Dan Wu
Articles by Dan Wu
Belkin SnapNType clip-on Axim keyboard
That whole thing of making Pocket PCs with built-in keyboards doesn't seem to have really caught on (Pocket PC Phones are another matter entirely), but if you're itching to get in on some of that hot QWERTY action with your Axim, Belkin has a new SnapNType Mini Keyboard for Dell's line of Pocket PCs. Attaches right at the bottom for all your thumb typing needs.
Fujifilm FinePix F440 review
While we give the Fujifilm FinePix F440 4-megapixel digital camera high marks for its compact size and looks, we're put off by the fact that it uses Fuji's xD media cards (which are more expensive and smaller capacity than Secure Digital ones) and it apparently takes only average quality pictures. PC Magazine finds a slow bootup time before you can start taking pictures and no manual controls for the more advanced photographer in their review. Too bad, really, but there are plenty more fish in the sea.
VWB MediaReady Flyboy 40GB Linux-based personal video player
Featuring a 3.5-inch LCD screen, a 40GB hard drive, USB 2.0 connectivity, TV output capability, and running Linux, the Video Without Boundaries MediaReady Flyboy (that sure rolls right off the tongue) will retail for $350 and be for sale in early 2005. The design reminds us of a Game Boy Advance (meaning it could use some work), but this unit can play and record MPEG-4 video, as well as play MP3 files, view photos, and make voice recordings, so we're ok with that.
The iPod photo goes medical
We knew there was a good practical use for the iPod photo and that it wasn't just meant to be a pseudo movie viewer, as doctors in Switzerland have developed OsiriX, a system for displaying medical images via iPod. Docs can easily scroll through for the appropriate picture and they can easily carry around thousands of images with them at all times.
The 2.9 pound $800 LinspireMobilePC laptop
The CPU may leave something to be desired (it's a 1 GHz Via Antaur), but eight hundies isn't bad at all for an ultralight laptop now, is it? The LinspireMobilePC (aka the eNote UltraLite) comes with a 12.1-inch 1024x768 resolution screen, 256MB RAM, a 40GB hard drive, an Ethernet port, 2 USB 2.0 ports, and as you may or may not have guessed from the name (it depends on your level of geekiness) runs on the Linspire (formerly known as Lindows) version of Linux. Corners are cut, like you have to add WiFi yourself, but then again, if you're buying a lappy that runs on Linux, that jazz cannot possibly faze you.
LG's VX-8100 EV-DO cameraphone
If you've been thinking about buying the LG VX-8000, Verizon's first clamshell-style EV-DO handset, when it comes out, don't bother—the phone isn't even out yet and it's already more or less obsolete. Pics and details have just turned up about its successor, the VX-8100, which is set to include Bluetooth (which was sorely lacking in the VX-8000) and most likely all the features of its predecessor, including a built-in 1.3 megapixel camera and (most importantly) compatibility with Verizon's new high-speed EV-DO network. [Thanks, Bobby]
Nikon Coolpix 8400 review
Imaging Resource checks out the Nikon Coolpix 8400, Nikon's latest 8 megapixel prosumer digital camera which captures pictures at up to 3264 x 2448 pixels, and comes with a wide angle 3.5x zoom, a 1.8-inch swivel LCD, and excellent battery life. Though missing the anti-shake technology that the Coolpix 8800 has, its wide angle zoom (one of the widest current available) is unique and perfect for realtors, while the fast shutter response is good for continuous shooting. [Via PhotographyBlog]
StreetFire RBX1600 networked CD changer manager
Managing several Sony MegaStore CD changers with up to 1600 CDs manually is quite a chore, but the networkable StreetFire RBX1600 ($700) can control your complete CD collection with PC software that connects to the FreeDB music database for track listings. Since a 200GB hard drive could fit 1600 albums in MP3 format now, the RBX1600 seems like a rather niche market to us. Are there still people that many people with many changers to manage even out there? [Thanks, Mark]
AfroCreame's XDA II Mini vs. XDA IIs battle
AfroCreame of HowardForums got his hands on both the XDA II Mini (aka HTC Magician) and the XDA IIs (aka HTC Blue Angel or Siemens SX66 on Cingular) Pocket PC Phones for a head-to-head battle with plenty of pictures thrown in for good measure. The XDA II Mini has better feel and battery life, but the XDA IIs won overall (just barely) because of its slide-out keyboard, WiFi, Bluetooth, quad band GSM, and faster performance.
Sanyo MM-5600 megapixel cameraphone
Sanyo's first megapixel cameraphone (for the States, at least), the MM-5600, will also be able to play MP3s, stream videos, include a memory card slot, and pack in a speakerphone. The MM-5600 clamshell cellphone has 3MB of memory built in, a 240 x 320 pixel 262k color LCD, weighs 4.5 ounces, and should be available to Sprint subscribers in the first quarter of 2005.
