Century Japan launches 4.3-inch USB LCD screen...

Century Japan has recently introduced a secondary LCD screen, the LCD-4300U, that is just 4.3 inches in size and connects entirely to users' desktop or notebook PCs via a USB 2.0 port. Meant as an add-on display for secondary programs such as an IM program, media player or toolbox, the 800x480 resolution display has a built-in and adjustable stand. Provided users have enough desk space and USB ports, Century Japan claims up to seven LCD-4300Us can be connected to a single PC or Intel-based Mac.

Sony intros Ac charger for PS3 controllers, more...

Sony on Thursday announced it will release an AC Adapter for the PlayStation 3 gaming system in Japan that allows users to charge two PS3 peripherals at the same time, including the SIXAXIS or DualShock 3 controllers, the Wireless Headset for PS3, Wireless Headset or the Sony PSP portable gaming system using a standard wall plug instead of having to rely on the PS3's USB ports.

Samsung i770 smartphone spy shots surface...

New images have recently appeared of a rumored smartphone from Samsung, the i770. Unlike previous reports that saw a clamshell handset with the same name spotted at the FCC, the Samsung i770 is a candybar smartphone. Compared to the i760 it replaces and is visible in the spy photos (on the right), the i770 is slightly longer and wider, but much thinner. The photos do reveal it will not be a slider, like its predecessor, and the screen is also smaller in order to fit the QWERTY keyboard on the front panel.

Fraunhofer IPMS shows OLED touch controller...

At the Plastic Electronic 2008 show, the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems showed the first touch-controlled flat light source. Because Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) are cold to the touch, they could act as ideal touch controls. The innovation lies in the lack of any additional foils traditionally required to operate the light, which is both a switch and a source. Therefore, no additional hardware is required as the OLED is used to read the touch signal.

Verizon intros 3-cent text fee for content vendors...

Verizon on Wednesday sent out a memo to its partners to inform them it will charge an extra fee of three cents for every mobile terminated text message they send to Verizon subscribers beginning on November 1st. Such messages include text alerts, interactive voting notifications and replies to SMS searches that include anything from sports score updates to daily horoscopes. Excluded from the new fee are messages sent from non-profit organizations, including Mobile Giving messages and messages that are absolutely free to the subscriber.

Sidekick-like Quickfire handset coming to AT&T ...

A new handset from PCD, the cellular phone division of UTStarcom, is coming soon to AT&T, now branded under the Quickfire name, according to a Thursday Engadget report. Previously unveiled as the Knick, the Sidekick-like handset hides a full QWERTY keyboard behind its sliding color screen, and will support HSPA 3G data networks. It will support mobile TV and have assisted GPS capabilities and can navigate via AT&T's Navigator service.

Dell E Slim photographed, detailed in leak...

Dell's upcoming E Slim netbook may have at last been identified, if a leak at Engadget proves authentic. The system uses the same general design language of the Inspiron Mini 9 but is clearly larger and contains different features. Tellingly, the system is running Windows Vista rather than Windows XP; the latter software is only allowed by Microsoft on netbooks with screens at roughly 10 inches or smaller.

FCC seen approving white space wireless...

The US Federal Communications Commission is expected to soon approve a new generation of unlicensed wireless devices, according to an update on Friday. A report due as early as the same day should see the government body issue a testing report which concludes that the use of "white space," or the frequencies between licensed parts of the wireless spectrum, is safe enough to use for unlicensed technology such as wide-area Internet access.

YouTube now includes full-length CBS shows...

The popular video-sharing portal YouTube has began running full length TV shows from CBS' archives in attempts to build revenue from advertising, according to a report on Friday. Typically, a YouTube video is no longer than 10 minutes, but the CBS agreement sees episodes that occupy normal TV-length episodes that last between 20 to 48 minutes each. Among the shows offered will be episodes of Star Trek, Young and the Restless and Beverly Hills 90210.

eMachines intros its first mini PC...

eMachines has chosen an unusual mid-Friday launch for the EL 1200, the company's first small form factor PC. The system's case is about 40 percent smaller than eMachines' normal mini-towers and consumes less power as well; all models carry a 1.5GHz Athlon 64 chip that demands just 15W of power by itself. The range potentially serves as a budget home theater PC with HDMI-out and more recent integrated GeForce video as an option.

