Sunday, September 2, 2007
New Episode! Tech Radio Season 3: Episode 1
Tech Radio Season 3 Episode 1 from Tech Radio .
Download this Tech Radio episode (right click and save to the folder of your choice)
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Season 3 and New Changes!
We are Heading into season 3 of Tech Radio. We have successfully done a 30 episode season, being season 2. We have done over 100 episodes in 2 and a half months. We will be moving the show from the daily format to a weekly format. We are also on youtube, Vimeo, Brightcove, and blip.tv
You can download our podcast and view in our new player at www.techradio.tk
So Enjoy the new Look and we look forward to serving you better. Remember to email us your questions to techradio@yourtechcentral.tk . ( Oh! did I mention a new Logo)
You can download our podcast and view in our new player at www.techradio.tk
So Enjoy the new Look and we look forward to serving you better. Remember to email us your questions to techradio@yourtechcentral.tk . ( Oh! did I mention a new Logo)
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
sniffing dogs awarded medals, returning to NYC
Lucky and Flo, the two danger-loving police dogs whose exploits as international crime fighters are well know to readers of this site, have just become the first non-humans to be awarded Malaysia's outstanding service award for their tireless work in trotting around and sitting down at the first whiff of plastic. Following several raids that led to 26 arrests and $6 million in seized counterfeit DVDs during their five month tour of duty -- as well as a contract on their young lives -- these real-life Underdogs will be returning home to a hero's welcome in New York later this week, although there will be no ticker tape parade for the courageous canines. Rather, they'll be put right back to work in the hopes that they "take a bite out of movie piracy in the Big Apple," according to the Motion Picture Association's Edward Neurbronner -- that is, when they're not busy putting on little, um, dog-and-pony shows at local events. Well we certainly wish you guys luck as you begin your new career battling piracy stateside (and later on in Canada, apparently another hotbed of IP theft), although we're still not sure why the cops need trained dogs to help them track down all those nefarious pirates hiding in plain sight on almost every avenue in Manhattan.
Show Notes for Tech Radio 2:16
Apple trots out refurb iPhones, $100 off list price
Credit: Engadget.com
If you want to run the risk of getting stuck with the iPhone we sent back because the proximity sensor crapped out (that's another story for another time), get ready to grab yourself a deal. Refurbished iPhones now look to be in stock at the online Apple Store, the supposed result of a nice, stiff mix of iReturners and busted devices. Both the 4GB and 8GB refurb units are being offered at $100 off -- $399 and $499, respectively -- making the 4GB model the slightly better value at a full 20 percent off its MSRP. Not a bad discount, as long as they got around to fixing that bum sensor.
Toshiba intros the REGZA C3500 and RF350 for your LCD-viewing pleasure
(Credit: Engadget)
Toshiba continued its onslaught of LCD TV announcements today with two additional new lines for your purchasing pleasure. The two families joining the recently crowded gang are the REGZA RF350 (pictured above) and the REGZA C3500. The former "design minded" displays come in 40-inch (¥330,000 / $2,866) or 46-inch (¥390,000 / $3,388) varieties, deliver 1920 x 1080 resolution, and feature VA panels, 1080p / 60p / 24p, x 2 HDMI, x 2 S-Video, X 3 composite, D-sub, and ethernet jacks, plus HDMI, digital, and optical audio. The latter appears to be the company's play for the cheaper end of the market, though they don't scrimp too badly on features. The C3500's come in 26-inch (¥150,000 / $1,303) and 32-inches (¥170,000 / $1,476) at 1366 x 768, or 37-inch (¥250,000 / $2,171) and 42-inches (¥300,000 / $2,606) at 1920 x 1080, and rock an IPS panel, 1080p / 60p / 24p formats, 2 x HDMI jacks, ethernet, plus your standard slew of S-Video, component, D-sub, and audio ins and outs. Both lines will be available this September.
Gadget Of The Day
Blinged out iPod Shuffle
For the small price of 120,000 Norwegian Kroner (around $20,000) you can pick up a concentrated mix of gold, diamonds, and... iPod Shuffle. There's not a lot more to this blinged out creation: why anyone would want to place twenty gees worth of precious carbon on a $99 gadget, we'll never know.
Download of The Day
Mozilla Firefox
Friday, August 17, 2007
Tech Radio 2:14 Show Notes
Sony offering up Swarovski crystal-clad E010 DAPs
(Credit: Engadget)
Just in case you've been out of the loop for some time, this DAP certainly won't go down as the first to come glazed in Swarovski crystals, but Sony has nevertheless teamed up with Abiste Corporation to craft the limited edition Walkman E010 lineup. The players will be available in pink, violet, black, blue, or gold colors, have removable caps adorned with Swarovski glass crystals, and won't arrive to your domicile for two solid months after you initially place an order. 'Course, those even remotely interested in one of these beauties should know that it won't come sans a premium, and while you can snag the lowly 1GB flavor for "just" ¥15,800 ($134), the 2GB rendition will run you ¥18,800 ($160) while the 4GB unit demands ¥24,800 ($210) -- while supplies last, mind you.
