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2009-01-22T07:35:00.000-08:00

Robotic ants building homes on Mars?

2009-01-10T09:26:00.002-08:00

Tiny bots smaller than a thumbnail. © I-SWARM project

(PhysOrg.com) -- Recent discoveries of water and Earth-like soil on Mars have set imaginations running wild that human beings may one day colonise the Red Planet. However, the first inhabitants might not be human in form at all, but rather swarms of tiny robots.

“Small robots that are able to work together could explore the planet. We now know there is water and dust so all they would need is some sort of glue to start building structures, such as homes for human scientists,” says Marc Szymanski, a robotics researcher at the University of Karlsruhe in Germany.

Szymanski is part of a team of European researchers developing tiny autonomous robots that can co-operate to perform different tasks, much like termites, ants or bees forage collaboratively for food, build nests and work together for the greater good of the colony.

Working in the EU-funded I-SWARM project, the team created a 100-strong posse of centimetre-scale robots and made considerable progress toward building swarms of ant-sized micro-bots. Several of the researchers have since gone on to work on creating swarms of robots that are able to reconfigure themselves and assemble autonomously into larger robots in order to perform different tasks. Their work is being continued in the Symbrion and Replicator projects that are funded under the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme.

Planet exploration and colonisation are just some of a seemingly endless range of potential applications for robots that can work together, adjusting their duties depending on the obstacles they face, changes in their environment and the swarm’s needs.

“Robot swarms are particularly useful in situations where you need high redundancy. If one robot malfunctions or is damaged it does not cause the mission to fail because another robot simply steps in to fill its place,” Szymanski explains.

That is not only useful in space or in deep-water environments, but also while carrying out repairs inside machinery, cleaning up pollution or even carrying out tests and applying treatments inside the human body – just some of the potential applications envisioned for miniature robotics technology.

Creating collective perception
Putting swarming robots to use in a real-world environment is still, like the vision of colonising Mars, some way off. Nonetheless, the I-SWARM team did forge ahead in building robots that come close to resembling a programmable ant.

Just as ants may observe what other ants nearby are doing, follow a specific individual, or leave behind a chemical trail in order to transmit information to the colony, the I-SWARM team’s robots are able to communicate with each other and sense their environment. The result is a kind of collective perception.

The robots use infrared to communicate, with each signalling another close by until the entire swarm is informed. When one encounters an obstacle, for example, it would signal others to encircle it and help move it out of the way.

A group of robots that the project team called Jasmine, which are a little bigger than a two-euro coin, use wheels to move around, while the smallest I-SWARM robots, measuring just three millimetres in length, move by vibration. The I-SWARM robots draw power from a tiny solar cell, and the Jasmine machines have a battery.

“Power is a big issue. The more complex the task, the more energy is required. A robot that needs to lift something [uses] powerful motors and these need lots of energy,” Szymanski notes, pointing to one of several challenges the team have encountered.

Processing power is another issue. The project had to develop special algorithms to control the millimetre-scale robots, taking into account the limited capabilities of the tiny machine’s onboard processor: just eight kilobytes of program memory and two kilobytes of RAM, around a million times less than most PCs.

Tests proved that the diminutive robots were able to interact, though the project partners were unable to meet their goal of producing a thousand of them in what would have constituted the largest swarm of the smallest autonomous robots ever created anywhere in the world.

Nonetheless, Szymanski is confident that the team is close to being able to mass produce the tiny robots, which can be made much like computer chips out of flexible printed circuit boards and then folded into shape.

“They’re kind of like miniature origami,” he says.

Simple, mass production would ensure that the robots are relatively cheap to manufacture. Researchers would therefore not have to worry if one gets lost in the Martian soil.

The I-SWARM project received funding under the EU’s Sixth Framework Programme for research.

Provided by ICT Results

Sandisk Launches Next-Generation Solid-State Drives for Netbooks

2009-01-10T09:26:00.001-08:00

SanDisk Corporation today unveiled its next-generation of flash memory-based solid-state drives (SSD) to support the evolving needs of designers, manufacturers and users in the exploding netbook market - SanDisk pSSD. The new SanDisk pSSD-P2 and SanDisk pSSD-S2 SSDs have capacity and performance for more full-featured netbooks which require a robust operating system.

Designed as drop-in replacements for hard-disk drives (HDDs), SanDisk's new second generation module has a SATA interface to meet new netbook design requirements. The SATA interface offers a significant boost in performance rendering these SSDs faster than HDDs in critical aspects. Booting and launching applications takes just half the time of an HDD.

Available in capacities of 8, 16, 32 and 64-gigabytes (GB), SanDisk Gen 2 pSSD drives are aggressively priced, making them attractive for POS terminals, printers, ATMs and other applications where users need HDD functionality with strong reliability, yet want to pay a low cost for the exact capacity that they need. For example, the 32GB modular SSD is priced at parity with 2.5” HDDs in OEM quantities.

“Netbooks represent the fastest growing PC segment in 2009 and 2010 yet widespread adoption of SSDs in netbooks has been limited by speed, capacity and cost constraints,” said Rich Heye, senior vice president and general manager, Solid-State Drives (SSD), SanDisk. “With the significant improvements in performance, capacity and low pricing, these SSDs are a perfect fit for the exploding netbook market.”

Netbooks as a category sold about half a million units in 2007 yet market researchers International Data Corp. (IDC) recently hiked their projected worldwide sales to reach 11 million this year, growing to 41 million in 2012. Initially, IDC projected worldwide sales to reach nine million in 2012.

“SanDisk’s Gen 2 pSSD drives have the best combination of capacity, performance, weight, pricing and power advantages to really excite designers, manufacturers and users of netbooks,” said Richard Brown, VP of Marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc. “Our latest reference designs will include SanDisk’s Gen2 pSSD drives, and we look forward to working with SanDisk to aggressively address the netbook market’s needs.”

SanDisk’s Gen 2 pSSD drives, slated to be available in February, 2009, are built using the company’s reliable 43-nanometer Multi-Level Cell (MLC) flash memory. This technology is produced at fabrication plants in Yokkaichi, Japan, where SanDisk and its partner, Toshiba Corporation, share the output.

The technology on which the Second Generation Modular SSDs are based also utilizes SanDisk’s innovative patented All Bit Line (ABL) architecture with advanced proprietary programming algorithms and multi-level data storage management schemes to yield MLC NAND flash memory chips that don’t sacrifice performance or reliability.

LG shows off 'Dick Tracy' wristwatch phone

2009-01-10T09:23:00.001-08:00

LG Electronics Chief Technology Officer Woo Paik displays a wristwatch phone at a news conference during media day at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009 in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

LG Electronics Inc. plans to introduce a wrist phone later this year, giving reality a chance of catching up with the comic-strip hero who famously used a two-way "Wrist TV."

Several manufacturers already make wristwatch phones, but the LG model would likely be the first that can do video calls. It has a built-in camera and full cellular broadband capabilities, the company announced Wednesday at the International Consumer Electronics Show. No price was disclosed.

As demonstrated by LG's chief technology officer, Woo Paik, the phone is slightly more than half an inch thick and has a touch-screen interface with three buttons. It offers two hours of talk time on a single charge, Paik said.

LG didn't announce a U.S. carrier partner Wednesday, and no U.S. carrier sells any of the existing wristwatch phones. However, LG is one of the largest phone suppliers to U.S. carriers, and the wrist phone would be compatible with AT&T's network, so it could come to the U.S.

Neutrano Inc., a small Canadian manufacturer, was also at the show to demonstrate a wristwatch phone. It also has a touch screen, but lacks a camera and broadband capabilities. It will cost between $250 and $300, the company said.

