Wednesday, July 1, 2009
CES 2009: Asus Builds PC, Touchscreen into EEE Keyboard
We must admit that Asus is one of the most innovative companies in the field of computer hardware, the manufacturer single-handedly pushing the “netbook” and “nettop” concepts onto the market via its EEE brand. However, it looks like they're not about to stop anytime soon, since, for this year's CES, they've come up with yet another crazy contraption, the EEE Keyboard, which is, without a doubt, the most complex product of this type ever developed.And that's not necessarily due to who knows what hi-tech typing-related functions or features. No, the EEE Keyboard is much more than that, it's actually a fully-functional computing system (although I wouldn't go as far as calling it a PC) that has been adapted in order to fit the ultra-slim form factor of a keyboard.
What's really interesting about this thing is that it could actually represent the future of home entertainment systems. And that's because it has been equipped with both UWB (ultra-wide band) HDMI and Wi-Fi b/g/n wireless modules, which means that users could very easily stream videos from the Internet and then directly to a wireless-HDMI enabled HDTV.
Numerous connectivity options
Enlarge picture
As we can see from the photos, the device also sports a rather OK array of “wired” interfaces, including here USB 2.0, HDMI, VGA, Ethernet and audio in/out ports. Furthermore, the device has been equipped with a very useful 5-inch touchscreen, which grants fast and easy access to various shortcuts, media browsing or a virtual mouse.
Now, as mentioned right from the start, this device is solely in prototype phase for the time being. However, as our colleagues from Engadget have managed to find out, the EEE Keyboard showcased at CES is actually a near-final prototype, Asus planning to start mass production for this thing as soon as possible. And if the price is right, then the Taiwanese company might have yet another hit product in store of us.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Duracell unveils a new auto USB car charger
If you travel a lot for your job, you probably carry several important gizmos that require a USB connection to keep them charged up. So you undoubtedly understand the importance of keeping these gadgets charged between appointments. Duracell also understands the importance of having some power insurance, just in case you can’t recharge your gadgets with your standard wall charger. Duracell has announced a new USB Auto Car Charger that is a low profile charger that fits almost entirely inside the DC outlet of a car or other vehicle. When you plug in the charger to the outlet, the device illuminates with a blue light so you know that it’s got the juice to pass on to your USB powered devices. The charger includes three different connectors so that it will work with devices that support standard USB, mini USB, or micro USB ports.
Unfortunately Duracell has not announced when their new USB auto charger will be released or the price point. But once it does, this is something you should definitely keep on hand if your access to AC outlets is limited.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Intel preps 16 threads with next-gen Nehalem-EX Xeon monster
Intel’s next big server chip, Nehalem-EX, codename “Beckton”, will include 2.3 billion transistors, eight cores, 16 threads per socket, and will be available possibly in late 2009, or more likely early 2010, according to recent revelations by Intel. The chip is designed for systems in excess of two sockets, and is capable of executing 16 simultaneous threads each. While Intel has not yet provided full details about the chip, in April they demonstrated the 300mm wafer (see pic), which showed the Beckton cores all nicely laid out. At that time, Shannon Pouline, Xeon Platform Director of Intel’s Server Products Group, said “What you’ll get at the beginning of next year — late this year or the beginning of next year — will be the push into the four-socket, eight-socket, and above space.”
In addition, they have just announced that on May 26 (a week from today), Boyd Davis, Intel’s GM of Server Platforms Marketing Group, will host the “roll-out event” to “discuss how this new server product raises the standard in cost-effective RISC replacement solutions”.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Nintendo DS Lite - Part 1 of 2 - Hardware
If you haven't heard about the Nintendo DS Lite you either hate games or you are stranded on an island somewhere. Let me preface this review by saying how much I disliked Gameboys and Gameboy Advanced systems. I let my son borrow a GB & GBA from his friend this summer, and it was the first time I had laid my hands on a Gameboy. The disappointment was unreal. The screen of the Gameboy was not backlit, and I couldn't see a thing. I cannot fathom how kids spend hours on these things. The Gameboy Advanced was mildly better, at least it's screen was somewhat backlit - yet, it too was one of the most disappointing things I have ever seen, as far as portable gaming goes.
Fast forward to July 2006 when Nintendo sent me their latest and greatest new release, the Nintendo DS Lite
The new DS Lite is sleek, beautiful, and re-designed.
I hadn't really tried playing any of the older GBA games due to the poor display, but now I finally was able to play a couple of Gameboy Advanced games and enjoy them. The beautifully bright 3 inch LCD screen makes them look stunning. If you did have a heavy investment of GBA games, this makes this the premiere choice over any other handheld. Being able to play from the biggest handheld game collection makes this $129 item an incredible value. The DS Lite has been executed extremely well, and in my opinion, it puts the Sony PSP to shame. Everything about the DS Lite rocks.
Canon Debuts Four New Pixma 'All-In-One' Printers
The PIXMA MP460 Photo AIO sports a high-gloss, acrylic finish and has an estimated selling price of $129.99. At an estimated selling price of $99.991, the PIXMA MP180 Photo AIO offers fast, easy-to-use features with the convenience of direct photo printing in all sizes from wallet to 8.5"x 11" prints. As an encore to the bestselling PIXMA MP150, Canon rounds out its entry-level photo AIO lineup with the introduction of the new PIXMA MP160 Photo AIO at an estimated selling price of $89.991.
From small office to home office, Canon adds one more office AIO to its lineup with the addition of the PIXMA MP530 (estimated selling price $199.99). Following the success of the award-winning PIXMA MP830 Office AIO, the new PIXMA MP530 features FAX and Automatic Document Feeder capabilities.
"With home-office AIO printers becoming everyday household items and digital photography's popularity increasing by leaps and bounds, Canon has created a new generation of multi-function printers that further links the photographic world to that of the home office," said Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the consumer imaging group at Canon U.S.A., Inc.