FCC Chairman looking to kill "free internet" plan?
(Credit: Engadet)
If you've got concerns about not getting your fair shake on the new 700MHz spectrum, don't worry, because a group known as M2Z (backed by Google, Amazon, Netscape, MySpace, and TiVO) has got you covered. The gang is looking for the FCC to break off 25MHz of the new spectrum to set up a "free" wireless internet stream for nearly 95 percent of Americans to go surfing on. There's only one problem: the FCC doesn't look like it's going to give it up. AIn a recent request to the federal agency, M2Z asks to be given bandwidth on the soon-to-be-abandoned airwaves, instead of following typical FCC procedure which requires an auction to be held. In the M2Z plan, the U.S. Treasury would get 5 percent kickbacks from any gross revenue the network derived, though it appears FCC chairman Kevin Martin is looking to put a kibosh on the plot. According to the Wall Street Journal, Martin has circulated a document to other FCC commissioners calling for them to decline the group's proposal, and the CTIA (the wireless industry's lobby group), meanwhile, has urged the agency to "dismiss or deny M2Z's application," on the grounds that it would circumvent standard procedure. You can expect some serious back-and-forth over this in the upcoming days, so you'd better get used to the 700MHz soap-opera.
Contest: let Engadget trick out your home theater
(Credit: Engadget)
We know not everybody has the home theater of their dreams. We know there are some of you out there that shop longingly at your local electronics retailer, dreaming of the day you can dump that crappy rig and get something the neighbors will be envious of -- or hear all the way down the block, anyway. That's where we -- and about five thousand dollars worth of gear -- come in. Let us trick out your home theater with a brand new LCD or plasma HDTV, Onkyo 7.1 surround system, TiVo HD DVR, Xbox 360 (with HD DVD), PlayStation 3, Harmony remote, Slingbox Pro, and more. Head over to Engadget HD to enter!
Gadget Of The Day!
(Credit: Engadet)
Verizon Sierra Wireless AirCard 595U EV-DO Rev A USB modem
BroadbandAccess customers, meet Sierra Wireless' AirCard 595U EV-DO Rev A USB modem, which is (almost) finally available to you through Verizon Wireless. Designed for use with your USB port, this EV-DO Rev A modem can also be connected through the included docking cradle, and even comes bundled with VZAccess Manager software. Additionally, the device boasts an internal, removable battery to "ensure there is always enough power support to handle peak or fringe area transmission requirements," and should be available for those interested on August 30th for $179.99 -- after you mail back a pesky rebate and sign your name to a two-year agreement, that is.
Download of The Day!
(Credit: Cnet’s Download.com)
ICQ 6
ICQ 6 provides users with an innovative communication experience and enables quick and simple interaction among users across all communication platforms. ICQ 6 offers the entire suite of digital and mobile communication tools available today, all integrated seamlessly in a single message window. ICQ 6 boasts an entirely new client infrastructure and a completely redesigned UI along with a fresh look and feel.
Innovations and improved features in ICQ 6 include:
* Quick IM--enabling users to send messages to contacts without opening a message window.* Easy access simple navigation between incoming messages.
* Tabbed conversations--management of all active conversations in one message window by using tabs.
* History--new and improved search history of messages, files, and calls.
* Search capabilities--advanced and easy-to-use search through contacts, on ICQ, and on the web.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Tech Radio 2:13 Show Notes
2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring to feature USB port
(Credit: Engagdet)
It's no secret that vehicles hoping to get Microsoft's Blue&Me system integrated in aren't scared of rocking a USB port, and while Hyundai hasn't stated whether or not the technology will indeed be a part of the 2009 Elantra Touring, the USB port will still be along for the ride. Deemed the first Hyundai to come equipped with such a connector, the vehicle will also come standard with an auxiliary jack and XM radio, which is apt to be called something a bit different by the time it's released. Nevertheless, it's refreshing to see such a nicety being added to a lower-end ride, and while we can only assume that it will enable MP3 playback, Hyundai's remaining mum on the details for now.
Sprint's mobile WiMAX service called XOHM?
