Samsung preps 23.6-inch, 50K:1 contrast LCD...

Samsung has finished its efforts on Friday with news of the 2494HS, its newest desktop LCD. The display relies on an unusual 23.6-inch panel that runs a native 1920x1080 resolution suited to 1080p movies but also manages an exceptionally high 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio comparable to TVs rather than computer displays. Accordingly, Samsung mounts stereo speakers on the LCD's chin and gives it HDMI input along with DVI and VGA.

AMD Phenom II to reach 4GHz on air cooling...

AMD's mainstream Phenom II processors should rekindle the competition with Intel for clock speed, according to a collection of reports of an AMD demonstration session. Based on the recently unveiled Shanghai architecture being used for new Opterons, the quad-core desktop chips should make a modest leap to 3GHz in official clock speeds but will have room for overclocking previously only available with Intel's Core 2 chips. An example tested by AMD is capable of running reliably at 4GHz with fan-based cooling and shows the company could upgrade the clock speed to match or beat Intel if necessary.

iPod touch 2.2 update omits Google Maps improvements...

In tandem with the release of the iPhone 2.2 firmware, Apple has published the iPod touch 2.2 update, a separate download through iTunes. The software contains most of the upgrades of its iPhone equivalent, such as auto-correction toggle, mobile podcast downloads, and improvements to Mail. Also present are a variety of security and stability fixes, for components like Safari, Office Viewer and Wi-Fi connectivity, particularly when dealing with WPA-protected networks.

BlackBerry Storm shipping to Verizon...

Verizon today marked the official launch of the BlackBerry Storm on its network. The device matches the $199 contract price of the rivalling iPhone 3G at AT&T and is widely regarded as Verizon's best alternative to the Apple handset in features and focus. The Storm has a similarly-sized 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen meant for finger input but relies on a unique click action that requires a physical push downwards for some actions, simulating a physical button press.

iPhone 2.2 adds Street View, wide HTML mail, more [u]...

Apple on Thursday unveiled the long-awaited iPhone 2.2 update, offering users a number of enhancements and additions to maps and mail, as well as several improvements to stability and reliability. The v2.2 update provides the Maps app with Google Street View, and public transit directions. Dropped pins will now show addresses, and users can share locations over email. The Mail app itself had allegedly isolated issues resolved from scheduled fetching of email, and the formatting of wide HTML mail.

Apple updates Final Cut Pro 6 with "Pro Apps 2008-04"...

Apple on Thursday released new updates to professional video and audio suites, including Final Cut Pro 6.05, Compressor 3.0.5, Color 1.0.3 and Shake 4.1.1. Apple says the Pro Applications Update 2008-04, a revision to Final Cut Studio 2.0. addresses general performance issues and improves overall stability. Final Cut Pro 6.0.5 addresses specific issues such as improved rendering of still images and footage in high-resolution formats and adding the ability to capture the additional metadata for footage recorded with the Panasonic AG-HMC150 professional AVCHD camcorder and the extended metadata that is available with P2 cards; the update also improves reliability when importing files from the Panasonic HDC-SD9 camcorder.

First Look: Samsung Propel SGH-a767...

Practically everyone has a mobile phones these days. While some people prefer the top of the line, latest gadget, others prefer less expensive, simpler phones. If you fall into this latter category, then you might be interested in the Samsung Propel SGH-a767.

iTunes 8.0.2 fixes MP3, VoiceOver, proxy issues...

Apple on Thursday unveiled iTunes 8.0.2, an update to its multimedia player that offers users a more stable platform, and improved accessibility. iTunes 8.0.2 resolves a quality issue some users experienced when creating MP3 files, as well as increased accessibility with VoiceOver. The update also fixes a connectivity issues with the iTunes store, when a user would connect to the store through a proxy server.

Fliq social networking app comes to the Mac...

Mark/Space on Thursday launched Fliq, a social networking application for Mac. Fliq allows users to transfer photos, contacts and notes to other members on the same network. Previously only available on the iPhone, the Mac version integrates Address Book and iPhoto content for additional capabilities. A drag function can be used to move text and images from anywhere on the computer and then drop the items directly into the Fliq window.

New EZQuest RAID Triple: up to 2TB, FW 400/800, USB...

