Archive for January, 2008

ASUS preps $500 ‘iMac killer’ Eee PC all-in-one desktop

ASUS is expanding its Eee PC line to include not one but multiple extra models, including the E-Monitor: a 19- to 21-inch all-in-one desktop with a low-cost Intel CPU, Linux, a TV tuner… and a $500 price tag.

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A tour of Google’s new Experimental Search. Verdict: awesome

There’s more information than ever on the web, and Google is testing some new ways to visualize it all. Ars evaluates Google’s Experimental Search features which feature alternate views for search results and more.

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Surprise! Garmin’s GPS Phone Is Awesome

They very obviously copied the iPhone UI and are going to get the pants sued off of them, but full GPS and 3.5G? I don’t know, seems pretty damn good.

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Best Valentine’s Day Gadget Gifts

From http://www.retrevo.com/content/special-reports/2008/01/best-valentines-day-gadget-gifts (Permission to repost received.)

Retrevo recommends the best gadgets gifts for Valentine’s Day including GPS, MP3 Players, Digital Cameras, and more.

This year, why not say “I love you,” with something that lasts longer than a dozen roses? The right gadget can score points with your favorite sweetheart and be the one Valentine’s Day gift that keeps on giving.

The iGifts Have It

Apple MacBook Air

For the ultimate gadget gift you could get that special someone in your life one of the sexiest laptops on the market; the recently announced, Apple Macbook Air. This super svelte laptop is so thin it fits inside a manila envelope yet it still boasts a full size keyboard and 13.3 inch LED backlight display. It may not be available for Valentine’s Day but you can preorder it now for $1799.

iPhone, iPod, iPod Touch

Apple iPhone

Apple iPod Touch

Apple iPod Shuffle

Apple iPod Classic

iPhone iPod touch iPod shuffle iPod classic

Take your pick of Apple gadgets and score major points with your special gadget lover. You might consider an 8GB iPhone or a 16GB iPod touch for $399. The iPod touch which has everything the iPhone has minus the phone service.

There are many recently redesigned iPods to choose from including ones with different colors and capacities. Watching videos on iPods is very popular with videos becoming more widely available for download especially with Apple’s recent launch of an online movie rental business.

Apple iPod shuffles are smaller than ever and come in many colors. They cost $79 and hold 1GB worth of files which is about 240 songs. The iPod nano comes in colors, displays photos, plays videos or audio files, and costs $149 for a 4GB version and $199 for an 8GB one that will hold 2000 songs.

The iPod classic comes in black or white, has a big 2.5-inch color display. You can buy one with 80GB of storage for $249 or 160GB for $349. The iPod touch 8GB version sells for $299 and the 16GB version $399.

Buying red gadgets can help support the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa. Apple offers a red iPod and Motorola has a red Razr that are both associated with the charity. Microsoft has a red Zune but it appears to be geared for Valentine’s Day not for Bono’s fund.

Free Engravings

For a special touch, you can get a free engraving on an iPod or iTouch when you buy it from Apple’s online store.

iPod engraving

Microsoft’s Red Zune

Microsoft continues to improve their Zune MP3 player and even offers features not found on iPods like WiFi connectivity which lets you trade songs with other Zune users, surf the web, or use other online interactive features. For Valentine’s Day they are offering a Red, 80GB Zune and free engraving with one of 20 special valentine designs or a personal text message. You can buy this or other similar Zunes for around $249.

Microsoft Zune 80gb (red)

GPS

The right GPS PND (personal navigation device) might just help find the way to your special friend’s heart. GPS devices continue to get better and cheaper every day. For Valentine’s Day gifts, we recommend looking at a portable unit that fits in a pocketbook or even one of the sports versions that you wear on your wrist.

Garmin nuvi 680

TomTom Go 920T

Garmin nuvi 680 TomTom Go 920T

The Garmin nuvi 680 could be a very expensive Valentines Day present but for under $600 you can give someone a highly rated, versatile GPS , that has a large 4.3 inch color display and is still small enough to fit in a pocketbook or briefcase.

The TomTom Go 920T is another highly rated GPS that falls in the same price range and feature group.

TomTom XL-S

Mio c230

TomTom XL-S Mio c230

The TomTom XL-S sells for around $350. It has a 4.3 inch widescreen display, offers text-to-speech and MapShare which allows users to update maps.

For the budget minded, the Mio c230 is a basic 3.5 inch screen GPS that features TTS (Text-to-Speech) functionality and gets high marks for performance and ease of use for well under $200.