(Credit: Engagdet)
We have information from an anonymous tipster claiming that Sprint is set to take the wraps of their new WiMAX brand dubbed XOHM. It's anybody's guess at this point how you'd pronounce that ("x-ohm" or "zohm" perhaps) but we're told to expect a formal announcement as early as Thursday. The timing is certainly legit what with plans to have the 4G service up and running in select cities "by year-end 2007." We'd expect any new branding to encompass the combined efforts of those Clearwire and Google deals though our source ain't sayin'. Perhaps XOHM was the delayed little secret behind Sprint's "wireless evolution" teaser site which was pulled without explanation before its July 4th pop date. Who knows, but anything that moves us closer to a WiMax-enabled N800 and that "ultra thin" WiMax smartphone from Palm is fine by us.
Gagdet Of The Day!
(Credit: Engagdet)
The Helio Fin
Helio today has announced the Fin, the first flip phone in the carrier's lineup. For an MVNO making its name with unique powerhouses like the Ocean, the Fin seems downright ordinary -- but that's not quite the case. For one thing, the Fin bests its A717 and m610 lookalikes (all three of which are manufactured by Samsung, coincidentally) in the thickness game, coming in at a svelte 11.4 millimeters to take the crown as the thinnest flip launched in the US. The Fin also totes a rather potent 3 megapixel sensor in its cam, 100MB of internal storage with microSD expansion up to 4GB, and stereo Bluetooth support. As with all of Helio's more recently launched devices, the Fin includes GPS on board; concurrently with the phone's release, Helio is announcing Garmin Mobile navigation for the Fin and the Ocean -- available for $2.99 per day -- for those times when the integrated Google Maps-based nav just doesn't cut it. Grab Fin starting today for $175.
Download Of The Day!
(Credit: Cnet’s Download.com)
Ad-Aware 2007 7.0.1.6
With the ability to scan your RAM, Registry, hard drives, and external storage devices for known data-mining, advertising, and tracking components, Ad-Aware 2007 easily can clean your system, allowing you to maintain a higher degree of privacy while you surf the Web.
Ad-Aware 2007 includes a redesigned engine, improved code sequence identification, incremental definition updates, one-click Web-history cleanup, multiple browser support, and other new features. Version 7.0.1.6 includes unspecified updates.
DirecTV to offer broadband over powerline this year
(Credit: Engadget)
Just as the company's CEO hinted at this past spring, DirecTV will indeed begin offering service bundles that include broadband over powerline, with the Maryland-based Current Group opening up access to its Dallas / Fort Worth BPL network starting at the end of the year. This tie-up is the latest move by the satellite company -- following June's deal with Clearwire -- to strengthen its ability to offer high-speed internet, putting it in a better position to compete with the attractive triple- and even quad-play bundles being touted by cable providers and telcos. It also follows DirecTV's failure to secure any of its own spectrum in last years FCC auction, as you'll recall. Current has stated that as its network grows out beyond Texas, the agreement between the two firms allows DirecTV to market to those customers as well.
Xbox 360 price drops to Wii levels in Australia
(Credit: Engadget)
They may have had to wait a bit longer, but Australian gamers can now save a considerable chunk of change on a new Xbox 360 just like the rest of us, with the Core model now even able to boast the same price tag as the Wii. That puts it at A$399.95 (down from A$429), while the 20GB Xbox 360 Pro drops all the way from A$649 to A$579.95 (or $486US at the current exchange rate). According to Gamespot, Xbox regional director for Australia and New Zealand David McLean also confirmed that the HDMI-equipped Xboxes would be making their way down under as well, as would the Elite and Halo 3 Special Edition varieties of Xboxen, although he's apparently not quite ready to get specific about prices or release dates for those just yet.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Show Notes for Tech Radio 2:12
Samsung intros internet-enabled SMT-i8080 phone
(Credit: Engadget)
LCD-packin' phones with internet connectivity have certainly been around the block, and while we can't imagine the demand being extraordinarily high 'round these parts, Samsung is probably hoping that a few folks in Hong Kong take interest in the SMT-i8080. The IP phone reportedly enables users to view TV on the screen, video-conference with others, tune into music, shop online (for realz?), and even reserve movie tickets. Granted, the more technically adept may prefer a more fleshed out interface to handle the aforementioned duties, but we certainly wouldn't quetch if The Man replaced our current cubical phone with this gem.
Gadget Of The Day!
(Credit: Engadget)
Dahan T&S 42-inch widescreen multi-touch LCD
Just months after displaying Dahan T&S' 120-inch multi-touch panel, the firm is now showing off its 42-inch widescreen LCD that incorporates the same technology. This living-room-friendly display contains "multi-dot recognition functions to control image size and direction by [using your] fingers," meaning that a single press will translate into a left-click, while using two fingers will replicate a right-click. No word on resolution, price, or a release date just yet.
