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Genius posts

Genius EasyPen and MousePen graphics tablets play on both sides of the fence

by Vladislav Savov posted Jul 8th 2009 at 5:33AM

Genius, a regular purveyor of cheap and cheerful technology, has today announced a pair of "dual platform" tablets that play nice with both Windows and Mac OS. The EasyPen i405 comes with 28 programmable hot keys, a software bundle, 4 x 5.5-inches of real estate and a $79 price tag. This is trumped by the MousePen i608, which throws in an optical mouse, a 6 x 8-inches working area and -- best of all -- one more hot key to program. Bargain hunters out there might want to prick up their ears, as the MousePen is already available at Amazon and Newegg at prices south of $60, far below its suggested retail price of one Benjamin -- hey, it's no Wacom, but it certainly won't dent the wallet too bad.

Genius G-Shot HD520 camcorder does 720p for $149

by Darren Murph posted Apr 27th 2009 at 8:14PM

It's been about a day after forever ago since we've seen a new camcorder from Genius, but if you're scouting a low-end, low-cost option that'll still capture clips at a halfway respectable resolution, you're in luck. Similar to many of the DXG offerings, the G-Shot HD520 provides 720p footage for under $150, and it can also capture 11 megapixel still shots when things slow down a bit. The six-ounce device records in MPEG-4 / H.264 format and features a 2.5-inch LCD and room for up to 8GB of storage -- you know, in case you fill up the 32MB that are included, which will probably never happen. It's available now from a smorgasbord of legitimate online retailers. Full release is after the break.

Gallery: Genius G-Shot HD520 camcorder does 720p for $149

Continue reading Genius G-Shot HD520 camcorder does 720p for $149

T-Mobile market testing terrible names for the HTC Magic / Sapphire

by Nilay Patel posted Apr 8th 2009 at 4:04PM

We're not sure why T-Mobile would be market-testing names other than "G2" for its upcoming HTC Sapphire, but it apparently is -- and if these leaked slides are to be believed, it's not doing so well on the ideas front. Seriously: "T-Mobile Genius 3G with Google" and "Prism 3G with Google" both trade in the well-known G-series branding for banal anonymity, and "myTouch 3G with Google" just sounds like a skin disease that's gone from bad to worse. Interestingly, "T-Mobile G3" is also on the list, which makes us wonder if there's a less-drastic G2 model in the works, but that's pure speculation on our part -- what we do know is that we'd take Vodafone's Magic branding over any of these other sad options in a heartbeat.

Genius intros portable G-Pen F-509 digital tablet

by Darren Murph posted Feb 20th 2009 at 4:26PM

Unless we're mistaken, the last G-Pen device to come our direction courtesy of Genius was the M712 and M609, and at long last we've yet another to showcase. The G-Pen F-509 was designed for portable, in the car use, as it measures in at just 5.25- x 8.75-inches. Aside from sporting plenty of input real estate for that digital pen, it also features 26 programmable hot-keys for shortcuts of your choosing while the cordless pen touts a pair of buttons for controlling shapes and thickness. If the inner artist in you is just dying to wrap your arms around one, you can find it now for a buck oh nine.

Gallery: Genius intros portable G-Pen F-509 digital tablet

Genius bringing WiFi boombox, night vision IP camera concepts to CES 2009

by Darren Murph posted Dec 24th 2008 at 12:02AM

You may be inclined to just associate Genius with corporate-level mice, ho hum speakers and the occasional pen tablet, but the outfit is looking to expand its horizons at CES next month. It'll be bringing along a pair of concepts that are evidently leaning towards release in the mysterious future, the first of which is a 2.4 GHz Wireless Stereo Speaker System. The three-piece package presumably contains two satellites and a subwoofer, with the knobs and ports maintaining a low profile. The wireless range reaches up to 100-feet and the inbuilt 3.5-millimeter auxiliary jack ensures that practically any source will work. Moving on, we've got the IP Cam 350TR, which is constructed with "the most advanced night vision technology to secure any home or office efficiently." The integrated light sensor automatically fires up six infrared LEDs when in a dark / dim environment, and there's also a microphone tucked away to capture live audio. Pricing for both is listed as TBA, which isn't shocking given the "concept" status; full release is after the jump.

