New Home Gadgets

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 3rd 2008 at 11:00AM
Not like we weren’t totally expecting this or anything, but Canonical has chosen Computex as the expo where it will officially showcase Ubuntu Netbook Remix. Hailed as a “reworked desktop image of Ubuntu built specifically for a new category of portable internet-centric devices,” the operating system will probably not be too foreign for those familiar with the standard Ubuntu Desktop Edition. We are told that this flavor will feature a launcher that enables users to “get online more quickly and have faster access to their favorite applications,” and that it “leverages Moblin technologies optimized for the Intel Atom processor.” Unfortunately, devices pre-loaded with UNR aren’t apt to ship until “later in 2008,” though OEMs interested in getting in while there is still room on the bandwagon are encouraged to hit up Canonical. (Read the full post about ‘Canonical makes Ubuntu Netbook Remix official at Computex’…)

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Starbucks and AT&T have officially begun offering free Wi-Fi, and just about anyone will be able to use this now free service. Beginning today, customers who get a Starbucks reloadable card, register for the Starbucks Rewards Card program and then use the card at least one time a month will get two free consecutive hours of free wireless goodness everyday. Also, as an added bonus, new card members will also receive a free drink!

Of course we all know that by Starbucks offering us free Wi-Fi, that just means we are going to sit in the store longer and that means we will most likely get more beverages, however it is nice to see that someone else is understanding that by giving something away for free does not always mean lost revenue.

(Read the full post about ‘It’s official Starbucks now offering free AT&T Wi-Fi’…)

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by Donald Melanson, posted Jun 3rd 2008 at 12:40PM It looks like Canon’s laid claim to not one but two “world’s first” titles today, with it rolling out the world’s first WUXGA LCOS in the form of the REALiS WUX10 and the world’s first PictBridge compatible with its new REALiS SX80 (also LCOS-based). In addition to a 1920 x 1200 resolution, the REALiS WUX10 also boasts 3,200 lumens of brightness, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, and some of Canon’s propriety features like its AISYS (Aspectual Illumination System) Optical Engine, which promises to maximize the performance of the LCOS panels. The REALiS SX80, on the other hand, takes things down to a still decent SXGA+ resolution, along with 3,000 lumens of brightness, a 900:1 contrast ratio, and that aforementioned USB / PictBridge connectivity. (Read the full post about ‘Canon rolls out WUXGA REALiS WUX10, REALiS SX80 LCOS projectors’…)

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by Darren Murph, posted Jun 3rd 2008 at 3:43PM Talk about being behind the eight ball. With the Eee PC 901 and 1000 getting official, not to mention the onslaught of potent competitors, GeCube’s 10.2-inch alternative isn’t likely to steal much of the spotlight in Taipei. Nevertheless, the seemingly unnamed machine is ready to fight the losing battle with a 1.6GHz VIA C7-D processor, 512MB of DDR2 RAM (with an additional slot open), 1,024 x 600 resolution panel, 80GB SATA hard drive, stereo speakers, Ethernet, WiFi and three USB 2.0 jacks. (Read the full post about ‘GeCube’s 10.2-inch netbook gets stuck with VIA C7 processor’…)

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Hitachi recently introduced a couple of new projectors for the masses - the CP-X206 and CP-X306 3LCD projectors. Both will feature remote control and maintenance over a LAN connection, perfect for administrators to monitor various functions such as lamp life on every projector on the network without budging from their favorite seat in a remote location. In addition, they can also program the time to turn a projector on or off from the computer itself, making this convenient for use in campuses as well as large office buildings. A hybrid filter is included in both devices, offering up to 2,000 hours of performance before a replacement is required.

(Read the full post about ‘Hitachi has new LCD Projectors’…)

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If you’re down with Asian artwork and own a portable media player (the iPod in particular), then this Geisha-inspired portable speakers will definitely appeal to you. Not only does it function as a way for you to share your favorite tunes (or irritate others), it also doubles up as a protective casing for your ipod when not in use. While iPod owners are the main target demographic, those who listen to lesser (at least, that’s what Apple iPod fanboys think) portable media players can also hook up their respective players to this pair of portable speakers.

(Read the full post about ‘Lucky Geisha Portable Speakers’…)

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Just like humans, watches progress, too, and Tokyoflash’s latest creation is aptly dubbed “Progression”. It features full colored LEDs located right beneath the LCD interface, where a single touch of the upper button will illuminate the display in a choice of colors when telling the time. You can even choose to set the timepiece to multi-color mode, where all half dozen LED colors will glow in turn. Each $123 purchase will feature a custom engraved, self-adjusting wristband and finished with a neatly designed clasp. Targeting trendy urbanites, Progression is also equipped with a Date mode and an alarm, ensuring all the basic aspects of a watch are covered.

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SanDisk, a name synonymous with quality when it comes to flash memory, has outdone itself yet again with a new line of flash memory-based solid-state drives (SSDs) which were specially designed to cater for an emerging new category of portable consumer electronics known as Ultra Low-Cost PCs (ULCPC) or “netbooks” . Among the products that fall in such categories are the phenomenally successful Asus Eee PC and MSI’s Wind. The whole point to this new form of SSD is to provide an enhanced experience when surfing the Internet over a Wi-Fi connection.

(Read the full post about ‘SanDisk intros new SSDs’…)

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If you’re wealthy enough to be planning a trip to the moon as soon as they are available to the public then there is no doubt that you are going to want the ultimate of lunar luxury. How could you expect any less out of a multi-million dollar trip?

Designed by Anthony Sims, the Moonstream is an all out space lounge, equipped with the finest commodities and a killer futuristic style. Sims claims his Moonstream was made to shift the all-science public perspective of NASA and to entice people to be more interested in the future of space exploration and tourism.

The interior of the Moonstream will be custom honed for comfort, communication, and eminence.

(Read the full post about ‘Moonstream Space Lounge’…)

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Useful application Android ScanJun 03, 2008
Scan is kind of Android application that implements useful functions: it finds pricing and metadata for everything with the help of a barcode.

There are some features that make it notable. At first, it has automatic recognition that is based on the barcode and uses phone camera and ZXing library. According to this, it searches for any kind of data through a lot of stores, gives detailed reviews, links.

For example, it can find a copy of a book in local libraries, if there is any.

The main users’ question is if it is easy to use Scan. All you have to do is to point a phone at a bare code and then scan. (Read the full post about ‘Useful application Android Scan’…)

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