Barb Dybwad
Articles by Barb Dybwad
Ears-on with PSP Skype
We checked out a working demo version of Skype on the PSP at Sony's booth and are pleased to report that audio quality was pretty decent -- certainly comparable to what we experience when using Skype either on a PC or on the receiving end of one. The only caveat is a bit of lag time in the audio transmission, less than a second but enough to be noticeable. The interface is super simple -- just select the Skype icon and you can see your buddy list of who's online; select someone to ring them up. At the demo station the headset in use was just a regular PSP headset jury-rigged up to the video out jack via the remote control cable -- not something we'll see in production. Since third-party manufacturers will be free to make their own PSP Skype headsets, there should sooner or later be some range of options available for headsets to use according to taste.
Razer releases Destructor gaming-grade surface
By tipster popular demand, we present the Razer Destructor gaming-grade surface (named after the Gigantiops Destructor genus of ants, for the myrmecologists among you). Granted that we can't conscionably recommend shelling out $39.99 for a mousepad unless it actually performs headshots for you, but if you've got a showdown with Fatal1ty in your future it could be up your alley. Optical gaming mice reportedly track 25% better on this thing, with gaming-grade laser mice getting a 37% tracking improvement through proximity to this surface. Co-developed with pro-gaming teams, the Destructor will be available for mission-critical fragging sometime this month.
Korean robots to build high-rises by 2010
Dude, Korea knows we've been sending humans to do a robot's job for far too long already, and in a few short years the dangerous world of high rise construction could be left to the true masters of the craft. By 2010, the Korean Construction and Transportation Ministry hopes to have an almost completely automated construction process in place for high-rise projects that could cut labor costs by up to a third, project timelines by 15 percent, and reduce the number of construction-related injuries on these typically dangerous projects. Of course, an inevitable robotic Jurgis Rudkus will be blowing the whistle on robotic working conditions shortly thereafter. Still, civilization stands to benefit greatly from the accelerated completion of super-sized skyscrapers -- at least until the builders turn on us and convert us into human fuel cells.
Guitar Hero portable turntable controller
Check out this sweet, sweet Guitar Hero mod by one Aaron Skillman, who whipped up a portable turntable controller in his garage one weekend. Instead of using the strum bar, you hit notes by scratching forward or backward. Since this baby is portable you can tote your alt instrument over to a friend's place and turn co-op Guitar Hero into Rock Band lite. Video after the break. [Via CNET]
Napster going DRM-free
They had already been considering it and now it's official -- Napster will be converting its entire downloads catalogue to 100% DRM-free MP3s (innit funny how things come full circle?) in Q2 of this year. With all track and album sales offered exclusively in MP3 format, the company obviously hopes to attract a certain crowd heretofore locked out of its business model. While the subscription service will remain a core focus, Napster execs are surely hoping to see an uptick in their direct download sales when those teeming iPod and iPhone hordes come knocking second quarter.
Dreamax Indicube Linux PMP comes with head-mounted display
Given that carting around an HMD with your PMP cuts down on that whole portability factor and all, but this new Linux PMP from Dreamax is notable for coming bundled with one all the same. The head-mounted Active Matrix 3DS OLED-XL microdisplay visor is being made by eMagin, known for their Z800 3D visor, and sports an 800 x 600 resolution reportedly equivalent to sitting seven feet from a 54-inch screen. The visor includes an integrated magnetic earphone station, adjustable nose clip and other "ergonomic enhancements" indicating that HMD companies might actually be aware that wearing these things is usually brutally uncomfortable. The Indicube i-800 itself is a Linux-based PMP with 12GB onboard storage plus an 8GB flash card, expandable to 32GB flash. Sizing up at 2.3 x 4.8 x 0.9-inches, the Indicube sports a USB 2.0 interface and an NTSC/PAL input that auto-detects AV from a number of sources including TVs, DVD players, iPods, PCs, other PMPs, smartphones, and game consoles. No word on price or availability for the package, but the eMagin HMD will also be sold separately starting in March. [Via Linux Devices]
Spinning beachball of death, for real
Circuit-bending dynamo Gieskes created some real-life ammunition for Windows fanboys to use against their Mac-loving enemies with this meatspace version of the infamous beachball of death. If you're in the former camp, you'll want to bookmark this for quick reference the next time an Apple lover starts ribbing you over a BSoD leaving you SoL, OK? Video after the break. [Via gadget lab & MAKE]
New screenshots from The Agency
