Lets eat less

If you grow weary of those cumbersome USB flash drives you've been lugging around (most weigh about 10g), here's one that sheds nearly all of its weight. The Transcend JetFlash T2K weighs just 2 grams, and is available in your choice of capacities from 1GB ($15.90) to 4GB ($48.30).

Judging from the size of microSD cards the size of a baby's fingernail, we knew this was coming. The T2K isn't so small you would lose it in your pocket, but it's not big, either—it's just 1.6 inches tall and a mere 3mm thick. Can they get smaller than this? Probably. – Charlie White

Product Page [Transcend, USA]

Apple Making Future iPods Hot Unpluggable

One of the small things that's bugged me about my iPod is that every time I sync it I have to use iTunes to unmount it. Well, it appears Apple is doing something about that as it's filed a patent for a hot unpluggable media storage device. The patent talks about rendering a peripheral (I'm guessing an iPod unless it's something else) from a host computer without having to prep it. Small upgrade, but this means future iPods may be plug and play and not require software

Already sexy, TiVo brings fast forward ads back

There's nothing that DVR owners like more than a good commercial, so TiVo subscribers will be overjoyed to learn that the company has once again begun overlaying advertisements to entertain viewers during those interminable seconds it takes to fast forward from one TV segment to another. Wait a minute, that's not right. There's nothing that DVR owners hate more than commercials, which is one of the reasons that they pay a monthly fee for the privilege of zipping through Madison Avenue's wares. Well despite the fact that reactions were pretty negative the first time TiVo decided to drop banner ads on top of the fast forward screen, apparently the still shots (and their resulting revenue) were popular enough among company execs to warrant a second go-round. Unlike the initial implementation, however, these new ads supposedly mirror the commercials being skipped; so if you're zooming past a BMW ad, for instance, you'll likely see pics of a German luxury car superimposed on the content being ignored. Also back on the scene are the little green on-screen "thumbs up" icons that allow you to use your remote to access -- you guessed it -- even more commercials. With all the menu screen, post-roll, and now fast forward pitches that TiVo owners have to deal with, we're wondering if the company should take a page from Web 2.0 and drop the subscription fee altogether in favor of a strictly ad-based model.

Sex sells but not on Blu-Ray

The deciding factor in the case of HD DVD vs. Blu-ray may be this: who will work with the porn industry?

According to some bloggers, the makers of X-rated material are leaning toward HD DVD, saying Blu-ray is too expensive and doesn't have the market share.

And that may be the way top Blu-ray backer Sony wants it. A leading porn director told German news site Heise that Blu-ray manufacturers in the U.S. had told him Sony would pull their Blu-ray licenses if they made porn films.

Blog community response:

"It does not matter how you stand to porn. It is here and it is a massive business. It is also an industry that is an early adopter for new media technology. VHS might not have won with out the adult film industry adopting it."
--SGKnox.com

"Porn was a huge factor in VHS winning the VHS/Beta format wars even though many people don't like to acknowledge it. Porn, like gaming, pushes tech adoption."
--kdawson on Slashdot

"I've tried my best to avoid making cheap Betamax/Blue-ray comparisons, because I thought it pigeonholed a new technology that had promise but little real world exposure. This comparison, however, is an unavoidable direct parallel. At this point the story is still rumor...and I really can't imagine Sony making the same mistake twice."
--Gizmodo

Clarion showcases Bluetooth / SD FB275BT head unit, touts "no moving parts"

Clarion's already shown us its N.I.C.E. 430 navigation system here at CES, but its "semiconductor car stereo" stole the show by offering up an in-car stereo with "no moving parts," which means you won't find an optical drive or HDD in here. The single-DIN FB275BT instead receives music care of the SD slot (unfortunately, no SDHC support was mentioned) behind the front white panel or over Bluetooth, and pumps out the jams with it's 50-watt x 4 internal amplifier. Aside from also boasting handsfree connectivity with your mobile, it features an FM tuner (sorry, AM lovers), two-line LCD display, rear auxiliary input for your DAP of choice, two-channel RCA output, and a modest assortment of equalizer / bass boost presets. The faceplate boasts eight large, curved buttons as a part of Clarion's HMI (Human Machine Interface), which reportedly seeks to "minimizes the number of buttons while maximizing functionality," and plenty of indirect lighting keep it lookin' good when nightfall hits. So if you're ready to ditch the CD for good, you can pick up the FB275BT sometime this year for $249.99.

