all-in-one
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Sunconnection kicks out handheld PMP / do-it-all, smells like N-Gage
We've seen a fair amount of N-Gage-esque devices hit the international front, and shoving more and more functionality into gizmos we Americans will probably never touch is becoming quite the fad, but Sunconnection's SC-VP128SD combines the short-lived goodness of Nokia's handheld with Japan's (apparent) all-in-one mentality. The device sports an orange or black color scheme, 128MB of storage, an SD slot, USB 2.0 connectivity, AV in / out (NTSC / PAL compatible), built-in equalizer, a 2.5-inch LCD, voice recorder, and a "digital video camera" that can purportedly snap stills or record full motion video to your SD card. Additionally, it plays nice with MP3 / WMA on the audio front, while playing back ASF video files as well, and weighs in at just 90-grams. Although we've certainly seen sexier multi-tasking handhelds hit the market, there's not much to complain about here for just $84 -- except for its absence in the US, of course.[Via Akihabara News]
All-in-one gadgets: Let the dream die
Business Week covers DoCoMo's plans for an all-in-one product that fills tech needs for everyone. The phone company insists that a handset with GPS, music, web, gaming, and other features is needed because there's no single killer app for customers; DoCoMo has to design broad devices so that certain features will replace all of the gadgets for specific users.The all-in-one device was a nice dream, but we don't think it'll ever materialize. As the article mentions, designing for so many uses means that you can't design well for each individual application. A circular wheel might work well for scrolling through songs, but it's weak for traditional games.Consoles walk a fine line between gaming machines and all-in-one devices. Even the Wii plays photos and MP3s (poorly). Are game companies trying for the all-in-one grail, or just grafting extra features onto a console to drive sales?
PDC's Guide Dog does GPS, gaming, and parking?
There's practical, there's incredible, and then there's sensational. PDC's Guide Dog looks to be a strong contender for the latter, as the all-in-one gizmo has a bit too much going for it to be believable. Nevertheless, this sleek, flashy portable supposedly functions primarily as a GPS device, boasting a four-inch touchscreen, "built-in antenna," and Windows CE behind the scenes. When not pulling you around, this puppy doubles as a "2D / 3D gaming machine," and also plays back MP3s, MP4 video files, and various other forms of "media." As if this weren't pushing things already, it purportedly packs a WiFi adapter for internet browsing, an "IP phone," DVB-T tuner, Bluetooth, GPRS, UART, and even acts as a "parking sensor," presumably requiring you to duct tape it on your bumper for best results. To keep your media on hand, it supports MMC, MMCplus, SD, and PDC's "own proprietary format" (or is it?), PSd. While this thing would cause some serious shakeup in the handheld navigation world if it all panned out, we're taking this yet-to-be-priced, and currently unavailable device with a few throws of salt for now.[Via NaviGadget]
RAmos joins the party with its V100 all-in-one PMP
The handheld conglomerate market must be booming in China, as RAmos is getting in on the action with its very own V100. Similar to all the renditions that came before it, this do-it-all portable renders all sorts of still photos, and plays back MP3, WMA, WAV, OGG, and FLAC on the audio side, while playing nice with MPEG3, XviD, and DivX on the video end. For a dash of retro gaming, it supports NES / SNES emulation, as well as "flash games and animations." Powering this sleek machine is a 200MHz Freescale CPU, which is surrounded by a 2.5-inch 320 x 240 resolution LCD, Philips UDA1380TT audio decoder, built-in microphone, dual headphone jacks, an SD slot, and a potent Li-ion cell that reportedly lasts "up to 10 hours." Additionally, RAmos supposedly tosses in a pair of Sennheiser MX500 earbuds to round out the package, and somehow charges just 700 CNY ($89) for the 512MB version, and 800 CNY ($102) for the 1GB edition.[Via DAPReview]
China produces V191 all-in-one PMP / cellphone
While there are plenty of all-in-one DAP/PMP/gaming units out in the Chinese market, the V191 takes it to another level by tossing in phone functionality and a PSP-styled enclosure to boot. A very likely candidate for Keepin' it real fake, this handheld device comes in a tad shorter than the tried and true PSP, and replaces the unmistakable "PSP" logo with "FUN." While details on this dodgy unit are far and few between, it apparently accepts any SIM card for mobile use, sports a 1.3-megapixel camera, supports MP4 / MP3 playback, and even boasts a gaming function for a bit of 8-bit reminiscing while on the go. You can store your tunes, movies, and homebrew apps on the included 256MB microSD card, or toss in a larger one for those extra lengthy trips. Assuming you can find one, the V191 is reportedly going for a whopping HK$5400 ($695) overseas.[Via Akihabara News]
