3100
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Video: Intel Tru2way server streams cable all over your house
Look, Moblin and MIDs and USB 3.0 are all well and good, but the real highlight of IDF is hiding in plain sight: it's Intel's CE 3100 Media Processor-based Tru2way DVR server, which has three digital cable tuners that can be streamed over a regular gigabit Ethernet or MoCA to any number of clients, ranging from other 3100-based set-top boxes to DLNA devices like laptops and even the PS3. It's seriously cool -- the clients all see the server's tuners as their own, so the experience is seamless, and since it all runs on the Tru2way stack, it doesn't matter what kind of client you plug in -- the three clients on the show floor were running interfaces from Intel, Comcast (Rovi), and Digeo. Of course, since it's a DVR, you can actually add more clients than tuners and have them play back recorded content while your other boxes use the tuners -- Intel was demoing XBMC on a Sony laptop connecting over DLNA and streaming a recorded program while a PS3 nearby ran a photo slideshow, all while the three cable clients streamed uncompressed HD video from the tuners. Intel says a number of cable companies are interested in deploying this stuff and that we should see things on the market in the next year -- we honestly can't wait. Check a video after the break.
Magellan Maestro 3100 hacked to add file manager / media player
Although we've already seen Garmin's c510 / c530 get hacked up earlier this year, now it's time for Magellan's Maestro 3100 to head under the knife. The engineering David Goeken managed to personalize his unit with a custom splash screen, a beefed up POI file, a file manager for adding / sorting through applications and a full-fledged media player for good measure. Granted, there's a laundry list of known issues to go along with it, but hey, what fun is a hack without a little troubleshooting? Before hitting the read link and rolling up your sleeves, you may want to grab a meal and a few hours of rest -- you'll need the energy just reading through the how-to guide.[Via HackADay]
Magellan Maestro 3100 GPS gets reviewed
Magellan's recently unveiled Maestro 3100 probably caught quite a few eyes that were looking everywhere for a decent GPS system under $300, and GPSMagazine took the time to put it through the paces in order to give you a better idea of its true value. One of the biggest praises was (unsurprisingly) the price, as reviewers noted that the street price on this bad boy was actually closer to $250 at the time of posting. Furthermore, the thorough NAVTEQ maps, small and portable design, "improved UI over previous Magellan units," potent integrated speaker, commendable routing engine, and potentially most important, the complete lack of bugs or crashes garnered quite a few pats on the back battery compartment. Unfortunately, a budget navigation unit is bound to disappoint in at least a few areas, and the shorter than average battery life, chintzy windshield mount, lack of Bluetooth / text-to-speech / real-time traffic data, and quirky backlight left much to be desired. Of course, at the end of the day the folks managed to get where they were going without any major mishaps, and while it may not pack the luxuries found in high-end alternatives, the crew still chose to dub it "a bargain," but didn't hesitate in suggesting the Garmin nüvi 350 for those who can scrounge up an extra Benjamin.
Magellan launches Maestro 3000 lineup of GPS handhelds
There always seemed to be an inexplicable void between the Maestro 2000 and 4000 series, but now Magellan has finally filled that gap with the launch of the first two units in the 3000 lineup. Holding down the low-end, the 3100 navigation device sports a 3.5-inch QVGA touchscreen, SiRF Star III chipset, QuickSpell, turn-by-turn guidance, SmartDetour technology, over 750,000 POIs, and a three-hour battery life as well. Upping the ante a bit is the 3140, which mimics the aforementioned unit in most areas, but adds a few more niceties such as Bluetooth, text-to-speech, AAA TourBook information, handsfree calling, and an expanded map selection. Of course, there's nothing here to get overly excited about, but if something does manage to catch your fancy, you can snap up the 3100 later this month for $299.99, while the higher-end 3140 will hit in May for an extra Benjamin.[Thanks, Alloy]
Navigon 3100 and 3110 GPS units go mini
Boy does this one look familiar: Navigon is ripping off itself quite expertly with the new 3.5-inch 3100 / 3110 GPS units, which cop the TS 7000T's style without that 4.3-inches of screen real estate. Under the hood things are pretty much the same, other than a missing RDS/TMS traffic info receiver. Otherwise you're looking at a QVGA screen, 400MHz Samsung processor, SD card slot and Navigon MobileNavigator 6 software, all running on Windows CE 5. No word, but that OS usually means there's a bit of media functionality kicking around here somewhere. The device measures 0.9-inches thick and comes in two configurations: the 3100 which includes only regional maps on a 512MB card, while the 3110 does up 37 European countries on a 2 gigger. The devices will be out in April for 249€ ($324) and 329€ ($428) respectively, and for an added fee you can add in speed trap and camera location data -- the Swiss will not be pleased.
Qwest and Sanyo go pink to benefit breast cancer foundation
Qwest and Sanyo have announced a stylin' -- and more importantly, tasteful -- "Always Pink" rendition of Sanyo's SCP-3100 to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Qwest is committing up to $100,000 of phone sales to the foundation from now through October 31 in support of research and community outreach programs. For what it's worth, the low-end SCP-3100's specs mirror those of its, uh, less pink siblings: 160 x 128 color internal and 96 x 32 monochrome external display, VGA camera, speakerphone, and a promised talk time of up to 3.6 hours. Throwing your support behind breast cancer research and awareness will run you $50 with a 2-year contract; if the 3100 doesn't excite you, two additional as-yet-unannounced models (presumably clad in pink) are promised in the series later this summer. Or, you know, you could always choose more traditional (and direct) means of charitable donation.[Via Mobileburn]
