All posts by Nir Shein

Internet freak and technology geek; Aspiring screenwriter, devoted tech blogger & Technologer chief editor . Early adopter with a keen interest in gadgets, technology, internet and mobile.

Garmin Introduces The Nuvifone Smartphone Device

Garmin announces the release of the Nuvifone, a new 3.5G GSM HSDPA smartphone, combined with a media player, full GPS navigation system, proprietary OS and many advanced elements. The Nuvifone sports the following features:

  • Display: 3.5? touchscreen.
  • 3 major icons: Call, Search, Maps
  • Built-in camera with longitude / latitude tagging system.
  • Full GPS navigation system, loaded with North America and European maps.
  • Google local search capability.
  • Garmin Online Service: an online updates information service, including weather, traffic, stocks, news, sports, hotels, etc.
  • WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity.
  • Email, SMS/MMS and IM support.
  • Nuvi navigation service, providing “Where Am I ” function, for an accurate location info, on and off the road.
  • Integrated media player, supports MP3 and MPEG4/AAC .
  • Availability: Q3 2008.
  • Price: Unknown.

I’m definitely looking forward to snack one of those and see it in action.

garmin-nuvifone

[via gizmodo]

More pictures after the break.

Continue reading Garmin Introduces The Nuvifone Smartphone Device

Kenwood MGR-A7 Features A Personal Recorder With An MP3 Player

Kenwood announces the release of Media Keg MGR-A7 series that combines a recording device with an mp3 player in one unit. The MGR-A7 is a high-performance 3-mounted microphone recorder with three levels of automatic recording feature set, to prevent noise incorporation. The device features 2GB of internal memory, SD/SDHC slot, small LCD screen, USB 2.0, multi-language support, MP3, WMA, WAV audio formats support, 19 hours continuous playback and recording sustained, 7EQ compatibility and the size of 52.7 x 100 x18 mm for 95gm. It is available in Japan in Black and Red colors.

kenwood-MGR-7

[via gmp3]

Japanese PCs Designed For Billionaires

If you got 6 figures spare money in your bank account, you can afford those bling PCs, designed for the very rich and famous by a Japanese company, named PC Zeus. The company offers 2 lavish computers encrusted with a golden case or a diamond studded platinum case. Prices are $562,800 or $750,400 respectively. Do me a favor, if you consider buying one of those, email me first.

japanese-bling-pcs

[via gizmodo]

PSP Firmware Update 3.90 Features Skype

As mentioned earlier, Sony announced the availability of Skype on PSP and despite a small delay, it is here, included in the latest firmware update 3.90 . For the time being, it is only available through network update for PSP-2000 models, but the new firmware expands the Playstation Network support to all models – Rock on.

Update: The M33 team has released a custom version of the 3.90 firmware update, available through Network Update.

psp-skype-390-update

[via gizmodo]

Sony Vaio T Model Gets New Stylish Skin And Stronger CPU

Sony produced slim laptops long before Apple introduced the MacBook Air. One of those Sony’s impressive models is the Vaio T Type. The notebook featured 11.1″ panoramic screen (1,366 x 768), Core 2 Duo U7500 1.06GHz CPU, 1GB memory, 80GB hard drive, DVD-R drive, memory card reader, Bluetooth 2.0, fingerprint sensor, built in camera, 802.11a/b/g WiFi support and more. Now, after the Vaio T had lost its slimmest premier to the MacBook Air, Sony has decided to revive the line, adding a stronger Core 2 Duo U7600 1.2GHz CPU and a new stylish cover skin. No further details on pricing and availability.

Update: The new T series skins are selling for $1583 in Japan.

Sony-VAIO-T

[via akihabaranews]

More pictures after the break.

Continue reading Sony Vaio T Model Gets New Stylish Skin And Stronger CPU

XFPS Adapter Enables Keyboard And Mouse On Your PS3 Console

For those who always wanted to utilize their PC keyboard gaming abilities on their game consoles, XFPS created a special designated adapter that enables users to hook any keyboard or mouse, directly to their Sony PS, and start kicking those creepy zombies. Once you have the adapter, just plug it into one of the USB slots in your console, and hook your keyboard/mouse to the other side, using USB or PS/2 connections. This will give you full control, using your favorite keys, for only 99$.

xfps-adapter

[via slashgear]

More pictures after the break.

