Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

Microsoft just announced that they are giving Windows Live a major face lift.  They plan to debut a whole bunch of new beta Windows Live features to help users combine all parts of their online life.  These features are not going to just be Microsoft services either.  But they will all be under the Windows Live umbrella page.

Even though they already hold the title of the most used messenger program; they obviously want to reach even farther into the online cookie jar.  Microsoft wants to offer competition with the popular social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace.  Whether or not they can actually provide any kind of competition coming into the game this much later remains to be seen.  What’s Microsoft’s plan?  Keep reading.

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Sections: Computers, Desktops, Software / Applications, Web, Downloads, Web 2.0, Web Apps, Web Browsers, Websites

I don’t know if any of you can remember the old 3D films where the glasses were given out at the start, but just the memory recalls feelings of nausea.  In fact it is these films that automatically put me off anything with ‘3D’ as a prefix.  However the “Novo Minoru 3D Webcam” (Minoru meaning “reality” in Japanese) is different and not just because it is cute.

The webcam is really two cameras that are positioned roughly the same distance apart which is important as it means the images can be correctly interpreted by the brain that sees them.  Conveniently, this also means that when coupled with a study and well designed plastic case, it can create a particularly cute creature that appears to gaze at you.  This is enhanced by the multi-position stand which, when upright, look suspiciously like two arms.  Plenty more after the break.

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Because we all need all that extra stuff on our system when we bring it home from the store….right? Yeah. It seems as though Microsoft may actually be making a move in the right direction with this call. Their upcoming Windows 7 won’t include several of those built-in programs for email, movie making, and photo editing like they did include with Windows (*ahem*, memory hog) Vista.

In Vista, Microsoft had included Windows Photo Gallery, Windows Mail, and Windows Movie Maker as a part of the OS; until they later decided to offer separate downloadable Live programs that just pretty much replaced those programs with versions that were able to connect to online services from Microsoft and others. As per CNET, “Last night, Microsoft announced it decided to totally remove those features from Windows 7 and only offer the service-connected Windows Live versions as an optional free download.“

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Sections: Communications, Accessories, Email / IM, Computers, Hardware, Software / Applications, Gadgets / Other, Household, Lifestyle, Peripherals, Displays, Storage, Web, Downloads, Web 2.0, Web Apps, Web Browsers, Websites

As part of the its commitment to data portability, Microsoft Live has teamed up with 5 top social networks to facilitate and make it easier for members of those social networks who are also using the Windows Live Messenger to import their address book from their social networking profiles into the Windows Live contacts list.

Using Windows Live Contacts API, members of Facebook,  Bebo, LinkedIn, Tagged and Hi5 can logged in to these social networks and see which of their friends are using the Windows Live Contacts API. LinkedIn, Tagged and Hi5 users will have to wait a little while though as it is currently available for Facebook and Bebo users only.

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Sections: Web, Web 2.0, Web Apps, Websites

Belkin has released three extremely attractive and affordable laptop carrying cases. The whole range looks bright, cheerful and extremely well put together. To be honest a bag is pretty much a bag. You either want a slim one or a road warrior one to carry everything, and you probably already have a preference for style, whether it is a backpack, messenger, etc. Whatever your personal preference is I think you will find something that you like in the Belkin lineup.

My favorite? The Messenger style bag (as pictured to the right).

• Slim and lightweight – multiple compartments provide ample room for your laptop and accessories.
• Hidden handle available when needed.
• Plush inner lining protects laptops from scratches.
• Built-in stability for easy packing—bag stands up on its own.
• Works with 15.4-inch laptops, both widescreen and standard.
• Made with water-resistant nylon.
• Available in colors: black/light grey, grey/lavender, grey/green and grey/blue.
   

The Messenger bag retails for $49.99 and is available in all regions beginning in late January.

Next up is the Backpack style bag (pictured below), this bag offers:

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At the CES Unveiled press display, this gadget caught my eye.  SPOT is the world’s first satellite messenger, allowing you to send your GPS location and/or selected messages (like I’m OK) to let everyone know where you are.  Pretty handy for those that travel into the wilderness, traverse the sea (sorry, South Atlantic service varies), like Les Stroud, survivalist who stars in his show on the Discovery channel. Many times, your cell phone won’t get you out of trouble.

SPOT is designed to do 5 basic things:

• Alert 911 to your location and will send a message every 5 minutes until power runs out or 911 is canceled.
• Ask for help, sends a message every 5 minutes until canceled.
• Check in, allowing you to ease the minds of cared ones by letting them know you are OK.
• Allows you to track your travel via Google Maps, SPOT will send a message every 10 minutes for 24hrs.

The unit works by using GPS for location and a commercial satellite network. The unit is relatively small, has a belt clip and is something I would consider bringing on an adventure.  The design seemed very simple to use.

Catch the SPOT Satellite Messenger at REI, Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops or online for $169..

Product page [findmespot]

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