Nokia prepping gaming phone for Monday?...

Nokia is potentially gearing up to launch another device at the start of next week, a new teaser shows. The page shows an image of what appears to be a 7610 Supernova but says the device will "unlock" by about 8PM on the 13th, suggesting an evening phone launch. Some members of the online media have also received an invite for a similar timeframe and have been told the event relates to N-Gage, though a series of promo videos connected to the event (shown below) don't mention the Nokia gaming service.

SteelSeries intros WoW-edition mouse, keyboard...

Computer gaming peripherals maker SteelSeries has introduced two new World of Warcraft-edition products, the MMO Gaming Mouse and Zboard Limited Edition (Wrath of the Lich King, or WotLK) keyboard. The mouse can seemingly act as a keyboard replacement during gameplay, as it features 15 buttons that can be assigned to various shortcut operations in the game and reprogrammed again for everyday computing use. SteelSeries worked with World of Warcraft creators Blizzard Entertainment on both products, which are officially licensed. The mouse lights up in what SteelSeries claims is a choice of 16 million colors selectable by the user, and there are three intensity and pulsation level settings.

ASUS intros R710 PND with first heads-up display...

ASUS on Thursday introduced the R710 portable navigation device with an industry-first feature in its optional PathFinder Heads-Up Display (HUD) that helps drivers keep their eyes on the road. The HUD projects directions, speed and other information on the vehicle's windshield. The device also has a 5-inch touchscreen display like more traditional navigators and, in keeping with its safety theme, includes Bluetooth 2.0 hands-free calling support. Built-in echo-canceling software makes conversations via the microphone and speaker easily understood.

HTC Touch Pro coming to AT&T as Fuze?...

HTC's Touch Pro smartphone, promised for North America before the end of 2008, appears to be headed toward AT&T as the Fuze, a report claims. The Pro is distinguished primarily by its sliding QWERTY keyboard, and a 2.8-inch VGA (480x640) touchscreen; an alleged photo and list of specifications for the Fuze appear to echo these facts, with the notable difference of AT&T-specific markings on the keyboard. The phone is, however, lacking an AT&T badge in its current depiction.

Zepto lays claim to 'fastest' 14-inch notebook...

In an announcement, computer builder Zepto claims to have produced the "world's fastest" 14-inch notebook, in the form of the Nox A14. The computer technically uses a 14.1-inch display, capable of resolutions up to 1440x900; this is supported by a 512MB GeForce 9600M GT video card. The main processor scales up to a 2.53GHz mobile Core 2 Duo chip, and buyers can configure the system with up to 8GB of DDR2 RAM, supplemented by as much as 2GB of Intel Turbo Memory.

Bell, Telus pick 4G, HSPA; iPhone possible...

Bell and Telus today announced that they would both choose Long Term Evolution (LTE) as their fourth-generation (4G) cellular network standard. The move will dramatically increase the speed of mobile Internet access in the country and will give subscribers to either of the competing carriers the option of roaming on the other's network but also to American providers, most of which will also move to LTE at the same time.

RIM said planning "near-HD" Storm sequel...

Although the BlackBerry Storm has yet to ship, RIM is already developing a second model that would serve as the company's new flagship, two separate tips given to BGR suggest. The unnamed phone would be more a complement to the Storm than a replacement and would have a hardware keyboard in addition to the touch display. It would also carry a sharper, "near-HD" resolution and a five-megapixel camera versus the 3.2 of the device shipping soon.

N-Gage poised to rival App Store for gaming...

