Monday, October 15, 2007
iPhone report
While we've seen a variety of surveys pitting the iPhone against its most notable rivals, a recent study conducted by the NPD Group breaks down the numbers behind who left what phone (and what carrier) to acquire an iPhone. Not surprisingly, iPhone early adopters were "ten times more likely than other new phone buyers to have previously owned a Treo and three times more likely to have owned a T-Mobile branded phone, such as the popular Sidekick model." When it came to carriers, Alltel and T-Mobile were said to have lost the most customers to AT&T, as consumers who "switched carriers to buy an iPhone were three times more likely to switch from Alltel or T-Mobile than from other carriers." Notably, the lack of "corporate email support" was pinpointed as the main reason that many BlackBerry users didn't make the leap, but it did praise the iPhone for helping to "bridge the gap between consumer-focused feature phones and productivity-focused smartphones."
Nyko intercooler
Just in case your Wii has suddenly and unexpectedly become some sort of flamethrower in recent weeks, Nyko is introducing a cooling solution of its very own. Granted, we don't really expect that most Wii consoles will actually need this thing, but we're sure the "better safe than sorry" crowd will have a field day. Regardless, the clip-on device won't require any fancy modifications to operate, and while it will only run you $14.99, your money is probably better spent elsewhere
Oppo Super Five PMP Can Handle a Ton of Formats
In the case of this Oppo PMP, the moniker "Super" certainly applies. The Super Five can handle just about any format you can throw at it including: RM, RMVB, FLV, DAT, MPG, MPEG, AVI, 3GP in video and OGG, MP3, WMA and WAV and dual-APE, FLAC Lossless audio. Plus, photos in JPEG, BMP, GIF and PNG pose no problem for this little feature packed device. Speaking of small, all of that functionality is crammed into a credit card sized 2GB flash memory player that features a 3-inch color screen with QVGA resolution. Naturally, something this cool isn't going to be found anywhere outside of China, bu if you can make the trip it will only run you $120. Sounds like a steal, but fear not because Oppo has a reputation for delivering quality video at an affordable price.
16 gb iphone round the corner?
Someone claiming to be an AppleStore employee has taken these—obligatorily blurry—photos of an alleged Apple iPhone 16GB. You know our rule: never trust rumors. Check for yourself in the photo of the about screen, showing 14.4GB of available space:
Samsung hybrid camcorder
Samsung has unveiled a hybrid flash camcorder, the VM-DX10, at KES2007. As well as boasting a curvy bod, the camera has 4GB memory, 26 x zoom, a 2.7-inch touch-panel LCD screen, 3D Noise Reduction Filter technology, Hyper Image Stabilizer feature and quick start function. Available in black or white, it should be out in Korea next month for a maximum of $750 (700,000KRW.) [Aving] more »
Sunday, October 14, 2007
NAB pleads for FCC delay
As the constant battle between the National Association of Broadcasters and nearly everyone else continues on over the potential XM / Sirius merger, the entity is now asking the FCC to put a stop on the 180-day clock for considering the junction. Reportedly, all the NAB wants is "time to go through documents it said it is getting through a Freedom of Information Request filed in March," and it seemingly feels that some of the articles it's still waiting for contain proof of "serious apparent wrongdoing by XM and Sirius executive and senior-level employees regarding the operation of FM modulators / translators and / or terrestrial repeaters." Of note, both of the aforementioned sat radio providers shot back by stating that the NAB's "allegations are unfounded and its recent filing is just an attempt to stall the process." From the outside looking in, we'd say that sounds just about right.
Palm centro review
Okay, now we know what you're thinking. Sure, we (lovingly) raked Palm over the coals in our open letter to the company, and yeah, we haven't been the sweetest of hearts to the crew from Sunnyvale (with good reason, of course). However, If you've paid attention to our past good-intentioned prodding, then you'll know that getting our hands on a new Palm device still gives some of us geeky chills.After seeing scores of "leaked" photos of the Centro, and hearing enough internet chatter about the device to make your brain vibrate like a tightly-wound piano string, actually getting our hands on the phone was honestly a bit of a surprise, both bad and good. We're going to break it down piece by piece and hopefully give you a rounded impression of the smartphone crown-chaser (or at least princess-in-waiting).
Clarion unveils...
Oh sure, we've seen plenty of flashy and sophisticated devices aimed at filling that gaping double-DIN hole in your dash, but how's about a device that 10-year old passengers and suckers for all-things-adorable would also dig? Enter Clarion's newest duo, which comes in either white (DUB275MP) or black (DUB275MPB; seen after the jump) and actually packs quite a nice feature set considering the lighthearted design. Aside from the CD drive, it also offers up a front-mounted USB port for loading up MP3 / WMA files, customizable accent lights, optional Bluetooth, AM / FM tuner, a 50-watt x 4 amplifier and a cutesy display to boot. Check 'em out later this month for ¥34,650 ($295) apiece.
Jailbreak
We haven't tried this ourselves, but word is iJailbreak, an iPod touch version of Jailbreak for Intel Macs, has been released for download. At this point it is only reported to work with Intel Macs. We are testing it out on our iPod touch right now, check back for updates. Hit the link to download it yourself, be sure to let us know how you get on. Update within.
Canadian iPhone delayed?
Mirroring the premature trademark dispute surrounding the launch of the Cisco iPhone in the US, Apple's Canadian launch of its respective iPhone could be delayed due to a trademark dispute with a product that shares the same name as Apple's gadget. Comwave Telecom in Toronto owns the trademark rights to the name "iPhone" in Canada for use on its VoIP products and services, and has filed a complaint with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office over Apple's application for the trademark rights of the name for its future Canadian version of the iPhone. Sounds like a case of how much Apple is willing to pay, or how long they're willing to delay.