With its tiny screen and short battery life, a wristwatch phone would be more suitable as a second phone, complementing more fully featured devices. U.S. carriers so far haven't attempted to sell more than one phone to each customer, and their plans and billing systems aren't designed for this. But in Europe, it's not uncommon to have several different phones for different occasions.

Sandisk Unleashes World's Fastest MLC SSD Family

2009-01-10T09:20:00.000-08:00

SanDisk Corporation today unveiled its third-generation family of solid-state drives (SSDs). Using multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash memory technology, SanDisk’s G3 Series establishes new benchmarks in performance and price-performance leadership in the SSD industry.

Designed as drop-in replacements for hard-disk drives (HDDs) in notebook PCs, the initial members in the SanDisk G3 family are SSD C25-G3 and SSD C18-G3 in the standard 2.5” and 1.8” form factors respectively, each available with a SATA-II interface. Available in capacities of 60, 120 and 240GB, the unit MSRPs are $149, $249 and $499, respectively.

The G3 SSDs are more than five times faster than the fastest 7,200 RPM HDDs and more than twice as fast as SSDs shipping in 2008, clocking in at 40,000 vRPM1 and anticipated sequential performance of 200MB/s read and 140MB/s write3. The G3 SSDs provide a Longterm Data Endurance (LDE) of 160 terabytes written (TBW) for the 240GB version, sufficient for over 100 years of typical user usage. (2,3)

“SanDisk’s G3 SSD has met the demand of a 120GB SSD at less than $250 with an exceptional user experience” said Rich Heye, sr. vp and general manager, Solid State Drives (SSD) business unit, SanDisk. “Three key features developed by SanDisk enable this new design: a new SSD algorithm called ExtremeFFSTM allows random write performance to potentially improve by as much as 100 times over conventional algorithms; reliable 43nm multi-level cell (MLC) all bit-line (ABL) NAND flash; and SanDisk’s new SSD controller, which ties together the NAND and the algorithm.”

SanDisk’s flash technology is produced at fabrication plants in Yokkaichi, Japan, where SanDisk and its partner, Toshiba Corporation, share the output. The SSD controller and firmware were designed by SanDisk expressly for the G3 SSD.

Samsung MBP200 Pico Projector Enhances Mobile Experience

2009-01-10T09:19:00.000-08:00

MBP200 Pico Projector

Samsung today announced a new mobile phone accessory, the award-winning MBP200 Pico Projector. The Samsung MBP200 is the ultimate wireless accessory, offering advanced features designed to enhance the mobile experience.

Compact and lightweight, the portable MBP200 can connect to mobile phones and laptops and by utilizing the DLP pico chip from Texas Instruments it allows users to transform their traditional two inch screen to a 50-inch viewing screen allowing others to share in the video experience. In addition, users can easily transfer files and project content independent of an attached source via the microSD card slot. The MBP200 has a simple shape and design with touchpad controls on the right side of the device for easy navigation and a 2.2-inch QVGA LCD screen which allow users to view content privately.

Samsung’s MBP200 offers the latest entertainment features and independently supports standard Microsoft Office and PDF formats for display. With the MBP200, users can listen to music and create playlists, as well as view video, pictures or PDF, PowerPoint, Word or Excel files.

The Samsung pico projector delivers a superior picture from a mobile device and is powered by a miniaturized version of the same imaging technology found in DLP HDTVs, home theater projectors and large-scale cinema houses. The unit can accommodate a range of projected image sizes - from an 8 ½ x 11 standard sheet of paper to a large 50-inch screen. For added convenience, the MBP200 comes with a small screen holder with a telescoping pole hidden inside, which can instantly turn a standard sheet of paper into a screen to view movies, document files or pictures. The 3.5mm standard jack allows users to enjoy their own headphones or speakers, or the built-in external speaker allows the MBP200 to play audio directly from the device.

The MBP200 will be available later this year. For more information about the MBP200 and Samsung’s entire line of mobile phone accessories, please visit http://www.samsungmobilenews.com.

The MBP200 was named the CES Innovations 2009 Design and Engineering Best of Innovations in the wireless handset accessories category.

Palm unveils new smart phone, operating system

2009-01-10T09:18:00.000-08:00

Palm Pre

(AP) -- Palm Inc. unveiled a new touch-screen smart phone and operating system Thursday, marking its latest attempt to catch up with competition from Research In Motion Ltd.'s BlackBerry and Apple Inc.'s iPhone.

At the International Consumer Electronics Show, Palm executives touted their Pre, which looks similar to the iPhone, with a face dominated mostly by a 3.1-inch touch screen and single button. The body of the Pre is black and slightly curved, with a full QWERTY keyboard that slides out from the bottom.

In an effort to capture both business and consumer users, the Pre will come loaded with features, including Wi-Fi, stereo Bluetooth and GPS, as well as 8 gigabytes of storage space, a 3-megapixel camera and music and video playback. The Pre also has a variety of sensors, such as an accelerometer so images on the screen will rotate when a user turns the device on its side.

Many of these features are already available on rival phones, including the iPhone, the latest BlackBerry models and HTC Corp.'s G1 that was released in the fall by T-Mobile and Google Inc. Palm has been overshadowed in the last several years by the success of these products - especially by the growth of BlackBerry smart phones among business customers and, since its June 2007 release, of iPhones among consumer users.

Palm, a pioneer in the market for handheld digital assistants, now hopes its latest offering can stand out.

"We think it's the one phone you can use for your entire life and you'll really enjoy using it," Palm Chief Executive Ed Colligan said at a news conference.

The Pre will be available in the second half of the year, exclusively on Sprint Nextel Corp.'s wireless network. Palm did not disclose the price.

The device comes with Palm's new operating system, Palm webOS, which the company also debuted Thursday. It is meant to connect various applications - for example, it will automatically synchronize contacts stored in Facebook, Gmail and Outlook, strip out duplicates and present the information in a master list.

In addition to the Pre and the new operating system, Palm showed off a unique accessory on Thursday - a wireless charger for the Pre called the Touchstone. When a Pre is placed on top of it, the gadget powers the phone through induction.

Dreams may no longer be secret with Japan computer screen

2009-01-10T09:12:00.000-08:00

Japanese student demonstrates walking in a virtual world, on a flat screen monitor, with the character controled by his brain waves, in Yokohama, in 2007. A Japanese research team has advanced even further by creating a technology that could eventually display on a computer screen what people have on their minds, such as dreams.

A Japanese research team has revealed it had created a technology that could eventually display on a computer screen what people have on their minds, such as dreams.

Researchers at the ATR Computational Neuroscience Laboratories succeeded in processing and displaying images directly from the human brain, they said in a study unveiled ahead of publication in the US magazine Neuron.

While the team for now has managed to reproduce only simple images from the brain, they said the technology could eventually be used to figure out dreams and other secrets inside people's minds.

"It was the first time in the world that it was possible to visualise what people see directly from the brain activity," the private institute said in a statement.

"By applying this technology, it may become possible to record and replay subjective images that people perceive like dreams."

When people look at an object, the eye's retina recognises an image that is converted into electrical signals which go into the brain's visual cortex.

The team, led by chief researcher Yukiyasu Kamitani, succeeded in catching the signals and then reconstructing what people see.

In their experiment, the researchers showed people the six letters in the word "neuron" and then succeeded in reconstructing the letters on a computer screen by measuring their brain activity.

The team said that it first figured out people's individual brain patterns by showing them some 400 different still images.

Sensor in artery measures blood pressure

2009-01-10T09:10:00.000-08:00

The tiny pressure sensor - depicted here on a finger - measures blood pressure directly in the femoral artery. © Fraunhofer IMS

(PhysOrg.com) -- High blood pressure can be a trial of patience for doctors and for sufferers, whose blood pressure often has to be monitored over a long time until it can be regulated. This will now be made easier by a pressure sensor that is inserted in the femoral artery.

