News Archive for 09/10/07
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| MacUpdate Weekend Sale | :This weekend MacUpdate has slashed prices on Painter 12 and Painter Lite. Painter 12 retails for $429, but has been reduced by 54% to $199. Painter Lite has seen a 58% price cut from $69 to $29. Hurry, because these deals are only available until May 19th 2013. |
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Electronista had a chance to stop by Motorola's booth at CTIA and take a closer look at the upcoming Cliq handset. The device is powered by the Android OS, with Motorola's own Motoblur user interface. The UI is designed to be widget-based, presenting additional features such as Facebook and Twitter in the same manner as basic phone functions. A virtual button reveals the entire range of apps, with a fairly long list pre-loaded.
The last of Sony's three notebook updates Wednesday evening was the VAIO CW. It brings a 16:9 aspect ratio 14-inch display (versus 16:10 before) and is the first mid-range Sony notebook to carry Windows 7. In keeping with earlier VAIO C systems, the CW is style-centric and comes in glossy colors both on the outer shell and on the palm rest.
Sony's unveilings tonight were highlighted by the VAIO X. The 11-inch netbook crossover is billed as the lightest ever notebook and uses a carbon fiber shell to reach a weight of just 1.6 pounds. As it's based on a smaller and cooler running Intel Atom chip, the system can also afford to be extremely thin and measures 0.55 inches thick across its whole length.
Sony at an event tonight launched a trio of new systems, starting with its first touchscreen PC. The VAIO L supports Windows 7's own multi-touch elements for scrolling and zooming through content without needing special software. Like Gateway and HP, Sony has its own custom touch portal, here called Media Gallery, that lets users rely on touch to edit photos and videos.
US carrier T-Mobile is preparing its staff for a major, mysterious update that could have an impact on other carriers, a rumor implies tonight. A development known as "Project Black" has received few details, as those attached to it have signed non-disclosure agreements, but it will supposedly be significant enough to move T-Mobile up in US market share from its usual fourth place. T-Mobile staff would be trained on it starting Thursday.
Sony provided a glimpse of updates to come to the US on Wednesday with a British update to the VAIO P. The 8-inch netbook has primarily updated to add Windows 7 and should run faster on similar hardware as a result thanks to better performance on low-end hardware. At the same time, Sony has upgraded the processors themselves. Two P31 variants have the 1.86GHz Atom Z540 (versus 1.33GHz or 1.6GHz most older models) while the P39 runs on a 2GHz Atom Z550.
Samsung at an ITU trade show late yesterday provided an initial look at second-generation WiMAX service. Known alternately as Mobile WiMAX Release 2 or 802.16m, the technology borrows multiple-in, multiple-out technology from modern Wi-Fi as well as makes better use of available wireless spectrum. The union should result in speeds about four times faster than current WiMAX networks.
Modular cellphone maker Modu is planning on releasing a shell, or what it calls a jacket, that contains the Android operating system. The shell will most likely work for the second basic handset, the Modu 2, which will allow users to add jackets to give it new functions, just as with the current, original Modu handset. According to Modu CEO Dov Moran, the second-gen device will have a touchscreen and be a 3.5G product.
Powermat has released its lineup of wireless chargers on Wednesday. The system utilizes an ultra-thin mat along with a receiver that attaches to each portable device a user charges. Powermat now also offers a custom Powercube receiver that can attach to iPhones, iPods, Nintendo game consoles and BlackBerry handsets for wireless recharging.
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, speaking to attendees of the CTIA's fall event in San Diego, asserted the Commission's position on the expansion of net neutrality regulations to include mobile devices. Genachowski believes the FCC should maintain openness, "whether a person accesses the Internet from a wireless laptop or a netbook."
Dell's US-oriented Android phone will land on the same carrier as the iPhone when it ships, a rumor asserted mid-Tuesday. Unidentified tips from those "familiar with the plans" claim the Mini 3i will be tied to AT&T and should reach the network in early 2010. Talks are reported by the WSJ as underway with other US carriers, though which networks are involved and the amount of progress in negotiations aren't clear.
Toshiba is showing off what appear to be nearly production-ready versions of its future touchscreen smartphones at the CEATEC show in Japan, according to a recent WMPowerUSer report. The company first talked about the devices earlier this year, but this is the first time production ready devices were spotted, suggesting they are nearing release, as promised.
Getac, maker of rugged notebook PCs, tablets and phones, on Wednesday showed off a new touchscreen that will be integrated into its future devices and allow for multi-touch inputs while users wear thick work gloves. The interface will also rely on gestures, allowing users to move and edit documents, rotate maps and photos, as well as zoom in and out. The new multi-touch technology will be integrated into Getac's V100 tablet PC.
Smartphone maker HTC late Tuesday reported unexpectedly poor fiscal performance for its summer quarter. The company's profit dropped nearly 18 percent compared to a year ago and reached the equivalent of $179 million Its total revenue also fell more than 10 percent to about $1.06 billion and hit the exact minimum of HTC's already lowered guidance for the period.
Sony's VAIO X will ultimately be a larger but lighter version of the VAIO P if a pair of leaks (one, two) prove accurate. Although undecided on the choice of processor when it first teased the system, Sony is reported by Engadged as using a 2GHz Atom processor to help achieve its 1.5-pound claimed weight and slim profile in spite of the 11-inch frame. It would also have a solid-state drive of an unknown capacity.
Sprint used the start of the fall CTIA show today to launch the Samsung Moment, its second Android phone. The device brings a sliding QWERTY keyboard to the carrier's fledgling Android line and is also the first Sprint phone of any kind to use an AMOLED display. Using the 3.2-inch, organic touchscreen provides both much more accurate color than an LCD while simultaneously using less power.