Sony planning an A100 successor?
Unfortunately, details are still thin on this one, but apparently Sony is looking to introduce not one, but three new DSLRs next year. At a recent press event at Sonimagfoto in Barcelona, Spain, it was reported that the firm is hoping to crank out an all new flagship model, a true A100 successor and another flavor that's likely to hit at a lower price point than its higher-end Alpha siblings. Additionally, it's looking to increase its lens collection from around 24 to 40 within the next two years, many of which will be new designs from Carl Zeiss. Beyond that, we're simply left to speculate, so be our guests in comments, would ya?
Build your own UPS
Whether your end improvement is a functioning office, or a longer game of Unreal, uninterruptible power supplies are an essential part of keeping your kit up and running. In case you were wondering what goes on inside the little -- or, as the case may be, big -- boxes that sit next to power outlets, icrontic has a how-to for constructing your own UPS. If you're not up to the task of constructing your own, then there's also advice about which type of off-the-shelf UPS is for you. Now all you've got to worry about are other, human based, interruptions.
Copyright infringment
Sure, you may get yourself a ticket from local police if you roll around with that in-car stereo cranked, but at least you're not being sued for £200,000 ($407,680). Unfortunately for the Edinburgh-based Kwik-Fit automotive repair center, it actually is being taken to court for that astronomical amount by the Performing Rights Society, which "collects royalties for songwriters and performers." The PRS alleges that "Kwik-Fit mechanics routinely used personal radios while working at locales across the UK and that music, protected by copyright, could be heard by colleagues and customers." Astoundingly, Lord Emslie ruled that the case could actually be heard, so we guess we'll be relying exclusively on headphones from here on out.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
XBOX 360 arcade
Although there's still no official word from Microsoft about the Xbox 360 Arcade, we've just received a second picture of a boxed unit sitting on the shelves of a retail store: this time in a Methuen, MA store, only miles away from the unit spotted in Haverhill. New details include a Harry Potter / Lego Star Wars back, along with details on included games -- we can make out Uno, Pac-Man, Luxor 2, and two other indistinguishable logos. The closeness of the two spottings indicates that this early leak is the fault of whoever put a pallet on a truck without marking it with the correct ship date. In that case, don't expect an early announcement from Microsoft.
Electric Band-Aids for Fast Relief
Our future cuts and scrapes could heal a lot faster if this HealFast electric Band-Aid concept ever enters the marketplace. Actually, HealFast is specifically designed for patients with diabetes in an attempt to address the chronic ulcers and pressure sores that they often experience. Once applied, an electric charge would generate a very weak field that prevents infection in the surrounding tissue. A far cry from those crappy Pokemon Band-Aids I use now
Fit-PC Sips on 5W of Power, Is Super Tiny
From CompuLab, the Fit-PC is a tiny, no frills Linux PC that uses a mere 5W of power to operate. That's one-fifth what some computers burn in standby. And the specs may be better than you'd expect. An AMD Geode processor runs at 500 MHz, supported by 256MB DDR memory (non-expandable), 40GB 2.5" hard drive and SXGA graphics controller. And none of that needs fans to cool. The inclusion of 2 USB ports mean that the Fit-PC will actually work with normal peripherals...though we're not certain how much power those ports will supply your devices.
At 5" long and only 1.5" thick, the Fit-PC will fit anywhere. And at $285, we think we're in eco-love. But what did ExtremeTech have to say about the function?
Sneaker Pimps Functional NES Footwear
Spotted at the Sneaker Pimps tour finale NY, these NES shoes are probably the greatest thing ever. We can only assume they play NES games, and if such is the case, we declare this footwear to have "won." Gizmodo will now give up its quest of searching for the ultimate gadget, and will return to its original mission: a blog focused on the teachings of the character Gizmo and his/her various hairstyles. Yes, it will be a step down for us all. We apologize for this shoe's awesomeness, but retro gaming footwear is a force that cannot be stopped
Apple Online Store Says Virus = Windows
How we nearly laughed our little lungs out when we read this one. If you go down to the Apple Online Store and search the term "virus," you will get one result; a smiley face, titled Windows, followed by the text; Why you'll love a Mac. View the latest TV ads to find out more. It is a bit unnecessary because everyone knows Windows is pants, but we understand a few Microsoft fanboys might be upset—so this PS image is for you:
Walmart RFID
Although Wal-Mart is traditionally viewed as a logistics leader and a pioneer in RFID adoption, only 975 of its stores currently utilize the technology. Frustrated by losing sales due to misplaced inventory, the firm is now dead set on rolling out RFID gear into every single North American store, and soon. When complete, over 4,000 locales will be fitted with the equipment, which could net Wally World over $287 million in extra sales by simply having the technology in place to quickly track down wares before a customer heads elsewhere. Of course, it seems but a matter of time before these tags actually make it beyond the crate and onto individual items / shelves, but hey, it's not like you actually expected Wal-Mart to turn away Big Brother, right?
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Gridlock - The Knowledge Management Blog
Hi all,
Check out this new blog.. http://arjunthomas.com ( Gridlock)
Gridlock :
"GridLock" is written by Arjun Thomas. This blog is a guide to various topics related to Knowledge Management, its technologies and practices, in an attempt to De-mystify it.
Check out this new blog.. http://arjunthomas.com ( Gridlock)
Gridlock :
"GridLock" is written by Arjun Thomas. This blog is a guide to various topics related to Knowledge Management, its technologies and practices, in an attempt to De-mystify it.
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