We're here at CES and in between long stretches of bedazzlement by hot gadgetry we had a chance to sit down with the SOE folks and have a look-see at their upcoming cross-platform, spy-themed MMOFPS, The Agency. Stay tuned for our upcoming impressions, but for now we'll leave you with some new eye candy from what looks to be a seriously promising title.%Gallery-12934%
Belkin launches TuneBase FM and TuneCast Auto for iPhone and iPod
Belkin has updated their flagship iPod FM transmitter TuneBase FM to accomodate, you know, that gadget. Both the TuneBase FM and TuneCast Auto are compatible with a slew of iPod and iPod mini models as well as le iPhone, with the former also sporting a mount and docking station. Both also feature Belkin's ClearScan technology that automagically searches out the best FM frequency for optimal sound... as optimal as you can get with an FM transmitter, anyway. TuneCast Auto will be available in February for $79.99, with the TuneBase FM coming in at $99.99 in April.%Gallery-12910%
Wolfking announces MVP series gamepad and mouse for gamers
If you're the type of gamer who digs alternative input devices, you might have a gander at the Wolfking Warrior gamepad (sister site Massively has a review) and the Trooper gaming mouse (besides, any gadget named after an Iron Maiden song is worth a head turn). Both units have gotten an update in the new MVP series, with the Warrior USB 2.0 55-key circular gamepad receiving a style update in the form of deep black audio keys to match its matte black finish. The Trooper delivers a frame rate in excess of 7080 frames per second, up to 45ips and 20g high speed motion detection, 2400 dpi resolution, onboard LED displays and a Rapid Fire Switch function button that lets you select your rate of fire from 1 to 4 shots per click. The MVP Series versions will be coming in at $34.99 for the Warrior and $59.99 for the Trooper.
Hands-on with iLuv's i399 and i1255
Lord knows there's no shortage of iPod docks in the world, but what's interesting about the i399 is its Bluetooth 2.0-enabled remote feature which gives you control over your music playback from up to 300 feet away. We're not entirely sure that that plus speakerphone capability and a beat-sensitive blue "mood light" are worth 229 clams, but we can say the sound output for a unit that size was pretty decent. The i1255 packs a DVD player and iPod dock in one unit outputting via S-video, although an HDMI out version i1257 is reportedly slated for release around the same time in March.%Gallery-12867%
Hands-on with the Pacemaker DJ system
We had a chance to get up close and personal with Swedish startup Tonium's portable DJ unit and paw this 120GB-storing mobile mixing and more device. Comparable in size to the PSP (a smidge smaller), the Pacemaker's integrated crossfader and multifunction touchpad at first blush provide a surprisingly intuitive way to control your mix. We're not gonna lie -- we kinda wish the touchpad worked more like a Kaoss pad than like ye olde iPod scroll wheel, but all the same it's pretty fun to get some pitch bending on with a device that fits in one hand. Also let's be honest, you're probably not gonna become the hottest thing in Ibiza with this thing, but at $700 it's a relatively low-cost convenient practice setup for DJs on the road or an attractive option for aspiring amateurs. Be sure to peep yourself some video after the break.%Gallery-12859%
Alienware curved display rocks Crysis at 2880 x 900
Don't get all frothed up quite yet because it's still only a prototype, but this sweet doublewide curved DLP display with LED illumination from Alienware will reportedly be available in the second half of '08. The curvature of the 2880 x 900 rez screen mimics peripheral vision, and in action the performance seemed pretty flawless to our Crysis-dazzled eyes (official specs report less than .02-millisecond response time). We did notice three faint vertical dividing lines that appeared to indicate four sub-panels making up this screen, but we may be willing to suspend disbelief in exchange for the potential of indulgent wrap-around immersion. There's not even an inkling of an MSRP on this thing yet, but you know we're gonna be keeping our eyes on this sucker for ya. Pics below and don't miss our video footage.%Gallery-12824%
Sony updates Vaio lines of high-def and ultra-portable lappies
Sony let fly a raft of new specs in several Vaio lines today, including beefing up the high-definition AR (pictured, left) and FZ (pictured, right) series and the TZ and SZ subnotebooks. The flagship desktop-replacement AR790U gets a T9300 Intel Core 2 Duo bump and sports a 17-inch display, 4GB RAM, 400GB HD, 512MB nVidia GPU, Blu-ray burner and HDMI for $3300. The FZ485U now packs a T8100 2.1GHz Core 2 Duo, 15.4-inch screen, 4GB RAM, 300GB HD, 256MB nVidia graphics, Blu-ray burner and HDMI out for $2200. In the subnote department we've got the Vaio SZ791 now sporting a T9300 Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM, 250GB HD, and 13.3-inch display for $2500, with the TZ298 packing a U7700 Core 2 Duo, 64GB SSD plus 250GB HDD storage space, and an 11.1-inch screen in a light 2.7 pound frame for a cool $3600. All of these will be available for pre-order starting January 7 which, for the calendarically challenged, is tomorrow.
