11/22, 2:10pm
Netgear's 200Mbps powerline kit tested
Powerline networking products have been on the market for several years but haven't gained mainstream acceptance simply because of Wi-Fi. However, there are instances where power line networking equipment can go where wireless equipment cannot. Those who live in very large homes that are full of interference may be better served with a network that uses the wiring they already have. But is the latest generation of powerline networking solutions up to par with wireless in terms of performance, ease of use, and security? Today we're reviewing Netgear’s XAVB1004 Powerline AV Adapter Kit to find out.
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11/20, 3:10pm
Proto FLO TV tuner gives iPhone live shows
Qualcomm has quietly shown an example receiver that would give the iPhone and iPod touch FLO TV reception. Despite assertions that the company would use iPhone OS 3.0 support for native hardware, the demonstrator mimics the strategy used for the Softbank 1Seg tuner in Japan and pipes video over Wi-Fi. The receiver itself is roughly as large as the iPhone, though it's unclear whether this is due to its prototype nature or to accommodate a larger battery.
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11/20, 9:00am
New organization options, global search
Cloud Engines on Friday introduced the second-generation Pogoplug, along with a variety of new features for storing and sharing multimedia. The hardware features the same plug-and-play capability of the original, but adds several USB ports to allow connection of up to four external hard drives without using a dedicated USB hub.
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11/19, 9:30am
Livescribe Pulse gets computer-free apps
Livescribe today followed trends today by launching its own app store for its intelligent pens like the Pulse. The unusual addition uses a combination of the pen output, screen and audio features to provide a mix of games, education tools and utilities. In many cases, users draw some of the interface itself; language tools speak dialogue.
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11/18, 6:20pm
Models offer color trim, two-sided printing, touch
Dell on Wednesday introduced six new inkjet all-in-one printers geared for home and business use. All of the models feature print speeds of up to 33 pages per minute in monochrome or 25 pages per minute in color. Monochrome copy speeds are claimed to reach 25 pages per minute, with color copies processed as fast as 21 pages per minute. All "w" variants feature integrated wireless connectivity, while an optional Bluetooth dongle can be connected to the USB Pictbridge port.
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11/18, 8:00am
ATI Radeon HD 5970 boasts 3200 cores
AMD on Wednesday bragged of the graphics performance crown with the launch of the ATI Radeon HD 5970. The card uses two 5800 series chipsets on one card to provide the most performance possible. While each has the speed of a 5850 with a 725MHz primary clock speed and 1GHz GDDR5 memory, the 3,200 stream (effects) processors, 160 texture units and 2GB of memory give it as much performance as two 5850s but in half the space.
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11/17, 5:25pm
GeForce GT 240 updates NV's budget GPUs
NVIDIA in a low-key move today launched the GeForce GT 240. The chipset brings performance from the mid-level to sub-$100 cards and uses the newer 40 nanometer manufacturing process to make itself a reasonable fit in budget PCs: its low energy use both helps it occupy only one slot and to run entirely off the power of the PCI Express bus instead of needing a separate power connector.
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11/16, 6:05pm
Mad Catz Wireless-N aids X360, PS3, PC
Mad Catz today dipped into networking with its own wireless bridge. Meant as an alternative to the official Xbox adapter, the Wireless-N Gaming Adapter takes the Ethernet connection from an Xbox 360, 20GB PlayStation 3 or any computer and turns it into an 802.11n Wi-Fi signal. The peripheral doesn't reach full 802.11n speeds but can still peak at 150Mbps.
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11/16, 2:20pm
NVIDIA 20 series Teslas appear
NVIDIA today provided details of the first official hardware to use its upcoming Fermi architecture. The Tesla 20 series is even more optimized for general-purpose computing standards like OpenCL or NVIDIA's own CUDA and handles complex math that previously hasn't been as practical, such as ISO standard double-precision math and C++ code processing. Unlike past models, though, the card model also has a video output and works as a video card rather than just as a companion device.
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11/12, 11:40am
Eneloop charger can juice two Motion plus remotes
Sanyo has introduced a new version of its contact-free Eneloop battery and charging system for the Nintendo Wii's remotes with MotionPlus attachments. The system is an improvement over a similar one introduced last year by accommodating both a second controller as well as the new peripherals. It includes two battery packs specially adapted to the cradle and a USB cable that draws power from the console's USB port.