OzIQ poised to launch 32-inch all-in-one PC
So Apple pioneered the "PC-in-a-monitor" form factor with the iMac G5, and though other manufacturers have since followed suit, no one has been able to top Cupertino when it comes to screen size on this form factor -- until now, that is. PocketPCReviews is reporting that an Australian company called OzIQ -- which already has a range of All-in-One machines topping out at 22 inches -- is poised to release a mammoth 32-inch model called the OZ-632i7, making the 24-inch iMac look positively miniscule in comparison. Although not much information is available yet concerning the guts of this monster, spec sheets indicate that it will be powered by Core Duo and Core Solo processors, rock up to 3GB of DDR2 RAM, and presumably feature Windows Media Center Edition, seeing as it sports an internal TV tuner as well. Supposedly OzIQ is planning on pushing this one out the door "in a couple of weeks," priced at the equivalent of $3,200.[Thanks, Anton]
MSI's new Crystal 945 barebones all-in-one
While barebones PCs are nothing new, and neither are all-in-one form factors, it's seldom that we see the two ideas meet. MSI's new 17-inch Crystal 945 barebones PC, however, does just that, allowing you to build a family-friendly PC with the heart of a hacker. Well, almost the heart of a hacker. The 945G chipset running this thing only supports up to a Pentium D processor, so you're not going to get a lot of power no matter how well you spec the rest. Most everything else looks pretty snazzy otherwise, including a 7-in-1 card reader, a PCI Express x16 slot (and integrated graphics if you don't want to spring for a full-on GPU), a mini-PCI slot for WiFi action, gigabit Ethernet and a bunch of other perks. With all that expandability, the Crystal is a bit on the bulky side for an all-in-one, measuring a full 3.8-inches thick, but there's really a lot to love here if you can overlook the processor limitations -- and if you've got the DIY spark to build your own PC in the first place. No word on price or availability.[Via Randomly Accessed]
FineDrive M300 GPS, DMB, and PMP all-in-one
If 7-inches is just too big, then check this 3.5-inch personal GPS device with integrated T-DMB receiver and PMP capabilities. The 130-gram, FineDrive M300 brings 3GB of internal memory, a touch-screen display, and apparently the ability to playback MP3 audio, movies, and view pictures judging by the on-screen icons. Presumably the M300 also includes SD expansion like it's bigger bro. Still, unless you're livin' large in Korea, what more do you need to know?
Medion's Akoya RIM 2550: 22-inches of all-in-one Media Center
Medion is one of those low-end, consumer electronics manufactures whose products sell in the likes of Aldi, Woolworths, and Toys 'R Us around Europe. Still, they bring some design cred as demonstrated in this Akoya RIM 2550. This unspecified "Dual Core" all-in-oner brings Windows Media Center to that big 22-inch display and features 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0, a DVD-burner, ExpressCard slot and suite of USB and Firewire jacks, Gigabit Ethernet, an integrated webcam in the bezel, and a dual analog/digital TV-tuner for good PVR'in fun. Yeah, the keyboard is wireless, but if you're a lefty just forget about using the touchpad, unless of course you bat from both sides of the plate. No drop date but expect the 2550 to pull €1,399 / $1,785 sometime before the sun burns itself out.[Via gadgetzone (in Dutch)]
Hitachi's Prius One type S all-in-one PC
Yep, another all-in-one PC in white for ya here. This time, it's Hitachi's Prius One Type S (AW31S1R) PC which brings a 1.6GHz Celeron M 380 processor, a 17-inch LCD capable of 1280 x 1024 pixels, a maximum of 2GB RAM, Intel 910GML Express graphics, up to 320GB of disk, and a front-mounted slot-loading dual-layer DVD writer which makes good use of that 7.8-inch of depth. You also get 5 x USB 2.0 ports, a multi-format memory card slot, Firewire, modem, and outs for D-Sub 15 and S/PDIF. Yours for a steep, estimated starting price of ¥160,000 (or about $1,389) when these drop July 15th in Japan.[Via Impress]
The Computer Bed: making telecommuting even easier
