22-Jun-07 21:23:00
Filed under: Laptops
While we're sure plenty of you have already made up your minds about the new Santa Rosa-based MacBook Pros, those still on the fence now have plenty of reviews to aid in their decision-making, a few of which we've rounded up for ya. On the whole, most everyone so far seems to have been mightily impressed with the unit -- its screen, in particular, which ComputerWorld describes as "best-looking LCD screen Apple has produced" (referring to the 17-inch model) and NoteBookReview hails as the the reviewer has "ever seen on a laptop" (the 15-inch one, in this case). Not surprisingly, they also found much to like about the laptop's new Santa Rosa platform, which Ars Technica found to outperform the previous model in all but one benchmark test (unzipping a 254.6MB archive), while also giving it a boost in battery life (even if it doesn't quite live up to Apple's claims). Those looking for yet more benchmarks can check out the Touchy Fire-Fly blog, which also p...
While we're sure plenty of you have already made up your minds about the new Santa Rosa-based MacBook Pros, those still on the fence now have plenty of reviews to aid in their decision-making, a few of which we've rounded up for ya. On the whole, most everyone so far seems to have been mightily impressed with the unit -- its screen, in particular, which ComputerWorld describes as "best-looking LCD screen Apple has produced" (referring to the 17-inch model) and NoteBookReview hails as the the reviewer has "ever seen on a laptop" (the 15-inch one, in this case). Not surprisingly, they also found much to like about the laptop's new Santa Rosa platform, which Ars Technica found to outperform the previous model in all but one benchmark test (unzipping a 254.6MB archive), while also giving it a boost in battery life (even if it doesn't quite live up to Apple's claims). Those looking for yet more benchmarks can check out the Touchy Fire-Fly blog, which also p...
Source: Engadget
22-Jun-07 20:53:00
Filed under: Household
Microwaves with built-in bar code scanners aren't exactly entirely new, but it looks like those in the foodservice industry will soon be getting a new button-less fix to call their own, this one coming from RH Hall. As with similar units, RH Hall's so-called "Maestrowave" lets you simply swipe a package of food in front of it, with then automatically setting the appropriate time and cooking power. Unfortunately, it's still in the prototype stage (which could account its current low-budget sci-fi prop look), although the company says they expect to have it ready by the first quarter of next year.
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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
Microwaves with built-in bar code scanners aren't exactly entirely new, but it looks like those in the foodservice industry will soon be getting a new button-less fix to call their own, this one coming from RH Hall. As with similar units, RH Hall's so-called "Maestrowave" lets you simply swipe a package of food in front of it, with then automatically setting the appropriate time and cooking power. Unfortunately, it's still in the prototype stage (which could account its current low-budget sci-fi prop look), although the company says they expect to have it ready by the first quarter of next year.
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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
Source: Engadget
22-Jun-07 20:28:00
Filed under: Laptops
You can't help but think that the term multi-touch is a shoe-in for Buzzword of the Year, as we've seen it on tables, in a regular old phone, and now we're getting it on a laptop -- at least according to Microsoft's on10 (blogging about the company's Cambridge-based research team). Whatever the case may be, this multi-touch screen looks pretty damn good to us (kind of like Surface on a notebook), and the technology they're using (off-the-shelf laptop, IR sensors) gives us the impression that these might come to market sooner rather than later. Be sure to watch the video after the break.
[Via istartedsomething, thanks Mitchel T]Continue reading Microsoft R&D shows off multi-touch laptop
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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
You can't help but think that the term multi-touch is a shoe-in for Buzzword of the Year, as we've seen it on tables, in a regular old phone, and now we're getting it on a laptop -- at least according to Microsoft's on10 (blogging about the company's Cambridge-based research team). Whatever the case may be, this multi-touch screen looks pretty damn good to us (kind of like Surface on a notebook), and the technology they're using (off-the-shelf laptop, IR sensors) gives us the impression that these might come to market sooner rather than later. Be sure to watch the video after the break.
[Via istartedsomething, thanks Mitchel T]Continue reading Microsoft R&D shows off multi-touch laptop
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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
Source: Engadget
22-Jun-07 20:03:00
Filed under: Cellphones, Peripherals
Judging solely by the shots available, it's not hard to agree with the sect that firmly believes Apple's first-party iPhone dock won't reserve a charging spot for its Bluetooth headset. But hey, that's what Chinese knockoffs are for, right? A full seven days before the iPhone's launch, 4Ustuff purportedly has an iPhone USB cradle for sale that undoubtedly provides the means to dock / charge your BT earpiece. Whether or not it'll actually work with Apple's products (or ship, for that matter), remains to be seen.