Continue reading XFPS Adapter Enables Keyboard And Mouse On Your PS3 Console

Audio Technica Introduced A New Colorful Limited Edition Headset Line

Audio Technica, a leading Japanese audio company, revealed a new line of limited edition headphones, including 6 vivid colors, to celebrate the first year anniversary for their ONTO ATH-ON3 headsets. The headphones’ range is from 12Hz to 23kHz, 32? and 102dB/mW.

Audio-Technica-ONTO_ATH_ON3_2

[via akihabaranews]

Another picture after the break.

Continue reading Audio Technica Introduced A New Colorful Limited Edition Headset Line

Pasen to Introduce the F10 MP3 Player

Pasen revealed a new mp3 player, the F10. The new device features the following specifications:

  • Display: 2.6?, 16:9, 260k colors (400 x 240).
  • Storage size: 4GB (90 Euros), 8GB (120 Euros).
  • Audio: MP3, WMA, APE, FLAC, AAC.
  • Video: AVI, XviD, Divx, RMVB.
  • Features: microSD slot, microphone, FM tuner,  touch pad,  8 EQ effects.
  • Pictures: JPEG, BMP, GIF, RSC, TXT.
  • Size:  102x47x7 mm.

pasen-F10

 [via gmp3]

iPhone 1.1.3 Gets Jailbreak Version

A team of hackers has just revealed a jailbreak for the latest iPhone edition 1.1.3. The jailbreak is available for Mac or PC users with previous 1.1.2 or 1.1.1 jailbroken versions. We’re not sure this one is working with the iPod Touch, but it does work with the iPhone. More instructions here.

Update: please pay attention to the Statement Of Risk, as it says: “As all upgrades are risky, this one is doubly so. You may have to restore your phone using iTunes and start again if it fails. Make sure to back up first”.

iphone-1-1-3-ibrickr

[via gmp3]

Archos TV+ Has DVR And WiFi Support

Archos released the Archos TV+, a stationary version of its Archos 605 portable media player. The TV+ is the first WiFi Digital Video Recorder that comes in 80GB or 250GB storage capacities. With the Archos TV+ you can schedule, record and stream content whenever you want, through your WiFi network. You can watch your favorite stored movies, listen to your music and flip between your last vacation photos, in a simple push of a button, from the living room couch. The device comes with a cool QWERTY remote, for a full control of the UI and the web surfing (thanks to the touch pad). It supports a video on-demand service, so you can order your favorite movies from CinemaNow, or watch any video through one of the video web services such as YouTube, DailyMotion and others. The TV+ has a USB 2.0 host, for an easy and direct access to your digital camera photos or your portable media player movies. In addition, it has an HDMI output, so you can plug it to your advanced LCD TV and watch high resolution movies. You can get one for $229 (80GB) or $349 (250GB).

archos-tv

More pictures after the break.

Continue reading Archos TV+ Has DVR And WiFi Support

iPhone Gets Voice Dialing Application

We’ve expected this one to show up, Makayama, a Netherlands based company, introduced a VOICE DIAL application for the iPhone. This application allows you to record voice samples for any contact in your address book and dial up your numbers, hands free, in all languages. You can even surf to your favorite websites by assigning voice tags to your Safari bookmarks. In order to add this app, you need a Jailbroken iPhone, then go to Installer > Sources > Add http://tinyurl.com/2t8cax. The Voice Dial is available for a free trial or a full release purchase, for $27.95.

iphone-voicedial

[via i4u]

Sharp SP600 PMP Unveiled

Sharp introduced the SP600 PMP, in Japan. It has a 4.3″ touchscreen and runs Windows CE 5.0.

specifications

  • Display: 4.3? touchscreen TFT LCD 16:9, (480×272).
  • Storage size: 30GB .
  • Audio: MP3, WMA, WAV, OGG, AAC.
  • Video: DIVX, AVI, ASF, WMV7/8/9, MPEG1/2/4.
  • Features: SD/MMC slot, microphone, ext. speaker, USB 2.0, Korean-English-Japanese electronic dictionary.
  • Pictures: PG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, PNG.
  • Size: 148.6 x 79 x 25 mm 325g.
  • price: $444.

sharp-sp600

[via gmp3]

PocketGuitar For iPhone and iPod touch

PocketGuitar is a virtual guitar for iPhone and iPod touch devices. This cool new feature allows you to play and strum like Hendrix or Slash, and bring your favorite cords into the touchscreen. In order to install this application you have to go to Installer > Sources > Add http://podmap.net/apps. You will find the PocketGuitar app, under the Toys section. Rock n’ Roll !!