First shots, impressions of Origami Experience

f you hadn't heard, Origami Experience is the sexy new program launcher that Microsoft is prepping for Vista-based UMPCs and Tablets, which along with providing a fresh new way to get at your apps lets you browse and play your media in an all-inclusive environment. We've finally gotten our first look at the software (more shots after the break), thanks to a post full of screenies over at the Origami Team Blog. The Tablet nuts over at jkOnTheRun got to view it live and found Experience to be speedy, intuitive and helpful, with convenient menus, easy customization and all-important finger-friendly operation. Looks like there isn't just one purtiful touch-based portable OS game in town.

iTv = Apple TV

Well now we know that iTV has officially become Apple TV. It's real folks: we got 802.11 b/g AND 802.11n, USB 2.0, Ethernet, WiFi, HDMI, bunch of standard outs, plus a 40GB hard drive -- all powered by an Intel CPU. So resolution is only 720p -- looks like a few folks are gonna be out of luck, but TV manufacturers are sure gonna be happy to sell all those new sets. Not just one, two or three but five computers can connect to the Apple TV box, making a true hub for all your PCs. You can watch content stored on your rig -- movies, TV shows, photos, etc. -- and you can also pull streaming vid directly off sites like...Apple.com! Plus, the box will even grab content from PCs outside of your house -- finally, we can watch all the great swag that our rich friends can afford. Interested? You'll be able to grab one immediately for $299.

The genesis of the iPhone

"Everybody hates their phone, and that's not a good thing. And there's an opportunity there." Jobs told Time for a rather interesting and revealing piece chronicling the genesis Apple's new iPhone. (We didn't realize for sure that the iPhone can't use its WiFi to download tracks over the air, for instance.) What started more than two and a half years ago as a foray into tablet computing to counter Microsoft's efforts (whodathunk, Apple really was thinking of building a tablet PC), which inevitably led them to creating the iPhone. If you're the type wondering things like why the new device doesn't have rubber feet, check out the piece, it's a good read.

Hitachi breaks 1TB hard drive barrier with 7K1000

Well, we knew it was likely to happen in 2006 or 2007: Hitachi has fulfilled their promise and broken the 1TB drive barrier with the introduction of Hitachi's new Deskstar 7K1000 drive. Thanks to perpendicular recording and the average consumers' voracious appetite for porn totally legitimate data, Hitachi's new $400 drives -- available in SATA II or PATA 133 varieties, with differing speed modes, a 32MB buffer, quieting accoustics, SMART, and a 7200rpm spindle speed -- will hit the market running in Q1 of this year. Also announced: the CinemaStar 7K1000, a DVR-centric drive due in Q2 which wasn't fully detailed, but apparently has "adaptive error recovery", "Smooth Stream Technology to optimize the drive for audio/video applications requiring reliable storage", and other buzzy sounding stuff which just seems a lot like regular old drive features. We'll assume it's better tuned for high-throughput read / write performance, and leave it at that.

The XBOX 360v2 is here with leaked pictures

Ever wonder why Microsoft hasn't released an HDMI cable for the Xbox 360, or whether the AV port was really capable of digital out? Well, here's your answer: we landed pictures of what appears to be the second Xbox 360 -- the Xbox 360 v2, if you will -- codenamed Zephyr. (The original Xbox 360, if you recall, was codenamed Xenon.) The long rumored about and awaited update to the console won't just feature a new, cooler 65nm processor, it's also finally added an HDMI port for full digital 1080p pleasure, as well as a 120GB drive, just what the doctor ordered. The 120GB drive may or may not come bundled with the kit, we don't yet know, just as we also don't yet know how much a Zephyr 360 is going to run (we imagine it'll go for the same price as currently so they can keep up a little on their expanding margin). But our very kind Xbox insider seemed happy to let us know we'd be able to get them "soon."

