Best computer news

Sony introduced a new compact digital camera called the Cyber-shot DSC-T2 that has 4GB of built-in storage. That allows the camera to store 40,000 VGA resolution images or 1000 full resolution 8MP images. The camera also has a large 2.5-inch touchscreen on the rear that allows you to navigate the menus.

By touching the screen in photo mode you can choose where the camera focuses, and by touching it in video mode, you can choose where to zoom in. One of the more interesting features on the camera is a folder that you can move images into that you want to share. Included software will automatically upload the images to several online photo sharing sites when the USB cable is attached to the camera. If you would prefer a cam that shoots video in H.264, the Casio Exilim EX-V8 might be a better choice.
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Back in the 80’s and early 90’s most of the music pirating…um…archiving, was done on blank cassette tapes. You had to have a dual tape deck to copy tunes; the process wasn’t nearly as easy as it is today. If you have a bit of old school flair or just really miss those cool cassette tapes, but want to make your mix with digital tracks Mixa is for you.

Mixa is a 1GB flash drive that connects to your PC via USB. The drive housing looks like a cassette tape and comes with a USB extension cable, which you will need considering how wide the Mixa is. You get to custom design the look and packaging of the Mixa device by using ready-made images on the Mixa site or by uploading your own personal images. Pricing for the Mixa device is about $41 USD including worldwide shipping.
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At CES back in January SanDisk showed off a USB media player device that has just now made it to market. The system is called the Sansa TakeTV. The system is somewhat similar to the Apple TV product in that it records content from your PC to play on your TV. Whereas the Apple TV uses wireless connectivity to connect to your TV, the Sansa TakeTV uses a USB drive that plugs into a cradle connected to your TV.

PC Magazine reviewed the TakeTV recently and awarded it three stars. The reviewer said that it was simple to use and plays Xvid, DivX, and MPEG-4 files. Unfortunately, the device doesn’t support HD video and it lacks digital video out. Pricing for the TakeTV is inexpensive with a 4GB unit going for $100 and an 8GB one selling for $150. SanDisk also has a content site to go along with the TakeTV called Fanfare.com where you can download TV shows from Showtime for free like Dexter and from CBS like CSI: Miami.
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Few would argue that adding 28 hours of additional run time for your DS Lite or 4.5 hours of runtime for your PSP is a bad thing. Many of us might have an issue with the fact that the battery that provides these greatly extended run times is on your wrist.

Thanko has a new charging bracelet that gets its charge from your USB port. The system includes a charge adapters for the DS Lite, the PSP, au adapter, DoCMo (FOMA)/SoftBank (3G) adapter. The bracelet measures in at 26 x 3.5 x 1.2cm and weighs 80g. The USB cable is 120cm and the internal battery is a 1500mAh Lithium-ion unit. The other two adapters allow you to use the bracelet to power some cellular and smartphones. The charge cable is coiled like a old-fashioned phone cord for more freedom of movement. This reminds me a bit of the Motorola USB charger we covered last year.
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Six years ago today, on October 23rd 2001, Apple released a truly revolutionary MP3 player, iPod. It was a $399 hard drive-based digital audio player that sports a unique mechanical scroll wheel that lets you navigate easily on mile-long playlists by moving your thumb in a circular motion. It was also the first player to fully support iTunes (not sure what version it was back then), and most importantly, put FireWire in the spotlight. Despite its long list of features, the iPod remains very pocketable.

Six years later, Apple went to no where it has gone before with its successful iPod-series. Some hundred and twenty million units were sold. Macs has become mainstream PCs from just expensive niche novelty. Most importantly, AAPL skyrocketed to $184 from just $9, even after stock splits.

As for iPod itself, iTunes/iPod support came in the third gen. iPod. Apple has since dumped FireWire in favor of USB 2.0 starting with the fifth generation iPod video. And despite that most iPods remain a DAP, the entire series except for the screen-less shuffle now has evolved into a movie player and handheld game device. Scroll wheel has also moved on to touch sensitive. As for capacity, the latest flagship iPod classic players are equipped with 80GB and 160GB, compared to 5GB and 10GB of the first generation. Rest of the iPods (eg. nano, shuffle, touch) went with NAND flash.
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• DailyTech says that a new report shows that Blu-ray outsold HD DVD in the first 9-months of 2007. Whether or not that trend continues remains to be seen since HD DVD outsold Blu-ray recently with the HD DVD exclusive release of Transformers.
• Yanko Design has a concept for a digital camera from Canon called the Snap. The little camera is worn on the finger like a ring. This camera seems like a step backwards in some respects though, no viewfinder or LCD.
• OhGizmo! has a some details on a 4-inch diameter levitating globe. Normally these levitating ball gadgets they have an arm at the top to keep the object floating in the magnetic field. This one lacks the top arm and retails for $99.95.
• SlashPhone is covering the European retail availability of the Nokia N81, which is also launching the N-Gage platform. Too bad these cool phones never come to America.
• Engadget is reporting that Verizon has rolled out a new way-fast version is its FiOS internet service. The new speed is good for a massive 20Mbps upload and download speed. Only geeks in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut can get the service at this time.

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We have talked before here about the transition from traditional CD music to digital tracks on USB drives. Today we hear that the band Matchbox Twenty is releasing its entire “Exile on mainstream” album on a USB bracelet.

The USB bracelet is available exclusively at Best Buy for $35 and includes all 17 tracks from the album released on October 2, the music video for How Far we’ve Come and another video with band interviews. Other features are an included digital booklet with album art and other band items to customize your computer. “I just think it’s neat,” says lead singer Rob Thomas. “It’s really fun knowing how much is inside that wristband.” This is sort of like a box set with video and music minus the box and the traditional media.
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Yamaha has a new MP3 player that is aimed at users who work out often. The BODiBEAT allows you to upload songs into it just as you do with any other MP3 player. The player then chooses music from your playlist with a tempo that matches your run.

The BODiBEAT also acts as a heart rate counter and normal music player for non-impact activities. In addition to music functionality, the player also stores information about your workout like distance, time, and pace. Heart rate is monitored via a heart rate monitor that attached to your ear. Synchronization of music with your workout is done via an internal accelerometer that matches the tempo of tracks to the impacts of your workout. Pricing for the BODiBEAT is about $300.
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More and more gadgets are coming to market that can be recharged via the ubiquitous USB port. This allows you to be able to recharge phones and other items from your computer, but what do you do when you are out camping or otherwise not around an AC outlet of USB port?

The small device looks like one of those personal fans for hot days, but it is actually a wind generator that can power your phone or other USB charging device. The generator requires a breeze from 9 MPH to 40MPH and charges its own internal Li-ion battery and puts out 5V for USB gadgets. 20-minutes of wind can power your iPod for 30-minutes or your phone for four-minutes. The Hymini can also be charged from an AC outlet as well. Pricing is unavailable, but expect to see the item on shelves sometime this fall. You can get a solar USB charger now from Brando.
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Conference room VoIP devices have been around for a while and now Yamaha is jumping on the bandwagon with its own PJP-25UR VoIP speakerphone. The triangle shaped gadget connects to your PC via USB and features a speaker and two mics.

The microphones themselves rotate so that they can be oriented for the ideal sound quality for multiple VoIP participants. The device measures in at 229×152x34mm and weighs 570g. It appears that eh device can run in two power modes, one draws 2.5W for power completely form the USB port and one draws 3W and is self powered by an AC adapter. Frequency response is 300Hz to 20000Hz. The device will be available in early December 2007 for about $546. That is about twice the price of the IPEVO Xing VoIP speakerphone aimed at the same market.
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