Dan Wu
Articles by Dan Wu
Sharp Zaurus SL-C3000 4GB Linux PDA
I4U has plenty of pictures and a short commentary on the Sharp's new Zaurus SL-C3000, the first PDA with a 4GB hard drive (and which also happens to runs on Linux and come with a QWERTY keyboard). There's plenty to like about this Zaurus, which can be used in tablet mode or like a mini-laptop, but the downers are it doesn't include onboard Bluetooth or WiFi options (these can be remedied with an add-on SD or CF wireless card, but still).
50-in-1 classic gaming console
Unlike Jakk's classic gaming joystick consoles, this 50-in-1 gaming system won't conjure up any misty-eyed, retrogaming memories since they didn't actually put any licensed popular arcade games, and instead went for the more generic games such as Motor Rally, GP Race, and Dart Champion (if you have any nostalgic memories of these, then you probably lived near a crappy arcade growing). Retail price is $40, but don't try passing this off to your kids, they probably won't be satisfied with anything less than the new Nintendo DS or that slimmer PS2.
A Smartwatch that remembers too well
So there's a big problem with building an RFID-enabled smartwatch that could help you keep track of all your stuff and make sure you never leave home without your keys ever: it leads to some serious privacy issues, since anyone with an RFID scanner could probably keep track of your stuff as just as easily as would. To get around this, researchers at the University of Washington are working on ways that RFID tagged items could only seen by the smartwatch itself, and trying to combine an RFID reader into a smartwatch at a feasible price, since current readers are roughly $1000.
iGo Pitch Duo review
If you need to pitch a Powerpoint presentation but don't want to lug around a heavy laptop, the iGo Pitch Duo may just be your savior, as the Bluetooth (and USB) enabled device can do your presentations with ease. For $280, the Pitch Duo can connect with Pocket PCs, Palm devices, and Symbian Smartphones and Geekzone found the unit to work pleasantly with no real gripes at all.
Sony Grand Wega HDTVs and Hi-Def DVRs
Sony is set to release six Grand Wega rear projection high definition TVs, ranging from 42- to 60-inch sizes, and selling for $2800 to $4400. The sets feature an integrated ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuner (which will allow viewers to see hi-def over digital cable or over-the-air without having to buy an additional set-top box), as well as HDMI inputs, and a Memory Stick media slot. Sony's hi-def digital video recorders, the DHG-HDD250 ($800) and DHG-HDD500 ($1000) can record digital cable or over-the-air HDTV programming, and come with a free TV Guide program guide listings, HDMI outputs, and can store up to 60 hours of HD content (on the DHG-HDD500, at least). [Via Designtechnica]
Yori-soi ifbot
For just under six large, you too can buy the Dream Supply Yori-soi ifbot come December 1, a robot with 108 built-in LED lights in its head that can speak to you (in Japanese only?), do calculations, play puzzles, and offer advice (and we're sure it's first advice will be that you buy it an Aibo to hang out with). If you're not ready to drop that much cash on a new robot friend, the ifbot will also be available for rental.
TimeTrax Connect satellite radio recorder
TimeTrax, makers of the popular satellite radio recording software for the XM PCR, has released the TimeTrax Connect, which will let anyone with an XM Connect receiver automatically record broadcasts after setting up a recording schedule. Fifty bucks gets you the TimeTrax adapter, software, and necessary cables to record satellite radio to WAV or MP3 format directly to your PC. XM probably won't like this, either.
MERGE cellphone service in your home
For $99, MERGE can let you hook up any regular old wireline phone to make and receive calls via your cellular service. It looks like it's only compatible with some Motorola cellphones, but with MERGE, you can take advantage of all those free nighttime and weekend minutes, all while avoiding cellphone radiation, which may or may not be dangerous, depending on what the latest study says.
The movement towards a smart car
The NY Times reports on the growth of the high-tech car market, namely the 2005 Acura RL being able to understand voice commands for directions (such as nearest ATM), make and receive phone calls via Bluetooth, and get messages from Acura if there are any recalls. The smart, hands-free operation may give users a false sense of security, however, as a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study states talking via headsets is just as much as a distraction as holding a phone to one's ear. But as long as car manufacturers can stay away from implementing annoying systems like BMW's iDrive (you know what we're talking about?), we're happy.
Proporta Media folding Bluetooth Freedom keyboard
We thought it was just another folding Bluetooth keyboard, but Proporta Media's Bluetooth Freedom is a bit different than most, and tosses in a full set of numbers keys on the right in addition to the usual QWERTY characters. Retailing for $119, Proporta's keyboard comes with drivers for Pocket PCs, Palm, Symbian, Smartphones, and is powered by 2 AA batteries.
