presentation
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SwissGear readies media-controlling, wireless mouse
Wenger -- makers of the famous Swiss Army line of knives, watches, and accessories -- appear to be readying a sort-of-serious-looking new media controller / presentation / wireless mouse combo. As you can see by the above photo, we caught the multi-faceted model out on display chumming it up with its less stylish and expensive mouse-companions. The slick finish looks nice, but honestly, it doesn't seem like a great combo for sweaty, gaming hands. Maybe PowerPointers or media fans will have more luck. No word on price or availability, but we'll keep you posted.
Mitsubishi launches LDT461V digital signage monitor
Businesses want to get their high-def on too, and Mitsubishi is happy to help out with the launch of the LDT461V 46-inch 1080p professional-grade LCD. Designed for digital signage, business, and classroom applications, the monitor comes beefed up from the normal consumer-level set with scheduling controls for timing presentations, motion shifting technology to prevent burn-in, and an expanded warranty program for easy repair and replacement. The set will be available this month for $4,995, just in time to start watching even more HD commercials at the mall.
IOGEAR's presentation mouse, 4GB wallet drive ready for class
We know, "back to school" isn't exactly a phrase that brings a smile to most students, but IOGEAR is hoping to get you a bit more jazzed up than usual about the fall semester with a new duo of products. Following the Digital Scribe, the firm has now unveiled a 4GB Flash Wallet Drive and 3-in-1 Wireless Phaser Presentation Mouse to presumably help you with your studies. The uber-thin wallet drive ($69.95) measures in at just 3-millimeters thick and ought to hold quite a few research papers, while the wireless mouse ($59.95) combines a laser pointer and track ball to aid you in making those presentations go as smoothly as possible. Both products should already be available at your campus store or nearby big box retailer.
Skydigital unveils wireless input peripherals, presentation remote
Korea-based Skydigital is hoping to catch a few eyes with its trifecta of stylish new wireless gear, which includes the X902 keyboard, m3 portable mouse, and Presenter 2.4G remote. The keyboard was reportedly designed to play well with HTPCs that needed a device with a built-in mouse and a slew of function keys, while the wee m3 arrives in black or green motifs and holds the wireless receiver within its shell. The Presenter 2.4G boasts a mouse and laser pointer, slideshow controls, and even a volume switch to control the background noise from afar. Mum's the word in regard to pricing, but feel free to check out the other devices after the break.
Mitsubishi, Hitachi talk LED / laser technology
Trust us, we know when these mega-corps put their heads together to create a buzz-eliciting presentation about the "future of HDTV," things don't always materialize as planned, but Mitsubishi and Hitachi each had a few interesting things to say at a recent pep talk about their hopes and dreams. Aside from alerting us all to the painfully obvious tidbit that HDTV prices are "unlikely to be stable" in the years ahead, Mitsubishi also talked up how 1080p will become an integral part of its forthcoming sets, and more interestingly, spoke about integrating "LED and laser technologies" into HDTVs. Also, it was stated that bigger screens would likely garner more attention as prices fell, and that x.v. Color would also play a role in 2007 / 2008 strategies. On the Hitachi front, it focused more on marketing its "well built flat panels" as "accessible luxuries," but also mentioned an expansion in its HDTV lineup, a boost in 1080p-capable sets, and a 60-inch flagship plasma that would "be sold only through A/V specialists." Now, who's betting it all comes true?
Sirius' and XM's merger presentation revealed
Brace yourself: corporate speak ahead. We normally aren't in for all this "cost synergies" and "roadmap" hogwash that all the suits seem to get so hot for, but when it comes to a merger of two cutthroat competitors like this, we couldn't help but take a peek. Other than the technology improvements we mentioned, there isn't much talk about consumer benefits in here, and there's absolutely no mention of creating some sort of single satellite radio provider, just the power of combined resources. Most of the talk is directed at shareholders and those "synergies" that help out the bottom line -- to the tune of an estimated $3-7 billion in savings, though a $4 billion "flex" does seem to cast a bit of doubt on those numbers. The rest of the slides deal with plans for getting regulatory approval, which basically amount to arguing the case of intense competition from radio, iPods and other emerging wireless standards (see above). That said, XM and Sirius seem quite confident of success on the regulatory end of things, and look to have put a quite a bit of thought into it. Pending approval from the feds, along with respective shareholder go-ahead, XM and Sirius plan on sealing the deal by the end of 2007.%Gallery-1735%
PCPAL trifecta crams mouse, RF remote, and laser into PCMCIA slot
You're not apt to find us grumbling about a little consolidation done right, and the PCPAL "3-in-1" mouse, RF remote control, and laser pointer looks to have (most) all the right tools to properly occupy that presumably lonely PCMCIA slot. Aside from handling those PowerPoint presentations from afar, dictating your cursor, and beaming a red dot on those (hopefully soaring) yearly profit reports, this thing purportedly pulls a fourth duty acting as a "keyboard," but considering the obvious lack of alphanumeric buttons on the slot-housed device, we're assuming this assertion was very loosely based. Regardless, this boardroom's best friend reportedly plays nice with Windows, OS X, and Linux operating systems, and you even get a USB RF receiver bundled in. So if you've been scouting a way to add a dash of utility to that gaping PCMCIA slot, you can hit this up for just under 40 bucks.[Via CNET]
WWDC sessions available to all ADC members on iTunes
Back in October, Apple dropped DVDs as their distribution system of choice for WWDC sessions and presentation slides. The company moved all this content to iTunes - but only for Select and Premiere members of the ADC (Apple Developer Connection). Today I just received an ADC email titled "Watch Mac OS X State of the Union," re-announcing the availability of this content, but seemingly for all ADC members. This time around there is no talk of access only for specific members, so it sounds like anyone with a valid ADC account of one level or another can access this library of Mac OS X development goodness. We would post the URL, but it seems as though it is only accessible by logging into one's ADC account online.[Update: According to readers, it sounds like only the general State of the Union sessions are offered, while access to "the juicy stuff" still requires a Leopard Early Starter Kit.]
