News Archive for 09/09/17

Choose an article from the archive listing on this page or refine your selection using the controls in the gray box below.

Griffin announces volume-limiting headphones for kids

09/17, 10:55pm

85 dB limit protects ear drums from damage

Griffin Technology has announced MyPhones, a new headphone with an integrated volume limiter to protect against hearing loss for children. The headphones are designed with soft-rubber ear cushions that sit just over the ear, with an adjustable band for comfort. The primary feature is an 85 decibel limit on the volume, helping to ensure that sound can never go high enough to damage the ear drum. It also comes with a customizable carrying case, along with three swappable shell caps.

Point Grey details USB 3.0-connected HD video camera

09/17, 10:30pm

Camera sends uncompressed 1080p stream at 60fps

Point Grey has provided additional details regarding its USB 3.0-connected HD video camera that will be making an appearance at the Intel Developers Forum. The camera prototype integrates a 3-megapixel CMOS sensor manufactured by Sony. The sensor allows the camera to output raw, uncompressed 1080p images at 60 frames per second.

Mariner Calc 2.0 adds customizable e-mail options

09/17, 10:20pm

Named range support, WiFi password protection

Mariner has released v2.0 of its spreadsheet editing application for the iPhone, Mariner Calc. The app is used to view and edit Microsoft Excel documents, with the ability to manage multiple sheets and wirelessly transmit files. The latest version features named range support, a find and replace tool, and utilizes a password protected WiFi web based file server. Version 2.0 also boasts customizable settings for e-mail options and user information.

LaCie intros USB-powered portable DVD burner

09/17, 9:20pm

DVD burner supports LightScribe, 8x burn

LaCie has introduced its latest computer accessory, a portable DVD burner designed by Sam Hecht. The device is USB powered, eliminating the need for an AC adapter. A variety of DVD and CD formats are supported, with DVD burn speeds up to 8x and CD burn speeds up to 24x. The drive weighs under a pound and measures less than an inch tall.

Review: Zune HD

09/17, 8:45pm

Zune HD reviewed with iPod in mind

For awhile, many had thought the iPod touch had dealt blow to the Zune that Microsoft didn't have an answer for: the 2008 Zune update was just a mild refresh, and even the software team was mostly quiet for the next year. The Zune HD, then, is Microsoft's return salvo. It promises not only to put the Zune level in terms of features like multi-touch input and Internet access but to have features Apple lacks, such as 720p support, HD Radio and an OLED screen. We plan to discover just whether or not Microsoft's return to form is enough to quiet Apple's guns in our complete review.

Vectorworks 2010 adds unified view, enhanced rendering

09/17, 8:30pm

CAD software revamped with variety of improvements

Nemetschek North America has introduced the latest version of its CAD software, Vectorworks 2010. The company has made improvements including new architectural, landscaping, and entertainment design tools; enhanced rendering; simpler 2D functions; and a unified 3D modeling environment.

Garmin picks AT&T for nuvi 1690's online data

09/17, 8:05pm

Garmin nuvi 1690 to use AT&T for data connection

Garmin said on Thursday that it has teamed with wireless provider AT&T to provide the mobile data connection for its upcoming nuvi 1690 GPS mapper. The cellular access gives the nuLink feature integrated into the nuvi 1690 a connection to Google Local searches as well as updated local information that includes traffic, weather, fuel price, movie listing, flight status, local event and white page listings. Users can also connect with other Garmin users thanks to Garmin's Ciao social networking system.

LG's AX310 handset now available at Alltel Wireless

09/17, 7:40pm

LG AX310 clamshell arrives at Alltel

Alltel Wireless on Thursday announced it is now offering LG's clamshell AX310 handset to subscribers. The entry-level phone has voice-activated calling, a speakerphone and Bluetooth support. Separate controls allow users to record voice memos.

Dell intros ST2210 and ST2310 LCD monitors

09/17, 7:35pm

Displays boast 1080p resolution, 50,000:1 contrast

Dell has quietly introduced several new monitors, the 21.5-inch ST2210 and the 23-inch ST2310. Both displays feature 1080p resolution and a 16:9 aspect ratio, along with an anti-glare coating on the panel. The company also lists a 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 250cd/m² brightness and 5ms response time.

Intel forum to demo 60fps 1080p video streamed via USB 3.0

09/17, 6:30pm

SuperSpeed USB boosts speed 10x over USB 2.0

A variety of USB 3.0 demonstrations have been planned for the Intel Developer Forum scheduled next week, according to CNET News. Grey Point Research will bring one of its prototype cameras with a 3-megapixel Sony CMOS sensor. The camera will stream uncompressed 1080p video at 60fps to a laptop outfitted with a SuperSpeed USB ExpressCard from Fresco Logic.