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11/11, 10:30pm
Device provides digital/analog inputs, ten outputs
MOTU has introduced its latest device, the UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid audio interface. Musicians can choose from both FireWire and USB 2.0 connection options, while the hardware supports Mac and Windows platforms. The interface provides two mic/instrument inputs, six line-level analog inputs, ten channels of analog output, S/PDIF digital output and a headphone port.
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11/11, 12:50pm
Razer intros wired laser gaming mouse
Gaming peripherals maker Razer has began shipping its Abyssus gaming mouse. Rather than focus on extra buttons, the wired mouse is designed for simplicity first and improves only behind-the-scenes features. The ambidextrous three-button mouse has a 3,500DPI infrared sensor that gives it added precision in different types of games. Users get two switches, allowing them to set the sensitivity and speed of the mouse.
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11/11, 12:15pm
Project Natal price, ship targets slip out
Microsoft hopes to price Project Natal low enough that virtually every gamer can add it, a major rumor claimed on Wednesday. Alleged sources of MCV's argue that the Xbox 360 motion controller is being designed with a price target of £50 (about $80) or less with 14 games, presumably mini-games, included in the box. The target is such that Microsoft hopes for "impulse buy" customers and may even drop to £30 ($50).
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11/10, 9:40pm
Device can be used with iTunes content
Vestax, in collaboration with Algoriddim, has introduced Spin, a DJ controller for Macs. The device works in conjunction with the DJ software djay 3, enabling users to mix and play music from their iTunes playlists. Touch-sensitive jog wheels can be used in analog mode to mimic the scratch and mixing functions of genuine turntables.
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11/10, 6:50pm
Speakers provide DSP, pebble remote control
Loudspeaker company Bowers & Wilkins has announced its latest set of computer speakers, the MM-1. Each speaker integrates one 3-inch woofer and a 1-inch tweeter, with each driver powered by a dedicated 18W amplifier. The tweeters feature B&W's Nautilus tube-loaded design claimed to dampen resonance and improve high-frequency sounds.
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11/10, 5:55pm
Mic offers four patterns for recording flexibility
Blue Microphones has expanded its line of consumer products with the Yeti, a USB-attached condenser mic with THX certification. The mic features three of the company's 14mm condenser capsules arranged in a triple array, with support for omni, cardioid, stereo or bidirectional polar patterns. Users can attach headphones directly to the 16 ohm, 130mW amp for direct zero-latency monitoring.
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11/10, 4:45pm
Adapter designed for Macs and PCs
Sonnet on Tuesday introduced the Allegro FireWire 800 PCI Express (PCIe) adapter card. The upgrade features Texas Instruments' XIO2213A FireWire 800 controller, along with three FW ports that support write speeds of up to 70MB/s. Power is provided for bus-powered external drives, audio interfaces, or other equipment, while plug-and-play compatibility automatically supports PCIe 1.1 and 2.0 slots. Users can also connect FireWire 400 devices using an adapter or adapter cable.
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11/10, 4:35pm
Supports handhelds without built-in GPS
Dual Electronics on Tuesday revealed the XGPS300 GPS cradle, which enables an iPhone -- or the typically GPS-lacking iPod touch -- to perform turn-by-turn car navigation. The device contains its own GPS sensor, and is bundled with NavAtlas' navigation software. Other hardware features include a speaker, rechargeable battery, audio output and a mini USB port.
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11/10, 1:50pm
Dell ships fastest office color laser printer
Dell on Tuesday released three commercial workgroup printers meant for use by businesses. This includes the 5130cdn, which is being touted as the world’s fastest single function letter-size office color laser printer; the 7130cdn, Dell’s first LED color printer with tabloid-size printing capability; and the Dell 3330dn, a high-performance monochrome laser printer. The 5130cdn can print up to 47 single-sided pages and 37 double-sided, letter-sized pages per minute in either black and white or full color.
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11/10, 11:00am
X360 11n wireless adapter now available
After a premature release, Microsoft's 802.11n Wi-Fi adapter is now on sale through Newegg. It provides multiple times more bandwidth than the original 802.11g adapter and uses MIMO (multiple in, multiple out) through twin antennas to both provide a more reliable signal as well as to extend range. Microsoft claims up to twice the range of the earlier technology.