Continue reading Genius bringing WiFi boombox, night vision IP camera concepts to CES 2009

Apple launches iTunes 8, NBC comes back, TV shows at $1.99, Genius in the house

by Joshua Fruhlinger posted Sep 9th 2008 at 12:05PM

Just in time for couch season, Apple has busted out iTunes 8 with a slew of new features, like the Genius sidebar. Also, NBC is back on board with its lineup of TV shows. According to Jobs, "The Office is coming back, Monk, Battlestar Galactica, 30 Rock... and they're coming back in HD." HD versions of shows will run you $2.99 while SD versions run a reasonable $1.99 (when compared to, say, a full month's cable access). Meanwhile, "Genius" is a new feature that Apple says will change the way you browse your media. "Old browsing wasn't efficient," said Jobs. "in iTunes 8 you can look by album cover, and this new bar at the top let's you look at anything graphically in little tiles." Basically, Genius is a contextual iTunes store recommendation tool that will, in essence, make it easier for you to spend money. It also makes custom playlists on the fly based on your habits, and shares them (anonymously, they promise) with other users. So what's missing so far? None of the rumored subscription services, for one, and any mention of new hardware or iPhone functions, like, say disk mode. We'll keep wishing. Apple says it is making iTunes 8 available immediately (which, to them, may mean "some time later"), so let the download races begin!

Update: We've got a gallery of iTunes 8 -- check it out below.

Gallery: iTunes 8 hands-on

Continue reading Apple launches iTunes 8, NBC comes back, TV shows at $1.99, Genius in the house

Windows Gurus to infiltrate retail stores, tell you why Vista rules

by Darren Murph posted Sep 6th 2008 at 11:57AM

In case you missed the completely baffling Gates / Seinfeld ad, here's the skinny: Microsoft is getting serious about polishing the tarnished Vista brand (its words, not ours). According to new reports, that aforementioned spot is just the beginning of Redmond's costly push to "change consumers' perception of Windows," and soon you'll be seeing Microsoft Gurus in your favorite B&M locations. These so-called experts will be there to "explain the benefits of Windows," but we're not sure if they'll only be around to answer inquiries or if they'll be actively approaching you in an uncomfortable attempt to talk about Aero and ReadyBoost. We're hearing that some 155 representatives will be deployed before the year's end at stores like Best Buy and Circuit City, so at least you now know where not to shop if you're terrified of confrontation.

[Via Electronista, image courtesy of StarBulletin]

Genius' SP-T1200 speaker system loves to be touched

by Darren Murph posted Jun 24th 2008 at 3:01PM

Okay, so you could argue that most any speaker system would appreciate some TLC, but Genius' latest really adores it. The SP-T1200 2.0 Touch Speaker System comes with a black-onyx finish and enables owners to rely on a touch screen to control function, volume, bass or treble. When touched, the panel lights up to visually show that contact has been made, and while these promise 30-watts of skull-rattling sound, we wouldn't count on audiophile type results. Grab 'em now if you wish for $99.

Genius introduces G-Pen M712 / M609 pen tablets

by Darren Murph posted Apr 25th 2008 at 2:30PM

It's been a hot minute since we've seen a flashy new pen tablet from Genius, but the outfit is getting set to unload a new duo onto the market for artists looking to get their penmanship directly onto the LCD. The G-Pen M712 and M609 both arrive with Vista / Mac-compatible software, sport 4,000 LPI resolutions and come with rolling pads at the top for scrolling, zooming and adjusting volume. As for the M609, expect a screen size of 9- x 5.5-inches (wide) / 7.25- x 5.5-inches (standard) and 26 hot keys, while the M712 offers up a bit more real estate at 12- x 7.25-inches (wide) / 9.5- x 7.25-inches (standard) and includes 34 hot keys. Look for 'em both to land real soon for $195 and $249, respectively. Full release waiting after the jump.