If a person’s blood flows through their arteries at too high a pressure, even when they are lying still on the sofa, they could be in danger. High blood pressure causes the heart to constantly pump at full speed, which strains both the heart and vessel walls. Drugs can provide relief, but in many cases the patient’s blood pressure is still difficult to regulate and has to be consistently monitored over a long period of time. This is a tedious process: Patients have to wear a small case containing the blood pressure meter close to their body.

An inflatable sleeve on their arm records their blood pressure values, for which it is regularly pumped up and deflated. This is a burden on the patients, particularly at night. The whole process is now due to become easier thanks to a tiny implant that could replace the current method. It is being developed by Fraunhofer researchers together with the company Dr. Osypka GmbH and other partners in a BMBF-funded project called “Hyper-IMS” (Intravascular Monitoring System for Hypertension Patients).

“A doctor introduces the pressure sensor directly into the femoral artery in the groin,” explains head of department Dr. Hoc Khiem Trieu of the Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems IMS in Duisburg.

“The sensor, which has a diameter of about one millimeter including its casing, measures the patient’s blood pressure 30 times per second. It is connected via a flexible micro-cable to a transponder unit, which is likewise implanted in the groin under the skin. This unit digitizes and encodes the data coming from the micro-sensor and transmits them to an external reading device that patients can wear like a cell phone on their belt. From there, the readings can be forwarded to a monitoring station and analyzed by the doctor.” Because the researchers use special components in CMOS technology, the system requires little energy. The micro-implants can be supplied with electricity wirelessly via coils.

Implantable pressure sensors are also suitable for other applications, such as monitoring patients suffering from cardiac insufficiency. The researchers are currently performing the first clinical trials.

New games powered by brain waves

2009-01-10T09:02:00.000-08:00

Tim Sheridan, wearing a headset containing sensors for the forehead and earlobes to measure brainwave activity, uses his mind to raise a small purple foam ball as he demonstrates the Mindflex game at the Mattel display at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 8, 2009.

An elderly Chinese woman wearing a headset concentrates intensely on a small foam ball and it begins to rise slowly into the air.

It's not magic, but rather the latest game from toy maker Mattel, which allows players to move a ball around an obstacle course by using just their powers of concentration.

Focusing on the ball causes a fan in the base of the game -- called Mind Flex -- to start up and lift the ball on a gentle stream of air. Break your concentration and the ball descends.

Once a player has the ball in the air they need to try to weave it through hoops, towers and other obstacles.

"It's a mind-eye coordination game," said Mattel's Tim Sheridan. "As you relax you'll find that the ball drops."

Mind Flex relies on EEG technology to measure brain wave activity through a headset equipped with sensors for the forehead and earlobes.

The game, which will be available in September for 79.99 dollars, is being displayed by Mattel at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

But Mattel is not the only toy maker tapping into the power of the mind.

In a report this week USA Today newspaper said game maker Uncle Milton plans to release a similar game this year. Called "Force Trainer" it is named after "The Force" powers of Yoda and Luke Skywalker in the popular Star Wars films.

The game calls for players to lift a ball inside a transparent tube using their powers of concentration.

"It's been a fantasy everyone has had, using The Force," the daily quoted Howard Roffman, president of Lucas Licensing, as saying.

"Force Trainer" also uses electroencephalography, or EEG, to measure electrical activity in the brain recorded on a headset containing sensors.

A company called NeuroSky adapted the EEG technology for both games, according to USA Today.

Super-thin and super-smooth HDTVs

2008-12-28T19:28:00.000-08:00

HDTVs have suddenly dropped in price and look set to go mainstream by the end of 2008. For 2009, expect the newer models to come super-slim. How slim? How about slimmer than your mobile phone? Amongst the exhibitors were the following tiny TVs:

Sharp XS1 LCD TV. 65″ viewing screen, just 23mm thick (see pic). Due in 2009, with a huge 131″ screen coming out the year after.
Sony ZX1 LCD TV. 40″ viewing screen,super crisp picture, and an incredible 9.9mm thin. Available in the next few months, but for a whopping $4,000!
Philips 32″ LCD TV - just 8mm thin! Only a prototype at the moment, but expected to go into production early next year.

To give you a sense of scale, the first generation Motorola RAZR was 13mm thin!

In addition, new advances in picture quality mean the next-gen of HDTV will look better than ever before:

Toshiba Regza ZF - uses the same Cell processor found in the PS3 to upscale an existing TV signal to near-HD quality. The TV plays at 24fps, has a contrast ratio of 30,000:1, and will also play full HD (1080p) if you a suitable high def input. Toshiba would rather you didn’t use BluRay, and so their new TVs aim to provide BluRay-esque quality without the need for a BluRay player.
LG Scarlet LG7000 - with super clear picture quality, the LG7000 features a response time of just 2.7ms,full-HD, and the ability to tweak its parameters to a “professional level”. Better still, it’ll come with Bluetooth, so you can listen to your programmes through Bluetooth headsets, or display photos on the TV from your phone or camera.

Digital imaging

2008-12-28T19:18:00.001-08:00

I expect a flood of digital photo frames at CES.

CES has always been a much bigger show for camcorders than cameras, and you can expect to see announcements from all the manufacturers--major and minor--with their product line refreshes for the first half of 2009. This year, that means far fewer new models supporting the dying MiniDV and DVD formats and a broader selection of flash- and hard-disk-based models for both the standard- and high-definition markets. Naturally, the latter formats will come in increased capacities as well. The interesting stuff usually happens at the low and high ends; in this case, I'm curious to see if more of the mainstream manufacturers (besides Kodak with its Zi6) embrace the cheapo mini camcorder trend. And if they do, can they get it right?

There's usually less to see for cameras; most of those CES announcements tend to be for the budget or style lines, or for models with a bit of a novelty spin. In that respect, I don't expect anything particularly out of the ordinary. That said, look for some more implementation improvements in wireless support.

Intel's twist on the Classmate PC debuting at CES

2008-12-28T19:16:00.001-08:00

Intel has a convertible Netbook on tap for the CES 2009 crowd assembling once again in Las Vegas next month.

Laptop magazine got a sneak peek at the newest version of the low-cost Classmate PC. It has an 8.9-inch swivel screen with touch and stylus input, a Web cam, and 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor, 60GB hard drive, and Windows XP, with a few Intel touches to make XP work for the convertible form factor. So far, that includes Vision Objects Pen Input, which makes anything input via the stylus editable as text, as well as a virtual keyboard.

It's manufactured by CTL, like the original Classmate PC (which Intel will continue to sell). Laptop reports that it will begin shipping in mid-January.

Intel says that the price for the convertible Classmate will be slightly more than the original Classmate. The range will likely be somewhere around $250 and $400, though the company said it can't be more specific right now.

Philips adds two new network audio products to its Streamium line

2008-12-28T19:15:00.000-08:00

The Philips Streamium NP2500 (front left) and NP2900 (back right)

Philips' line of Streamium products was one of the pioneers in the network audio realm, but it never really clicked with consumers (at least in the U.S.), even as competitors like Sonos and Logitech's Squeezebox began carving out their own niches. But Philips is hardly throwing in the towel: the company has unveiled two new models, the Streamium NP2500 and the Streamium NP2900.

Both models offer the same basic features of the earlier Streamium NP1100: streaming non-DRM audio files from networked Windows and Mac PCs, as well as the ability to stream Rhapsody content (subscription required) and thousands of Internet radio stations (free) over a wireless home network. The new models distinguish themselves from the NP1100 with built-in color screens for navigation and album art and larger remote controls. Furthermore, the NP2900 includes built-in stereo speakers, so it doesn't need to be connected to an external stereo or amplifier.