PocketGuitar

[via gizmodo]

Asus Eee PC 9" Get Touchscreen

Asus-eee-pc-touch

Following the enormous success of the Eee PC, Asus announced a new line, including 8/9/10 inch display. The most interesting model, should be the one with the 9 inch screen, as we hear it might be released with a touchscreen. Price is not going to be much higher than regular models, since adding a touch panel, is a matter of 15$ in the manufacturing cost.

Update: ASUS will not be offering a touchscreen panel, their market research shows limited demand.

[via gmp3]

Apple MacBook Air Mini-Processor Show Off

Miniaturization, is not an easy job. When Apple introduced the slim MacBook Air, last week, we noticed a slenderized design from the outside, but inside hardware had some major modifications as well. One of this interesting changes, came from the ultra mini Core 2 Duo processor figure. It is a combination of Intel 65 nanometer Merom architecture with an 800MHz bus, molded into a new, smaller chip package.

macbook-air-cpu

[via gizmodo]

Macworld 2008: Apple Introduced The MacBook Air Notebook

macbook-air

It’s here, rise and shine, the new MacBook Air, world’s thinnest laptop ever made. We all been waiting for this one, and Apple delivered big time. With a super light, super thin and super glowing look, the MacBook Air features:

  • Display: 13.3″ LED backlit, TFT glossy widescreen.
  • Built-in iSight camera.
  • Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor at 1.6 or 1.8GHz.
  • Memory: 2GB RAM 667MHz DDR2.
  • Storage: 1.8″ 80 GB 4200 rpm hard drive, or SSD 64 GB optional (for extra 1300$).
  • Micro-DVI adapter.
  • WiFi integrated AirPort Extreme.
  • Trackpad with a multi-touch support (like the iPhone).
  • Intel GMA X3100 Graphics processor, 144MB RAM.
  • Height: 0.4-1.94 cm
  • Width: 32.5 cm
  • Depth: 22.7 cm
  • Weight: 1.36 kg
  • Battery life: 5 hours.

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/W7askBmF4_c" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Macworld 2008: Apple Introduced The Apple TV Take II Edition

This is not a new hardware, just a free extensive software upgrade to the Apple TV. The Take Two features AirTunes support, for a complete direct streaming, Dolby Digital 5.1 surround, HD movies (4GB Size), movie preview, photo browser, computers-free usage, direct movie rental (priced 2.99$ for older versions, 3.99$ for new ones and 4.99$ for HD movies), and more.

apple-tv-take2

[via engadget]

Check the video after the break.

Continue reading Macworld 2008: Apple Introduced The Apple TV Take II Edition

Macworld 2008: Apple Unveiles The Time Capsule Backup Server

This wireless drive will backup all your Leopard OSX Time Machine Macs through your wireless network. The Time Capsule features a full Airport Extreme base station with 802.11n wireless and a server grade hard drives, allowing you to backup your data from anywhere, in your wireless network area. You will be able to choose two storage capacities, 500GB for $300 and 1TB for $500. The product should be available next month.

time-capsule

[via gizmodo]

Macworld 2008: iPhone Firmware 1.1.3 Gets Official

We’ve already seen couple of videos, introducing some of the elements that firmware 1.1.3 features. Now it gets official and here are some further details:

  • Maps: application is able to pinpoint your location, thanks to the triangulation technology that uses WiFi access points to locate your exact location.
  • SMS can be send to multiple people, at once.
  • Bookmark add-on for web sites, displayed as an icon on your home screen.
  • Re-arrangement of home screen icons.
  • Creating up to 9 home screens, with the ability to flip between them.
  • Video chaptering.
  • iTunes music lyrics display.
  • iTunes movie rentals available.