Garmin Forerunner 205

Garmin Forerunner 405

Garmin Forerunner 205 Garmin Forerunner 405

The Garmin Forerunner 205 is a GPS device that you wear like a wristwatch. It tells you how far you ran and how long it took. Serious runners rave about this GPS device. You can buy the Garmin Forerunner 205 for around $180. If you prefer to wait, Garmin just announced a very cool wristwatch type GPS called the Forerunner 405 which is supposed to ship in the first quarter of 2008 and sell for around $300.

Photo Frames

Digital Photo Frames were a big hit this holiday season. They provide an easy and attractive way to put your digital photos on the mantle, kitchen counter, desktop, or even on a key chain. Some units play audio files as well.

Kodak EX811

Westinghouse DPF-0802

Tao 1.4 inch Digital Picture Keychain

Coby DP-151

Kodak EX811 Westinghouse DPF 0802 Tao 1.4 inch Digital Picture Keychain Coby DP 151

The Kodak EX811 is an 8 inch, 800 x 480 pixel photo frame, with 128 MB of memory that will cost you around $200. You can load pictures with the built-in WiFi, through the memory card slot, or the USB connector.

The Westinghouse DPF 0802, 8 inch photo frame has a wood frame,128 MB of storage, and a high resolution 800 x 600 screen. You load up the frame from your camera’s flash memory card or a USB connection. You can buy the Westinghouse DPF 0802 for around $150.

The Tao 1.4 inch Digital Picture Keychain holds 56 photos and costs $29. It has a rechargeable battery. You load it with a USB connector. They offer a square version and a round one.

The Coby DP 151 1.5 inch Digital Photo Key Chain is a tenth of inch bigger than the others. It stores 62 pictures and is on sale at Amazon for $16. Some users are happy with it, some aren’t.

Digital Cameras

A small and compact point and shoot camera might be just the right gift this Valentine’s Day.

Canon SD1000

Nikon Coolpix P5100

Canon SD1000 Nikon CoolPix P5100

The Canon SD1000 fits easily in a pocket or pocket book, offers 7.1 MP and new face technology that makes taking bad pictures harder. You can buy one for under $200.

If you can afford to spend around $300 then take a look at the 12.1 MP Nikon CoolPix P5100 which has optical image stabilization to eliminate fuzzy pictures, a big 2.5 inch LCD screen, and 3.5x optical zoom.

Don’t forget to check out all the latest information for GPS, Digital Cameras, Camcorders, Laptops, and more. You can also find manuals and reviews for all popular gadgets and gear.

Wiretapping Debate: Stop the Spying

As Congress resumes the debate on wiretapping legislation, People for the American Way and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) have put together Stop the Spying, a site aimed at drawing attention to legislation that would grant immunity to the telecoms for complying with illegal, warrantless wiretapping of American citizens.

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2007 Mod of the Year Winners

The 2007 Mod of the Year Awards Players Choice winners have been announced, capping off a great year in gaming. This year titles which were influenced by the War in Iraq fared well, with Half-Life 2, Battlefield 2 and the GPL’d ID Tech 3 engine polling strongly in the indie games and released mods categories.

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11 Power Tips for Gmail

I saw a few requests that can already be done today. Considering that real Gmail users didn’t know about these options, I’m going to call them power tips.

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Norwegian Broadcasting publishes popular TV-series via P2P

NRK - Norwegian Broadcasting has decided to publish the very popular Norwegian series “Nordkalotten 365″ with adventurer Lars Monsen for free on the web. No DRM, full quality - MPEG4 H.264, 1024×576 25fps, 3 Mbit/s. No DRM. All eight episodes will be published, and NRK hopes to publish more programs via P2P if this is popular.

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Lots o’ Details - Smash Bros. Brawl

So, wanna see the list of full playable characters (including one random one I haven’t seen mentioned before)? Joystiq has the story plus screens and a video clip.

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P2P users blast Comcast in FCC proceeding

Users participating in the FCC’s public comment period on Comcast’s alleged P2P blocking have harsh words for the cable giant, and accuse it of blocking more than just P2P. They wonder, why is it so hard to tell the truth?

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How-to get Windows XP past the June 30th cutoff (or not)

Well with the June 30th cutoff fast approaching, PC World decided to take a look at your options for procuring an XP license after that date, but unfortunately, the picture isn’t too pretty.

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Apple seen introducing cheaper, more innovative Wi-Fi iPods

With market data clearly showing a deceleration in growth of the standalone MP3 player market, Apple Inc. will reportedly strive to maintain growth in its iPod business by introducing a range of cheaper, more innovative models that incorporate touch-screens and multi-touch technology.

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