Sony updates nav-u GPS line with NV-U73T and NV-U83T
The two new Sony nav-u GPS units we knew were on the way Stateside are officially announced today. As expected, the NV-U73T is sporting a 4.3-inch screen with the higher end NV-U83T sizing up at 4.8-inches. The latter also features Bluetooth, gesture command, split-screen dual view, and an accelerometer for more accurate navigation when signal is low. Both units feature text-to-speech and a new "super suction cup" that reportedly really sucks (...in a good way) to achieve maximum adhesion to your location of choice. Both will be available this February for $350 and $500, respectively. [Via press release]
Philips adds to Swarovski Active Crystals line, now with more color
Oh ho, it looks like Philips' out of character endeavor with Swarovski to add their own special brand of bling to USB keys and in-ear headphones must have really taken off. Apparently enough Active Crystals units are currently gracing handbags and murses everywhere to warrant an update to the line, which now features -- wait for it -- color. For the low, low price of $99 you'll be able to take home a stunning pair of cans in luxurious "Space Violet." And if you're dead set on shelling out $179 to bedazzle your or your loved one's thumb drive in violet or black, you'll be in luck come Valentine's Day (awww, innit sweet?).%Gallery-12791%
Miracube G240S ushers in "new generation" of 3D displays
If you're one of us futurists who agree that 2D displays are like, so 2007, you'll be pleased to hear that Pavonine Korea is a company working in three dimensions. Its new generation of 3D LCD displays, codenamed Miracube, are debuting here at CES with improved brightness, viewing angles, viewing distance and pricetags that will reportedly benefit from streamlined manufacturing process. Touted as flicker-free, the Miracube 3D displays sport a wide range of user options including easy switching between 2D and 3D modes. Beyond the obvious professional applications of 3D displays, we're personally looking forward to the day when a Big Daddy leaps directly out of the screen to drill us a new one. Meanwhile, as the Miracube sets its sights on a 3D TV mass consumer market, our advertisers can barely contain themselves at the prospect of being able to reach out and slap your face on rollover. [Via press release]
CineMagix Grand Theater Entertainment System pops out from Velocity Micro
In addition to their new desktops and notebook, made-to-order honchos Velocity Micro are also throwing a little love to your living room with the CineMagix Grand Theater Entertainment System. Powered by your choice of Intel Core 2 Duo, Quad or Extreme processors, the unit features CableCARD support, optional dual digital cable tuners, optical 7.1 surround sound and system design by the Dolby Home Theater crew. Add storage to taste and centralize your media bits HD and otherwise starting at $2095 come February 4 of this year.
Velocity Micro intros new gaming, desktop and notebook lines
Custom manufacturer Velocity Micro brought some new goodies to CES, including a brace of gaming PCs, a mid-range desktop, and configurable notebook. The Raptor Signature Ultimate Gaming line (pictured, left) takes approximately 5995 of your hard earned smackers (depending on config) in exchange for a personal blessing by Velocity founder Randy Copeland and some actual functionality in the form of Intel's Core 2 Extreme QX9650 and quad 3.0GHz cores. The Edge M40 system (pictured, right) is billed for those "beyond casual gaming," so if you're beyond Peggle but not quite ready to call yourself a hardcore gamer, this could have your name on it. The Edge M40 is built on AMD's new Spider platform and sports AMD Phenom processors and your choice of ATI or nVidia motherboard, starting around $2000 with plenty of options for the tinkerers amongst you. For those still mired in casual gaming, the mid-range Vector Z20 might be your ticket starting at $899, or perhaps the $1499 and up NoteMagix C90 Ultra notebook for some Puzzle Pirates action on the road. Street dates vary on these but all will be rolling out within the next month.
Moletech Fuel Saver theoretically saves fuel
Add Moletech to the growing list of companies trying to cash in on going green -- they claim their new Fuel Saver cuts down on emissions and improves fuel economy in all fossil fueled engines. After some preliminary testing the California Environment Engineering Center for Environmental Research seems to agree that the device does actually work, but until more rigorous assessments are made your, uh, mileage may vary. The "universal product" comes in eight models to fit any size vehicle from cars to scooters to boats, with prices ranging from $119 to $299 USD. If you install one in your Prius and start contributing back to the grid, be sure to let us know.