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11/10, 9:00am
VESA greenlights mDP
The VESA group today officially released Mini DisplayPort as a finalized standard. Known for short as mDP, the Apple-developed connector can now be used by other companies to attach displays with the expectation that they will meet all the DisplayPort 1.1a specs. It's expected that mDP will find its way into notebooks beyond the MacBook line but also into video cards with many video outputs, such as the upcoming six-display Radeon HD 5870 Eyefinity6 Edition.
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11/09, 5:55pm
HP LE1x11 displays, Pro 3000 PCs debut
HP kicked off its week by launching a pair of business-focused LCDs as well as two desktops to match. The 17-inch LE1711 and its closely related 19-inch counterpart, the LE1911, are spun as eco-friendly displays that still use conventional backlights but use 50 percent less mercury and entirely scrap toxics like arsenic, BFRs and PVC. They also meet the requirements to earn the latest Energy Star badge.
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11/09, 11:55am
USBConnect Lightning gives fast USB 3G
AT&T this morning added just its second Sierra Wireless device in recent memory with a new USB 3G modem. The USBConnect Lightning (shown soon) supports the carrier's faster 7.2Mbps HSPA network where it's active and is also slightly more advanced than most with a hinge design to fit oddly-shaped notebooks and a lit-up faceplate. It continues to support regular 3.6Mbps HSPA as well as legacy GPRS and EDGE.
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11/08, 1:25pm
Genius' low-cost tablet tested
Genius' EasyPen i405 tablet promises to undercut the mainstream in tablets by offering a substantial number of drawing features attached to a reasonable price tag. However, can it compare to the user experience of industry titans like Wacom, whose businesses revolve almost exclusively around pen input? We take a look in our review.
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11/07, 6:45pm
Sonos' 1st speaker-equipped hub reviewed
Venturing into Sonos' world has historically been expensive and partly redundant: listeners have usually needed at least two pieces of equipment, and it isn't at all uncommon to see setups that cost over $1,000. The ZonePlayer S5 aims to fix this with a single-piece $399 speaker and receiver that relies on what you already have -- such as a computer or an iPod touch -- to provide its multi-room audio. Our full S5 review will let you know whether the drop in cost is a better bargain.
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11/07, 3:35pm
Drag and swipe features fail to work
In spite of the relative newness of the Magic Mouse, some complaints have begun emerging on Apple's support forums. Anticipated drag and swipe functions are sometimes said to be failing, leaving only regular click commands available. When the special wireless mouse software is applied, a Mac may still fail to detect a Magic Mouse.
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11/06, 6:25pm
LaCie's portable Sound2 speakers tested
LaCie is without a doubt best known for its hard drives and other storage solutions, many of which are often particularly good-looking. The company's new Sound2 Speakers could also be described in just such a way. Shaped by French designer Neil Poulton and engineered by Cabasse, a French loud speaker manufacturer, the design comes across as a French supermodel. But does that mean the design is strictly superficial? Our Sound2 review finds an answer.
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11/04, 4:40pm
New Planon DocuPen scanners add features, speed
Planon on Wednesday introduced its new series of DocuPen Xtreme scanning pens, which includes the X05, X10 and X50. The X05 and X10 can support 600DPI resolutions, while the X50 doubles it to 1,200DPI. Each of the pens has a 200MHz processor and 64MB of memory, both the highest in Planon's lineup.
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11/04, 2:15pm
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 Wireless official
Klipsch has made a rare update to its veteran ProMedia 2.1 speakers by unveiling the ProMedia 2.1 Wireless. It uses the same core 70W stereo satellites and 130W subwoofer as the original but receives its audio from a 2.4GHz RF-based USB transmitter that works with any computer that supports USB sound. Range is limited to 30 feet but is considered ideal for notebook users who want audio independent of their computer's exact location.
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11/03, 6:00pm
Drive burns Blu-ray discs at up to 12X speeds
Other World Computing on Tuesday announced that it is now offering a Mercury Pro external Blu-ray drive with a quad interface. Users can choose between USB 2.0, FireWire 400, FireWire 800, or eSATA connection methods. The company claims the Pioneer BDR-205 can reach burn speeds of up to 12X on Blu-ray discs, 16X with DVDs, 4X on DVD-DL media, and 40X for CDs.