EZQuest has introduced the Thunder Pro Triple series of A/V RAID storage devices. Each unit offers two FireWire 800 ports, a FireWire 400 port and a USB port. The three-drive arrangement ships pre-configured as RAID 0 for the highest capacity and speed. The Oxford-chipset Hitachi SATA II drives run at 7200RPM with up to 64MB buffer cache. EZQuest claims data transfer speeds up to 80MB per second, with support for DV, HDV and DVCPRO HD with real-time effects.

HFI-15G portable headphone lowers listening fatigue...

German company Ultrasone has released the smallest headphone in its HFI line, the HFI-15G. The open-back supra-aural design features a decentralized driver position that is claimed to widen the sound-stage by directing the waves to the outer ear, instead of straight into the ear canal. The company lists a frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz, with a sound pressure level of 96dB. The 40mm Mylar drivers are configured with an impedance of 32 Ohms.

OrbLive 2.0 unlocks media files for iPhone...

Orb Networks on Thursday launched OrbLive 2.0, the latest version of its media application for the iPhone 3G and iPod touch. The original version was created before the App Store was opened, and required users to jailbreak their phones. The new (official) app allows the mobile devices to access media that is available on a home PC, including videos, music, live television and webcams. OrbLive works via any available data network, such as WiFi and 2G or 3G connections.

iPhone apps: Currency Converter, Expenses, iPiggy...

Currency Converter ($2) is a tool for converting more than 200 currencies including all of the trading currencies of the world plus some legacy and even unofficial or virtual currencies. The application uses a conversion table interface that is constantly updated as you type. The currency data is updated automatically from the web every hour or users may choose to manually update it to ensure they are always using accurate data.

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Apps: Calories, DiscLabel, Mail Forward...

Calories 1.3 ($19) is a nutrition tracking and analysis utility for Mac OS X. The application allows users to select foods from the applications database and then sort them into breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack categories. The update has added several new localizations including German, French and Spanish and now the names of week's, days and months are localized based on your system preferences language settings. [Download - 13.6MB]

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iPhone security flaw dials number from website...

The Fraunhofer Institute for Secure Information Technology in Germany has allegedly discovered an iPhone vulnerability that allows a maliciously crafted website to force the phone to dial a number, according to Spiegel. The researchers claim that a programmer would only need to know basic programming, with just three lines of code required to exploit the issue. Clicking the link to a malicious site will cause the user to lose control of the device, with a white screen displayed until the call is made, then the screen and device are released.

Private iPhone APIs used by Google Mobile...

The updated Google Mobile iPhone app is reportedly using Apple's private APIs (application programming interfaces), according to Daring Fireball. The voice search feature can be initiated by lifting the phone to the ear. The automatic process requires moving the phone and triggering the proximity sensor. Allegedly, there is no public API that supports the particular combination and order of events. With the public API, the app can turn the sensor on, but cannot know when the sensor has been engaged.

Zagat launches Zagat To Go for iPhone ...

Popular consumer information company Zagat Survey, in collaboration with Handmark, has launched an app for the iPhone and iPod touch, Zagat To Go. The application offers reviews and ratings for over 40,000 hotels, restaurants, nightspots and shops in over 100 countries. With a combination of photos, menus, Google maps and click-to-call capabilities, users can find establishments around the world and make instant reservations when needed. The searches can be based on an address, intersection, postal code, or GPS coordinates.

Chrysler Web Edition cars bring Internet, iPod touch...

Chrysler is taking the next step in bringing the web into cars with a Web Edition option package due to be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week. Along with an in-car router from Autonet Mobile, the automaker is calling uConnect Web, buyers who opt for the $1,999 package also get Dell's Mini 9 netbook, a Sony PSP, an 8GB iPod Touch and an unnamed digital camera with Eye-Fi wireless SD card. All these devices have Wi-Fi modules that can take advantage of the car's built-in router. One year of service is also included with the Web Edition package.

PETLinQ launches RISLinQ 4.0Mac...

Radiology technology company PETLinQ has announced the release of RISLinQ 4.0Mac. RISLinQ is a radiology information system, one which integrates tools for scheduling, operations, dictation and transcription. The web-based application is claimed to eliminate the need for a central server. An e-payment feature allows billers to process multiple charges simultaneously, with a collections work-list format that can sort by payer, dollar amount, account balance or age.

SimCity for iPhone due in December...