Nokia's N-Gage download service has the potential to dwarf the App Store in terms of mobile game sales, say parties within the gaming industry. Reuters reports that while N-Gage has achieved relatively little so far in its six months of operation, this is mainly because people have mostly had to install the necessary software themselves, something which is beginning to change with phones like the N85.

HTC readying full touch phone with WiMAX?...

HTC could be developing an even more advanced cellphone than its upcoming Touch HD, according to an alleged leak. So far codenamed only the T8290, the handset would have the same 3.8-inch touchscreen, Windows Mobile 6.1, and TouchFLO interface as the Touch HD but add in a WiMAX connection that would give it 4G speeds on the few networks that currently support the standard. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are also present, as is a back camera at an unknown resolution.

Video of alleged new MacBook design appears...

Apple's upcoming MacBook refresh may have been captured in detail, according to a video recorded by the same Taiwanese outlet that also produced photos of the alleged top shell for the computer. The short clip shows what appears to be a partly assembled system that seems virtually identical to the MacBook Air except for the logo, including the webcam, trackpad and power button.

Wal-Mart keeps DRM servers on amid backlash...

Wal-Mart issued a last-minute reprieve to customers potentially affected by its DRM server shutdown. Citing feedback from customers, the retailer now says it will keep alive the servers that hand out licenses for its now-obsolete Windows Media protected music rather than close them down. The move had originally been scheduled for Thursday but has been postponed indefinitely; the servers will stay up for "the present time," according to Wal-Mart. This will also include support for any problems with the files themselves.

Apple faults NVIDIA in MacBook Pro video errors...

NVIDIA's graphics hardware is behind ongoing video problems with the MacBook Pro, Apple now says. A number of owners have been complaining of Pros that are technically continuing to function, but only displaying a blank screen when turned on; probing is said to have discovered that NVIDIA cards were being misreported as integrated Intel chips. Apple now says that this, as well as instances of "distorted or scrambled" video, can be linked to defects in some of NVIDIA's GeForce 8600M GT cards.

Cellphone calling now 25 years old...

The CTIA today marked the 25th anniversary of the first practical cellphone call. October 13th, 1983 saw the first call made from Ameritech's president in Chicago to the grandson of Alexander Bell in Germany. The phone at the time was one of Motorola's earliest, the DynaTAC 8000X, and is now dramatically outclassed by even basic modern phones; the brick-like device weighed two pounds, measured about 13 inches long and netted about a half-hour of calling time.

MS may have "standing offer" to buy RIM...

The recent plunge in Research in Motion's shares may help trigger a takeover by Microsoft, Canaccord Adams analyst Peter Misek says. The financial expert believes that Microsoft has a "standing offer" to buy out the BlackBerry maker at a value of $50 per share and may do so if RIM's recent share decline leaves it significantly below that mark. The company is said by researchers to be independent but potentially open to a deal if made under friendly terms.

Navman unveils S-Series S100 GPS...

Navman has unveiled its latest GPS device, the S-Series S100. One attractive feature of the device is its 4.3 inch flat widescreen that runs clean across the front surface without the traditional bevels found on most recessed screen GPS systems. The new ClearView maps have been redesigned to offer more readability when making quick glances at the screen, with reduced clutter and simplified colors. Another new feature, Junction Views, replicates major intersections or complicated exits in 3D.

Freestyle introduces Soundwave waterproof MP3 player...

Freestyle has introduced its latest waterproof audio device, the Soundwave MP3 player. The device is completely submersible down to ten feet and features a shock resistant design. Up to 2GB of audio data can be stored, including MP3, WMA, and DRM protected files, and an FM tuner with channel presets is also built in. The track listings are viewable on a black and blue OLED screen. The internal rechargeable battery is claimed to offer up to 18 hours of playtime per charge.

Report:LCD-TV to dominate consumer electronics market...