Google teams up with On Demand Books to offer print books

09/17, 5:45pm

Google to offer 2 million print book titles

Google will soon offer print books for the first time, including classic titles that include Alice in Wonderland and Jane Eyre, thanks to a partnership with On Demand Books, according to a Thursday report (subscription required). The Internet giant will offer some 2 million out-of-copyright titles, which can be ordered and printed by On Demand Books' Espresso Book Machine, which is capable of printing a 300-page book in under five minutes, including a cover and bound edge.

Nokia Siemens makes first voice call on 4G LTE network

09/17, 5:20pm

Technology approaching commercial deployment

Nokia Siemens on Thursday announced that it has made the first voice call on a 4G LTE network. Although the technology has been previously tested, the latest demonstration was performed on a commercial base station while using standards-compliant software. The call was placed at Nokia Siemens research and development facility in Ulm, Germany, using the company's Flexi Multiradio Base Station.

Palm sales jump 134% thanks to Pre, losses widen

09/17, 5:00pm

Palm summer quarter 2009 results

Palm today reported a turnaround in its results for its just-ended summer quarter. Compared to the spring, the company's smartphone shipments surged 134 percent and topped 823,000 devices, nearly all of which were successfully sold. The number is a 30 percent drop from summer a year earlier but is believed to have stemmed much of the rapid decline in the company's influence.

Auction house to sell Mac Plus owned by Gene Roddenberry

09/17, 4:50pm

Part of celebrity memorabilia offering

A company called Profiles in History has announced plans to auction off a unique model of the Macintosh Plus, originally built in 1986. The unit was given by Apple to Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek and Star Trek: The Next Generation. It is also the first official production model of the computer, stamped with the serial number F4200NUM0001.

Gyration's Air Mouse Elite works surface-free

09/17, 4:05pm

Gyration's Air Mouse Elite works in free air

Gyration has recently introduced its Air Mouse Elite wireless mouse that, like the original Movea Air Mouse unveiled nearly one year ago, can be used for navigation a pointer without the need for a flat surface. Similar in operation to the Nintendo Wii MotionPlus, there is a gyroscope built into the mouse that measures the angle and speed of movement.

LogMeIn CEO claims private line for App Store questions

09/17, 3:55pm

Case raises fairness issues

Apple is giving special support treatment to at least one iPhone developer, according to the latter party. CEO Mike Simon of LogMeIn has revealed that he now has a private phone number he can call regarding Ignition, the company's remote access app. The software has an unusually high price of $30, and is said to have generated at least $1 million for LogMeIn since its December introduction.

Microsoft co-founder sells wireless licenses to AT&T

09/17, 3:50pm

AT&T purchases assets for 4G LTE in Pacific NW

Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen has made a deal with AT&T to sell the carrier several licenses for wireless spectrum in the Pacific Northwest, according to Bloomberg. The deal was exposed in government documents, although the agreed price has not been disclosed by either party.

Sony Ericsson X3 with Android due in January?

09/17, 3:45pm

XPERIA X3 due out in January?

Sony Ericsson's first Android-powered handset will be released in January, according to unofficial sources. The device is expected to launch just a season after the XPERIA X2 and should receive the XPERIA X3 badge despite running the Google platform. Both the X1 and X2 have run Windows Mobile.

Lenovo outs C100 all-in-one desktop

09/17, 2:55pm

Lenovo intros C100 all-in-one desktop PC

Lenovo recently released its latest all-in-one nettop, the IdeaCentre C100. It sports an 18.5-inch, 16:9 aspect ratio screen with a 1600x900 resolution but measures just 2 inches thick. The system can be equipped with either a single- or dual-core 1.6GHz Atom.

T-Mobile cutting G1 price ahead of Motorola Cliq launch?

09/17, 2:50pm

New Android handset could be ready to go

T-Mobile has dropped the price of its G1 smartphone down to $130 with a two year agreement. Although the recent price cut is only $20 below the previous $150 promotion, it could be an indication that T-Mobile is clearing out inventory ahead of its Motorola Cliq launch.

Job listing shows Win Mobile 7 getting social networking

09/17, 2:25pm

MS hiring for Win Mo 7 social platform

Microsoft plans to make social networking a major component of Windows Mobile 7, the company revealed today through a new job listing. The post demands a Senior Program Manager for a "Mobile Social Platform" that, in Microsoft's early view, would show multiple social networks' news feeds in a single location. Alternately, it might hook data from those networks into other apps: an incoming call could show status updates from the contact.