From Engadget

O2 Xda Flame to redefine Pocket PC high end?

Call us fickle, but if the rumored specs on this thing are even close to accurate, we're quite ready to put the whole Nokia N97 debacle firmly behind us. In fact, this so-called "Xda Flame" for O2's networks (read: not us poor, smartphone-starved Americans) has us salivating uncontrollably to the point where we're embarrassing ourselves. Skeptical? Check this: a 3G radio (HSDPA, we're guessing), 2GB of internal storage, 802.11b/g, a 2 megapixel cam, surround sound, TV out, and an XScale PXA270 clocked at 520MHz, all paired up to a 3.6-inch VGA (yes, we said VGA) display powered by an NVIDIA GoForce 5500. Breathtaking, is it not? Sounds too good to be true, in fact -- but we should know some time next year when this thing's allegedly lined up to hit store shelves. Now go back to your 8525s, folks, and we'll let you know when you can buy one of these suckers.


BY
ENGADGET BLOG

Sony launches VAIO C, AR colorful limited edition models for holidays

Well, it's almost Thanksgiving, and if the autumn foliage isn't colorful enough, at least you can pick up a Sony laptop in nice, warm hues. The Japanese giant has just released seven new VAIO "Graphic Splash Edition" lappies, five C and two AR models -- however, this is a limited edition, as only 2,650 will be made (500 AR's, and the rest C's). The seven color options include the pictured "Pink Swirl," "Red/Green Storm," "Blue Streaks," "Angel," (C series) plus "Orbit" and "Green Streaks" (AR series). But these laptops aren't going to win you over solely on their good looks -- they've got plenty under that cool exterior. Just as a refresher, the previously released C Series ($1,150, including the premium for the extra color scheme) is loaded up with a 13.3-inch screen, Core 2 Duo chip, DVD-RW, WiFi (a/b/g), whereas its bigger sister comes in as a 17-incher, with 400GB worth of storage, 2GB of RAM, and with the new colors, costs $2,100. Still, we're torn between spending that extra $150 on a shiny new VAIO, or footing the bill for Thursday's big dinner.



FROM ENGADGET

SugaNano

So you really want to get that iPod Nano for a special someone, but you know he or she will be absolutely hopeless when presented with the task of transferring music to the thing? Or maybe you're just really lazy and can't be bothered with ripping your favorite CDs. Either way, Riptopia could have the solution for you: the $259 ShugaNano, a blue, pink, or green 4GB iPod Nano preloaded with the recipient's 50 favorite CDs and accompanied by a pair of Swarovski crystal-encrusted earbuds. (Hmm, why do I get the feeling these things are aimed at the fair sex?) You have to provide the CDs, but at least you won't have to waste your valuable time copying and transferring the tracks. Of course, this begs the question: how do you get those songs off of your iPod when the time comes? (Mac version here.)

Zune OR iPod ...Microsoft or Apple??

Now it comes down to the final question: should you buy the iPod or the Zune? After 72 hours of deliberating, I'll tell you what I would do. Since I've got an iPod, I'm sticking with the iPod. I don't want to have to buy all my music again, give up smart playlists, and basically learn to use both a new player and the corresponding software. Then there are all the accessories I don't want to purchase again. Plus, since there's no OS X support, Mac users have their choice made up for them. Say you're not using the iPod, or are ready to try something different. Now, you've got a lot more options...

You really like the music/picture sharing: Zune. It's a feature not found on the iPod, but will have limited use unless your friends all buy Zunes. Chicken & Egg problem, where you don't want to buy one until other people have it, which means it'll take a while to get up to speed.

You want a bigger screen: Zune.

You need an all-you-can-eat subscription service: Zune.

You want a store with a larger music library: iPod.

You want a movie and TV store: iPod.

