external drive
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Gibson goes wild, unveils new consumer electronics lineup
While a company not typically associated with consumer electronics can make the leap at any point, it's usually a relatively modest entrance, but Gibson has apparently had a bit too much fun at NAMM, and has thrown its logo on just about every device it could think of in the process. You won't find much of anything new in Gibson's lineup of consumer electronics, but if you're a Gibson purist and live life one riff at a time, these goods are for you. The company announced its own line of USB 2.0 Gibson Signature Series Les Paul flash drives, which currently come in a 1GB flavor and mimics a 1959 Les Paul Standard, and the firm plans to roll out more collectible drives shaped like other classic instruments in the future. Additionally, a 500GB external HDD was released, boasting USB 2.0 and a glowing Gibson logo on the side, and it seems that the firm is looking to snag a bit of that high-end interconnect market by offering up "premium gold" versions of optical audio, USB, and HDMI cables. Also on tap was a 7.1 AV receiver with a built-in guitar input, XM capability, and HDMI 1.3 video switching, various forms of recordable media, a dual-layer DVD recorder, surge protectors, and a few home theater speakers to boot. Although pricing is still up in the air at this point, it looks like you'll have the opportunity to get your external storage, surround sound gear, and a few spare E-strings all at the same place here soon.[Via Macworld]
Toshiba throws down trio of external, portable HDDs
Don't look now, but Toshiba's gone and hopped into the portable HDD storage market, and has a trio of drives set to debut at next week's CES. The latest products to come flying out of the firm's Storage Device Division is the USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive, which sports a sleek, black aluminum housing, blue indicator LED, and an all-powerful USB port. Coming in at 5.6- x 3.5- x 0.93-inches, this portable unit is entirely powered by USB, automatically powers up / down with your PC, and comes in 100GB, 120GB, and 160GB flavors. While that oh-so-spacious 200GB perpendicular drive didn't quite make the cut, Tosh did manage to includes its buttonless backup system, dubbed NTI Shadow, which runs in the background and captures updates to files without ever troubling you. Although prices for the more capacious versions aren't yet available, the 100GB unit will run you $139.99, and expect the trifecta to hit shelves later this Spring.[Via PhotographyBlog]
HD-DVD bundles, pricing rumored
Big buzz from "retail sources" concerning the Xbox 360 External HD-DVD Drive in Europe. From GamesIndustry.biz:Retail sources have indicated to GamesIndustry.biz that Microsoft is currently planning to price the standalone HD-DVD drive at GBP 199 (293 Euro) [$370] and to package it with two HD-DVD movies. The sources also suggested that Microsoft will bundle the Premium console and next-generation movie player together for under GBP 400 (589 Euro) [$746] – and that the price could even be as low as GBP 375 (552 Euros) [$700].For some reason these unofficial numbers have desperate Sony fanboys in a bold mood. I'm not sure why. The bundle prices mentioned both undercut the premium PS3 in Europe (Subtracting the usual 25% price hike paid by our cousins across the pond, this would indicate the stand-alone drive will sell for less than $300 in the US, including two movies. Personally I predict $200-$250). And of course, the millions of people who either don't have a TV capable of taking advantage of HD-DVD or don't feel like shelling out for an "unproven" format still have a choice with MS. So even if these "high" prices hold, the 360 is still in good position to do battle with the PS3 in Europe this Christmas. Oh yeah, I forgot -- the PS3 is skipping Christmas in Europe. Guess it won't be much of a battle after all.If you need a refresher course on why HD-DVD is better than Blu-Ray anyway (cough...VC1 codec...cough), see here.
No HD-DVD drives for Asia
Pour a little popcorn out for the unfortunate Hong Kong film buffs who actually live in Hong Kong. Microsoft Taiwan says the Xbox 360 HD-DVD External drive will not be sold in Asia due to an insufficient supply of HD-DVDs in that market. Readers in the region please comment.
The Complete New Yorker on an external drive (and DVD)
Tech and Sunday reading, two great tastes that taste great together, right? That's why you're reading this right now, hm? Well, prepared to get cultured, kids, because when you're done with your coffee and your Times and your Engadget, you can plug in the Complete New Yorker on an external drive (or DVD, if that's your bag) -- over 4,000 issues since 1925 of everyone's favorite high brow Nast pub, stocked to the brim with stories and poems your friends probably won't get, political commentary we sure as hell don't get, and classy, satirical cartoons everyone just pretends to get; all of which you can snag for $300. Go on, do ol' Eustace Tilley proud.[Via MetaFilter]
HD-DVD: Get on the bus
The Xbox 360 External HD-DVD drive will be prominently featured in a tour promoting Microsoft's favorite format in at least 11 cities starting in September. The "HD-DVD Mobile Experience" might be your first opportunity to see the new drive in all it's glory. Here are the posted dates: September 14-17 - Denver September 22-24 - Dallas September 29-October 1- Minneapolis October 5-6-Chicago October 10-15 - New York October 20-22 - Washington DC October 26-28 - Philadelphia November 2-4 - Richmond November 15-17 - Los Angeles December 6-10 - San Francisco November 24-28 - Seattle
Iomega launches 320GB eSATA drive
Just a warning that peeps looking out for eSATA (external serial ATA) gear shouldn't have to wait too terribly much longer -- you know it's hitting critical mass when Iomega starts launching retail gear sporting the interface. Their new 320GB eSATA drive even comes bundled with an eSATA PCI card as well as Firewire 800 and USB 2.0 interfaces, should the eSATA thing not actually be your bag (or the machine you're temporarily using not have eSATA). It'll cost you $239, but at least you can get it precisely now, availability pending.[Via The Reg]
Buffalo's "all the cool kids are doing it" Blu-ray burner
They're just stuffing that Panasonic OEM drive into a USB 2.0 case like everyone else is, but Buffalo has the distinction of selling their external BR-H2U2 Blu-ray drive for $1012, along with black and white internal versions for the equally steep $916. The drives will be shipping (in Japan, at least) early this June, so early adopters looking for a little abuse between now and then can feel free to drop by our place to be kicked in the head and have your money lit on fire.[Via Akihabara News]
Rig of the Day: Typical desk
I love this shot because it looks a lot like my own desk: Mac, Coke, iPod, external hard drive, books, random junk...ahh. I'm feeling productive already. I'm also glad to see that I'm not the only one who has powered speakers sitting around and doing nothing."iBook at Work" posted by migroveruk.If you'd like to see your own rig featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr pool. We'll select an image every day to highlight.
LaCie Rugged: Successor to the Pocket Drive?
First and foremost: I love LaCie Drives. From the bad boys we use at work to the beige, external SCSI boxes I have connected to my ancient Macs, they just run and run. For the longest time, my favorite general use LaCie external has been the recently discontinued Pocket Drive. It was very small, came in sizes up to 80GB and featured a dual interface (FW 400 and USB). Best of all, its edges were wrapped in a very durable layer of rubber that made it possible to just toss it into a bag, backpack or what have you without worry. I loved it, then it disappeared.Last week, LaCie announced the Rugged Drive, and it looks like it could fill the hole that the Pocket Drive left in my geeky heart. This "all-terrain" drive features a bus-powered triple interface, storage capacity up to 120GB and a durable rubber edging that takes the stress out of transportation. I want one.LaCie is currently taking pre-orders (shipping is scheduled for February of 2006) at the following configurations: $169.99US for 80GB (USB 2.0), $329.99US for 120GB (USB 2.0), $199.99US for 80GB (triple interface), $399.99US for 100GB (triple interface) and $359.99US for 120GB (triple interface).[Via MacNN]