The Global LCD-TV market is expected to become the dominant segment in the consumer-electronics industry by 2012, according to an iSuppli report. Strong continued growth is anticipated for the industry in the coming years, even through difficult economic situations, as analyst Sheri Greenspan said "consumers want their electronics, in good times and in bad." LCD-TV revenue is even set to exceed the strong numbers from appliances, a segment that has held the top position for years.

Mac compatible USB-GPIB controllers released...

National Instruments has released two new GPIB controllers, including a Mac compatible USB controller, the NI USB-GPIB-HS, and a Windows compatible low profile (LP) PCI Express controller, the NI PCIe-GPIB. The USB device is claimed to offer speeds up to 1.8MB per second using IEE 488.1 or 7.2MB per second with HS488. The cable can be connected directly between any GPIB instruments and a computer running Windows, Linux, or Mac operating systems.

Hawking ships Wireless-300N Range Extender...

Hawking Technologies has begun shipping the HWREN1 Hi-Gain Wireless-300N Range Extender. The device takes the signal from any 802.11b/g/n access point or router and tr-transmits it at a higher rate, claimed to double the effective distance on a wireless network. Users can place the HWREN1 at the midpoint between the original access point and the area with poor connectivity. A setup wizard helps users configure the system by automatically detecting all nearby wireless networks.

MacWay unveils 1.5TB SilverDrive Quattro external HD...

French company MacWay has unveiled the SilverDrive Quattro 1.5TB quad interface external hard drive. The new drive offers the highest storage capacity of the SilverDrive Quattro series, and supports USB 2.0, FireWire 400/800, and eSATA connections. The 7200RPM single disk drive is housed in an aluminum housing that allows for passive cooling, eliminating the need for a fan, which the company claims significantly reduces operating noise.

AMD: company split does not violate Intel patents...

One day after Intel voiced concerns over patent violations, AMD has made an announcement on Thursday hoping to put them to rest. AMD previously said it will split its operations and enter into a joint manufacturing venture, prompting the worries from Intel. Intel said it would review its processor licensing agreement with AMD, though AMD maintains there is no need, as the new deal will not violate any agreements between the two. The two chipmakers currently have a deal in place that has AMD pay Intel royalties in exchange for use of its x86 chip instruction set.

Orange drops BlackBerry Bold due to quality...

Cell carrier Orange is dropping the BlackBerry Bold due to quality issues, according to a leaked internal memo at the company's UK division. The provider says that reports of chronic software flaws from a "variety of mobile operators" have prompted it to remove the phone from the market entirely until it can be promised a definitive fix from Research in Motion. The latter is said to be fixing the glitch and promises extra testing to prevent such a problem from reoccurring.

Fujitsu ST6000-series tablet PC spotted at FCC...

The Fujitsu ST6000-series Internet tablet PC first unveiled late last month has been spotted again, undergoing testing at the FCC, suggesting the product is that much closer to production. According to the included owner’s manual, the 12.1-inch tablet will sport a maximum 1600x1200 resolution and not, as previously advertised on the company website, 1920x1200. Other specs, however, such as its 1GB of RAM expandable up to 4GB and choice of two hard disk drives or a solid-state drive, are confirmed.

T-Mobile gets entry-level Nokia 1680...

T-Mobile has recently added the affordably-priced Nokia 1680 dual-band handset to its line-up. The handset's features include the basics such as a VGA camera that will take stills and video, built-in speakerphone functionality and text and picture messaging support. The handset will support T-Mobile’s myFaves service that includes unlimited calling to a set amount of contacts.

Onkyo launches 2.4GHz wireless headphones for iPod...

Onkyo has unveiled a new set of wireless headphones meant for use in fourth-generation and newer docking iPods. The MHP-UW2 headphones rely on the 2.4GHz radio frequency to transmit signals between the adapter that plugs into the iPod and the headphones themselves. The headphones sport iPod controls that include play, pause, and track forward and back buttons. The transmitter also has a stereo input that allows the headphones to be used with other MP3 players or iPods without docks.