You want contacts, calendar, notes, stopwatch, and iPod Games: iPod.

You want to be different/want something new: Zune.

Xbox 360 owners who purchase music and want streaming: Zune.

Xbox 360 owners who purchase music and don't want streaming: iPod.

You want a scratch resistant player: Zune.

You want a built-in FM tuner: Zune.

You want a touch-sensitive scroll wheel: iPod.

For most people,I am going to recommend you get an iPod. It's got more support, plus it's backed by iTunes, which works well and gives you a lot more choice in music, TV, and movie purchases.

Of course if you want a subscription service, or a bigger screen, or a built-in FM tuner, then there's the Zune. But if you're borderline between the Zune and the iPod, I'd play it safe and get the iPod, then wait for the 2nd generation Zune and see what's going on.

Zune Product Page [Amazon]

iPod Product Page [Amazon]

Interested in getting a sense of Zune, but don't want to shell out $249 for the device?

One option is downloading the Zune software. It's free from Microsoft's Zune Web site.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

I gave it a whirl this afternoon. The download was slow--perhaps because of high day-one demand. It took 19 minutes from the time I noticed it was taking a while to download. Once it downloaded and installed, it required a restart.

Once up and running again, the Zune software walked me through creating a Zune nickname, linking it to a Windows Live account. The software offers the option of making Zune the default music player or choosing specific file types for which it is the default. I handed over the reins only for Zune Playlist files.

Also of note, Zune's software rips CDs to WMA format by default, but that can also be set to MP3.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Once done with making my choices, the software automatically built a library from my existing music files. It nicely handled the importing and sorting of the music, including the album art I already had. Many other albums showed up with the tag "searching for art," while others said "paste art here."

Microsoft still hasn't gotten 99 cents out of me, or 79 points, or whatever. But I did browse around the store, the Zune Marketplace as it is known. Overall, the software is quite reminiscent of Windows Media Player 11, which is not surprising since Zune's software is based on Microsoft's existing jukebox software.

Christmas comes early at Apple: free shuffles for all!

Apple CEO Steve Jobs is just a total Apple Fan Boy he is so happy about the shuffles that he is giving away the 79$ shuffle to all the Apple employees around the world! if by chance you are working in Apple be sure to check the mail

Get a PS3 in Hong Kong (legally) for cheap!

Now its not quite the news happening in the world of PS3'z well but if you are in Hong Kong on November 17th you could get a ps3 60GB for just
{US}486$, reported by Engadget this story is very strange and funny but well lets continue, but if you wanna wait till decmber you could get the 20GB one for 408$ now well the USA pricing are 600$ and 500$ respectively so well all those lucky dogs out there nJoy!

Jobs says no...World says YES!

Apple Computer chief executive Steve Jobs has been boasting about his company's much-rumored iPod cell phone amongst inner circles, AppleInsider has been told.

The remarks are uncharacteristic of Jobs, who is often regarded for his obsession with secrecy -- especially when it comes to unannounced products from his own company. But it's been said that Jobs' own excitement over the device has produced a number of zealous ramblings amongst personal acquaintances dating back to this spring.

One person familiar with the ongoings believes the Apple cofounder has commissioned the release of cell phone prototypes to at least two potential OEM manufacturing partners in recent months. Current designs are said to conform to Apple's integrated model and leverage its tightly-knit digital media franchises, that person added.

Speaking on conditions of anonymity, a second informant has told AppleInsider of an incremental buzz surrounding the phone, which has heightened in recent weeks. The informant, who flourishes a nearly unblemished track record in predicting Apple's future music directions, has said the device is slated to turn up earlier than some people may be expecting, in the form of a "big bang" introduction that will catch even some insiders off-guard.

By now, the notion of an Apple-branded iPod cell phone has grown from rumor to expectation, fueled in part by analysts on Wall Street who have become increasingly vocal in their convictions that Apple is developing such a device.

