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TraderTools' keyboard for traders -- all that's missing is the panic button
We don't usually see many gadgets aimed at the high rollers in the foreign exchange market who read this site religiously, so when we ran across this sweet piece of PR for the Al-1 Compact Keyboard for TraderTools' Liquidity Management Platform, we pounced! Sick of all those other trading keyboards that have been piling up with each new piece of software? This guy has been "humanly engineered" to replace all of 'em, with extra large, color-coded keys for the those things you do best -- like destroying the lives of average Americans. Now you can "buy low" and "sell high" with a single keystroke. This keyboard will have you aggregating liquidity with the best of them. There's no word yet on pricing or a release date, but keep your eyes open -- with the way this economy's headed, we're certain these units will be flooding eBay (and estate sales) soon enough.
Toshiba goes bonkers with Qosmio laptop upgrades: GX, FX and SpursEngine G50
Hang tight, kiddos -- Toshiba's about to take you on a wild, unpredictable ride through the untamed wilderness where Qosmios are born. The outfit has just unleashed some 20 new Dynabook models over in Japan, with the most notable additions coming in the gamer-oriented Qosmio FX (15.4-inch) and GX (18.4-inch) and the SpursEngine-equipped G50 (18.4-inch). The GX / FX models boast a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo P8600 CPU, NVIDIA's GeForce 9600M GT, 4GB of RAM and a 320GB hard drive. As for the G50, you'll find most of the same specs, though the inclusion of a SpursEngine graphics system, an extra 250GB hard drive, a digital TV tuner, four USB ports, an eSATA socket, 1.3-megapixel camera, a fingerprint sensor and a dual-layer DVD burner makes it a touch more special. As for pricing on these three, expect 'em to cost between ¥210,000 ($2,327) and ¥340,000 ($3,767), and we're told the whole family will be available before the year's end. [Via Impress]
Fox going all-HD in 2009, with help from Motorola
We knew Fox was getting serious about high definition next year for sports production, now comes word it's switching all program distribution to HD: the Fox broadcast network, national cable channels, regional sports networks, Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network. Starting in the first quarter they'll use Motorola MPEG-2 HD equipment exclusively, converting in real time to SD when necessary. All the new equipment should mean higher quality broadcasts, although as we've recently heard, they may be switching again before too long. Remember the old days when a lack of capacity held back HD NFL action, and we were happy to hear about college football coming to FSN HD?
Nikon outs D3x in own Pro magazine
Uh, oops. Sorry Nikon but your D3x is now even less of a mystery. According to your own Pro magazine, the D3x will sport an FX-format, 24.5 megapixel sensor shooting 5fps at full resolution or 7fps at a reduced 10 megapixels. Nikon made a few other tweaks including an extended ISO 50-6400 range but the body design, AF, metering, and main functions remain the same as the D3. The only thing we need now is a price and confirmed release date. Back to you Nikon. One more shot detailing the features after the break, full details beyond the read link.[Via dpreview forums]
Comcast adding FX HD and SPEED HD to lineups
Apparently working out the details on the Big Ten Network squabble was just the beginning, since Comcast and Fox Cable Networks recently worked out a deal to add FX HD and SPEED HD. Already live in Chicago and in Pennsylvania, Multichannel News says the rollout should pick up momentum in the fourth quarter, with both 720p channels sliding onto HD basic tiers, so there shouldn't be much question whether you'll have it or not. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Wrecked and daily motorsports action in high definition will surely find a welcome place in many TV watching schedules.
Nikon D700 previewed, demystified
Now that Nikon has deftly slipped the full frame (FX) D700 into the already tight slot separating its mid-range DX D300 and pro FX D3, we know what you're thinking. Huh? Fortunately, both Rob Galbraith and DP Review have given this a thorough analysis along with a titillating preview courtesy of DP Review. As Rob puts it, "If you own a D3 and a D300, then you have in two separate bodies most of the key bits and pieces that comprise the D700." While the choice between the $1,800 D300 and $3,000 D700 is more clear, prospective $5,000 D3 buyers won't be blamed if they profess a desire to hold-out for the 24.39 megapixel D3X expected within the next 12 months. Read -- Rob Galbraith's take Read -- DP Review preview
2009 Infiniti FX35, FX50 to include Distance Control Assist
Infiniti has a knack for keeping technophiles grinning, and just as it did with the G35's in-dash entertainment system, it's bringing geeks even more automotive improvements to keep our minds off of those skyrocketing gas prices. Reportedly, both the 2009 FX35 and FX50 will be available with all-around cameras (you know, like those found on the EX35), Intelligent Cruise Control and Distance Control Assist. The automaker seems particularly proud of that last one, as it claims to be the first in the industry to offer up the tech. Put simply, DCA will assist drivers in releasing the throttle and applying the brakes as needed in stop-and-go / congested traffic, and (obviously) the system stays activated even after the brakes are tapped. Check out the read link for a few more sneak peeks at the forthcoming features.