Toshiba launches lighter R600 notebook, intros Tecra ...

Toshiba Canada recently bolstered its notebook lineup with four new products, including an all-new Tecra R10 premium notebook meant for business users, which the company is touting as the fastest and most secure Toshiba notebook to date, a Wednesday report reveals. The remaining three include updated ultra portable Portégé-series notebooks with the A600 and an update to the R600, while a new M750 Tablet PC was also introduced.

AT&T readying Samsung Eternity to rival LG Vu...

AT&T plans to add a second TV-ready touchscreen phone within the space of a month, a leak from Engadget would reveal. Tentatively nicknamed the Eternity, the Samsung a867 will have a touchscreen and a MediaFLO digital TV tuner like the LG Vu but should improve its predecessor on several fronts. A sharper three-megapixel camera, a microSDHC slot and a native 3.5mm headphone jack should suit it more as a media player than the Vu; assisted GPS is also slated for the Eternity.

Google's Android may lead to major market changes...

Google's Android platform could be the cause of a major concept shift in the smartphone market, not because subscribers call for features, but because wireless operators and phone makers see the value of standard platforms, argues ABI Research. The firm predicts that the success of Android rests with the ability to first convince phone builders that they need to replace the operating systems shipping in today's phones, and second, convince wireless operators that having numerous phones in a line-up, with each running a standardized operating system, is the best business model. For wireless carriers, the positive side of a standard operating system is simplified technical support and marketing.

Piper: new MacBooks may hit $899 mark...

The MacBooks at Apple's special notebook event next week may drop even further than anticipated, Piper Jaffray senior analyst Gene Munster says. Having already predicted $999 models earlier, the researcher now estimates that the new models may dip as low as $899. This will reportedly come despite apparent moves to more upscale components, including a switch to aluminum; Munster anticipates a multi-touch trackpad similar to those given to the Air and Pro.

BlackBerry Curve 8900 slips on T-Mobile Germany site...

The BlackBerry Curve 8900, previously known as the Javelin, has surfaced today through a product page posted at T-Mobile Germany ahead of any official launch. Its product page confirms features that have been widely rumored for the device, which should drop the Bold's 3G but carry the same GPS, Wi-Fi and 480x360 display. A relatively large 1,400mAh battery is onboard but should give the phone just four hours of battery life.

Bell announces BlackBerry Storm coming soon ...

Following yesterday’s report of Canadian wireless provider Telus receiving the BlackBerry Storm smartphone, Bell has made a virtually identical announcement on Thursday that takes advantage of Telus' non-exclusivity for the first BlackBerry touchscreen device. Features are identical between the two providers, including the 3.2-megapixel camera with flash and autofocus, hybrid 3G network access, GPS mapping and a microSDHC card slot supported by 1GB of internal memory.

Details emerge on MSI 's U120 Wind netbook...

Some initial photos and specifications have slipped out for MSI's promised U120 netbook, a report claims. As previously suggested, the U120 should retain a 10-inch screen, but add a 3G modem complete with its own SIM card slot. New information indicates that it will use a 120GB hard drive, with the option of a 20 or 40GB SSD drive being offered sometime after launch. Other wireless technologies should include 802.11n Wi-Fi.

Samsung SGH-a637 available at AT&T...

The SGH-a637, an entry-level handset from Samsung, is now available from AT&T. The quad-band phone is one of AT&T's less expensive 3G devices but carries one-way video calls using AT&T’s Video Share service. The integrated 1.3-megapixel camera supports video capture and stores either to the integrated 51MB of memory or to a microSD card. Assisted GPS functionality allows users to access the AT&T Navigator service on the phone's relatively small 1.9-inch LCD.

PlayStation Store for PSP due next week...

Sony in its keynote for the Tokyo Game Show today revealed a pair of new extensions for the PSP that significantly expand its role on the Internet. An impending update will bring the handheld direct access to the PlayStation Store over its Wi-Fi connection rather than having to use a PC or a PS3 as a conduit. The interface will mirror that of the PS3 store and will support downloading both games and content directly to a Memory Stick in the system, reducing the need to carry UMDs or to deal with slower loading times.