LaCie unveils 5TB Biggest S2S SATA RAID tower
(Credit: Engadet)
LaCie is apparently looking to grab video editors' attention with the introduction of its latest RAID tower, which comes stocked with 5TB of storage and is scalable to up to 20TB for HD multi-stream support. The 5TB Biggest S2S five-disk RAID boasts a 3Gbit/sec eSATA interface, direct eSATA-to-SATA connection, burst rates of over 200MB/sec, and the ability to link up with three other S2S units on the eSATA PCI-X / ExpressCard to achieve the aforementioned 20TB solution. Furthermore, the disks are hot-swappable and the tower is hot-pluggable, and it can even be setup to beam out email alerts in the event of disk failure. The 5TB S2S is available now for $3,699 with a PCI-X card, or you can toss in an extra Benjamin and go for the PCI-E bundle.
Space hotel sees 2012 opening
(Credit: www.Cnn.com/tech)
ts Barcelona-based architects say the space hotel will be the most expensive in the galaxy, costing $4 million for a three-day stay.
During that time guests would see the sun rise 15 times a day and use Velcro suits to crawl around their pod rooms by sticking themselves to the walls like Spiderman.
Company director Xavier Claramunt says the three-bedroom boutique hotel's joined-up pod structure, which makes it look like a model of molecules, was dictated by the fact that each pod room had to fit inside a rocket to be taken into space.
"It's the bathrooms in zero gravity that are the biggest challenge," says Claramunt. "How to accommodate the more intimate activities of the guests is not easy."
But they may have solved the issue of how to take a shower in weightlessness -- the guests will enter a spa room in which bubbles of water will float around.
When guests are not admiring the view from their portholes they will take part in scientific experiments on space travel.
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Galactic Suite began as a hobby for former aerospace engineer Claramunt, until a space enthusiast decided to make the science fiction fantasy a reality by fronting most of the $3 billion needed to build the hotel.
An American company intent on colonizing Mars, which sees Galaxy Suite as a first step, has since come on board, and private investors from Japan, the United States and the United Arab Emirates are in talks.
Plenty rich enough
If Claramunt is secretive about the identity of his generous backer, he is more forthcoming about the custom he can expect.
"We have calculated that there are 40,000 people in the world who could afford to stay at the hotel. Whether they will want to spend money on going into space, we just don't know."
Four million dollars might be a lot to spend on a holiday, but those in the nascent space tourism industry say hoteliers have been slow on the uptake because no one thought the cost of space travel would come down as quickly as it has.
Galactic Suite said the price included not only three nights in space. Guests also get eight weeks of intensive training at a James Bond-style space camp on a tropical island.
"There is fear associated with going into space," said Claramunt. "That's why the shuttle rocket will remain fixed to the space hotel for the duration of the guests' stay, so they know they can get home again."
In an era of concern over climate change, Galaxy Suite has no plans so far to offset the pollution implications of sending a rocket to carry just six guests at a time into space.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Tech Radio 2:10 Show Notes
Mirror Media stuffs PC into multifaceted display
(Credit: Engadget)
Mirrors that double as surveillance displays or hallway televisions have been common for quite some time, and while Mirror Media's PC-stuffed iteration certainly won't be the first of its breed, it joins a rare bunch nonetheless. The MirrorTV + media PC combination unit comes in 20-, 26-, 30-, and 32-inch flavors and features an Intel processor, up to 512MB of SDRAM, up to 60GB of hard drive space, optional WiFi, and a smorgasbord of ports including USB 2.0, RS-232, FireWire, DVI / VGA, and component / S-Video / composite to boot. Pricing details don't look to be readily available, but if you've got the coin, we're sure these guys and gals can whip up the multifarious mirror of your dreams.
Sprint, Verizon both announce Motorola RAZR 2 V9m
(Credit: Engadget)
Neither carrier has launched it just yet, but yes -- the RAZR 2 V9m has now officially found a home on both Sprint and Verizon, with both promising availability in the next few weeks. To split hairs, Sprint will be beating its sworn enemy by a few days, launching its variant on August 22, while Verizon's just promising "September" at this point. Unless AT&T manages to pull a rabbit out of its hat, it looks like the two will be the first in the US to launch what Motorola hopes will be the centerpiece of a turnaround for its flagging handset business. Thanks to EV-DO, attractive styling (yes, we realize we'll be really tired of it in a couple years, but it's still hot for now), and a gargantuan external display with touch controls, the phone is being positioned on the higher end of both carriers' dumbphone offerings -- and the price reflects it. Look for it for $300 with a $50 rebate on Verizon, $250 on Sprint, both on a two-year agreement.
Gadget Of The Day
(Credit: Cnet)
2008 BMW 535i
The good: The 2008 BMW 535i drives like a dream, getting power from its brilliantly engineered, twin-turbo, 6-cylinder engine. The integration of live traffic with the car's navigation system is the finest we've seen; its hands-free cell phone system is top notch; and the audio quality from its premium sound system is excellent.