Electronic Arts will release an iPhone version of Maxis' classic SimCity sometime next month, according to the publisher. The conversion is said to be nearly complete, and most closely resemble the third game in the series -- SimCity 3000 -- in terms of play and appearance. As usual for iPhone ports, the interface has been revised to more closely exploit multi-touch capabilities. Users should for instance have access to new touch controls for zoning, and zooming in and out of a particular area.

Speck intros SeeThru Satin case for MacBooks...

Accessory maker Speck has announced the SeeThru Satin, a case for Apple's unibody MacBooks and MacBook Pros. Though based on a tight-fitting hard-shell design, the case uses a rubberized exterior layer, meant to both improve its feel and provide extra grip. It is divided into two pieces, and sports rubberized feet on the bottom section for added friction.

Roll-up mousepad sports USB hub, speakers...

Gadget4All is offering a roll-up mousepad that has an integrated speaker and USB hub. The device has four USB 1.1 ports and a 3.5mm stereo jack that allows users to connect compatible MP3 players and iPods via their headphone connection. An on-off button and volume knob gives users basic control of the device.

iPhone overtakes Palm in US biz smartphones...

While already popular in the home space, the iPhone has now just outrun Palm for second place in the US corporate world, according to a new study from ChangeWave. Closing a gap that had already been narrowing in August, the Apple device now has a place in about 14 percent of companies in November versus Palm's 11 percent. The situation is a near-reversal of the situation three months earlier, when Palm held 15 percent and Apple just 9 percent. Research in Motion's BlackBerry line maintains a clear lead at 76 percent but has remained virtually flat in share since May.

FlightTrack for iPhone monitors flights, routes...

Developer Ben Kazez has introduced FlightTrack, a new program for iPhones and iPod touches. The app uses data from FlightView to display flight routes in real-time, as well as related information. Aside from visual depiction of a flight's progress, users are given arrival and departure times, the current weather situation, and even the current speed and altitude of a particular plane.

New Bell plans rival Rogers iPhone deals...

Bell today heated up competition among cell carriers with a trio of Smartphone Combo plans aimed conspicuously at outpacing Rogers. The Smartphone Combo 45 plan gives users 250 minutes of calling, unlimited evenings and weekends, and 500MB of data for its namesake $45. It also provides choices of extras such as unlimited calling between five phone numbers, unlimited incoming calls, or an earlier 5PM start time for evenings.

eMusic cracks 250m song mark...

Veteran online music store eMusic today said it has registered its 250 millionth download since its subscription service began in 2003. The company is one of the few outside of Apple to reach the milestone and is owed partly to eMusic's business model, which offers unprotected MP3s compatible with Apple and Microsoft players but uses a subscription model which guarantees a certain number of songs at rates that typically fall well below the 99 cents per track found at iTunes and other stores. An entry $12 monthly plan gives users 30 downloads per month, or about 40 cents per song.

Karelia ships plug-in SDK for Sandvox 1.5.x...

Karelia Software says it has published the software developers' kit for Sandvox 1.5, its website creation tool. Sandvox attempts to simplifying editing by reducing most of the process to drag-and-drop commands; owners of the Pro version can do direct HTML coding. Plug-ins should allow developers to expand the amount of content built into the app, including pages, pagelets and collection index data types. By default, the software has only 11 page and 19 pagelet arrangements.

Bell allowed to continue throttling ISPs, users...

Bell Canada today won a largely clear victory in an anti-throttling lawsuit filed with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). The government body has issued a ruling dismissing claims by Internet providers using part of Bell's network that accused the carrier of unfairly throttling the connection speeds of their services while also constricting its own. These rivals, represented by the Canadian Association of Internet Providers (CAIP), had accused Bell of trying to hinder competition and violating the basic concepts of net neutrality by discouraging large transfers.

Navicat for Oracle handles Oracle databases...

PremiumSoft has introduced the first Mac version of Navicat for Oracle, its Oracle administration tool. Users are able to produce and edit databases, generate reports and SQL queries, and connect to multiple databases as well as remote ones. Its interface is primarily graphical, and users are provided with tools for related tasks such as SSH tunneling or data and structure sync.

Premiere Pro CS4 4.0.1 imports Final Cut Pro content...

Adobe has posted a v4.0.1 update for the CS4 version of Premiere Pro, its high-end video-editing suite. The patch introduces the ability to import projects from Apple's editing suite, Final Cut Pro, without any necessary conversions or re-rendering; most effects and transitions should be preserved. Users can also import and export in the Advandced Authoring Format (AAF), and export to an OMF file.