Samsung t919's T-Mobile name, launch info leak...

Samsung's t919 for T-Mobile now has a firmer name and launch details, a scoop at TmoNews would suggest. Now called the Behold, the conversion of the Europe-focused Tocco is reportedly shipping on November 10th and would carry a contract price of $149 despite a number of high-end features that include a five-megapixel camera, microSDHC storage and 3G access over T-Mobile's native 1,700MHz band.

Casing 'confirmed' as new 15in MacBook Pro...

The recently leaked new MacBook Pro case is accurate, according to a claim from AppleInsider. The example in the photo is described as a 15-inch model and does illustrate a different assembly technique for the system, though it doesn't appear to fit the "brick" rumor described earlier: where the existing system has a separate palm rest and keyboard area screwed into the top of a single-piece base and sides, the new model inverts the formula to create the top and sides from one piece of aluminum and attaches them through screws to a bottom shell.

Sling ships SlingCatcher media hub...

Sling today at last began shipping the SlingCatcher, its first device designed to bring digital content to TVs rather than the company's usual opposite approach. The hub has a pair of USB ports that allow it to pipe H.264, MPEG-2/4, WMV and XviD video plus related audio-only formats to the TV from an external hard drive or flash drive, up to and including 720p and 1080i HD clips. A sync app bundled with the SlingBox hopes to eliminate some video conversion problems by testing the compatibility of files before they're transferred to the hard drive.

US judge extends ban on RealDVD sales...

A temporary ban issued at the start of this week on RealNetwork’s sales of its RealDVD software, which allows users to copy DVD movies, has been extended until a hearing is held to decide whether or not to make the ban more permanent. The stop in sales was ordered by a US federal judge after Hollywood studios, represented by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), sued RealNetworks over copyright issues. The extension came just one day after the original temporary ban, on Tuesday, according to a Thursday report.

ASUS plans touchscreen, dual-core Eee PCs...

ASUS plans at least a pair of hardware upgrades to its Eee PC line that will point to the future of netbooks, the company's division manager Samson Hu said today. The executive now says the PC builder plans to unveil touchscreen Eee PC models at the Consumer Electronics Show in January; no details are available, but the company expects them to be catalysts for sales. It's unclear whether they would be tablet models or traditional folding designs, though Fujitsu and GigaByte both already have early models of their own.

MS sets X360 Experience date, adds new bundles...

Microsoft today at the Tokyo Game Show set an official launch date for its New Xbox Experience. The revamped interface is now due to go live as of November 19th and is the first major change since the Xbox 360 was introduced in 2005. As shown at E3, the new design uses a much simpler panel interface instead of the usual blades and introduces Nintendo Mii-like avatars that represent users both in the friends list and in newer games. It also adds Netflix support and the ability to create parties of players that can chat and ensure they stay together through games.

MacBook case shots, $800 price claims appear...

Following an earlier leak of an alleged MacBook Pro case, new shots have surfaced today of what appears to be a new 13-inch MacBook through the same Taiwanese site that has carried earlier leaks. The new images show an aluminum casing reminiscent of a MacBook Air but which is just thick enough to include a full range of ports (similar to those of the current MacBook) as well as a slot-loading optical drive. It also shows a space for a larger trackpad.

NetGear unveils dual-band firewall with VPN security...

NetGear has unveiled the SXRN3205 ProSafe Wireless-N Virtual Private Network (VPN) firewall, which the company claims is the first to combine dual band 5.0/2.4GHz Wireless-N with SSL and IPsec VPN. The product is designed for small businesses that require increased wireless performance and high security. The company has integrated its Dual WAN Gigabit SSL VPN firewall with a dual-band Wireless-N access point, which is also backwards compatible with 802.11g on the 2.4GHz band.