Cell Phone Accessories

Digit Wireless, Inc. , the Interface innovation company known for the award winning Fastap Keypad Technology, unveils the TRACE interface - a revolutionary software enhancement that allows users to write words quickly and accurately by “tracing” words on touch-screen virtual keyboards and other devices with physical capacitive sensing keyboards. The TRACE Technology Platform may be used on any device with apacitive-sensing capability, including touch-screens and touch keypads, and may be adapted for any variety of languages or symbols. To input a word, the user simply places a finger over the first letter, skims over each letter that forms the word, and then lifts at the end to activate the final letter... displaying the word on screen. Spaces are inserted automatically at the end of each word. While tracing, the system performs a dictionary lookup to determine which word the user intended.

Section: Computers, Laptops, Gadgets / Other, Green

HP has come up with a pretty unique take on packaging. In fact they have won Wal-Mart’s Home Entertainment Design Challenge for coming up with their latest idea to reduce packaging.

HP has been able to reduce the packaging for their Pavilion dv692 laptop by an incredible 97% simply by cutting the box out of the picture. That’s right, HP will begin packaging the dv692 in its own messenger style bag. The laptop along with all of the accessories such as battery and power cable will still be wrapped in some bubble wrap to protect it while in shipping, but it will not come with any box.

So overall it sounds like a pretty good idea, not only cut out a lot of the packaging, but users will also get a nice bag included with the purchase. However their packaging savings does not stop there, HP is also able to ship three of these notebooks (pictured below) in a single box thanks to the reduced packaging, which according to Wal-Mart “requires a fourth fewer trucks to deliver to stores.”

Currently this newly packaged Pavilion dv692’s will only be sold at Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club locations, however it should be interesting to see if an idea like this will catch on, and if so will HP (or others) begin to use it elsewhere. Of course, with this style of packaging it has to be of some concern that theft would be an issue, I would imagine they will have some security tags tucked safely inside, not to mention being displayed in a glass display case. It only seems natural that some idiot would try and sling one over their shoulder and walk out the door.

Read [PlanetArk] Via [Gizmodo]

Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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Section: Video, Accessories, DVD Players/DVRs, HDTV

Cambridge Audio just announced today in Denver that they too will be joining the ever popular Blu-ray club by coming out with their version of Blu-ray technology, the 640BD, in Spring 2009.  The player is meant to complement the Azur range of AV receivers, and from the spec sheet/release, it looks like it isn’t too shabbily put together.

The 640BD will have a full set of analog video outputs, full HDMI 1.3 output (which will include bitstream output of all the latest Dolby/DTS tracks), S/PDIF, Ethernet, Toslink and a set of separate, dedicated 7.1/stereo analog outputs. And no...they haven’t put a price tag on this baby yet.

From their release: “Cambridge Audio prides itself on developing products that offer true value for money to discerning buyers and has embraced Blu-Ray technology with enthusiasm to wring out the best possible performance from this exciting new format.” From the “discerning buyers” part which I can’t help but read in this hoity-toity voice while holding my pinky out, to the “wring out” which just makes me think of either chickens or old towels....even if it is a kind of goofy line, it seems as though Cambridge is serious about putting something out there that makes you sit up and say “ahhhhhh”.  Let’s see what they actually come up with come Spring.

But...as is almost always the case...they have fine print. “ Please note, due to Cambridge Audio’s policy of continuous improvement, specifications and appearance may change without notice.” Again...let’s see whatcha got come Spring, Cambridge. (Said in my most non-hoity-toity voice).

Via [Engadget]

Full Story » | Written by Jodie Andrefski for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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Section: Computers, Mobile Computers, Laptops

In addition to the rolling out of the Inspiron Mini 9, Dell has also announced a special deal that will allow users to get their new netbook for just $99. Of course that price comes with a catch, and in this case it requires the purchase of another computer. Customers will have to purchase either the Studio 15, XPS M1530 or XPS M1330 laptop in order to grab the Mini 9 for the highly discounted price.

This deal however does not last forever and is valid only from 7am (EST) on September 5 until 7am (EST) on September 9, it is also valid only for US customers. So far Dell has not specified the specific model you will be getting for $99, but its only likely that it will be the lower priced Ubuntu based model that retails for $349, which is still a very nice deal.

[Direct2Dell]

Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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FROM GAMERTELL - Sony’s John Koller has just issued a new statement via the PlayStation.Blog saying that PSP-3000 units will have a battery life comparable to the PSP-2000 units, and last between four and six hours.
MORE »

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Blu-ray may have won the format war over HD-DVD, but how long will that victory last? According to Samsung UK director of consumer electronics Andy Griffiths, not as long as Sony may have been expecting. In a recent interview...

Section: Computers, Desktops

Averatec’s first venture into the All-in-One PC market may not have been that successful because of its high price. Hence, the company is trying its hands once again with the release of the A1 all-in-one PC. And what better way to come up with a cheaper All In One PC but to have it powered by Intel’s Atom processor.

And so with the A1 PC, we’re looking at a cross breed between nettop and a normal desktop boasting of an 18.4-inch display with a resolution of 1680 x 945 and a 16:9 aspect ratio. This All In One PC will be powered by a 1.6GHz Atom processor and will have 1GB of memory and 160GB of hard drive. Averatec also put in Wi-Fi as a standard feature plus a 1.3-megapixel camera. In addition, the A1 PC will only be running Windows XP out of the box, sorry Linux fans.

Now for the pricing, the A1 All In One PC will retail for around $723, which is a big reduction from Averatec’s previous All In One which cost more than $1,000. The A1 All In One PC will start shipping in Europe sometime in October. No word yet as to whether it will be released in the US.

Via [electronista]

Full Story » | Written by Arnold Zafra for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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Video-on-the-go provider Qik has been on a roll, expanding their service to include a wide variety of supported handsets over the past several months. Following the recent release of their software client for the iPhone, the company has just announced support for a greatest-hits list of HTC-sourced phones. Qik is now available for the following handsets:

• HTC Touch Dual
• HTC Touch Diamond
• HTC TyTn-II
• AT&T Tilt
• Sony Ericsson Xperia X1

You’ll still be required to sign up for a free account, and the approval process can sometimes take a little bit of time, but if you head on over to the Qik site soon you should be up and running before too long.Just make sure you have an unlimited data plan and unfettered access to a 3G signal.

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