We're not sure if The Computer Bed could support the weight (or even footprints, for that matter) of our three monitors, desktop tower, photo printer, speakers + sub, flatbed scanner, and plethora of input devices, but if you've got a sparser setup and not a lot of space at your pad, this convertible desk/bed may be just what you've been looking for. Described as a "modern Murphy Bed," the multifunction product features gas pistons so your gear doesn't tumble around during the twice-daily conversion process, and also serves as a low-cost space heater at night by positioning you directly above your toasty equipment. At almost $2,500, The Computer Bed seems a bit pricey for a few pieces of unfinished wood and a twin-sized mattress that is most likely not Tempurpedic, but considering that you probably don't have the proper tools in your cramped little apartment to build your own, this may be the only solution.[Via Real Tech News]
Sharp Internet AQUOS LCD TV and PC systems
Today Sharp loosed their new Internet AQUOS TV / PC combo systems. At the top end is the LD-37SP1 LCD and PC-AX50M mini-PC kit capable of pumping out (and recording) those Hi-Vision (Japanese high def) broadcast pixels onto a 37-inch LCD with 1200:1 contrast ratio, 6ms response, 176-degree viewing angle, and HDMI and HDCP DVI ports. A wireless (RF) keyboard and remote are perfect for getting all potato-like up on the couch. The PC manages to eke out 500GB of SATA disk for hi-def recordings and such, up to 1GB DDR2 RAM, a DVD combo drive, and SD and xD picture card slots with direct-to-card MPEG-4 recordings -- all powered by a 1.66GHz Intel Core Duo T2300 CPU and XP Home. The kit is also available with a 32-inch LCD (LD-32SP1) and PC sporting a terrestrial analog tuner and a 250GB disk (PC-AX50M) all of which you can mix-n-match to your heart’s desire. No doubt, we like the design, but these systems are kept out of the high-end game with their Intel graphics cards, LCD resolutions of just 1366 x 768, and lack of a Windows Media Center Edition install option. Expect these to hit shelves in Japan sometime in May for an undisclosed price.[Via Akihabara News]
Sony's new Vaio L series all-in-one desktop
Okay, NEC. So, you think you're so bad, now that you've managed to announce no fewer than 26 new computers in a single day. Well, all we can say is, don't mess with Sony. In addition to showing off its Blu-ray totin' RC300, the company is also dropping something like 41 other Vaio models, including upgrades to the H, V, F and S series, and a whole new line called the VGC-L series. We'll start the show with the L, an all-in-one desktop with a either a 19-inch 1680 x 1050 or 15.4-inch 1280 x 800 LCD display. The line comes with a range of processor options, including a Core Duo T2300 at 1.66GHz or a Celeron M 420 at 1.6GHz. Sony also throws in a dual-layer burner, 200GB drive and FeliCa port (these are Japan-only models, remember). The keyboard is designed to fold up on top of the display, leaving just enough displayed to allow access to audio controls via the included remote. And although Sony's including XP Home (we would have liked MCE as at least an option), Sony is certifying these as "Vista Capable," making them among the first new boxes out of Japan to carry that shiny new sticker. Prices range from ¥160,000 (about $1,350) to ¥220,000 ($1,855), depending on configuration.
NEC Japan's twenty-six new laptops and all-in-one desktops
If there were ever any doubts as to our complete and total dedication to you, dear reader, let them be dispelled here and now, as we've just trudged through page upon page of horrible machine translation to bring you the relevant deets and specs on no less than 26 new computers from NEC -- for the Japanese market! This cornucopia of hardware comes in both laptop and all-in-one, media-centric desktop flavors, and can be further divided into their respective series: the LaVie 15.4-inch L, T, and 12.1-inch A laptops, and Valuestar W/X, L, and R desktops. More specifically, the W lineup come in four different configurations (VW970/FG, VW900/FH, VW770/FG, VW700/FG), with displays ranging from to 20 to 32-inches, either a 2.8GHz Pentium D or 3.06GHz Celeron D processor, and RAM and hard drive capacity ranging from 512MB to 1GB, and 400GB to 800GB, respectively, while the only X model, the 20-inch, 2.80GHz VX780/FD, seems to differ from the W's in that it utilizes a tower configuration and sports a nVidia GeForce video card (all the rest of the desktops feature integrated graphics). For pics and details on the rest of the desktops and all of the notebooks, keep on reading after the jump...
The QBOX Q600 all-in-one PC from China
If those Sony and Apple all-in-one desktop offerings are just too, um, svelte for you -- not to mention pricey -- you might do well with a QBOX Q600: the Chinese "Media PC." Nothing too exciting under the hood, just an ol' 3GHz Pentium 4, 512MB of DDR RAM, 80GB HDD, DVD/CD-RW drive, and a S-Video port (ooh, S-Video), but it's not like they're selling this in the states anyways, so we really can't complain.