Mapdiva introduces Ortelius vector-based mapping software

09/17, 2:20pm

Ortelius supports flexible labeling, layers

Mapdiva has launched Ortelius, a vector-based map-illustrating software release. It includes cartography tools and vector-based styles and symbols and uses a WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) approach to design. Designers have access to Ortelius' royalty-free vector map templates, can add GIS Shapefiles and can add labels to maps with background information support and flexible font, size, alignment, and color. There are more than 20 tools for drawing, selecting and navigating in the new cartography software.

MathMagic Pro 6.7 adds batch conversions

09/17, 2:10pm

Ver6.7 adds contextual menus, fixes spot color

InfoLogic has released an update to its equation editing suite for Adobe's InDesign and Quark's QuarkXPress, launching MathMagic Pro Edition 6.7. The software focuses on mathematical equations, both on quality and productivity, reading MS Equation editor and MathType equations. It can insert and edit equations in InDesign and QuarkXPress and also supports word processors, presentation and graphic software titles.

Microsoft intros $30 student deal for Windows 7

09/17, 1:50pm

May be intended as competition for Snow Leopard

Microsoft has launched a new educational discount for Windows 7, aimed at college and university students. Eligible buyers can now order a copy of either Home Premium or Professional for just $30; the discount runs until January 3rd at 12AM CST. The homogenized Professional pricing is intended for people at schools with a "domain join" policy, where features like HomeGroup and Remote Media Streaming may become useful.

Pioneer outs pair of Pro DJ digital turntables

09/17, 1:45pm

Pioneer outs pair of PC-free Pro DJ turntables

Pioneer will soon release two new digital turntables that do not require a PC, including the CDJ-2000 and the CDJ-900. The former sports a 6.1-inch, 480x234 LCD that displays waveforms, album art, and song info. Below the screen is a Needle Pad touschstrip that lets DJs drag directly to the part of the song they wish. An SD memory card and USB port lets users play music without the need for a connected PC. The CDJ-900 makes do with a dot matrix display instead of an LCD screen, an SD memory card reader or an optical disc drive.

iPhone, Macs sweep new quality, reliability rankings

09/17, 1:15pm

iPhone, iPod, Macs top

Apple has won every category it participated in as part of a new study of service and reliablity. The reader-driven PCMag rankings saw it lead the cellphone, desktop, notebook and portable media categories, in some cases with particularly wide margins compared to rivals. Apple's best success was in the notebook category, where MacBooks earned an overall score of 9.2 out of 10 and a very high 9.4 out of 10 "would recommend" score.

Accounting change makes room for Apple's 'hybrids' - analyst

09/17, 12:50pm

Firm backs importance to investors

A change in accounting rules that will favor Apple is based on the recognition of "hybrid" products, says Kaufman Bros. analyst Shaw Wu. The analyst notes that a number of companies are now dependent on vertically-integrated business models, in terms of hardware, software and services; Apple for instance not only produces the iPhone, it develops the iPhone OS, and runs the iTunes Store. Under the current incarnation of rule SOP 97-2, hybrid products must have deferred revenue recognition.

NetMine 1.5 Mac firewall now Snow Leopard ready

09/17, 12:35pm

Firewall adds web updates, other fixes

ProteMac has updated its network firewall, releasing NetMine 1.5. The Mac-based firewall can control all Internet and network access from Mac applications, limiting the possibility of attacks from network worms, trojans malware and viruses. It can limit any specified network traffic from reaching specified Macs. NetMine is a two-way firewall that can prevent the spread of Malware on a network.

Sprint, AT&T square off over phone exclusivity

09/17, 11:55am

Sprint argues for exclusivity limits

Sprint and AT&T revealed signs of tension between carriers this morning over cellphone exclusivity in back-to-back presentations at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia conference. Speaking at the New York City event, Sprint chief Dan Hesse said it would be a "fair question" for the US government to challenge the length of exclusive phone deals and implied that he might agree to shortened periods of sole access to a given model.

Initial Snow Leopard sales double Leopard numbers

09/17, 11:35am

Best Mac OS launch in years?

Mac OS X Snow Leopard has been Apple's best OS launch in years, at least in terms of sales numbers, according to the NPD Group. Tracking figures are said to show sales more than twice those of the Leopard launch in October 2007, generally considered a success in its own right. The sales are also four times those associated with Tiger, released in April 2005.

Audiovox to offer FLO TV viewing in cars

09/17, 11:20am

Audiovox, FLO TV to offer TV shows in cars

Audiovox has partnered up with FLO TV to bring the latter's live mobile TV service to cars, the two companies announced on Thursday. FLO TV (formerly MedaiFLO) was offered to mobile phone subscribers, and the new service, called FLO TV Auto Entertainment, will be offered before the end of 2009 through 12,000 new car dealers. Audiovox will supply the hardware to enable this, including a small antenna that is no bigger than a human hand.

