shipment to the lucky winner. You can check out my review here.

To enter: Via the comment form below, show us where you will be using these. Take a picture of your current setup or current speakers, upload it to the web, and leave a link to the image in the comments below.

The rules:

• You can only win once during the extent of this giveaway.
• The winner will be sent a notice via email and has 72 hours to reply with their mailing address to claim their prize—make sure you use a valid email address.
• This giveaway will close on Friday, September 5 at 11:59pm EST, then we’ll pick the winner at random.
• All entries become the property of Dabbledoo, LLC and we have the right to use any and all submissions in any way, manner and in any media and in perpetuity without additional compensation or right of approval.
• This is only open to residents located in the continental 48 US States, and you must be 18 or older to win.
• Void where prohibited by law. The promotion is subject to all federal, state and local laws and regulations.

This giveaway will close on Friday, September 5 at 11:59pm EST, then we’ll pick the winner at random.

Product: Axiom Audio AudioByte Computer Speakers
Price and Availability: $528 total price. The speakers and amp are $349, plus an additional $179 for the subwoofer.
Rating: 9/10
Pros: Excellent sound quality, clean design, very nicely built.
Cons: A little on the expensive side, and the system takes up a lot of under desk space between the amp and subwoofer.
Overall: Would not hesitate to recommend, would also love to own a set.

Keep reading to check out the full review, and keep reading Gadgetell because one lucky reader will have the option to win this set very soon!

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Nicholas Guy, a 53-year-old man from Winona, Minnesota recently ran back into his burning house to rescue his computer. The gentleman was drunk and ignored the police when they told him to stay out. Not being able to accept that he decided to sneak back in when nobody was looking to save his PC, but sadly he was not able to make it back out and then needed assistance from the fire department.

While I am sure that this individual was not really thinking of getting his 15 minutes of fame, however that would only apply to individuals who put themselves in danger to save another life. In a case like that the brave person would usually get some small honor locally, but running inside to rescue your PC will most likely get you something on the other end of the spectrum, maybe your 15 minutes of shame.

Nicholas Guy was in turn charged with disorderly conduct and for obstructing a fire scene.

Hey we totally understand, without our computers we would most likely feel helpless and lonely, but, if you feel the desperate urge to save your computer at least do so on the way out of the burning building.

Read [Winona Daily News] Via [Switched]

Yes, mobile security is becoming more of a million-dollar-worry for corporations, but what about the hundreds of dollars’ worth of songs on your iPod? Your son’s graduation photos on your digital camera when it gets lost or stolen?

A recent Reuters story details some of the new software and hardware that allows runaway consumer electronics to “phone” home via wireless connectivity; Eye-Fi SD memory cards and GadgetTrak software are mentioned. Both send data back to the original owners, and there are now-famous stories of thieves caught taking pictures of themselves using the Eye-Fi enabled cameras they stole.

I was curious about the relationship between these new security companies and law enforcement: how are police handling the advent of technologies that help them do their jobs? 

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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]

The UMPC market is a highly-competitive one, and Raon Digital doesn’t want to get left behind. The latest iteration of its Everun UMPC sees the addition of a 32GB SSD to its list of highly desirable features. And let’s not forget, the Raon Digital Everun UMPC also includes a 568MHz AMD Geode LX900 processor, 512MB of RAM, a 4.8-inch LCD screen with an 800 x 480 resolution, built-in Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, Bluetooth, and a novel dictionary called SayDic that has text-to-speech support.

It seems to be headed to Korea for now, and unfortunately, the folks from over at Digital Raon forgot to inform us of the price. But it’s not like you’ll get a chance to purchase it anyway, unless you’re already in Korea, of course.

Via [Akihabara News]

It was just a little over a month ago now that the Cuban Government decided to begin easing up on restrictions with electronics, namely computers, and as we have already seen Cuba citizens lining up for cell phones, the same is happening with computers.

Reports of “more than a dozen prospective buyers” began to line up when they first went on sale. While “just” a dozen people may not sound like a lot, you also must consider that these computers are not coming cheap. Havana’s Carlos III shopping center began to sell the Qtech PC along with a CRT monitor for $780. Sounds expensive enough already, but consider further that these PC’s are not exactly high powered either, they are featuring Intel Celeron processors with 80GB hard drives, 512MB of RAM and running Windows XP.

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I’m sure you remember the recent move of Asus that shocked environmentalists and green peace movement supporters from around the world a few weeks ago. In case you don’t, I’m here to remind you. Actually, they unveiled plans for nature inspired laptops that are supposedly to be made out of bamboo. You read that right, bamboo laptops.

Another laptop maker, Fujitsu, meanwhile has recently displayed its own version of an “organic” computer at the Salone Internazionale Del Mobile furniture exhibition in Milan. But they were kind enough to Asus in that they did not take the route of the bamboo for this new product. Fujitsu made their own from cedar.

There are no details on specs, or if this will ever be available on the world market yet, but judging from the legacy of both wooden materials, I think bamboo takes the cake in this bout. But don’t worry Fujitsu, I’m sure you can prove to us how worthy you are somehow. Just make sure you’ll do it before Asus finishes trimming their bamboo plants though.

Via [Crave]

MIU has announced a new product in the Korean electronics market – the Hybrid Dual Portable Computer (HDPC). The HDPC is equipped with a dual OS, which is a choice between Windows XP and Windows CE or Windows XP and Linux Qplus.

Staying true to its name, the HDPC also supports two functions, that of dual-mode and wireless internet. Actually the HDPC is all about giving users two options on both software and hardware depending on the user’s needs. Being a hybrid of portable devices, the HDPC integrates the different technologies of portable devices such as mobile phone, navigation, PMP, MP3, UMPC, electronic dictionary, internet phone, PSP, digital camera, mobile IPTV and voice recorder, all into one nifty device.

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Apple is now allowing anyone to recycle their no-longer-used mobile phone for free. Simply bring your mobile phone into any Apple retail location or complete the process online and ship the phone in. The phone recycling program will allow any brand phone to be turned in with no charge to the person, Apple will even pay the shipping costs for those being mailed in.

In addition to phone recycling, Apple will also accept any iPod for recycling. The iPod program is also free free, similar to the setup for the mobile phones. There is a program for CPU recycling, but in order to have your old computer or monitor recycled you have to purchase a new computer or monitor from Apple.

Via [textually.org]