ASUS ships Eee Top iMac rival in Taiwan area...

ASUS today officially launched the Eee Top in its home territory of Taiwan. The desktop is positioned as a budget alternative to an iMac or a similar media all-in-one with just a 15.6-inch, 1366x768 display and the components of a netbook but with features often left out of more expensive desktops. A built-in touchscreen supports both media playback through a special front-end (Eee Cinema), drawing notes and browsing the web using finger input. A stylus is also bundled with the Eee Top for more precise input or general use in Windows XP.

Apple files patent for iPod background display...

Apple has developed a technology that would let iPhones and iPods display basic warnings to users without invoking the full screen, a new US patent filing shows. The system would use a second, always-on but power-efficient backlight to illuminate a custom-shaped notification when the main backlight isn't switched on, such as an indication that an iPod is stopped or an SMS text message has reached an iPhone.

EasyBatch 1.0 handles bulk image processing...

BravoBug has debuted the first version of EasyBatch, its image processing tool. The software is designed to handle image edits in bulk, primarily in terms of size and shape; users can scale or resize images in terms of pixels or inches, rotate them, and specify DPI resolution. Additional tweaks include adjustable interpolation and the ability to apply watermarks.

Mobispine making Telia MMS app for iPhone?...

The identity of TeliaSonera's MMS application for the iPhone may have already been revealed, an announcement hints. Mobispine has announced the creation of what it calls the "world's first true MMS for the iPhone;" critically, the software relies on the actual MMS protocol instead of a substitute, such as a text message with an embedded URL. The company is also based in Sweden like Telia, and is marketing the app as "white label" code, with the aim of having cellular carriers impose their own branding on it.

VIZIO ups 120Hz XVT to 55in, adds PC/TV display...

VIZIO in a pre-Thanksgiving move today upgraded its XVT sets to include a new 55-inch flagship model. The 1080p LCD set still has the 120Hz panel to compensate for motion blur and boosts the dynamic contrast ratio to 50,000:1, putting the budget set closer to those from more expensive labels. It also carries an unusually extensive five HDMI inputs and a signature Game Port layout that puts both video and sound inputs for consoles next to each other to avoid spreading cables across the back of the set.

BlackBerry Storm to face launch shortage?...

The launch of Verizon's BlackBerry Storm on Friday may fall short of expectations due to a last-minute flaw, according to tips given to BGR. A security issue discovered at the last moment by RIM has reportedly forced both it and Verizon to update the firmware at the last minute and cut back on the supplies of phones for launch day. One Verizon store slated to receive 100 units will now get just 40, an individual example notes.

Zune Pass adds 10 permanent monthly tracks...

Microsoft on Thursday gave its Zune Pass feature an upgrade by letting owners keep ten of the songs they download each month as part of the unlimited subscription service. The plan includes music from all four major labels as well as independents such as Arts & Crafts or Ghostly International and doesn't require any alterations to the $15 monthly subscription rate or to the choice of format for music, which can include either unprotected MP3s or the proprietary, locked Zune format.

Cycore releases new effect package for After Effects...

Cycore has released two effects packages for Adobe After Effects, CFX Path Tools and CFX Sphere Utilities. CFX Path Tools contains two plug-ins that utilize After Effects mask path functions. "Wiggle Stroke" allows for basic frame wiggling or even geometric wire animations. Three basic modifiers are used to displace the stroke, including basic noise, wave noise, and wave functions. "Rakka" can handle multiple repetitions of a layer, allowing it to be animated along a mask path. Controls are provided for the flow design and characteristics.

AKVIS unveils ArtWork photo to oil painting converter...

AKVIS has unveiled ArtWork 1.0, a program that applies oil painting techniques to digital images. The program allows pictures to be transformed into oil portraits, landscape paintings, or still life creations. Users can work in an assisted mode, or let the software work automatically. A "virtual artist" visually lays the brush strokes onto the reference image. The Stroke Direction tool gives full control over the guiding lines. Other options can be used to adjust the canvas material or add signatures.

Sonic to buy CinemaNow, integrate Qflix biz group...

Sonic Solutions on Wednesday announced it would acquire CinemaNow, a digital video distribution service with over 6000 Hollywood Movies, moving one step further in growing its Qflix service. The move will reportedly blend CinemaNow into the Qflix business group, and adopting the title of Premium Content Group. Sonic is hoping the further concentration of the two services will boost placement of CinemaNow and Qflix drives.