Both the NP2500 ($229) and NP2900 ($329) are available now. But even without reviewing them, they feel a bit underfeatured and overpriced. Consider the Logitech Squeezebox Boom. While the $300 boombox-style audio streamer lacks the color screen found on the Philips products, it offers a much wider range of both free (Pandora, Last.fm, Slacker, Live Music Archive) and subscription (Sirius) in addition to the same Rhapsody and Internet radio options found on the Philips. Thankfully--like the Logitech--the upgradeable firmware on the Philips allows the potential for such additional services to be added down the road, when and if Philips signs them up.

Philips Prestigo SRT9320 universal remote mixes touch screen with hard keys

2008-12-28T19:14:00.001-08:00

The Philips universal remote line has a new top dog. The Prestigo SRT9320 combines a 2.8-inch color touch screen on the top half with hard buttons on the lower portion. The screen handles both channel favorites (replete with familiar icon logos) and customized commands. The SRT9320 can control up to 20 devices, and it's completely programmable as-is--including learning modes and multidevice macros--without the need to connect it to a PC. (A USB port is included only for future software updates--presumably things like additional channel icons.)

While the Prestigo SRT9320 has a premium $249 price tag, it's missing such high-end niceties as RF control and a charging cradle. And while Philips touts the fact that you don't need a PC to program the SRT9320, we've found that to be a big advantage when dealing with sophisticated multidevice macros (something the task-based Logitech Harmony models handle with aplomb). By comparison, the Logitech Harmony One also has a touch-screen/keypad design (and a rechargeable battery), and it can be found for less than $200.

The SRT9320 will be available in the first quarter of 2009. In the meantime, a trio of more affordable Philips Prestigo models are currently available, all of which include a color LCD screen: the SRU8008 (controls 8 devices, priced below $100); the SRU8112 (12 devices, scrollwheel, also sub-$100); and the SRU8015 (15 devices, scrollwheel, wider form factor, under $180).

Sneak peek at Vuzix Wrap 920AV glasses

2008-12-28T19:12:00.000-08:00

Finally, a pair of video glasses that don't make you look like an extra on an '80s sci-fi B movie.

There's little doubt that as we inch closer to the technological singularity, video-enabled glasses will play a part. Unfortunately, manufacturers have yet to produce a pair that don't make you look like a complete idiot, and bionic eye camera implants still seem a ways off.

Luckily, the folks at Vuzix must have grown tired of all the Geordi La Forge jokes, as their latest pair of video glasses look astonishingly normal. While there's no guarantee that the Vuzix Wrap 920AV won't induce muffled laughter from everyone around you, they do promise to combine virtual reality capabilities and augmented reality features into one of the least obnoxious designs we've seen yet. The Wrap 920AV glasses will supposedly connect with almost any media player, and include built in headphones and individual focal adjustments.

Fitbit

2008-12-28T19:10:00.001-08:00

The Fitbit Tracker is a compact wireless device that clips on to a belt, and automatically records data about its user’s fitness activities. It uploads data such as calories burned, sleep quality, steps and distance and exercise intensity levels to a website where that user can track their progress.

The Tracker uses motion sensing technology to gather data, and also measures sleep quality and moment-by-moment physical activity 24 hours a day. Data is displayed on the user’s personal website where they can share progress with other users.

Users can also log weight, nutrition and other health information and create “groups” with other users working towards common goals.

The device, designed to combat an obesity epidemic in the United States, will be available early 2009 and retail for around $US100. While no Australian release date has been confirmed, it is expected Fitbit will be available worldwide next year.

Nintendo DS 2009

2008-12-28T19:08:00.000-08:00

Nintendo has experienced renewed success with the release of the Wii, but it is still dominating the portable console market with its DS device. While it has yet to confirm any new versions of the product, rumours are flying that Nintendo will release an updated DS in the first half of 2009.

The DS has proved extremely popular both among younger gamers and adults. It boasts two screens, one controlled by touch, a number of different accessories and Wi-Fi connectivity to the Nintendo wireless game service. Users can also chat with other DS users within wireless range.

But the updated version is tipped to offer dual touch screen capability, a wider screen, updated wireless capabilities and a camera. The current model costs about $AU188, but the 2009 DS is almost certain to cost more.

If you’re constantly stuck on long plane flight or in taxis, a DS may help the time pass a little easier.

3D GPS navigation

2008-12-28T19:07:00.000-08:00

While consumer GPS navigation devices have been around for a while, the last two or three years have seen sales really take off. Any new mobile phone produced is likely to have GPS capabilities, while the extensive Google Maps applications are now used on smartphones such as the iPhone.

But another advance in GPS technology is the use of true 3D GPS. These new applications display 3D graphics of buildings, monuments and local topography.

There are rumours Google’s Street View applications may become part of a GPS system, allowing realistic views of local areas, but Google has yet to confirm any such plans.

These systems are constantly becoming cheaper and easier to use. Courier businesses and entrepreneurs constantly on the road can use GPS to save the time and effort of relying on often out-dated paper maps.

iMac

2008-12-28T19:06:00.000-08:00

Since the iMac was first introduced in 1998, it has been the centerpiece of Apple’s modern computer lineup.

The iMac has gone through four different upgrades to the version available today. While the original model saw a bubble-shaped design, the computer’s components are now hidden inside an LCD monitor, reducing the amount of desktop space needed for storage.

Placed on a metal base with the silhouette Apple logo on a silver background, the device is sleek, stylish – and since being upgraded with top-of-the-line components, extremely fast.

So why do you need one? Fewer complications and viruses than a Windows-operated PC, simplistic design, superior video and image editing capabilities and simplicity of use means the iMac is definitely a contender.

It isn’t for everyone, but if you want a computer that performs extremely well and looks great, then the iMac is a top choice.

Asus Eee PC

2008-12-28T19:05:00.000-08:00

Netbooks – miniature laptops with less power and maximum portability – have come to the forefront of computing in 2008. The most popular model is by far the Asus Eee PC.

The name “Eee” stands for “easy to learn, easy to work, easy to play”. It is also easy to buy – costing just $US245 for the cheapest version.

The basic model boasts an Intel processor, a seven-inch screen, external speakers and a 2GB or 4GB hard drive. Higher models have a 10-inch screen and up to 40GB of storage. Each model contains an SD card slot for more storage.

The largest version is just 265.9mm across.

The models also come complete with open-source software packages, including Open Office, Mozilla Firefox and Skype.

If businesses want to provide laptops for their staff while keeping costs low, the Asus Eee PC is a top choice. And if the top computer companies follow Asus’s lead, we will see a flood of netbooks in the next 12 months.

BlackBerry Storm

2008-12-28T19:03:00.000-08:00

While much has been made of the iPhone, there are still many enthusiasts dedicated to its predecessor – the BlackBerry.

The BlackBerry Storm is the first of its kind to boast a touch-screen, leading many to believe it was created as an answer to Apple’s gadget. It created so much excitement that when stores sold out on the first day of release, police were called to help control angry customers.

The device continues BlackBerry’s tradition of providing the ability to “push” email from servers, a media player and a built-in camera.

Research in Motion has always sought to showcase the BlackBerry as the choice for entrepreneurs and executives, and the Storm is no exception. The device offers extensive contact and scheduling applications, Wi-Fi access and the ability to add 16GB of storage with an SD card.

3G iPhone

2008-12-28T19:02:00.000-08:00

The first iPhone had its US debut over a year ago, but 2008 saw the Australian release of Apple’s 3G version – and it was huge.