The bad: The stereo doesn't show ID3 tag information from MP3 tracks. Destination entry on the navigation system isn't as easy as it could be, and it doesn't default to a map display.
The bottom line: The 2008 BMW 535i is a really exceptional car, offering a great driving experience and an impressive array of electronics in the cabin. From its shifter to its live traffic system, its innovative features should make any techie drool.
Kid saves dad's life, kid wants PS3 in return
(Credit: Engadget)
On the surface, a PlayStation 3 doesn't seem like too much to give a person for saving your life, but when the request comes from the little man to whom you (in one way or another) gave life, things aren't so clear. Reportedly, the nine-year old Matty Lovo came the rescue and saved his pop's life by calling for help after his father passed out behind the wheel of his tractor-trailer. In an interview with CNN, the youngster didn't hesitate to label himself a hero, and moreover, wasn't shy about stating that a shiny new PS3 seemed like a fair reward for such a saintly act. Sheesh, talk about demanding.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Tech RAdio 2:9
(Credit: Cnn.com/tech)
Astronomers find largest exoplanet to date
PHOENIX, Arizona (AP) -- Scientists have discovered the universe's largest known planet, a giant ball made of mostly hydrogen that circles a star 1,400 light-years away.
An illustration of the new planet, called TrES-4, with its host star.
Scientists believe the planet is about twice the size of Jupiter, and has a temperature of 2,300-degrees.
"There is probably not a really firm surface anywhere on the planet. You would sink into it," said Georgi Mandushev, a research scientist at Lowell Observatory and lead author of an article announcing the finding in the peer-reviewed Astrophysical Journal Letters.
Lowell, along with the California Institute of Technology's Palomar Observatory in San Diego County and telescopes operating in Spain's Canary Islands, discovered the planet circling a star in the constellation Hercules.
Lowell announced the finding Monday. Scientists first spotted the new planet, called TrES-4, and a smaller one in spring 2006. Scientists at Caltech, Harvard University and the W.M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii later confirmed the discovery.
"It's very solid stuff," astronomer Alan Boss at the Carnegie Institution of Washington said of the discovery of TrES-4. He marveled at the planet's extremely low density, about half that of Saturn in our solar system.
"It's just letting us know that nature has some surprises for us ... a much wider range of possibility than we could imagine," Boss said.
He said scientists "can't understand why these so-called fluffy planets are so fluffy. It really is a mystery, just how they can be so low-density."
Scientists also are working on the possibility of another planet in the same constellation. "It's tough," Mandushev said. "We're not really sure what's going on there. There might actually be another planet in this field, which would be incredible."
The participating Lowell telescope is housed on top of Anderson Mesa, about 15 miles south of Flagstaff.
Lowell is best known for the 1930 discovery of Pluto, which since has been demoted from planet status.
Gadget Of The Day!
(Credit: Engadget).
Samsung Wi-Fi Photo Frame
We already heard of a WiFi-equipped Samsung photo frame hitting Europe, but it looks like the company is unsurprisingly releasing one in Korea as well, albeit with a slightly different model number. From the looks of it, however, that small distinction doesn't seem to indicate any larger changes to the frame itself, with the company's new SPF-72V model boasting the same 7-inch screen, memory card slots, USB port, RSS support, and Windows Media Player 11 interaction as the SPH-72V we saw earlier. It also packs more or less the same price, coming in at 229,000 won, or just under $250.
Sony Set To Introduce New Fz Series Models
(Credit:Engadget)
It's not all that long ago that Sony bumped its VAIO FZ laptops into Santa Rosa territory, but it seems that the company is planning to expand the line even further, with Notebook Italia today getting word of a pair of new FZ2 series laptops. As with its current FZ offerings, these new laptops will each pack 15.4-inch WXGA displays, but they get an upgrade in the processor department to your choice of Core 2 Duo T7250 or T7500, along with NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GT graphics on the higher-end of the two, 2GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, and your choice of Blu-ray or DVD combo drives. No word on a release date just yet, it seems, but they'll apparently set you back $1,299 or $1,399 depending on the configuration.
Ford's Sync phone / DAP integration gets priced at $395
integration solutions: Dearborn announced today that the system will be a $395 option on new Focus, Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles starting this fall. Ford also said that Sync will be coming to nine other vehicles by 2008, but honestly, we're not going to be satisfied on the carputer tip until we get Turbo Boost and a sweeping red scanner light.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Show Notes for Tech Radio 2:8 August 9,2007
(Credit: The New York Times)
Sun Microsystems Announces Faster Chip
By BLOOMBERG NEWS
Published: August 7, 2007
Sun Microsystems yesterday announced a new version of the Niagara processor used in its most powerful server computers and said it would license the chip to other equipment makers as part of a plan to create a new line of business.