[Via Pocket-Lint]
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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
Judging solely by the shots available, it's not hard to agree with the sect that firmly believes Apple's first-party iPhone dock won't reserve a charging spot for its Bluetooth headset. But hey, that's what Chinese knockoffs are for, right? A full seven days before the iPhone's launch, 4Ustuff purportedly has an iPhone USB cradle for sale that undoubtedly provides the means to dock / charge your BT earpiece. Whether or not it'll actually work with Apple's products (or ship, for that matter), remains to be seen.
[Via Pocket-Lint]
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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
Source: Engadget
22-Jun-07 19:50:38
We always knew the Xbox 360 failure rate was high, but the only time Microsoft's put any sort of solid numbers on the thing it was always somewhere around 5%. Retailers, on the other hand, have just reported a failure rate of somewhere over 30%. That's pretty ridonkulous. It's a good thing Microsoft support is usually pretty good about taking them back, so you don't have to go all Picard and shout about how many lights there are over the phone.
From what we've seen in unconfirmed reports on the net, the problem comes from insufficient cooling for the GPU. This in turn causes the 3 red lights, which means you're going to have to send back your 360 to Microsoft and possibly get a dirty refurbished unit in return. If you're really, really lucky (and French), you'll get a unit with added cooling as well. – Jason Chen
Massive Failure Rate For Xbox 360 Exposed [Smarthouse]
From what we've seen in unconfirmed reports on the net, the problem comes from insufficient cooling for the GPU. This in turn causes the 3 red lights, which means you're going to have to send back your 360 to Microsoft and possibly get a dirty refurbished unit in return. If you're really, really lucky (and French), you'll get a unit with added cooling as well. – Jason Chen
Massive Failure Rate For Xbox 360 Exposed [Smarthouse]
Source: Gizmodo
22-Jun-07 19:43:00
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets
If you've been eying one of those snazzy USB-enabled fish tanks of late, but are still a bit gun shy when it comes to taking care of a live animal, Brando's got you covered. The USB Interactive Aquarium looks to be the perfect device for the wannabe fish owner, as this completely USB-powered tank includes a pair of thoroughly fake fish that swim around using mechanical tails. The included software allows owners to feed, care for, and play with their robotic pets, and you can even get an underwater rave going by flipping the built-in LEDs off and on in rapid succession. Not a bad way to see if you're up to the real challenge, and for just $23, it's an inexpensive way to snag an office pet that's not needy on the weekends.
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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
If you've been eying one of those snazzy USB-enabled fish tanks of late, but are still a bit gun shy when it comes to taking care of a live animal, Brando's got you covered. The USB Interactive Aquarium looks to be the perfect device for the wannabe fish owner, as this completely USB-powered tank includes a pair of thoroughly fake fish that swim around using mechanical tails. The included software allows owners to feed, care for, and play with their robotic pets, and you can even get an underwater rave going by flipping the built-in LEDs off and on in rapid succession. Not a bad way to see if you're up to the real challenge, and for just $23, it's an inexpensive way to snag an office pet that's not needy on the weekends.
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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
Source: Engadget
22-Jun-07 19:23:00
Filed under: Transportation
While we've seen everything from brilliant engineering to run-of-the-mill hacks enable vehicles to squeeze every last inch out of a tank of fuel, it looks like the Senate is taking larger strides in order to raise the MPG bar. The US Senate has reportedly passed an energy bill that would raise fuel efficiency standards to an average of 35 miles-per-gallon, create additional provisions that make it unlawful to charge "unconscionably excessive" prices for oil products, and establish new appliance and lighting efficiency standards to accelerate the use of more efficient lighting in public buildings. Lastly, there was purportedly verbiage that provided "grants, loan guarantees, and other assistance to promote research into fuel efficient vehicles." Of course, the bill still has quite a ways to go before it gets set in stone, and while upping the standard sure seems novel, a quick glance around existing lots will show that quite a few whips sold today aren't ...