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/fvKd1tJshrM" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

[via engadget]

Macworld 2008: Apple Introdued iTunes 7.6 Movie Rentals Service

Now it is official, Apple announced on movie rentals service for iTunes, that includes titles from major film studios, like MGM, Miramax, Lions Gate, Fox, Warner Brothers, Walt Disney, Paramount, Universal, Sony and Touchstone. The service will offer 1000 films with the price tag of 2.99$ for older versions, 3.99$ for new ones and 4.99$ for HD movies. The rental is available 30 seconds after you picked up your favorite movie and it will last up to 24h.

itunes-rental

[via gizmodo]

Macworld 2008: Keynote Summary

macworld-2008 Macworld’s opening day answered all our anticipations, with 5 major announcements from El Stivo. The keynote introduced us as follows:

  • iTunes Movie Rentals Service.
  • iPhone & iPod Touch Firmware Updates.
  • Time Capsule.
  • Apple TV Take Two.
  • MacBook Air.

It’s not that we were strangers to most of the new announcements, on the contrary, most of them already leaked weeks before, and you could read about it in this blog. Lets view some of them in a nutshell:

iTunes Movie Rentals Service

As we already posted, a week ago, Apple teamed up with all major film studios, such as Paramount, Lions Gate Entertainment, Walt Disney, Miramax, Warner Bros, 20th Century Fox and more, to bring the top movie titles into iTunes, and to enable users renting a film directly from their iPhones or their iPod touch devices, for 3.99$ per 24h.

iPhone & iPod Touch Firmware Updates.

iPhone – As we reported several weeks ago, Apple officially announced on Firmware update 1.1.3 which includes:

  • GoogleMaps application is able to pinpoint your location.
  • SMS can be send to multiple people, at once.
  • Bookmark add-on for web sites.
  • Re-arrangement of home screen icons.
  • Video chaptering.
  • Music lyrics display.

iPod Touch – This one wasn’t known to us up till yesterday. Apple released some new add-ons to the Touch players. The new update features Mail program, Maps, web clips, stocks, weather and notes. BUT, this is not a free update, this one will cost you 20$.

Time Capsule

To make it simple, this is a wireless backup server. To make it complicated, it is a full Airport Extreme base station with 802.11n wireless and a server grade hard drives that enables to backup all Leopard OS Macs in your network. The Time Capsule comes in 2 configurations:

  • 500GB for $300.
  • 1TB for $500.

Apple TV Take Two

The major improvements in Take Two TV is that it requires no computer, renting movies is much easier and you can have them in HD Dolby 5.1 format. The Take Two edition supports audio, video and photo browsing via Flickr. To upgrade your Apple TV to a Take Two version, you will have to update the software. It is free of charge and will be available in 2 weeks.

MacBook Air

This is the big one, that everyone was expecting to hear about. MackBook Air goes live with the title of the thinnest notebook on earth, just 4mm (!). It features:

  • 13.3″ screen display with ambient light sensor.
  • A black keyboard with a LED backlit.
  • A multi-touch pad (like the iPhone).

Further details will be available in the next posts.

Seagate D.A.V.E Technology Enables WiFi or Blootooth Connectivity

With the growth of information movability, we all need a portable hard drive to carry with us on the go. The new Seagate D.A.V.E portable hard drives are distinguished from other similar products, by enabling wireless connection from any laptop or cell phone, through WiFi or Blootooth technologies. Despite the limited 60GB storage capacity, this is definitely a cables saver. Price and availability are unknown for the moment.

seagate-dave

[via slashgear]

New Creative Zen Stone & Stone Plus Get A Speaker

Creative released a new line of Zen Stone and Stone Plus MP3 players, equipped with a built-in speaker and encrusted with aluminum body. From what we read, the external speaker is surprisingly good, though it has a limited range. Like the previous Stone players, the new line includes an OLED screen, FM tuner and a microphone. Price is set for $60 to Stone Plus models with a screen and $50 to those without one.

zen-stone

[via gmp3]

CES 2008: iRiver Unit II Was Saved For Dessert

iRiver was a major showing player at the CES this year. Just before recapping, the company introduced a new media center prototype, the iRiver Unit II. This model is a futuristic combination of audio, video, TV tuner, FM tuner, internet WiFi, SD expansion and a 7″ portable control display, loaded with some cool widgets. The Unit II is packed with some advanced features, such as mini handy keyboard, speaker dock, VOIP connectivity and various connections, including component, RCA, RGB, optical, HDMI and more. The device is expected to be released in 2009 for 700$. check out the video:

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/EXRArp3GFak" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

iriver-unit2

[via engadget]

More pictures after the break.