UltraSPARC T2, the new chip, is twice as fast as the previous generation and will be available this year, Sun said.
Jonathan I. Schwartz, the chief executive, said the new processor would be used by networking manufacturers and the makers of storage devices and other equipment who rely on custom chips. In March, Sun created a unit to sell the processor after customers approached it about licensing Niagara, he said. Sales of Sun’s Niagara-based servers doubled to $200 million last quarter from a year earlier.
Shares of Sun closed 5 cents higher, at $4.96, on Nasdaq.
Servers, the computers that run corporate networks and Web sites, are Sun’s main moneymaker, accounting for 47 percent of revenue. Storage devices represented about 17 percent of sales, with services accounting for the rest.
Asus U3 Laptop
(Credit: Engadget.com)
The Asus U3, which we told you about back in the hot and humid days of July, has gotten its official announcement from the company -- and it looks pretty sweet. The Santa Rosa-based, 13.3-inch laptop still rocks a Core 2 Duo processor (in T7500, T7300, T7100, T5450, T5250, CM540), a Nvidia GeForce G8400M G External graphics chipset, up to 2.5GB of RAM, and a 160GB SATA hard drive. In the communications department, the U3 packs 802.11a/b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.0, but apparently the GPS we mentioned will be offered as an option along with 3G connectivity and turbo memory. The system also includes a slew of ports, like eSATA, HDMI, GPS RF in, USB, Firewire, VGA/D-Sub, and TV out, plus rocks a built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam and fingerprint reader. Luckily for you fashion plates, Asus has stuck with the leather-bound hand rests and "piano black" exterior, all wrapped up in a magnesium aluminum alloy, which the company thinks is perfect for "metropolitan professionals." The laptop is rumored to be available in September for around $2000.
Garmin Introduces Forerunner 50
(Credit: Engadget.com)
Garmin's Forerunner sport watches haven't always been the most wearable, but the company has been making steady progress in that department, and it now looks to have produced its most watch-like device yet. Helping in no small part to keep the size of its new Forerunner 50 watch down is the lack of GPS found in previous models, but it will still provide a fair bit of functionality, and it'll wirelessly interface with a heart rate monitor or "foot pod" to monitor your speed, distance, and other vitals. When you're done with your workout, the various devices will also automatically sync up with Garmin's USB ANT Stick (Bluetooth, we presume), which will let you log and share your information on Garmin's online training site. A number of different bundles are set to be available this October, including one with just the heart rate monitor for $99, one with the foot pod for $149, and one with both devices for $199.
Gadget Of The Day
(Credit: Cnet Networks)
V Vizio P50HDM
CNET editors' review
Very good
The good: Relatively inexpensive; impressive black-level performance; video processing includes 2:3 pull-down decoding; accurate color decoding; two HDMI inputs.
The bad: False-contouring artifacts; noisy fan; lacks an HDTV tuner and a CableCard.
The bottom line: With commendable image quality and plenty of connections, the relatively inexpensive V Vizio P50HDM 50-inch plasma is the best value in its class.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Show Notes for Tech Radio 2:7 August 8,2007
(Credit: New York Times)
Intel’s Approach to Laptops for Poor Children
Intel insists that its project to make low-cost laptops for school children in poorer nations began nearly three years ago, before it heard of Nicholas Negroponte’s initiative, One Laptop Per Child.
It scarcely matters much anymore, now that the jawing between the two camps has subsided, after Intel agreed to join the One Laptop Per Child Foundation last month.
The agreement has three main accords, according to L. Wilton Agatstein, general manager of Intel’s emerging markets group. The two camps agreed to work to develop a common software framework for educational programs on their machines; they may share some hardware technology; and both sides will publicly champion the cause of laptops for kids in developing nations, without sniping at each other.
“We won’t spend any time saying ours is better than theirs,” Mr. Agatstein said today.
Some of the competitive friction came from the fact that Mr. Negroponte’s machine runs on a chip made by AMD, Intel’s rival in the microprocessor business. The One Laptop machine runs the Linux operating system, while most of the Intel machines run Microsoft’s Windows (though they can run Linux).
Mr. Agatstein came by to demo the Classmate PC, a light, durable, wireless notebook with a seven-inch color screen that is being used in pilot projects this year in 25 countries. The keyboard is small, but so are childrens’ fingers, so they don’t mind, Mr. Agatstein said. Intel has donated more than 30,000 laptops and sold hundreds of thousands this year, he said. It plans to sell millions next year, to governments, schools and philanthropies (who then donate them to schools).
The Intel World Ahead Program may be a nose ahead of One Laptop Per Child, which is still testing its machine and plans to begin full-scale production later this year.