Airbee ZigBee wireless thermostat
Airbee announced the first ZigBee thermostat, which includes intelligent software for better home monitoring that saves customers money by not wasting resources that aren't needed. (ZigBee is a wireless standard built on IEEE 802.15.4 for use in low-powered networks such as security alarms, motion detectors, and smoke detectors.) Installers and contractors will benefit from easier installs, because since this thing uses Zigbee there are no wires to connect up when setting up an HVAC system.
VoodooPC dual SLI Rage f:5
It's your decision whether you really want to drop five large on a gaming PC or not, but when you're ready, Voodoo's Rage f:5 will be there waiting for you. They promise just about the fastest framerate imaginable for Doom III and other first-person shooters, and besides overclocking the processor by 15 to 20 percent, they've also stuffed two Nvidia graphic cards in there that work in tandem via Scalable Link Interface (SLI) to push framerates much faster than single GPU systems. The Rage f:5 is also water-cooled, which usually makes for a quiet system because it doesn't need fans.
Samsung VP-D907i 2.11 megapixel CCD camcorder
Samsung's new VP-D907i camcorder can take 2.11 megapixel digital pictures, has a 2.5-inch 211k color LCD viewer, a nice large 10x optical zoom, and uses Memory Stick Pro as the media format for pictures. The camcorder is FireWire-capable and has a Smart Shoe, which videographers can use to adjust zoom, light, flash, and add a microphone. Not bad.
Sony PSP elongated game boxes
Taking us back to the days of the original Sony PlayStation game boxes (and the original packaging of music CDs), Sony's PlayStation Portable (PSP) (for Japan at least) also uses a long packaging shape, which looks to be about the same size as the PSP unit itself. Why, Sony, why? While the trend for video game boxes has either been just a CD jewel case or a DVD-sized case, Sony has to break the mold and bust out a funky sized design, one that probably doesn't fit most shelves.
Momitsu DVD-V880N media player
Not just another DVD player, Momitsu's DVD-V880N networked DVD player can connect to your home network via WiFi or Ethernet, and can play VCD, MPEG-1/2/4, VOB, XviD, DivX 3/4/5, OGG, AAC, MP3, stream Internet radio, and comes with a DVI video output and upconverts non-Macrovision DVDs to HDTV resolutions. This multi-format player can also sync with iTunes, but even this wunderunit has a flaw: it can't play DRM-protected Windows Media files. But what can you do?
H2O Audio SV Mini waterproof case update
No doubt horrified by the bad review the AP gave its SV Mini waterproof case (where the reviewer dunked it in water and found water splotches inside) for the iPod mini, H2O Audio has announced that the first batch of units sent out to reviewers did not use the final production unit housing seal. (You'd think they would have double-checked that, you know?) Thus, we give them a temporary reprieve until reviewers have a chance to test out the retail shipping units.
Siemens SX66 for Cingular available
Cingular Wireless has finally launched the Siemens SX66, the Pocket PC phone with the slide-out QWERTY keyboard, 3.5-inch LCD screen, 400MHz Intel Xscale processor, quad band GSM/GRPS, an SDIO expansion card slot, and built-in Bluetooth and 802.11b WiFi (yes, it's basically the Blue Angel/XDA III). The SX66 has a talk time of 4 hours and a standby time of 7 days, and can be yours for $550—but only if you sign a two year contract with Cingular. [Thanks to everyone who sent this one in]
Rio Carbon static noise fix
We reported back in September about the 5GB Rio Carbon's problem of static noise when using metallic headphone plugs, and now Rio has gone out and fixing the grounding problem that was causing all the static. If if you happen to get a player that doesn't have the fix, Rio is including a headphone extender plug so that your metallic plugs don't hit the metallic Carbon housing to cause static. Or alternatively, you could just stick a piece of tape over the headphone jack and then inserting your headphones.
H2O Audio SV Mini waterproof case review
The H2O Audio SV Mini waterproof case for the iPod mini, besides looking a bit unpleasant, sort of fails in the one thing it's actually supposed to do, i.e. waterproof your iPod mini. The reviewer took it and the waterproof headphones just a few feet underwater and found that after submerging the unit, there were water splotches inside the case. Anyone found a decent waterproof case for iPods that actually works?
Roku Soundbridge M500 WiFi music player
Roku, makers of wireless video and audio home entertainment center players, has introduced a budget model called the M500 ($199) which will be available at Radio Shack. The unit is 10 inches wide and uses a TFT display, unlike its bigger brother, the M1000, which used a vacuum fluorescent display.