For months before, rumours quickly spread over the internet about which carriers would provide the phone, along with questions regarding how much they would charge. As launch day approached, customers lined up overnight to be among the first to get their paws on one of the hottest products in a decade.

Since its release in July, analysts estimate between 40,000 and 100,000 units have been sold in Australia, and that looks set to grow further in 2009.

The hype is big, but so is the price tag. While you can get the iPhone in a plan deal for as little as $199, buying the device outright will set you back over $700. And if you want to unlock it to another network, that’ll be an extra $80.

So why does every want one?

Because it’s got the lot; Wi-Fi capability, the famous iPod media player capabilities, two megapixel camera, touch-screen, 3G capability, the ability to download applications from the App Store and “push” email from a home server, and organise contacts and schedules.

Oh, it makes phone calls too.

LG’s LED Backlight LCD TV is World’s Slimmest

2008-12-28T18:48:00.000-08:00

While specialists are working on the Wireless High Definition support which is expected to be introduced on the market next year, TV manufacturers are improving their technologies creating slimmer and slimmer form factors. One of the is, of course, LG, which has just revealed the world’s slimmest LED backlight LCD TV called LG LH95.

We will find out more about it during the Customer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January, but from what we read on AVING, it features no less than 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, support for 240Hz TrueMotion Drive technology, and other innovative characteristics in a 24.8-mm thick unit.

Black Boxs

2008-12-28T18:40:00.000-08:00

CES honorees were finally announced and we’ll spend a considerable amount of time to cover the most interesting innovations of the latest gadgets in technology.

One of the most appreciated gadgets producer is Black Box, a Florida-based company specialized in customer products. Its Personal Pocket Safe was named one of the Innovations 2009 Design and Engineering honorees. It is a pocketable drive that connects to your computer via USB and stores all your important information including personal data, in the most secure way, using several high-security layers.

Personal Pocket Safe comes with a special software that allows you organize files and information such as bank statements and bills, insurance policies and even passwords.
The security involves DataLock PIN protection, 256-bit AES encryption and epoxy shield that destroys memory in case of forced access.

BigStage

2008-12-28T18:39:00.000-08:00

Every PepCom event brings out a surprise player, and this week it was BigStage, a Web-based application that allows you to make an online avatar of yourself. Your avatar can be customized with a litany of hairstyles, bodies and accessories, and tossed into an ever-growing amount of content: movie trailers, photos, video games, and the like.

This doesn't sound like a big deal until you actually see it work. From three digital photos that Founder Jonathan Strietzel snapped of me on his point-and-shoot camera, a frighteningly realistic and 3-dimensional model of my head appeared on the screen in minutes, ready to be altered with any expression – that's right, it can change your facial expressions – that I saw fit. He gave me an afro, then a monkey body; made me look sad, then surprised; had me speak dialogue with a realistically-moving mouth, and inhabit a number of characters. This isn't the flat-face photo technology you see in sports games, where your player has a passing, pixelated resemblance to a real pro. No, no. It's your face. BigStage is opening itself up to any company that wants to port their avatars, so you may see these things appearing everywhere from Xbox to Facebook before too long.

HP MediaSmart notebook

2008-12-28T18:38:00.000-08:00

Also on display was HP's new MediaSmart notebook, a cousin of its finger-operated TouchSmart PC. For better or worse, this notebook converts to tablet form, and is not only equipped to be operated with fingers, but also an included stylus. While notebook design is a matter of opinion, there's no doubting that while the machine packs powerful hardware, its convertible design makes it much bigger, heavier, and more unwieldy than a touch-screen device should rightfully be. Nevertheless, the MediaSmart notebook acquitted itself admirably, reacting quickly and accurately to finger input, and showing that HP's prowess in the user interface department has all but exceeded Microsoft's.

HP mini netbooks

2008-12-28T18:37:00.000-08:00

Over at the HP table, style was abundant. The company was showing off its new line of Mini netbooks, one of which has a gorgeous red enclosure designed by Vivienne Tam that is made to look like a woman's clutch. (Oddly enough, it really does.) Sporting an Intel Atom processor running at 1.6GHz, a 10.1-inch display, the Mini 1140NR, as it's called, will sport a similar footprint to its Mini siblings.

Iomega Drives

2008-12-28T18:35:00.001-08:00

Iomega was on-hand demonstrating their line of portable eGo hard drives, which come in a series of finishes sure to match at least one facet of your personality: camouflage, New England Patriots-themed, brown leather-bound, and, well, plain black metal. The surprisingly light 250GB drives are drop-resistant, and with an optional rubber sling, can survive falls of up to 7 feet.

Also on display was the company's hardy StorCenter ix2 network hard drives, which come in one or two terabyte configurations, act as a media server, and even take direct video input from a home security camera.

The company also showed off its ScreenPlay media link, a clever little infrared gizmo that comes with a dedicated remote. Connect it to your TV, and link up one of your eGo drives with some multimedia on it, and you can browse and play your files over your TV.

Asus Notebook

2008-12-28T18:34:00.000-08:00

AsusTek churns out notebooks so fast that I half expected to see a new one show up by the end of the PepCom show. But if one did, I wouldn't have noticed; I was too busy fawning over their special-edition bamboo notebook, which has just been made available for pre-order though Amazon. It's a variation on Asus's existing U6 machine, but made of recyclable materials and actual bamboo veneers, even down to the touchpad and mouse buttons. The machine packs a formidable spec: 2.53GHz Intel T9400 processor, 4GB of RAM, 320GB hard disk, Nvidia 9300M graphics, and Microsoft's Vista Business. Amazon is listing it for $1900.

Dell Notebooks

2008-12-28T18:23:00.000-08:00

Sick and tired of being the progenitor of boring, ubiquitous business notebooks, Dell is showing off their line of artist-designed consumer laptops. The Art House laptops, which come in about a zillion different colors, designs and patterns, can be either designed online by customers themselves or built-to-order from amongst a huge selection of artist-created lids. They'll ship in 2009, and cost $649 and up.

Dell also showed off some new gear from its Alienware gaming brand. Along with several existing models sporting trumped-up guts – Core i7 processors, multiple videocards, enterprise-sized hard disks – Alienware was also demonstrating a new feature on its webcam-equipped notebooks: facial recognition login. Sit down at the machine, and the camera sizes up your face immediately, measuring the distances between key points on your dome – eye to eye, nose to chin, and so forth. Even if you grow a beard or gain 30 pounds, these measurements stay constant, so there's no risk that your machine will forget who you are. In the event that you have reconstructive surgery to outwit the FBI, there's always the fingerprint scanner on the palmrest.

More Details of Sony's New Laptop Revealed

2008-12-28T08:06:00.001-08:00

Expectations for the new laptop began in early December after an image of a laptop appeared in a regulatory filing on the Federal Communications Commission's Web site. The machine was identified as the PCG-1P1L and the few details available indicated it will offer cellular as well as Wi-Fi connectivity.

At the beginning on this week, Sony New Zealand -- in a campaign that has since been removed from the company's Web site -- started promoting a "revolutionary" Vaio laptop that will be revealed on Jan. 9 in the country. That works out to just a few hours after Sony CEO Howard Stringer is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Jan. 8.

On Wednesday, Sony in Japan started promoting a new Vaio laptop and offered a better idea of the machine's design -- a compact laptop that could fit in a woman's purse.

On Thursday a Flash animation on Sony's U.S. shopping site, SonyStyle, offered details of a Vaio P laptop. Sony used the "Vaio P" name back in 2003 for a desktop PC but at present it doesn't offer any machines under that name.

The computer, according to the site, has an 8-inch LED backlight screen with 1,600 pixel by 768 pixel resolution. Other snippet,s including a 1.33GHz Intel processor, Vista Home Premium or Home Basic, and the choice of a hard-disk drive up to 60GBs or a 128GB solid-state disk (SSD).