That scarcely matters either, at least to the kids in poorer nations who will get a well-designed computing experience because of the laptop programs. Whether Mr. Negroponte, the founding director of the MIT Media Lab, intentionally set out to spur competition in a truly underserved market, he has. That itself is a genuine accomplishment.
Despite the recent make-nice pact, there are still traces of rivalry. The Classmate PC sells for $225, heading toward $200 by the end of the year. The One Laptop machine was long promoted as a $100 laptop, though it will initially start higher, at $150 or so. Mr. Agatstein referred to the One Laptop machine as “the $175 laptop.”
(Credit: Engadget)
iPhones automatically updated with "Send to Web Gallery" feature
At some point during the Jobsters lenghty unveiling of multifarious technologies today, iPhones across the nation were silently rejiggered (presumably by magical Apple wood-sprites) to allow for use of the just announced "Send to Web Gallery" feature. Whether this was a timed event scheduled into the new 1.0.1 update or an over-the-air transmission from Apple remains to be seen, but it is definitely true that the "fully integrated" web gallery upload option which Mr. Jobs demonstrated at today's press conference is currently available for use on your iPhone. Right now. This second.
(Credit: Engadget)
Halo 3-themed Xbox 360 landing in September for $400
Sure, we already knew the Halo 3-themed Xbox 360 was on the horizon, and we even warned you to save a bit extra for those Halo-clad accessories, but now we're absolutely certain that you better have the necessary dough by next month if you're looking to be an early adopter. Yep, Microsoft's special edition console will be landing sometime in September for $399.99, and will include "an authentic Spartan green-and-gold finish," matching wireless controller, a 20GB hard drive, headset, a Play and Charge Kit, and "more" -- though we're not exactly sure what the latter may be. Get in line early folks, we've got all ideas this will be a fairly hot commodity.Tuesday, August 7, 2007
New Apple Imacs, ilife 08', and iwork 08'
2 hours ago Apple Inc. introduced the new line of iMac with metal and a new skinny keyboard. New ilife 2008 and iWork 2008. With the news breaking as we speak, rest asure we will keep you updated.
Show Notes for Agust 7,2007 2:6
Iphone Hacks
Look, we're gonna be up front about this. You probably won't want to do this iPhone hack -- it requires special equipment, it's a little difficult (to say the least), and it may not even work for data apps anyway. There, now that we've gotten that out of the way, let's talk about what's at hand.
So we saw something similar to this before, but Hackint0sh user Sassha apparently managed to "unlock" his iPhone and post a guide to using a SIM writer device, SilverCard, a SIM with accessible Ki number, and, of course, some some software so you can do the same. Basically, you have to specially reprogram your new SIM's IMSI to match your AT&T SIM, essentially tricking your iPhone into thinking it's using the real deal SIM when it's actually on a different network entirely. Then, after a few (read: many) more steps and a sprinkling of fairy dust your iPhone could be carrier-free -- but with no guarantees data will work (since it's not like Apple gives you a place to configure your EDGE connection). In other words, caveat emptor, use at your own risk, and heed word to the wise: just wait for the real unlocking-hacks to be released. The iPhone's pretty good, but it's not good enough to jump through these kinds of hoops for no certain outcome.
IBM gets a supercomputer contract
The National Science Foundation is planning to award I.B.M. a contract to build the world’s fastest supercomputer at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, according to documents that were accidentally placed on a federal government Web site for a short time last week.
The decision to build the machine, which will cost $200 million to build and may cost more than $400 million during its five-year lifetime, is already proving to be controversial.
The award has been eagerly pursued by a number of supercomputer centers and state governments. Word of the decision to award the contract to I.B.M. to build a production version of a computer that is now intended for the Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has created widespread concern in the past week among some computer scientists involved in designing and building the nation’s high-performance computers.
The new computer is to be the first supercomputer capable of one thousand trillion mathematical operations a second — a computing benchmark known as a petaflop. Placing it in Illinois, however, has led to expressions of concern in California and Pennsylvania, where computing laboratories also bid on the contract.
Gadget of the Day
CNET editors' review
Good
The good: Unique design; nice selection of home theater PC features.
The bad: Overpriced compared to other PCs of similar power and capabilities; overloaded with shovelware.
The bottom line: Sony's distinctive, midrange VAIO TP1 Living Room PC trades performance and features for its cutesy appearance. Unless you really like the looks of this Roomba-like PC you can find a much better deal from a variety of standard desktop PCs.