Buffalo hhas launched its first USB 3.0 hard drive in the DriveStation HD-HXU3. The 3.5-inch external disk uses the much larger bandwidth to attain transfer speeds of up to 125MBps, or between 3 and 4 times faster than the company's currently available USB 2.0 drive. In order to take advantage of the new standard's speeds, a card will be sold alongside the drive to install into host computers.
On Wednesday, T-Mobile said it will soon release a number of new handsets, including a variation of the myTouch. Called the T-Mobile myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition, it will sport a wood-grain finish to mimic a guitar's look and adds a 3.5mm headset jack. The standard-issue 4GB microSD memory card is replaced by a 16GB version, and is preloaded with exclusive videos and audio from unspecified iconic musicians.
Dell as part of its special event today upgraded its Design Studio edition notebooks with two design lineups. A Major League Baseball set gives most Inspiron, Mini and Studio notebooks a custom lid with artwork featuring a team logo. "Classic" versions put the logo in small form with a textured solid color; "Fan" versions have a large logo, while "Die-Hard" covers nearly the entire lid with logo-themed graphics.
Dell at a press gathering today briefly offered an in-person look at its Adamo XPS ultraportable. True to its teaser graphic, the system is overall thinner than the MacBook Air it's designed to compete against (0.4 inches maximum) and appears to rely on a unique, underside hinge to reach its dimensions. As with very early Adamo and Inspiron 11z teasers, the company didn't provide any specifications or release information.
Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer today cast doubt on the likelihood that the imminent release of Windows 7 will spur growth in computer sales. He told those at a Munich press event that he still anticipates a bump in sales from those waiting for the new OS but that it would "probably not be huge." The economy is blamed for the hesitation as Ballmer doesn't see the industry fully recovering for a significant amount of time.
Sanyo on Wednesday introduced two new products made to work with Apple's docking iPods and iPhones, with its cube alarm clock radio, the DMP-P1, along with the dual dock music system, the DMP-692. Both can charge and play the audio content of the connected Apple devices. Either system has an AM/FM tuner, and users can choose to wake up to a preset station, the music from their Apple device or a buzzer. A sleep and snooze mode is also integrated.
Qualcomm this morning made official its attempt to produce its own hardware with the FLO TV Personal Television. The handheld revolves around the company's own FLO TV digital broadcast TV standard and depends on a subscription that provides multiple channels of both live and delayed content, such as Comedy Central, NBC and Nickelodeon. The interface takes its cue from modern media players like the iPod touch and Zune HD by using a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen, although it uses a TV-like programming guide to pick channels.
Google's Android will be the second-largest smartphone platform in as little as three years, according to Gartner analyst Ken Dulaney estimated on Wednesday. While it trails today, the mobile OS is predicted to climb to 14.5 percent of the market, or about 76 million phones sold per year, by the end of 2012. As a consequence, it would whittle Symbian's market share down to 39 percent (203 million phones) and just slightly overtake the iPhone, which in this view would have 13.7 percent of the market or 71.5 million devices.
A recent leak reveals Acer may soon release a version of its Timeline 1810T notebook that has a double-hinged and rotating screen as well as a multi-touch screen. To be called the Timeline 1820T, the upcoming notebook would depend on Windows 7 for touch features and is expected to use an 11.6-inch, 1366x768 display. The same Intel CULV 1.4GHz Core 2 Solo CPU and 2GB of RAM should also be carried over from the original Timeline.
The European Commission on Wednesday said it would conduct a market test (PDF) of Microsoft's proposed browser ballot feature for Windows 7. The plan will let EU residents buying the Microsoft OS choose from one of multiple major web browsers shortly after they receive the system and use that in place of Internet Explorer. A successful test would make the ballot standard for most European copies and would resolve the ongoing antitrust case accusing the American firm of abusing its Windows monopoly.
Gateway today preempted its rivals with one of the first fully multi-touch all-in-one desktop lines. The One ZX series' staple feature lets them both take advantage of the pinch-to-zoom, scrolling and other features inherent to Windows 7 as well as a custom touchscreen front end for music, notes, photos and content sharing.
Apple's often-rumored tablet could ship early next year in relatively modest numbers, a contact said today. Foxconn has reportedly been picked by Apple to make the device and, contrary to rumors of a June ship date, would ship it in early 2010. About 300,000 to 400,000 units would be part of the initial wave.
Lexmark on Tuesday introduced what it's calling the industry's first monochrome laser printer equipped with a touchscreen, the T656dne. Thanks to the 7-inch color LCD, users can access applications such as forms and favorites or eco-settings to save energy. The interface also provides a variety of settings, such as languages, along with controls for changing the background into, for example, a company logo. The printer has a built-in 80GB hard drive that is able to support preloaded software applications.
Amazon on Tuesday evening dropped the price of its Kindle 2 reading device by $40, bringing it down to $259, while offering a new Kindle with global wireless access for a $20 premium. Amazon says the combo US/International version uses GSM technology for coverage in over 100 countries, but that US customers traveling abroad will be charged an additional $1.99 fee for wirelessly downloading books or single issues of periodicals from "your Archived Items or the Kindle store while roaming internationally." A $4.99 fee applies for newspaper, magazine, and blog subscription content, while the company will charge $0.99 per megabyte (MB) for transferred personal documents.
Ultrasone has announced the latest product in its series of HFI headphones, the HFI-2400. The headphone features 40mm gold-plated drivers, while the company’s S-Logic technology is claimed to widen the perceived soundstage. MU Metal shielding is designed to help reduce the amount of magnetic radiation by up to 98% compared to standard headphones. The drivers are built with 70 Ohm impedance and produce a frequency range of 10Hz – 25kHz, with a sound pressure level of 94dB.
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