Upon exiting a meeting with the company's leadership earlier this year, Bear Stearns analyst Andy Neff said it was his belief an iPod phone was "in the works." Similarly, Shaw Wu, an analyst with American Technology Research, recently stated his "firm" belief that Apple has been working on cell phone technology.

Wu said the Cupertino, Calif.-based company is likely to adopt an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) strategy, where it will not own a licensed frequency spectrum, but instead resell wireless services from larger providers under its own name. Such an approach would allow Apple to maintain tight control over the phone's user experience, he said.

However, Wu is like a handful of analysts that are doubtful Apple will be able to roll-out its mobile strategy until mid-2007 at the earliest. Instead, the analyst believes the company is still working out its go-to-market strategy and may need the additional time.

For Apple, a long-running concern about offering an iPod cell phone is the risk that it may cannibalize the low-end flash player market, which includes its 1GB and smaller capacity iPod digital music players.

"The company has said it is possible that a music-enabled phone could cannibalize the demand for a lower priced iPods," PiperJaffray analyst Gene Munster recently told his clients. He equates the conflict to the inclusion of digital cameras in cell phones, which did not impact demand for higher end cameras, but weighed on the lower-end market.

"While we continue to believe there is a high chance that Apple will launch an iPhone in the next 12 months, the company says that the right path for Apple is to continue to pursue devices with one primary feature and not focus on multiple functions in one device," Munster said.

Still, Apple has been known to make diversionary comments in an effort to safeguard its future product plans. During a conference call with media and analysts in October 2004, a member of the company's executive team stated that Apple had no plans to enter the sub-$800 PC market and would instead focus its efforts on its booming music business and related products. Less than three months later, Apple introduced its first sub-$500 computer: the Mac mini.

For these and other reasons, the mainstream media has been unwilling to relent in its probes into the possibility of an iPod cell phone. At times, even Jobs appears to have been caught slightly off guard by the barrage. At the launch of the Apple Store Fifth Avenue in Manhattan this May, a CNBC reporter abruptly asked the Apple chief when consumers would be able to buy an Apple iPhone.

"You know, we never talk about unannounced products," said Jobs, "...but if we ever do announce something like that I'd love to talk to you about it then."

Jobs may have been speaking literally, say insiders, who note that he is unlikely to proceed with plans to bring the device to market unless all the pieces fall smoothly into play at the right time. "It must function as seamlessly as it looks," said a source. "That's the only way he will have it."

The mercurial CEO has watched new product initiatives span well into their respective development cycles before deciding to pull the plug for one reason or another. A known perfectionist, Jobs has also gone on record in saying that he is just as proud of the products Apple has shipped over the year's as he is with the company's deciscion not to ship others.

But it's looking increasingly unlikely that Apple's mobile initiative will fall by way of the ax. Perhaps the most telling piece of evidence to this end came during the company's quarterly conference call last month. During the call, an analyst pressed members of Apple's leadership for their thoughts on the tremendous growth Sony has realized with its relatively new Walkman phone. Apple's chief financial officer Peter Oppenheimer fielded the question by saying, "We don’t think [...] phones that are available today make the best music players. We think the iPod is, but over time that’s likely to change." He then added, "And we are not sitting around doing nothing."
FROM
APPLE INSIDER.com

Apple has done IT....

Apple Computer has filed for a trademark on the term iPhone, suggesting the company plans to use the moniker, recently popularized amongst the analyst and blogging communities, as the official name for its highly-anticipated iPod cell phone.

The filing, made last month with a Far Eastern trademark office, is the latest in a long list of incontrovertible evidence to suggest the Cupertino, Calif.-based iPod maker is in the final developmental stages of the project, which is expected to merge traditional cellular capabilities with an iPod digital music player.

In the September 15th filing, Apple describes iPhone as "handheld and mobile digital electronic devices for the sending and receiving of telephone calls, faxes, electronic mail, and other digital data; MP3 and other digital format audio players."

Under the primary but broad classification, Apple said iPhone may also consist of "electronic handheld units for the wireless receipt and/or transmission of data that enable the user to keep track of or manage personal information."