Features
Product Specifications
Computer Type
- Digital Home
Type of Use
Living Room PCMonday, August 6, 2007
New Iphone app (credit: Engadget)
It would seem that the first-ever iPhone game has been written and is available to download to your Jail-broken device, and true to the natural form of the Microsoft vs. Apple debate, it's all based around blowing up Zunes. Jason Merchant, a clever (and possibly very bored) iPhone hacker has coded a small game app for the phone wherein you target floating Zunes with your onscreen mini-iPhone, and then blast away with missiles. The Microsoft-fanboy-incensing shooter was written in objective C, and obviously requires that your device has had Jailbreak run on it to allow for the install. The creator says he's working on an aquarium app which will allow you to drop fish-food to an underwater iPhone, which pretty much makes no sense at all.[Via Hackint0sh, thanks Boy Genius]
New HDDVD Player (credit:engadget.com)
Expected Pricing and Expected Availability:
HD-A3 ($299.99, October 2007)
HD-A30 ($399.99, September 2007)
HD-A35 ($499.99, October 2007)
Show Notes for August 5, 2007
Tech Radio episode 5 Show Notes(August 6,2007)
Dell Latitude Xt Tablet Laptop Details
· Single or dual-core Intel ULV CPUs (with integrated graphics)
· LED-backlit WXGA 1280 x 800 display option
· Outdoor viewing WXGA 1280 x 800 display option
· Pen and touch support (digitizer and touchscreen)
· (3) USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet (duh), 1394, VGA out
· WiFi options up to 802.11n, optional Bluetooth
· Optional 3G (HSDPA, EV-DO Rev. A)
· ExpressCard slot, optional Smart Card slot, fingerprint reader
Recording The Los Angeles Police Department “on the beat”
Considering that Britain’s traffic wardens are already handheld camcorders to record their daily activities, it's not too shocking to hear that the LAPD will soon be using a similar, albeit more extreme, version of employee recording. The department's chief has stated that a camera crew will now "follow officers through major incidents, recording their actions from the early roll call to the after-incident report." Supposedly, this all-seeing crew will ensure that police remain on their best behavior, and moreover, it promises that videoed evidence will always be available in the case of a discrepancy. The station has also announced plans to equip a helicopter with a long-range HDTV camera that will beam back images to a command station.
Gadget Of The Day!
The Acura RL. Yes, this is a car. This is the first car ever on this show and the Gadget of the Day segment. Surprised? Don’t be. This car has got all the luxury options in more expensive cars, but with a lower price tag. $54,000 fully loaded to the gills. Every option available in this car is included in the price. So in conclusion, the Acura RL is a car worthy of our spot of the Gadget of The Day.
American Airlines to provide on-board broadband!
Beginning in 2008, American will test the service on its 767-200 aircraft, which chiefly fly transcontinental routes. AirCell Chief Executive Jack Blumenstein told Reuters that the equipment costs about $100,000 per plane and that airlines can offer the service for about $10 per flight. Southwest Airlines Co., which hopes to attract more business fliers, has said it is working on offering Internet on-board its planes.
Despite the interest from airlines, a viable system has been slow in coming.Sunday, August 5, 2007
Love Tech Radio..... What's Next.......
Tech Radio Season 2 begin 1 week ago, and we have been going strong. You can listen and download them from our website at www.yourtechcentral.tk on the Tech Radio page.
Tech Radio Notes August 4,2007
Your Stocks Tether Free
It has been a prolonged wait to see Ambient Devices' promise of "thin data" wireless devices finally come to life, but that does not mean all the charm has gone from idea. Case in point: this here Market Maven, which Ambient Devices is prepping to launch in September, might not do anything you can't already do with your Optimus Mini Three or even a desktop widget, but there's an undeniable beauty to the thing all the same. Of course, you might quickly forget how great this guy looks when you realize that all it can do is pull the DJIA, NASDAQ and S&P 500 activity every 15 minutes, tell you if the market is open, and let you know the time. That makes it hard to justify the $125 price, but the good news is that after you slap a few AAAs in this guy, it'll do its thing configuration free, with no internet connection or subscriptions to hassle with -- data comes courtesy of Ambient Devices' own Infocast Network, which reaches about 90% of US households. Oh well, we're still loving the umbrella.
Gadget of the Day
Timex Ironman Icontrol watch
Timex has now finally gotten all official with its iPod-controlling Ironman iControl watch. As has already been revealed, the watch uses an RF transmitter to let you control all the basic functions of your iPod (or iPhone in airplane mode), which'll let you keep it safely tucked away during your workout (or other less athletic activities). Otherwise, you'll get some fairly standard sport watch features, including a 50-lap memory recall chronograph, a training log, various timers and alarms and, of course, Indiglo backlighting. You'll also get your choice of gray/black, pink, blue, orange or green color schemes, with each setting you back $125.
Reviews for the Day
Sanyo scp-3100. This phone is good for its price $0 (with a two year contract with Sprint). It has a lot of basic features that makes this phone ok for just using it as a phone. It has a vga camera, speakerphone, hearing aid compatible, and it has a 2.8 inch screen. The menu on the phone is just plain normal.
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