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11/03, 2:45pm
Device complements Traktor Scratch setups
Native Instruments on Tuesday introduced the Traktor Kontrol X1, a new controller for DJ software. The device is based on the Traktor DJ platform and designed to be used with timecode-controlled configurations including hardware mixers and turntables or CD decks. Two X1 units can also be combined for setups with four turntables.
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11/02, 7:20am
Sirius XM ships satellite radio for Apple
Sirius XM today began shipping its promised XM SkyDock. The cradle gives any iPhone or iPod touch a satellite radio tuner that plays all of XM's channels, including the Best of Sirius package and others normally kept out of the Internet streams. A companion XM SkyDock app (free, App Store) ties directly into the tuner and provides both the main interface as well as support for iTunes song tagging.
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10/30, 4:20pm
Voyager Pro UC bundles Bluetooth adapter
Plantronics today launched a rare Bluetooth headset aimed primarily at the desktop. The Voyager Pro UC bundles a USB Bluetooth adapter with the familiar Voyager Pro and lets any Mac or Windows PC handle calls over the wireless earpiece if they don't already have built-in Bluetooth. Its functions can work natively with many VoIP apps, including Skype and business-class apps from Cisco.
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10/29, 9:50pm
Package provides remote control, wireless streams
An FCC filing has uncovered an unannounced FlipShare TV product that apparently serves as an accessory package for Cisco's Flip video recording devices. The system provides a USB dongle that communicates with a larger FlipShare TV box attached to a television. The TV box provides an HDMI output and standard RCA connections.
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10/28, 7:45pm
Accessory arrives behind necessary software update
Apple has finally begun shipping its new Magic Mouse wireless controller. The necessary software updates for Leopard and Snow Leopard arrived on Tuesday, enabling the operating systems to recognize the Multi-Touch gestures for scrolling, swiping, clicking and double clicking.
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10/28, 1:00pm
Tech made possible through app/router combo
Third-party GPS support for the iPod touch is coming soon, an announcement claims. GeoLife says it has submitted a new version of Navmii to the App Store, which -- in tandem with a PosiMotion G-Fi router -- should allow a Touch to access turn-by-turn car navigation. The Touch lacks both the GPS and 3G receivers found in the iPhone, normally rendering it incapable of handling directions while driving.
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10/27, 4:55pm
USB adapter supports 802.11a/b/g/n
QuickerTek has released a new USB wireless adapter which adds Wi-Fi support to any Mac with a USB port. The device handles 802.11a connections running at 5.8GHz, and 802.11b/g/n networks operating at 2.4GHz. 802.11a, notably allows connnection speeds up to 300Mbps.
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10/27, 4:45pm
Samsung debuts 933HD Plus and 2333HD
Samsung in a late afternoon update added two crossover computer LCDs to its mix. The 23-inch 2333HD and 19-inch 933HD+ both have built-in HDTV tuners and remotes to double as TVs in tight spaces. Appropriately, they both share 16:9 aspect ratios that avoid black bars for native HD video at either a 720p-friendly 1360x768 (for the 933HD+) or 1080p (for the 2333HD).
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10/26, 11:15am
inPulse watch gives BBerry mail, calls
Quickly following up on recent leaks, Allerta today unveiled the inPulse BlackBerry smartwatch. Made as a companion for BlackBerry smartphones, the watch pairs over Bluetooth and provides caller ID and e-mail headers in real-time on an OLED display to save users the trouble of checking the phone. It can also recognize SMS notices, RSS news feeds and even Twitter updates.
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10/23, 5:50pm
Wrap 310 video eyewear resembles sunglasses
Vuzix has begun shipping its latest video eyewear device, Wrap 310, that was initially announced in September. The new eyewear incorporates the same basic functionality as the company’s visor-style displays, but with an outer design that resembles traditional sunglasses. It features a maximum screen resolution of 428x240 for each of its widescreen displays, which is said to be comparable to viewing a 55-inch screen from approximately 10 feet away.