Similarly, it may include "software for the redirection of messages, Internet e-mail, and/or other data to one or more electronic handheld devices from a data store on or associated with a personal computer or a server; and software for the synchronization of data between a remote station or device and a fixed or remote station or device."

Of particular interest is a secondary classification of iPhone listed in the filing which pertains to a "stand alone video game machine," implying that the device may be compatible with the handful of arcade games recently introduced for Apple's fifth-generation video iPod players. The games are available for purchase and download from the company's iTunes Store for $4.99 a piece.

According to the filing, which remains under examination, Apple originally sought the iPhone trademark back in March, when it filed a similar request with a trademark office in a nation off the coast of South America.

Analysts and journalists have frequently use the term iPhone in reference to the company's cell phone initiative because of a December 16, 1999 domain registry by the iPod maker for iPhone.org. To this date, iPhone.org redirects to Apple's homepage at Apple.com.

Apple chief executive Steve Jobs, who has been known to blab to cronies about his company's upcoming cell phone device, is believed to have commissioned the release of prototypes to at least two potential OEM manufacturing partners earlier this year.

People familiar with the project have told AppleInsider that Apple is designing the initial handsets to conform with its integrated model in such a way that they will leverage the company's tightly-knit digital media franchises.

Shaw Wu, an analyst with American Technology Research, has also been high in his convictions that Apple will soon introduce an iPhone based on an iPod nano-like candy bar form factor. He said checks indicate the device will be available in three colors.

"Our research indicates that an Apple-designed smart phone has moved from concept to prototype and recently has progressed to near completion as a production unit," the analyst wrote in a note to Apple investors last month. "We believe this smart phone has been in development for over 12 months and has overcome substantial challenges including design, interference, battery life and other technical glitches."

Should Apple gain a 1 percent share in the billion unit worldwide cell phone market, it could generate an addition $2 billion in yearly revenue, according to Wu, who based the assumption on yearly sales of 10 million units at an average selling price of $200 per unit.

From
THE APPLE INSIDER

Apple touch screen iPods was a TYPO!

A reference to an iPod digital music player with a "touch-screen" interface that turned up in a recently revised Apple Computer iPod developer document is causing some excitement amongst the Apple enthusiast community this week.

The solitary reference in an otherwise irrelevant and lengthy tutorial posted Apple plz stop
pdf document on interfacing with the iPod's text-based "Notes" feature is more than likely a misprint than a company slip-up, but is garnering widespread attention amongst the blogging community nonetheless.

"Linking to photos and videos is supported only for 5th generation iPods running iPod Software version 1.2 or later," a technical writer for Apple wrote on page 10 of the 47-page tutorial. "All other Notes feature capabilities described in this document are supported for iPod models with display screens, beginning with the touch-screen models."

Based on the preceding information in the document, it's believed the citation is no more than a mistyped reference to the company's third-generation iPods which sport a touch-sensitive click-wheel interface.

Still, recent patent filings have made it abundantly clear the Cupertino, Calif.-based iPod maker is hard at work on a next-generation hard disk drive iPod that will likely sport some form of touch-screen control. The latest and most extensive filing that turn up last month referenced several touch-based iPod designs, including some with touch-screens and others with touch-sensitive enclosures.

Traditionally a tight-lipped company, Apple's divulgence in the latest series of filings emphasizes its willingness to tip its hand in order gain exclusive patent rights to vital next-generation media player technologies.

Apple has already been late to bat at least once in filing for crucial digital media player patents, which cost it dearly via an out-of-court settlement. In August, it payed rival Creative Technologies $100 million for a license to use its software interface patent, which covers most aspects of a digital music player's software interface, including the one featured on display-based iPods.

Apple, which filed for its own patent on the iPod's software interface, was turned down by the United States Patent and Trademark Office as a result of the earlier filing by Creative.

Update: As presumed, the touch-screen mention was a typo. The developer document has now been corrected to read: "All other Notes feature capabilities described in this document are supported for iPod models beginning with third-generation iPod (dock connector) models with touch wheel."