Gallery: Genius introduces G-Pen M712 / M609 pen tablets

Continue reading Genius introduces G-Pen M712 / M609 pen tablets

Genius Traveler 915BT Laser: the presenter's mouse

by Darren Murph posted Oct 16th 2007 at 3:31AM

On the heels of IOGEAR's own presentation mouse comes the Traveler 915BT Laser, which is quite a few rungs above being a one trick pony. Genius' latest is a Bluetooth mouse that boasts a 1,600dpi sensor, built-in laser pointer and the ability to shuffle forward and back through your PowerPoint slides. There's also a battery indicator light along with an on / off switch to conserve energy, and the "4D" scroll wheel enables easy access to pages that extend left and right, too. Unfortunately, there are no details regarding a price or release date, but word on the street has it landing for around $50.

[Via PCLaunches]

Genius offers up G-Pen F610 pen tablet

by Darren Murph posted Aug 24th 2007 at 9:23AM

Genius' latest digital pad (dubbed the G-Pen F610) does quite a bit more than just give users a medium for digitally penning their most favorite doodle ideas, as the 29 programmable hot keys will probably make your keyboard a tad envious. Furthermore, the two pen buttons can "also be programmed as left and right mouse buttons," further distancing you from your tried and true control combo. As for the tablet itself, it measures in at six- x ten-inches, plays nice with Vista and OS X, and features a pen with nearly one year of battery life. Regrettably, Genius has yet to open its trap in regard to a price.

[Via PCLaunches]

Genius Traveler 515 Laser mouse rocks touch-sensitive scroll

by Darren Murph posted May 16th 2007 at 5:57AM

We can't say that Genius' latest laser mouse is apt to cause any cancellation emails to start flying over those recently ordered Obsidians, but the Traveler 515 Laser does a fair job in the specs department to make up for its vanilla looks. Similar to Saitek's critter, this pointing device boasts a touch-sensitive OptoWheel scroll area, right and left click buttons, Flip 3D and Smart IE hotkeys for Vista users, Turbo Scroll for blowing past those incredibly long patent filings, an adjustable 800 / 1,600 DPI laser, and compatibility with OS X and most Windows flavors. Additionally, this device is said to play nice with both righties and southpaws alike, and while looks may not be everything, we imagine that this one will end up priced a tad lower than its dashing competitor in order to compensate in the attractivity arena.

[Via EverythingUSB]

Genius introduces the G-Note 7100 digital pad

by Evan Blass posted Feb 8th 2007 at 4:35PM

Sometimes it's not really convenient and/or appropriate to lug around your Tablet PC everywhere you want to take digital notes, but the problem with regular old pen-and-paper-style notetaking is that you have to spend unnecessary time scanning in your scribbles later. That's where products like the new G-Note 7100 from Genius come in, a digital tablet that stores up to 100 pages of notes written with the pair of included pens -- but unlike similar devices such as the Aiptek MyNote, Cross Crosspads, or Logitech io series of pens which require a special surface or paper, this one lets you write on standard, everyday legal pads. Specs-wise you're getting a resolution of 2,000 LPI, 32MB of on-board memory, USB connectivity with XP and Vista PC's, and bundled handwriting recognition software. Available immediately, the 7100 retails for $160, which also includes batteries, backup pen tips, a starter notepad, USB cable, and a handsome, possibly-leather portfolio.

Genius adds to mouse / VoIP phone combo madness

by Donald Melanson posted Dec 13th 2006 at 8:14PM

Yes, it's yet another mouse /VoIP phone combo unit, this one coming from Taiwan-based Genius. As with those other identity-conflicted devices, the Genius Navigator 880 will handle mousing and phoning duties equally well, although if you think its name suggests that it'll also do GPS navigation, you'll be sorely disappointed. Designed primarily for use with laptops, the mouse end of the equation packs a decent 1200 dpi resolution, while the VoIP side of things boasts seven dedicated phone buttons when flipped open, as well as the all important blinkin' light to let you know when a call is coming in. Both options will leave you tied to your laptop, however, as this one's only available in a corded option. From the looks of it, Genius is going to be making the device available in India first (for about $40), although we wouldn't bet against it showing up elsewhere.