From the regulatory filing, the computer appears about 22 centimeters long by 11 centimeters deep and its form factor would suggest a widescreen 8-inch display. The greater length could allow for a larger keyboard than is possible on most of the compact "netbook" computers now be offered by competitors and the combination of a high-resolution with LED backlight will likely make for an impressive display.

The 1.33GHz Intel processor matches the speed of the Atom chip that is included in some netbooks although the use of Vista would be unusual if this is indeed a netbook. If it's a compact but more fully featured machine, as the use of Vista might suggest, then it would appear to be based on the more powerful Core2Duo processor, which is the only other chip Intel offers at this speed.

The additional power would come at a price. The Core2Duo chip in bulk costs US$289 versus $40 for the Atom and Vista is more expensive than XP so a more powerful mini laptop wouldn't be competing with netbooks on price but likely targeting that portion of the market which is attracted by the small size of netbooks but needs a more powerful platform.

While more hints or leaks from Sony could come in the next few days we'll likely only know the full story about the new machine when the Consumer Electronics Show rolls around in early January.

Pick Simple Upgrades to Boost Your PC Performance

2008-12-28T07:53:00.000-08:00

With only a few days left in the year, I've been looking for ways to upgrade my PCs while still scoring deductions on my 2008 taxes. Whatever your motivation, a few simple upgrades can make you more productive. And these upgrades make more sense than an all-new PC, especially with CES and other tradeshows coming up.

RAM: This is easily the most important upgrade you can make, especially if you short-changed your hardware initially. You should have at least 2GB, but shoot for about 4GB. The 32-bit versions of XP and Vista cap the memory usage there and might not even be able to address all of it. (64-bit Windows can use more than 4GB.) Still, RAM is cheap; your programs will run more smoothly, and you'll be able to have more open at a time. Consult your system documentation to see what kind of memory it takes and if you'll benefit from installing it in pairs. Otherwise, shopping sites often list specific PC models. I always check sites like Ramseeker and Dealram, which aggregate prices from many resellers.

Hard drives: You won't get a noticeable performance boost out of a hard drive upgrade--unless you've been using your PC with only a few GB free--but you'll increase the storage space. Hard drives are a great way to manage backups, too, since they're fairly cheap. Expect to spend about $.10/GB for internal, desktop drives or $.20/GB for laptop and external drives. I recently swapped my original 120GB laptop drive with a 320GB disk after my music and multiple OS partitions became too crowded.

Video card: Depending on how you use your PC--and the age of the old card--a new video card might give a major performance boost. A new card could handle higher resolutions than your old one, which is useful for adding bigger or extra displays. And while the market adoption is still growing, some software, such as Photoshop, can offload tasks unrelated to video to those graphics processors. Throughout 2009, that trend should continue, supplementing CPUs in more ways.

Processor: This is lower on my universal list because most business tasks aren't too CPU-intensive. That said, if your processor is ready for retirement and you have options that will fit your motherboard socket, this upgrade can make a significant impact for a couple hundred dollars.

Displays: Consider new, flat-panel displays, especially if you're still using CRTs. More screen space can speed up everyday tasks by letting you keep multiple windows visible. Or add a second display if supported by your video card. (Nearly all do.)

Input devices: Finally, if you're still using the pack-in keyboard and mouse, please stop. Treat your hands to even more years of carpel tunnel-free life. I type almost exclusively on mechanical-switch keyboards, which usually run about $100, but feel significantly more comfortable than the $10 rubber-membrane keyboards. Mouse options abound, but I especially like trackballs for huge--or multiple--displays. Pick something that feels good to you.

Reinstall and Restore Your Windows PC in Eight Easy Steps

2008-12-28T07:43:00.000-08:00

Maybe your PC won't boot. Or it could be infected with some kind of persistent malware. Perhaps Windows puts up a Blue Screen of Death every time you type the word aardvark.

No matter what kind of trouble your computer is having, someone will probably tell you to reformat your hard drive, reinstall Windows and your applications, and then restore your documents, photos, and music from a backup.

That isn't always good advice--according to a 2004 Salon.com article, incompetent tech support people use it to get customers off the phone. But if nothing else fixes a problem that's impossible to live with, starting over from scratch may be the best solution.

Don't do it unless you've tried everything else, however. If your PC refuses to boot, see "Diagnose and Repair an Unbootable XP or Vista PC" and "Six Downloadable Boot Discs That Could Save Your PC" for better options. If Windows boots and then horribly misbehaves, check for malware, remove unneeded autoloaders, and update drivers. You might even consider cleaning the Registry.

If after all that you determine that you must wipe out and reinstall Windows, follow these seven steps to make the process as safe and painless as possible.

Step 1: Find and Know Your Restore Tool

You need some sort of bootable environment that can restore or reinstall Windows--and you probably have one. PCs that ship with Windows all come with one of the following options.

A restore disc is a bootable CD or DVD that can restore your hard drive to the exact contents it had when the PC left the factory. In most cases the recovery disc will destroy all of your data--documents, photos, and so on--while "saving" your system. Some manufacturers don't actually ship a separate restore disc with your PC, but instead install software on the hard drive that you can use to create your own restore discs. If your PC came with a restore disc, but you can't locate it, see "How Do I Restore Windows If I've Lost My Restore CD?"

A restore partition lies hidden on the hard drive. You access it by pressing a particular key combination at boot time. Check your documentation to learn whether you have one and how to access it. The partition does the same thing as a restore disc does.

An actual Microsoft Windows CD or DVD is the best tool of them all, but unless you bought an upgrade to a newer version of Windows, you probably don't have one.

Step 2: Gather Everything Else You Need

Make sure you have all of the following before you take any action.

A driver backup: See "How Do I Back Up My Drivers?" for instructions.

Backup media and software: You'll want an external hard drive (or better yet, two of them), some blank DVDs, and backup software. I'll cover more details in Steps 3 and 4.

Your applications: For every program you use that didn't come with your PC, you need the CDs they came on, their serial numbers, their registration codes, and so on. If you downloaded an application, make a backup of the download file or check to be sure that you can easily download it again.

Time: In reality, this project will probably take only a few hours, but you want to leave yourself a day of wiggle room in the event that you can't locate an important driver or software disc. This project is best tackled at the start of a long holiday, or at least over a weekend, to avoid disrupting your business if something goes wrong.

A good book or some other diversion: You're going to spend a chunk of time in front of a nonworking PC. If the PC is a laptop, plop it down on the coffee table so that you can watch a little TV while the installers are running.

Step 3: Create an Image Backup of Your Hard Drive

In the unlikely event that something goes wrong (for instance, you forget to save a copy of an important presentation that you need for work on Monday), an image backup of your hard drive in its current state will let you quickly and easily restore everything to where it was before you started. Resist the temptation to skip this step, as it's your most reliable safety net.

What should you back up to? An external hard drive--they're fast, cheap, and easy to work with. For best results, pick one that's at least twice the size of all the data you have. If your 160GB hard drive has 90GB of data on it, a 200GB external drive will make a good choice. With 500GB and 1TB drives now readily available and reasonably priced, though, I suggest you go as big as you can afford; that way you can save more than one copy of your files to the drive, or even use it to back up multiple PCs.

And what software should you use? Ghost and TrueImage are the two best-known image-backup programs, but they aren't the only ones. Check your regular backup program (you do back up regularly, don't you?) for an image-backup feature, quite likely labeled Disaster Recovery. The backup software that came with your external drive might have something similar, too.

Vista Business and Ultimate have built-in image backup. Click Start, type backup, select Backup Status and Configuration, and press Enter. Click Complete PC Backup, and then choose Create a backup now.