Taser guns not as safe as claimed?
Taser International insists an Air Force study found their Taser guns (as seen on Cops) safe, but the department that actually conducted the study says that they are more dangerous and potentially lethal. The stats: since 2001, over 70 people have died after being shocked by a taser's 50,000 volts, usually from heart or lung failure. This is totally harshing our plans for the weekend.
First GameCube modchip released
While there has been an exploit for some time using a broadband adapter and Phantasy Star Online that lets gamers load their own homebrew games (and pirated GameCube image files), the first modchip for the GameCube (the aging flagship Nintendo console, remember it?) has just been announced. The Viper GC modchip only requires the soldering of 4 wires, but there's no word on price or availability yet, and we're wondering why it took 4 years for the first GameCube modchip to come out. [Via Joystiq]
Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-V3 7.2 megapixel digital camera reviews
A couple reviews have turned up of the DSC-V3, Sony's new 7.2 megapixel prosumer digital camera, which sports a Carl Zeiss 4x optical zoom, a 2.5-inch LCD, and can record MPEG 640x480 resolution videos at a full 30 frames per seconds (also worth noting: it has slots for both Compact Flash and Memory Stick memory cards). LetsGoDigital rated the camera excellent, with great photo quality and true colors (with some redeye issues), while Steve from Steve's Digicams found the camera to be adequate, but just not up to par with the even more excellent Canon PowerShot G6. [Via Photography Blog] Read - LetsGoDigital Read - Steve's Digicams
Unisontech TMH-100 portable audio/video player
Unisontech (yet another South Korean media player maker), offers up the TMH-100, a 4.4GB MP3 and WMA player that also plays MPEG 1 and MPEG 4 video files on a 1.8-inch LCD with a 128x160 resolution. They also squeeze in a FM radio, a built-in mic (with recording capability), USB 2.0 connectivity, JPG viewer, and has a battery that can juice 15 hours of continuous music playing. No word on price or if it'll come out over here, but we'll let you know once we find out.
Sound-based pistachio sorter
We hate getting those pistachios that can't be opened without a hammer, and neither does Tom Pearson, who created a sound-based pistachio sorter that listens to the sound the nuts makes when falling into a steel plate, detects whether they're open or not, and whooshes the unopened ones away with a blast of air. His sorter is 97% accurate, which means you're still going to be annoyed every once in awhile. It's just that'll be less than you are right now, since current sorters only have a 90% accuracy rate.
RTX cordless phones with VoIP capability
RTX Telecom (a Danish outfit) has signed an agreement with Skype to create cordless phones that would work with both landlines and Voice over IP (VoIP) Internet calls. The phone's base easily connects to a PC via USB (and a regular old telephone jack for the landline part), but unless you are in Scandanavia (or are gonna go to the trouble to import one), it's not yet available yet.
Mitsubishi truck with people detectors
Mitsubishi Fuso is developing technology for their trucks which will detect pedestrians via two mounted cameras that can analyze moving objects and compare them to a database of 10,000 different human shapes (must… resist… crude… joke… about… Anna-Nicole… Smith), calculates the distance away, and then warns the driver to swerve out of the way. The system will work when the truck's speed is under 30kmh and people are within 5 to 20 meters away, which is to say that it will be practically useless under most circumstances.
Kodak 5 megapixel DX7590 SLR review
Kodak, fresh from nearly tying Sony in overall digital camera market share, has released the DX7590, a digital SLR with 5 megapixels resolution, a fast 10x optical zoom, a 38-380mm Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon lens, and a 2.2-inch LCD screen around back. DPReview discovers the camera to be lacking in megapixels compared to similar SLR models, has a very slow buffer, and doesn't possess the ease of use that Kodak aims for, concluding that most people would be better off with one of the many other options out there.
Socket enhanced Bluetooth GPS Nav Kit
Socket has released a new version of their Bluetooth GPS Nav Kit, which includes MyNavigator software (for Pocket PCs and laptops), a user-replaceable battery, and weighs in at only 71 grams. Available for $249 street, the new GPS module comes with a receiver capable of receiving 16 GPS channels and comes with improved accuracy since it uses the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS).
Syntax's Olevia 32- and 37-inch HDTV LCD TVs
Syntax, a relative newcomer to the LCD market, will be releasing a 32-inch ($1999 retail) and 37-inch ($2999) hi-def LCD TV within next month, which is quite a bargain compared to other manufacturers. Both sets have a 1200:1 contrast ratio, 1366x768 (WXGA) resolution, 16:9 widescreen, component, and DVI inputs. With their Olevia 30-inch LCD (available for just under $1000 after rebate) getting some positive reviews, Syntax may just be the catalyst to drive down prices across the board in LCD technology.