by Techno Witch on September 27, 2008
Just in case some of you don’t remember, Toshiba does make hard drives as well in addition to computers, so here we are presented with its new 1.8″ MKxx29GSG series of hard drives that come in three different high capacity models to suit your taste (and budget). Among them is the first 250GB 1.8″ hard drive in the world, so be prepared to see more and more mobile devices that roll out next year to feature this little storage wonder. In the meantime, continue reading after the jump for more details on the MKxx29GSG series.
This is a third-generation 5,400 RPM SATA 1.8″ hard drive that will also come in 120GB and 160GB capacities, and they too boast a fast data transfer rate which is able to hit 3Gbps. Not only that, your data is made even more secure thanks to the inclusion of Toshiba’s state-of-the-art free fall sensor option, which is able to offer enhanced protection from external shock and vibration events. A hard drive at this size and performance capability is required these days for computing applications, and it also frees up previous restrictions for PC manufacturers to further miniaturize notebook designs without sacrificing functionality.
The MKxx29GSG series also has a minimal impact on the environment as it is part of Toshiba’s ever growing line of environmentally safe storage products. It does so by offering improved energy consumption, eliminating specified hazardous halogens and discontinuing the use of certain chemical substances. They won’t be available at this point in time, but will only begin volume shipment to PC manufacturers as well as distribution partners when December rolls around. It would be interesting to see new portable media players include this Toshiba 1.8? hard drive from next year onwards ? guess we can see a further miniaturization of iPods as well as larger capacities?
Press Release
by Techno Witch on September 27, 2008
Everyone like free stuff and Newber are offering a chance to win an exclusive membership to their Newber phone call-management service. Newber is an application for the Apple iPhone and Apple iPhone 3G that allows the user to detect their location and transfer calls.
Newber gives the user the ability to managed incoming and outgoing phone calls by seamlessly switching between the phone numbers of your choice.
The iPhoner can seamlessly swap calls to another phone number when they move from car to office or maybe lose mobile reception; all they need to do is transfer the call to another handset or office phone, and the call transfer is transparent and completely unnoticeable to the caller.
A few videos below so you get the general idea.
by Techno Witch on September 27, 2008
Sagem make a welcome return to the mobile arena?s red carpet with their new Porsche Designed P9522 mobile phone and taking over from the P9521 handset.
The Sagem P9522 is of a candy-bar design constructed in an aluminium chassis, and sports a 5 megapixel camera, 2.8 inch display, WiFi, fingerprint reader, GPS and a microSD expansion slot.
It is a shame Sagem stopped there and didn?t add a 3G radio, and thus doesn?t quite measure up to the latest technology available. If you fancy one of these they ship next month with a price tag of about ?600, which is roughly $875.
by Techno Witch on September 27, 2008
Apparently, according to analyst group Pacific Crest, Apple has chopped the number of Apple iPhone 3G handsets they plan to build before the year?s end; dropping the original quantity from 18 million handsets down to 14 or 15 million.
If this information is accurate, the move isn?t expected to hurt Apple but may well hurt its suppliers such as Skyworks Solutions and Triquint Semiconductor which product power amplifiers for the iPhone.
Pacific Crest also notice that the 8GB Apple iPhone 3G is the most popular, and that this may signal a trend towards consumers purchasing cheaper smartphones, although the drain on the 8GB could represent an intentional strategy by Apple if it intends to switch to 16GB and 32GB in the future.
by Techno Witch on September 27, 2008
The class-action lawsuit filed by Jose Trujillo against Apple back in July 2007, complaining that Apple didn?t explicitly mention that the iPhone?s battery would slowly die and need to be replaced after some time, has been dismissed by a US District Court judge.
District Court judge, Judge Matthew F. Kennelly, dismissed the lawsuit without going to trial stating Apple?s battery limited recharge cycle?s disclaimer of the Apple iPhone?s packaging may need to be replaced in the future.
Judge Matthew F. Kennelly wrote in his Sept. 23 opinion, quoting the iPhone packaging. “Under the circumstances, no reasonable jury could find that deception occurred.”
by Techno Witch on September 27, 2008
According to High Tech Computers, (that?s HTC the company who manufacture the new Google Android G1 mobile phone), boss Florian Seiche, the launch of the Android G1 is ?really big news for the entire mobile world,” and that the G1 could possibly make the personal computer obsolete.