Continue reading CES 2008: iRiver Unit II Was Saved For Dessert

CES 2008: Asus R50A UMPC Unveiled

So far, a large number of MID/UMPC devices have been introduced at the CES 2008. This time, it is Asus turn to unveil its latest, the R50A. This device is another advanced UMPC machine, equipped with the top-notch technology. Check out some of the features:

  • Display: 5.6? TFT LCD touchscreen (1024 x 600).
  • Processor: Intel Silverthorne 1.3GHz, with Intel Menlow platform.
  • Memory: 1GB
  • Features: Webcam, Microphone, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0, external speaker, global positioning system, 3G/3.5G connectivity, fingerprint reader.
  • Dimension: 200 x 85 x 20 mm 520g.

Asus-R50A

 

[via gmp3]

CES 2008: Viliv Vant X70 PMP Unveiled

After presenting the X5, Korean corporation, Viliv, introduced another PMP, the Vant X70. This new media player is bigger and stronger than its brother, yet sharing the same advanced qualities.

specifications

  • Display: 7? WVGA (800 x 480).
  • Processor: RMI Alchemy Au1250 processor 700Mhz with 256MB of RAM.
  • Storage size: 30GB, 60GB.
  • Audio: MP3, WMA, OGG.
  • Video: Divx, MPEG1,2,3, Xvid, WMV7/8/9.
  • Picture: JPG, GIF, PNG, BMP, TIF .
  • Features: GPS navigation system, WiFi internet browser, SD/SDHC slot, DMB TV tuner.

viliv-vant-x70

[via gmp3]

iTunes' Movie Rental Service To be Announced Next Week

apple-itunes Apple is about to announce on a new movie rental service at the MacWorld conference, next week. The service will be available via iTunes and the price should be around $3.99 per 24hr. Apparently, this announcement gets fruition, after Apple managed to team up with the biggest movie studios , such as Paramount, Lions Gate Entertainment, Walt Disney, and the newcomers, Warner Bros and 20th Century Fox.

[via engadget]

Monster iCableLink Extends Your iPhone's Jack

iPhone owners are familiar with this problem, if you want to use your advanced earbuds instead of the stock iPhone buds, you can’t, since the iPhone is equipped with a proprietary headset jack. To solve this glitch, Monster introduced the iCableLink, a flexible cable adapter that allows you to connect any earbuds to your iPhone. Mind you, with the new cable, it is not possible to pause music and answer calls while listening. Price should be around 10$.

monster_icablelink

[via gizmodo]

More pictures after the break.

Continue reading Monster iCableLink Extends Your iPhone's Jack

CES 2008: VILIV X5 PMP Announced

The Korean brand, VILIV, unveiled a new PMP device, at the CES show. The X5 is an impressive device, equipped with some cool and advanced features:

  • Display: 4.8? WVGA (800 x 480).
  • Storage size: 30GB ($349), 60GB ($399).
  • Audio: MP3/WMA/OGG/AC3/ACC.
  • Video: WMV (7 / 8, 320×240), WMV (9, 720×480), MPEG (1/2/4), Xvid, Divx and FLV.
  • Picture:  JPG, GIF, PNG, BMP, TIF .
  • Features: GPS navigation system, wireless internet browser, SD slot, USB Host 2.0, DMB TV tuner, TV out.
  • Pictures: JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF, TXT.

viliv-x5

 

[ via gmp3]

CES 2008: LG UMPC Unveiled

LG joined the UMPC celebration at the CES, by announcing on a new MID/UMPC machine. The new LG device features the new ultra mobile Menlow platform from Intel, along side the new 1.33GHz 45nm Silverthorne processor. Price is expected to be around 1000 Euros.