And, as usual, you have free options. I recommend Runtime Software's DriveImage XML.

Remember, though, that an image backup is useless if you can't boot from a CD or DVD to restore it. Both Ghost and TrueImage come with tools for creating just such a disc. If you opt to use Vista's Backup tool, make sure you have either a true Windows Vista DVD or the Vista Recovery Disc available for recovery purposes. You can recover a DriveImage XML backup via the Ultimate Boot CD for Windows.

Step 4: Make a Data Backup

Yes, I just had you create a backup of everything on your hard drive, including your data. But the purpose of that first backup was to add an extra layer of security. This second, data-only backup will make restoring your data, once you reinstall Windows, easier.

See "What's the Best Way to Back Up What I Need to Back Up?" for two lists (for XP and Vista) of Windows' data-holding folders. But don't worry about the software I recommend in that article--all you need to do right now is drag and copy those folders to a safe location.

As for what location, once again, an external hard drive does well. If you're really paranoid (as I am), you'll use a different external drive than you used for your image backup; it's safer than putting all your backups onto one hard drive. If you have only a few gigabytes of data files, burning them to DVD is a good, cheap solution.

Step 5: Reformat, Restore, and Recover

Now comes the main event. I can't really give you specific instructions for using your recovery tool, because I don't know what recovery tool you have. Just boot into it and follow the prompts. They're all designed to be as simple as possible.

Step 6: Make Windows Your Own

Congratulations. You now have a new version of Windows, configured exactly the way Microsoft and/or your system vendor like it (or, the way they liked it at the time you bought your PC).

Now you have to configure it, remove any preinstalled junk, install your own software, and generally make it yours all over again. This is, in my opinion, the longest and most annoying part of the job, and in Step 7 I'll tell you how to avoid it in the future. But for now, do the following.

a. In Control Panel's Users applet, create log-ons for yourself and any other users. You will need to have at least one Administrator-level user.

b. Remove bundled programs you don't want. I recommend the portable version of Revo Uninstaller for this job.

c. Restore your backed-up drivers. You can probably skip the drivers for anything that came with your PC, as your restore tool likely creates a version of Windows already set up with them.

d. Download and install any Windows updates.

e. Starting with your security software, install programs you use that didn't come with the PC. Update them, and then configure them to your liking.

f. Rearrange the Start menu as you wish.

g. Select your preferred wallpaper, screen saver, power settings, and so on.

Step 7: Create Another Image Backup

No, I'm not kidding. This step isn't strictly necessary, but if you ever need to restore Windows to this computer again, you can simply back up your personal data, restore this fresh and clean image backup, and then put your data back in its place.

Remember, the restore tool restores Microsoft's and your vendor's configuration of Windows, not yours. Think of this image as your own, customized restore tool, allowing you to skip Step 6 the next time around.

Because you have not yet copied your data back to the hard drive, this image will be relatively small. Put it on a series of writeable DVDs rather than an external drive, label them clearly with today's date, and safely store them away.

Step 8: The Final Touch

With Windows ready and recoverable, restore your data from the data backup with a few simple drags and drops. In the unlikely event that that backup has been damaged, restore it from the image backup. And keep both backups around for a month or so, just in case you missed an important file.

Finally, sigh, relax, treat yourself to something decadent, and get on with your life.

Toshiba to show 512GB solid-state drive at CES

2008-12-28T07:38:00.000-08:00

Toshiba said Wednesday that it will showcase a 512GB solid-state drive at the Consumer Electronics Show next month and begin shipments in the second quarter of 2009.

Toshiba 512GB solid-state drive rivals hard disks in capacity

(Credit: Toshiba)

To date, this would be one of the largest-capacity solid-state drives for use in laptops and come close to matching the size of mobile hard-disk drives.

Samsung has begun mass production of a 256GB SSD and Micron Technology is readying a 256GB drive that will ship in March.

Toshiba said it is releasing a broad family of "fast read/write SSDs" based on 43-nanometer Multi-Level Cell (MLC) NAND flash technology that will be showcased at CES. MLC technology allows solid-state drive makers to deliver higher capacity drives at lower prices.

In addition to the 2.5-inch 512GB drive, the new series of Toshiba drives also includes capacities of 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB, offered in 1.8-inch or 2.5-inch drive enclosures or as SSD Flash Modules, the company said in a statement.

Samples of the new drives will be available in the first quarter of 2009, with mass production slated for the second quarter, in the April to June time frame, according to the company.

Pricing in sample quantities ranges from $220 for the 64GB drive to $1,652 for the 512GB drive, Toshiba said.

The drives achieve a maximum sequential read speed of 240MB per second (MBps) and maximum sequential write speed of 200MBps. This is roughly the same read-write speeds offered by Samsung on its 256GB SSD.

Toshiba said it sees SSDs growing to approximately 25 percent of the notebook market by 2012.

Spy Pen

2008-12-28T07:04:00.000-08:00

This little pen has an MP3 player, 4GB of memory and a USB connector making it in to one handy spy pen.

As well as having the memory and MP3 capabilities, it also has a video camera built in and a microphone making it in to an ultimate spy tool.

Spy Pen Specs

* Internal memory: 4 GB
* Playback video on PC
* Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery
* Can be also used as a USB drive
* Real time recording in AVI video format
* Format: AVI video format, 352 x 288 pixels
* Recording mode :continuous recording until memory is full or manually off
* Adaptor type: USB adaptor charging cable
* Plug and play
* Charging time: 2 hours
* Supports Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/Vista
* Size: 150*15*15mm
* Weight: 45g

Bag TV lets you watch TV on your handbag

2008-12-28T06:55:00.000-08:00

Handbags have a tendency to be exceptionally expensive as it is. Well at least these have an excuse to be pricey, they come with a TV built into them. I’d say that’s a good enough reason to pay a few extra bucks. Plus the bags themselves look fairly large, so if you like carrying around a lot of stuff, this bag will still allow for that. Sadly, it might make your handbag more of a target, when it comes to thieves. However, there’s a flap that hides the screen, so as long as you’re not watching it, no one has to know it’s there.

The LCD screen is 7” and you can buy either the set with the TV or just the handbag by itself. The reason they offer it this way is so that you can have the bag in more than one color. Like most handbags though, the one without the TV is still a bit pricey. The bags come in seven different color combinations. The handbags could easily pass for professional when you need them to be, but still casual at the same time. The battery life for the TV will last you about 2.5 hours. You can play DVDs, MP3s or pull images and music directly from your PC. It also has an SD card slot available.

Matrox Introduces PowerDesk for Mac

2008-12-28T06:51:00.000-08:00

Matrox Graphics eXpansion Modules are multi-display upgrades that are easy to set up for notebooks, desktop computers, and workstations. The DualHead2Go and TripleHead2Go modules work in conjunction with your system's existing GPU and enable the addition of two or three displays. These external solutions are perfect for platforms previously limited to a single display, such as systems with integrated graphics, systems with no available expansion slots, or systems that are already closed and validated.

The PowerDesk software-which comes with an easy-to-use interface for setting supported GXM multi-display modes-offers time-saving features that eliminate the need to manually position applications on a multi-monitor configuration. With a keyboard shortcut you can move windows between monitors while maximizing a window to fit a single display. In addition, the Dock can be dedicated to the bottom left, center, or right hand side of your preferred external display.

Lenovo ThinkPad W700ds has extra screen

2008-12-28T06:48:00.000-08:00

This isn’t the first time that we covered the Lenovo ThinkPad W700, but I’ve just learned that Lenovo is planning to upgrade this model with the W700ds, which has one of the coolest features of any notebook, a slide out screen!