Seiche, says: “It is so fast, responsive and easy to navigate that you basically have the same browsing experience you would have on your desktop at home.”
One should of course forgive Seiche for being a little smug, as since HTC?s formation they have broken away from just being another manufacturer for the big names of the mobile world and have produced high class handsets of their own brand such as the HTC Touch Diamond, and Touch Pro.
However with the launch of the Android G1 it now becomes a David and Goliath type battle with the hugely popular Apple iPhone 3G; the G1 strikes at the heart of the Apple iPhone?s selling point by taking advantage of Google?s wealth of applications.
Can the G1 become greater than the Apple iPhone? Could the G1 make computers obsolete? What are your views?
by Techno Witch on September 27, 2008
Scientists have warned that mobile phones should carry a health warning much like the warning that cigarette packets are forced to carry.
Experts have told a U.S. congressional committee that the authorities must not make the same mistakes over possible links between brain cancer and mobile phones like the mistakes with lung cancer and cigarettes.
Director of the institute of health and environment at the University of Albany, Professor David Carpenter, says: ?Society must not repeat the situation we had with smoking and lung cancer, where we waited until every ‘i’ was dotted and ‘t’ was crossed before warnings were issued. Precaution is warranted even in the absence of absolutely final evidence concerning the magnitude of the risk – especially for children.?
Are the scientists being overly cautious, or do you think it?s just scare-mongering? Do you think heavy usage of mobile phones can cause brain cancer? Should they carry a health warning?
by Techno Witch on September 26, 2008
In case you are out of focus with video games, you may have heard about Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. The game is immensely popular, and there is a gun used by the main character Snake that is definitely some sweet metal gear.
A Japanese fan has designed a stainless steel gun that resembles on from the game, but this one shoots rubberbands. I?ve never really used rubberband guns before, but this one certainly makes me want it.
All the user needs to do is cock the metal gear in the back and string on about six rubberbands. Then you just take aim and fire, and there is even a safety.
The gun even has a laser-sighter like the one in The Terminator, and there is even a flashlight for shots in the dark. The gun even has a fold down handle for keeping aim extra steady.
Well, this is just a fan-inspired creation for now, but surely the video game crowd is big enough to want something like this. In other words, there is a demand, but probably not much of a supply. I would say to the Japanese fanboy who invented it to get ready for mass production.
In the meantime, feel free to enjoy this YouTube video of the gun in action.
Source
by Techno Witch on September 26, 2008
I believe we have previously reported on devices that can help users wirelessly download images from a camera directly to the PC. One of the most famous is the Eye-Fi, a memory card that allows such a transfer, and now there is the Nabee.
The Nabee is designed by Samsung Techwin and Alereon, and designed specifically for wireless connectivity with Samsung brand cameras. All the user has to do is plug one end into the camera, and plug the other into the PC with a USB key. The transfer is fast, and efficient up to 10 meters.
The Nabee is powered by Alereon?s AL5000 worldwide wireless USB chipset, and the company claims it is the easiest way to connect the camera into the PC. It receives WiMedia band groups, which can span frequencies 3.1 to 10.6 GHz.
Something tells me that both the Nabee and Eye-Fi are not going to be the last products that can download wirelessly to a PC. Personally, I don?t like connecting the cable from the camera to the PC. I don?t know why, either, it doesn?t take that much time. Perhaps it is just laziness, or that whole downloading process. I suppose wireless transfers could simplify it.
You should be able to find the Nabee on its release in December 2008. I don?t have any word on a price as yet.
Source
by Techno Witch on September 26, 2008
It’s not quite time for winter gadgets just yet, but this particular gadget might take a little saving up to get, so it’s probably best if you come across it now. The traction mat is made to sit outside all winter long and whenever it begins to snow you flip it on. It then heats up and will melt snow off of your walkway. Which means no more back breaking shoveling of snow. For some this is just another tool to be lazy with, but for those with back problems or the elderly this gadget would be extremely helpful.
Not everyone has slave laborers children to shovel the walkway every time it snows. The mat can melt up to 2? of snow per hour, so you might run into issues if a blizzard heads your way. Also you have to flip it on before the snowfall starts, so it’ll work better if you’re the type that watches the weather closely. The mat is a bit pricey, for 15′ long x 24? wide it will cost you $1,099. The longer and wider you want the mat the more it’s going to cost.