Epson adds two home entertainment projectors

09/17, 11:05am

Epson adds affordable home theater projectors

Epson on Thursday announced it will soon add to its home entertainment projector lineup with the MovieMate 60 and PowerLite Home Cinema 705HD. The 3LCD MovieMate 60 is being billed as the lightest and brightest in Epson's all-in-one projector offerings, with 2,000 lumens of brightness. There is also a built-in CD and DVD player, along with a microphone input and stereo speakers. Connections include common standard definition ports as well as HDMI.

Magellan rolls 7-inch RoadMate 1700 GPS navigator

09/17, 11:00am

Magellan RoadMate 1700 official

Magellan gave its navigation units a new crowning model today in the RoadMate 1700. The GPS mapping device is one of the largest in the US and has a 7-inch, 800x480 display that's both easier to read from a distance and which provides more information onscreen. A video input jack helps exploit the extra size as an external display for a portable media player.

Autodesk brings out SketchBook Mobile for iPhone

09/17, 10:40am

Aims for professional-level illustration

Autodesk has released SketchBook Mobile, a new app for the iPhone and iPod touch. The title uses the same engine as the desktop-based SketchBook Pro, and attempts to imitate many of its illustration functions. SketchBook Mobile includes an assortment of pencil, pen, marker and airbrush tools, and supports the creation of custom brushes on top of 25 preset ones.

Toshiba ships dynadock U wireless USB notebook hub

09/17, 10:35am

Toshiba dynadock U now ready

Toshiba on Thursday began shipping a new version of the dynadock U as its first wireless docking station for notebooks. The device uses an ultra wideband link to connect as many as six USB devices at once but also has enough bandwidth for Ethernet, wireless audio and video: it can put out up to a 1920x1200 image on a secondary DVI or VGA display and 7.1-channel audio through speakers attached to the dock. Sound also works in both directions and will let webcams send audio over the wireless link.

LG outs five notebooks from new WIDEBOOK series

09/17, 10:15am

LG's WIDEBOOK series offers LED backlit displays

LG on Thursday announced the release of its WIDEBOOK family of notebooks, made up of the R380, R460, R480, R560, and R580. All have a 16:9 HD LED-backlit display and a choice of Intel Core 2 Duo CPUs. The R380 has a 13.3-inch display with a 1366x768 resolution, the R460 and R480 have 14-inch displays with the same resolution, while the R560 and R580 use 15.6-inch LCDs with 1366x768 panels or an optional 1600x900 display.

Win Mobile phone maker i-mate shut down?

09/17, 10:05am

i-mate likely closed

Windows Mobile may have been dealt a blow through a quiet shutdown of i-mate, an investigation has found. The company is said to have abruptly closed its offices one week ago and cut off communication with the media and resellers other than unverified statements that the company has stopped running. Its website is still active, but the company reportedly didn't launch a promised updated phone line in August and hasn't done more this year than release the ruggedized 810F.

iTunes 9 creating iPod classic conflicts

09/17, 9:45am

Users report crashes, sync problems

The recently-launched iTunes 9 update is causing a variety of problems for iPod classic owners, comments on Apple's support forums suggest. Issues primarily revolve around sync, to the extent that a number of people complain they are unable to to sync media at all. Some Classics may be ejected automatically when connected via USB, while others may cause crashes, or fail to be detected by iTunes, preventing any form of interaction including firmware updates.

MSI bows X-Slim X410 with Athlon Neo

09/17, 9:15am

MSI X410 now official

MSI this morning took the X-Slim line into AMD's territory by officially launching the X410. The crossover, 14-inch ultraportable uses the lower end of AMD's Congo ultrathin platform and uses both an Athlon Neo processor and the newer chipset to reportedly get twice as much battery life as a regular 14-inch notebook, although MSI is silent on actual numbers. The system uses the older Radeon X1250 for integrated graphics but claims its power is enough to decode 1080i video smoothly.

Music groups want royalties from iTunes samples, more

09/17, 8:35am

ASCAP, others want online performance fees

Music royalty groups ASCAP and BMI are pressing online music stores like Apple's iTunes to pay performance fees not only for actual song downloads but also videos and even the 30-second samples used to preview the music in advance. While these stores already pay the distribution fees for the songs themselves, ASCAP, BMI and labels claim that just downloading and playing the content also counts as a live performance and should bring an extra fee.