While we've seen everything from brilliant engineering to run-of-the-mill hacks enable vehicles to squeeze every last inch out of a tank of fuel, it looks like the Senate is taking larger strides in order to raise the MPG bar. The US Senate has reportedly passed an energy bill that would raise fuel efficiency standards to an average of 35 miles-per-gallon, create additional provisions that make it unlawful to charge "unconscionably excessive" prices for oil products, and establish new appliance and lighting efficiency standards to accelerate the use of more efficient lighting in public buildings. Lastly, there was purportedly verbiage that provided "grants, loan guarantees, and other assistance to promote research into fuel efficient vehicles." Of course, the bill still has quite a ways to go before it gets set in stone, and while upping the standard sure seems novel, a quick glance around existing lots will show that quite a few whips sold today aren't ...
Source: Engadget
22-Jun-07 19:03:00
Filed under: Laptops
Toshiba sure is stealing the rays in the City of Light, as the outfit is showcasing yet another up and coming laptop in the Tecra X9. Not quite as flashy as the X200 nor R500 situated nearby, this 14-incher is destined for the hands of workaholics who aren't looking for high-end graphics performance and ultra-mobility. The black / silver color scheme seems attractive enough, and the built-in fingerprint reader ought to keep your manager's nerves at ease. Judging by the looks of it, you'll also get a number of USB 2.0 ports, 4-pin FireWire, a flash card reader, VGA output, and a DVD burner to boot, but the internals remain a mystery for now. You know the drill, more pictorial delight awaits you after the jump.Continue reading Toshiba's 14-inch Tecra X9 shown in Paris
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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
Toshiba sure is stealing the rays in the City of Light, as the outfit is showcasing yet another up and coming laptop in the Tecra X9. Not quite as flashy as the X200 nor R500 situated nearby, this 14-incher is destined for the hands of workaholics who aren't looking for high-end graphics performance and ultra-mobility. The black / silver color scheme seems attractive enough, and the built-in fingerprint reader ought to keep your manager's nerves at ease. Judging by the looks of it, you'll also get a number of USB 2.0 ports, 4-pin FireWire, a flash card reader, VGA output, and a DVD burner to boot, but the internals remain a mystery for now. You know the drill, more pictorial delight awaits you after the jump.Continue reading Toshiba's 14-inch Tecra X9 shown in Paris
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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
Source: Engadget
22-Jun-07 18:43:00
Filed under: Desktops, Laptops
Just when you thought the bickering over Vista's search capabilities were finished, along comes Google to fuel the nearly extinguished flame. Apparently, Microsoft's actual filing that spelled out its intentions to alter the search functionality within Vista wasn't as clear cut as previously understood, and now Google is out for even more blood. Google's chief legal officer, David Drummond, called the remedies "a step in the right direction," but also declared that the changes "should be improved further to give consumers greater access to alternate desktop-search providers." Essentially, it seems like Google will be barking up Redmond's proverbial tree until Microsoft allows users to disable Vista's built-in search (or better yet, choose Google) entirely. Oh, the drama.
[Via Slashdot]
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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!...
Just when you thought the bickering over Vista's search capabilities were finished, along comes Google to fuel the nearly extinguished flame. Apparently, Microsoft's actual filing that spelled out its intentions to alter the search functionality within Vista wasn't as clear cut as previously understood, and now Google is out for even more blood. Google's chief legal officer, David Drummond, called the remedies "a step in the right direction," but also declared that the changes "should be improved further to give consumers greater access to alternate desktop-search providers." Essentially, it seems like Google will be barking up Redmond's proverbial tree until Microsoft allows users to disable Vista's built-in search (or better yet, choose Google) entirely. Oh, the drama.
[Via Slashdot]
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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!...
Source: Engadget
22-Jun-07 18:13:00
Filed under: GPS, Handhelds
Delphi, a familiar face when it comes to GPS navigation systems, is readying a followup to last year's touchscreen based NAV200, aptly named the NAV300. The specs don't deviate wildly from the older model, keeping the 400MHz processor, SiRFstar III GPS receiver and SD memory card options pretty much the same, but Bluetooth support and a microphone have been added so the device can be paired with your phone. No word yet on pricing or street date.
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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
Delphi, a familiar face when it comes to GPS navigation systems, is readying a followup to last year's touchscreen based NAV200, aptly named the NAV300. The specs don't deviate wildly from the older model, keeping the 400MHz processor, SiRFstar III GPS receiver and SD memory card options pretty much the same, but Bluetooth support and a microphone have been added so the device can be paired with your phone. No word yet on pricing or street date.
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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
Source: Engadget