The screen is a 10.2 inch LED display that the user can pull out from the side, and has the option of tilting it forward or backward on a hinge. You can’t help but love a feature like this, as a laptop will have an extra screen for word processing, text messaging, or whatever you didn’t have space enough to do on your laptop screen before.

Other features on the Lenovo ThinkPad W700ds include the Intel Core 2 Extreme or Core 2 Quad, 8 GB of RAM, 980 GB of storage memory, and the NVIDIA Quadro FX 3700M. At maximum brightness on the screens, the battery life isn’t long at about 2 hours.

The Lenovo ThinkPad W700ds will be available to ship next month, at a price of about $3,600. In case you don’t think that is worth it, you should check out a sneak preview when the W700ds will be on display at CES next month. By the way, we at Coolest Gadgets are going to give you some excellent coverage of CES, so stay tuned for that.

The Energizer Solar Battery Charger

2008-12-28T06:45:00.001-08:00

Battery chargers are one thing tech lovers can’t live without. All of the small gadgets that require AA and AAA batteries make it almost impossible to deal without having rechargeable batteries around. If you’ve managed so far without rechargeable batteries, you’ve likely ended up spending a decent amount to restock on all the necessary batteries. Well energizer has a new battery charger that will not only keep your batteries charged, but give your USB gadgets a boost, all using solar power.

It can hold AA and AAA batteries just like your average battery charger. Not only does it have solar power that can charge your batteries, but it also has an AC jack for cloudy days. To give your USB gadgets a little more juice, just plug it into the portable charger. It’d be a great charger for travel or just at home. Likely more info will be released at the 2009 CES.

Fujitsu ST6012 Tablet PC

2008-12-28T06:39:00.000-08:00

You have got to love all these new electric tablets that are coming out these days! One of the latest is the Fujitsu ST6012. I’m sure most of you are familiar with the name of Fujitsu. For those that aren’t, we have reported on this company’s products before, most recently, the Laptop4Life Program.

The Fujitsu ST6012 is a 12-inch tablet PC that comes with some very interesting features including a TFT WXGA display with indoor and outdoor wide views. It is also equipped with an integrated Intel Wi-Fi Link 5300AGN (802.11a/b/g/draft-n) as well as Bluetooth wireless.

Under the hood of the ST6012 is an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor Ultra Low Voltage SU9400 and Intel Centrino 2 with Intel Pro Technology. As for the memory, it has 1GB DDR3 MHz memory, and 80GB S-ATA 150, 5400 rpm hard drive2.

Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard

2008-12-28T06:36:00.000-08:00

Bluetooth Laser Keyboard

Like many people on the planet, you’ve probably got a hectic schedule and are always on the go. With many modern conveniences such as cell phones and PDA’s with Internet and emailing capabilities, you can find information and communicate from almost anywhere. These gadgets are great to have, however, one disadvantage is that they are so small and can sometimes be difficult to see and can be a pain to type on. But this new gadget, the Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard, may be a solution to that problem.

The Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard is a tiny device that uses lasers to project a keyboard on to any flat surface. You can then use the 63 key, full-size keyboard to type an email on any Bluetooth enabled PDA or cell phone. With simulated key click sounds and the capability of handling typing speeds of a standard keyboard, the virtual keyboard will make it easier to type on your small electronics. A little larger than a matchbook, this gadget fits nicely in your pocket or purse. The rechargeable battery will last up to 120 minutes.

Toshiba launching 16GB MicroSDHC Memory Card

2008-12-28T06:34:00.001-08:00

Technologies will be launching 16GB microSDHC card next month. The new card will be launching in December 2008 but the mass production will start from January 2009. Also the two old cards have been re-furbished to comply with Memory Card 2.0 standards thus raising the overall read/write speed of all the cards.

Refurbishing the old series, the 16GB & 32GB SD cards and the new microSDHC 16GB will now comply with the SD memory standard Ver. 2.00. The new cards will support ultra-fast read/write speed upto 20 MB per second, delivering high performance for continuous shooting of videos and high resolution images images. This will also cut down the time while browsing files on your phone.

Here is a table that shows the new models with their upcoming dates of their mass production and their classes:

Product Name	Density	SD Speed Class	Start of mass production
microSDHC Memory Card SD-C16G	16GB	Class 2	Jan, 2009
SDHC Memory Card SD-F16G	16GB	Class 6	Apr, 2009
SDHC Memory Card SD-F08G	8GB	Class 6	Dec, 2008

Also now microSDHC can be used in SDHC slot with an adapter. The changes were necessary to meet the industries ever-demanding latest gadgets that need more memory in less space and better data transaction speeds. However the 32GB SDHC line remains untouched and will continue with the old speeds.

Its good to watch the progress of technology, packing so much of data in half a inch is like wonder. Maybe, In next 10 years we may see some 100’s of gigs packing in such small cards. The future of memory storage is really very interesting.

Microsoft Windows 7: Features

2008-12-28T06:31:00.000-08:00

Microsoft’s upcoming Operating System Windows 7 has been previewed at the PDC 2008 event showcasing the next gen features and screenshots of the Windows 7 pre beta version. Windows 7 is expected to be faster in terms of operation and in boot times, the OS will also feature full touch and multi-touch support for touchscreen based devices, along with support for up to 256 CPUs.

Windows 7 Screenshots:

Windows 7 desktop

Windows 7 media player: Windows media player 12

Windows 7 Thumbnails

Windows 7 explorer

Windows 7 startup menu

Windows 7 hovering

Windows 7 Features:

BitLocker Drive Encryption :

BitLocker protects your data by helping to prevent offline software attacks. Turning on BitLocker encrypts the hard drive where Windows is installed, including all information that is stored on that drive.

Device Information Retrieval:

Device Information Retrieval downloads information from Microsoft for your hardware devices and displays it in the Windows 7 Devices and Printers control panel, and when you first install and use a device, in the Device Stage.

New Device Manager:

Device Manager helps you install the latest drivers for your hardware devices. Using the Update Driver Software Wizard, you can update device drivers for hardware installed on your computer, modify hardware settings, and troubleshoot device and driver problems.

Driver Protection:

Driver Protection helps prevent the operating system from starting drivers that are known to cause stability problems. These drivers are listed in a Driver Protection List database that is stored on your computer. The Driver Protection List is updated through Windows Update and Dynamic Update (below). Driver Protection checks this database while the operating system is running. These checks are performed to determine whether to start a driver. For more information, see the Driver Protection List article online at the Microsoft website.

Windows 7 Dynamic Update:

Dynamic Update enables Windows 7 to perform a one-time check with the Windows Update website to get the latest updates for your computer while Windows is being installed. If updates are found, Dynamic Update automatically downloads and installs them so your computer is up to date the first time that you log on or use it.

Windows 7 Fax feature:

The fax feature allows you to create and save fax cover pages, and to send and receive faxes using your computer and an external or a built-in fax modem or a fax server.

Windows 7 Handwriting Recognition: for tablet PCs

Automatic learning is a handwriting recognition feature that is available on Tablet PCs and external tablets. This feature collects data about the words that you use and how you write them. Automatic learning is enabled by default, and the handwriting recognition software will attempt to recognize and improve its interpretation of your handwriting style and vocabulary.

Easy home networking with Homegroup:

A HomeGroup allows you to easily link Windows 7 computers on your home network so that you can share pictures, music, videos, documents and devices. It also makes them ready to stream media to devices on your home network such as a media extender. You can help protect your HomeGroup with a password, and you can choose what you want to share.

Windows 7 Gadgets:

Windows 7 Gadgets are mini programs that run on the desktop( sidebar killed) and provide at-a-glance information, and easy access to frequently used tools.

Internet Printing:

Internet printing makes it possible for computers running Windows 7 to use printers located anywhere in the world by sending print jobs using Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).