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10/23, 12:40pm
Dell SX2210T brings multi-touch, webcam
After a leak and Japanese details earlier this week, Dell on Friday brought its SX2210T display to the US. It represents Dell's first dedicated multi-touch display and supports one- or two-finger input in operating systems that recognize them, particularly Windows 7. Regardless of platform, the 21.5-inch LCD is relatively high quality for a TN-based panel with an 83 percent color gamut and a 50,000:1 contrast ratio.
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10/23, 7:50am
Acer S243HL uses white LED backlight
Acer wrapped up the week today by rolling out a new high-performance desktop LCD that appears first in Japan. The 24-inch S243HL uses a white LED backlight that provides it with an extremely high contrast ratio even when compared to typical LED-lit displays, jumping from 1,000:1 to 8,000,000:1 with dynamic contrast active. The thinner technology also contributes to a main panel that measures about 0.57 inches thick, although the base is thicker.
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10/22, 4:10pm
Magic Mouse more significant, says columnist
Apple's new MacBook and iMacs are solid but merely evolutionary products, argues Wall Street Journal columnist Walt Mossberg. The MacBook is praised for incorporating the MacBook Pro's large trackpad, and being "fast and reliable," booting cold in 22 seconds. It is also described as lighter than its predecessor at 4.7 pounds, and armed with a powerful battery, though likely to fall short of Apple's promised seven-hour lifespan in most cases.
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10/21, 2:10pm
HP L2105tm made for fingers, stylus
HP at mid-day updated its Compaq displays with one of its first mainstream multi-touch displays. The 21.5-inch L2105tm has a built-in optical sensor that recognizes two-point touch input in operating systems that support it but can still accept input from an included stylus for artwork or other more precise apps. To help, the display is specifically designed for touch and has a fixed-height panel that won't shift around in mid-use.
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10/21, 9:40am
Imposes definite deadline on update's release
The forthcoming Mac OS X 10.6.2 update will be required for Magic Mouse compatibility in Snow Leopard, an Apple support document reveals. The mouse's user guide -- quietly published on Apple's website yesterday -- mentions that a "full range of features" will not work without v10.6.2. Leopard users must have a combination Mac OS X 10.5.8 and the unreleased Wireless Mouse Software Update 1.0.
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10/20, 6:30pm
Monitor offers same tech as many all-in-ones
Dell has introduced its first touchscreen monitor, the SX2210T. The device offers the same basic specs as the company's SX2210 product, with a 21.5-inch panel and 1920x1080 resolution, but adds support for touch control. The optical touch technology can be used with a finger or stylus, with +/- 2.5mm accuracy across most of the screen area.
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10/20, 4:15pm
Altec intros amp-like portable speaker
Altec Lansing on Tuesday introduced a new gaming console speaker system, its Stage-Gig. Resembling a guitar amp, the amplified speaker is made to work with Rock Band, Guitar Hero, and DJ Hero titles on any gaming console. The 6.5-inch woofer contains a horn-loaded silk tweeter and has 40W of power. For easy portability, a carrying handle is built in, and the device can be daisy-chained with others thanks to a built-in AC outlet and RCA connections.
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10/20, 3:30pm
Europeans to get black Wii bundle with two games
Nintendo UK announced on Tuesday that it will soon offer a limited edition Wii bundle in Europe that includes a black console, black Wii remote with Wii MotionPlus adapter and Nunchuk, along with Wii Sports Resort and Wii Sports game titles. Europeans will also get a standalone version of the Classic Controller Pro in black, which improves upon the existing Classic Controller, though just how hasn't been discussed. Black versions of the Wii remotes, Wii MotionPlus add-ons and Nunchuk controllers will also become available.
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10/20, 2:40pm
Devices integrate new antenna design
Alongside the announcements of new Macs and the Magic Mouse, Apple on Tuesday quietly introduced updated AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule devices. Like its predecessor, the new AirPort Extreme base station utilizes the same dual-band communication on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. A redesigned antenna, however, is claimed to improve data speeds by up to 50 percent, while extending the effective range by 25 percent.
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10/20, 1:30pm
Mimics iPod nano design
Alongside new iMacs, MacBooks and other major hardware releases, Apple has quietly introduced a new system remote. The device is primarily meant for Macs, allowing users to bring up the Front Row interface for music, photo, video and DVD playback. It can also be used in a limited fashion with iPods and iPhones, controlling music, slideshows and video.
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