Sony releasing Rescue Me: The Complete Third Season on BD-50 discs
Poll any random group of HDTV owners about what non-HD station they wanted in high-def and you'll get two stations more than any other: Sci-Fi and FX. We can't help you with the first one today but Sony is releasing one of FX's amazing original TV series on Blu-ray. Plus it's going to be the first TV show released on the 50 GB disc. Rescue Me: The Complete Third Season will hit shelves for $79.99 instead of $49.99 for the standard DVD release come May 3rd. Moreover, according to a conversation with one of their press agents today, Sony is considering season one and two for a Blu-ray release too. In case you're haven't been watching the show just because it wasn't in HD, you've been missing out. (Follows the life of post 9/11 firefighters & stares Denis Leary) Sure, high-def is great but content is important too. Now lets hope we can get some of FX's other original series like The Shield, Nip/Tuck, and their new one this season, The Riches on Blu-ray - or maybe the station in HD; that would do too.Press release follows.[Image via IMBD]
Today's most relative game video: GTA clock
While some of us are counting the seconds until the Grand Theft Auto IV release, others are so GTA-hyped that they count the seconds until the game's trailer. Rockstar apparently took its online promotion to late-night TV, featuring 30 minutes of the countdown to the ad to the game. YouTube user "nospacesinmyname" lets us all bow down to the clock.Alas, the clip only shows a few minutes of the entire 30-minute "commercial." We've watched it four times with the hope that some GTA IV magic will reveal itself, but nothing has differed. Maybe on the fifth try.Watch the TV clip after the break.[Thanks, Godfree]
Chiklis gets cheeky in The Shield video game
Everyone's favorite renegade cop, Vic Mackey (played by Michael Chiklis, without his more recent orange rock outer layer), will be appearing on the PlayStation 2 and PC in early 2007, giving gamers a chance to intimidate witnesses and beat the crap out of criminals while wearing a badge. Well, beat them up (sometimes) and intimidate them verbally (a lot).Firing Squad has an interview with game creators Kraig Horigan and Rob Sandberg up, and they talk about the ins and outs of turning The Shield into a game. Apparently the hardest part was in figuring out how to tone Mackey down so that the player has an alternative to applying brute force to every situation. But hey, that's what he does on the TV show, and that's also the version of the game we want to play.Sadly, this great FX TV show looks like it'll be getting the "let's turn this property into a crummy video game" treatment, based on the screenshots alone. At least Kenny Johnson came in to do some voice recording. He may be off the show, but he'll live on in the game. Lemonhead, FTW!
Samsung's FX with surround sound
Some of us are still just trying to get our hands on a decent phone with A2DP -- or heck, even an honest-to-goodness 3.5mm jack would do -- but Samsung's looking to take it to the next level by integrating 5.1-channel audio into its new "FX" handsets, the SPH-M4500 and SCH-M450. The sliders don't actually surround you with five speakers and a subwoofer (wouldn't that make for an interesting form factor?), but rather mix the channels down to a stereo virtual surround effect for your listening pleasure. The 5.1 action comes into handy for the FX's DMB tuner and music player, which can draw off internal memory or microSD expansion. Add WiFi, front-facing VGA and rear 2-megapixel cams, and we have yet another Korean superphone on our hands with no hint of a global release.
FX to combat DVR ad-skipping with 30-second still pics
Either cable channel FX reads Engadget, pays attention to USPTO filings, and/or is genuinely concerned that it's wasting away (along with other American TV advertisers) an estimated total of $8 billion annually. On September 22 and only in the UK (for now), FX will use its 30-second ad slot to display a single still image hawking its new drama "Brotherhood," so that the estimated one-third of its British audience using a PVR device (like this Sky box shown at right) will be able to follow FX's sales pitch even after thrice hitting the fast forward button. We wonder if this may actually be more effective than those "interactive and on-demand" ads that have been showing up on TiVo over the last few months. Apparently the US PVR audience isn't quite yet ready for the sheer awesome power of low-tech advertising (no, not this one) that has existed for well over a century in print magazines.
Finally, Fox in the iTunes Music Store
I woke up this morning to find that Fox and FX shows have been added to the iTunes Music Store [iTunes link]. On the Fox side, 24, Prison Break, Unan1mous, Stacked and some classic shows like Buffy and Firefly have been added. FX [iTunes link] brings The Shield, Black/White, 30 Days and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia to the store.Conspicuous in their absence: The Simpsons, Family Guy and American Dad. I'm hoping that it's just a matter of time before these shows make their iTMS debut. Also new to the store this morning: Inside the NBA [iTunes link] and First Hand [iTunes link].
My New Years resolutions
1: I am going to convince the fiancee that the money from our wedding will be best spent on a 1080p projector. Who needs a new kitchen? Really?2: I am going to stop watching lame programs just because they are in high-def. i.e. Chasing Lance Armstrong and Sound Off3. I am going to write FX Networks every week, pleading them to broadcast their FX Original Series in high definition. Think Nip/Tuck and The Shield4. Ditto on number 3 but insert Sci-Fi Channel for "FX Networks "and Stargate/Battlestar Glactica for "FX Original Series."5. Record and rewatch every episode of My Name is Earl in search of more HD Easter Eggs; plus, the show just rocks.