Samsung Omnia line gets Win Mobile 6.5, new B7330

09/17, 7:40am

Omnia Pro B7330 and Omnia Win 6.5 update

Samsung today pledged itself to Windows Mobile with both a major software update and a new phone. All of its current Windows Mobile devices, including the Omnia II I8000, Omnia Lite B7300, Omnia Pro B7610, and Omnia Pro B7320, will be upgraded to Windows Mobile 6.5 for free. The update availability will vary by the carrier but at the earliest should be available sometime after the official debut of the new OS on October 6th.

Booq launches Python blur photo/audio backpack

09/17, 6:25am

Python blur backpack for creative professionals

Booq has introduced its latest backpack designed for creative professionals, the Python blur. The backpack features a ballistic nylon exterior with water resistant coating, as well as semi-rigid EVA foam for added impact protection. It’s designed to fit everything from an SLR camera with lenses, to a laptop, headphones, or various accessories. The camera and accessory compartment come padded for safety, and the collapsible internal divider can be folded down for optimum space.

Crossword Forge 6 adds customization, puzzle mask editor

09/17, 6:25am

Crossword Forge 6 update

Sol Robots has introduced a major upgrade to its classroom word search and crossword puzzle generator, Crossword Forge 6.0. The latest version delivers a new and improved algorithm, along with a puzzle mask editor and a word "suggester". Users now have the ability to construct super-dense puzzles in a variety of different styles, including the Newspaper look seen in professional publications. Additional new features offer customization capabilities for how the software engine should build a puzzle, such as altering the alignment of starter words, or whether or not to include islands in the puzzle.

iStockphoto offers legal protection for copyright disputes

09/17, 6:15am

iStockphoto adds legal coverage for users

On Wednesday, iStockphoto announced a new “legal guarantee” for all the files in its collection. iStockphoto is a member-generated image and design website that provides people with royalty-free photographs, video footage, audio tracks or Flash files for a low price. With the added guarantee, people who have purchased and correctly used any files from the company are said to receive free legal protection against any copyright, trademark or property dispute up-to $10,000.

Mophie, Case-Mate debut new iPhone 3G/3GS cases

09/17, 6:15am

Hip Holster, I.D. case for iPhone 3G and 3G S

Mophie and Case-Mate have released new protective cases for Apple's iPhone 3G and 3G S. Mophie’s new Hip Holster line consists of three leather cases designed to hold both the iPhone and the company’s Juice Pack. The cases are available in three different models, the 5000, 5500 and 6000, which covers the complete set of Juice Packs for the iPhone, iPhone 3G or 3G S. Each case features an easy-access belt clip for simpler transporting, while keeping the iPhone hidden and secure via a magnetic closure.

NI intros new keyboard-controlled effects processor

09/17, 5:55am

NI debuts THE FINGER for musicians, producers

Native Instruments in collaboration with Tim Exile of Warp Records, has introduced THE FINGER. The keyboard-controlled performance effects processor delivers tools for sound mangling and live remixing, for use in the studio or on a stage. It offers over 40 different effect algorithms, such as real-time samplers, filters and wave shapers, and comes complete with tempo-sync capabilities. THE FINGER enables users to trigger effects via an MDI keyboard, allowing them to activate and combine individual effect algorithms into custom chains of up-to six effect units per-time.

Pogoplug intros social networking features, DockStar support

09/17, 2:45am

Simple NAS shares with Facebook, Twitter, MySpace

CloudEngines has announced that its network device for USB storage, the Pogoplug, now connects directly with social networking portals. The company's service will also be available for customers purchasing Seagate's latest FreeAgent DockStar device. MacNN has taken a closer look at the original Pogoplug, including its simple configuration and the new social networking functionality. The full review is available here.

HP intros wireless-connected DreamScreens

09/17, 12:00am

Screens connect to Snapfish, Pandora, Facebook

HP has introduced several new wireless-connected standalone displays, the DreamScreen 100 and DreamScreen 130. Both products are similar to digital photo frames, but with additional connectivity to services such as Snapfish, Facebook and Pandora. The interface is also capable of presenting weather forecasts, calendar information and a digital or analog clock.

Pentax launches K-x entry DSLR with 720p video

09/17, 12:00am

Pentax K-x camera brings HD movies

Pentax tonight aggressively tackled the starter DSLR field with an overhaul for its least expensive K series camera. Now using the Japanese naming scheme, the K-x becomes the least expensive DSLR ever to shoot video and records 720p at 24 frames per second. Compared to the K2000 it replaces, it also gets a much improved 12-megapixel CMOS sensor (up from a 10-megapixel CCD) that takes in more light and has a dramatically larger ISO range that normally sits between 200 and 6,400 but can extend to 100 and 12,800 with an override.