Specifications:

  • Display: 4.8″ WVGA TouchScreen (1024 x 600).
  • Memory: 1GB RAM.
  • Storage size: 40GB HDD (1.5″).
  • OS: Windows Vista
  • Processor: Silverthorne 45nm, 1.33GHz on Ultra Mobile Intel Menlow platform.
  • Features:  HSDPA, BlueTooth 2.0, WiFi, sliding keyboard,
  • Size:148 x 92 x 29 mm 590g.

LG-UMPC

 

 [via gmp3]

CES 2008: iRiver Spinn PMP

Another iRiver player unveiled at the CES show, the iRiver Spinn. This beautiful glowing PMP has a 3.3″ AMOLED display (480 x 272), DMB TV, FM radio tuner, Bluetooth 2.0, microSD slot, microphone, 4/8/16GB storage and more. Like the P20, this player supports the new iRiver Spinn technology, probably to scroll menus with a “warm analog controls”, but we are not sure about the meaning of this slogan.

iRiver-Spinn

[via gizmodo]

More pictures and video after the break.

Continue reading CES 2008: iRiver Spinn PMP

CES 2008: iRiver Wing UMPC

Is the new iRiver Wing UMPC reminding you something? Well…If you thought about the Asus Eee PC, you guessed right. As we mentioned, the huge impression (and sales) of the Eee ultra mini PC, made other companies reconsider their line of products. The iRiver WING is a WiFi enabled portable device with a 4″ touchscreen and 4GB of flash storage. It runs Windows CE Pro and equipped with a full QUERTY keyboard. Other features include web browsing, emails, FM radio, VOIP support and SD expansion.

                 iRiver_Wing_UMPC

 

[via gizmodo]

PSP Officialy Skyped – Is This The Mic?

psp-mic-skype

Recent speculations, concerning Skype application on the PSP console are becoming reality. Sony announced the availability of Skype on PSP, at the end of this month. Once the new firmware is released and installed into the device, a small Skype icon will pop up in the network section and users will be able to login with their Skype account or create a new one. As other Skype users, PSP owners will have the privilege to talk freely with their Skype friends, make calls to any regular phone or receive calls on their PSP device. Mind you, this will work only on a PSP Slim devices.

This new formation requires a designated microphone, to enable users make or receive calls on their PSP. A Japanese website, Famitsu, unveiled a designed PSP mic, together with some presumably pictures of the new interface.

[via engadget]

CES 2008: Intel's Menlow System Showing Up

One of the hottest issues at the CES is the MID (Mobile Internet Device). Take a look at the Intel Menlow, operating in a cool Aigo 4.5″ touchscreen device, equipped with WiFi, sliding keyboard, 3MP camera and Linux.

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/w3-j6sHJ1Ac" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

[via engadget]

More pictures after the break.

Continue reading CES 2008: Intel's Menlow System Showing Up

CES 2008: Sony Mylo 2 Goes Live Officially

After months of speculations, Sony unveiled the Mylo2 at the CES show. This cool mini PMP device is a portable wireless player with a neat QWERTY sliding keyboard that features WiFi internet surfing, Flash Lite 3 support (for youtube) and instant messaging communication. Other features include:

  • 3.5″ touchscreen (800×480).
  • Storage Size: 1GB.
  • Audio: MP3, WMA, AAC, ATRAC.
  • Video: MPEG-4.
  • Pictures: JPEG, transcode GIF, TIFF, PNG and BMP.
  • Features: 1.3 MP camera, mini USB, Skype support, instant messaging support (AIM, Yahoo, Gtalk), and more.
  • Widget: panels for YouTube, Google, Facebook and others.

sony-mylo-2

[via gmp3]

    CES 2008: iRiver P20 PMP

    It seems like a very active year for iRiver. The company generates many of the news, coming out from the CES show direction. Their recent PMP announcement is the P20, a 4.1″ AMOLED screen with 16M colors. Other features include Bluetooth 2.0, FM tuner, DMB tuner, microphone, TV output, SD card slot USB host and 120/160GB of storage. The new gimmick in the P20 is the Spinn. It is an analog toggle wheel that uses the Spinn every turn, with the new interface.

    iriver-P20

    [via engadget]