Widget Watch: ThinkFree/Office doc viewer (Dashboard, Yahoo! and Google)
If, for one reason or another, you don't have or don't want Microsoft Office installed, but you still need to view a doc, spreadsheet or presentation, the ThinkFree Online office crew have created a couple widgets (and even a Google module) to help ease your pain. I haven't been following ThinkFree's products very closely, but one of their services called the ThinkFree Viewer lets anyone publish a document online by linking to their web-based viewer - this removes a visitor's need to have one compatible app or another installed just to be able to view the file.To make things even easier for those attachments you receive or the occasional document you simply have lying around, they have now released a new Dashboard widget and a Google module (for their Personalized Homepage), in addition to the Yahoo! Widget we blogged way back in May. These all work essentially the same way: drag and drop a compatible ThinkFree or Microsoft Office doc onto the widget, and it will upload the file to ThinkFree's temporary online viewer so you can crack it open with the least amount of hassle. Of course, there might be limitations to what their viewer can render, but this should make things a little easier for non-Office Office users out there.
The comprehensive guide to presenting from your pocket
It's no secret that a combination of software and hardware can turn virtually any smartphone into a serviceable PowerPoint viewer, but tracking down the necessary bits and pieces can be a tiresome exercise. Comptuerworld's done us all a favor, throwing together a guide detailing the steps needed to get a slide deck fired up and shot out to a projector via BlackBerrys and Treos (both Palm and Windows Mobile-based models); iPods are also covered, but being that we're Engadget Mobile, we're going to claim ignorance and pretend we've no idea what an iPod is. Running $250 and up, the suggested hardware isn't cheap, but for the road warrior who can't be bothered to tote along a legit PC, $250 may be a small price to pay.[Via The Raw Feed]
Steve Jobs will not give Apple Expo Paris keynote
Our hearts go out to all the Apple Expo Paris attendees in the audience, for Steve Jobs will not be giving a keynote yet again this year. In fact, there won't be any keynote at all. A show representative confirmed this keynote-less announcement with Macworld UK, citing that, while Apple has seen "significant" market share gains in France lately, they also mention the whole 'open up your FairPlay, or else' issue the French government is trying to force on Apple.That doesn't seem like a very good reason for Jobs to stop delivering his theatrical keynotes, though he was having surgery during 2004's paris expo, and for some odd reason didn't give a keynote at '05's Expo either. I guess the closest you'll be able to get to Mr. Jobs this time around is some hi-res desktop wallpapers.
Mitsubishi's PK-20 PocketProjector
It has been a good couple of weeks for projector enthusiasts – there has to be at least one of you out there – and now Mitsubishi is making it even better with an upgrade to their PocketProjector line. With a 550:1 contrast ratio and a native resolution of 800 x 600, the PK-20 still isn't a great choice for someone looking to make their own home theater, even with the new built-in SD card reader. But its small size (4.85-inches x 1.85-inches x 3.85-inches), optional battery pack ($199) and weight of only one-pound should make it attractive to the well-traveled business man with expense accounts that'll cover the $899 price tag.
Omni Group introduces OmniDazzle - "mesmerizing mouse movements"
After weeks of ambiguous hints and torturous teasing, The Omni Group has unveiled their newest product, and it definitely isn't a Sweedish meatball maker. Introducing: OmniDazzle, a "set of fun and useful enhancements that help you track the location of your mouse pointer and provide options for highlighting certain areas of your screen". Basically, it's like one of those mouse-trailing toys tools with some actually useful goodness baked in. For example, OmniDazzle can place a spotlight on your mouse, dimming the background and helping you or your audience focus on what's important. It offers other interesting tools for pinpointing your mouse and even drawing on screen for those times when crayons just won't do. In fact, there's a lot of quirky (and handy) stuff OmniDazzle is capable of, so why not check it out while it's in beta?
Wanna try a MMO? The first hit's free
We know that MMOs can be a little addictive. So do developers and publishers. That's why some of NCsoft's new offerings are at once a stroke of brilliance and absolutely terrifying. Aimed at new MMO players as well as existing ones, the PlayNC portal invites players to try its games by putting them at an irresistible price -- $0.The money, of course, lies in areas like micropayments -- while a great portion of each game is free, features like new items or character slots will come at a price. Some games may only offer lower-level gameplay for free, meaning that players are enticed into purchasing the game once they have become invested in a character. Two games from the PlayNC portal were playable at E3: Dungeon Runners and Exteel.
Lair off-screen trailer looked good at GDC
Stills and screenshots can only do so much to convey how good a game looks. Here's an off-screen video presentation of Lair recorded from GDC, showing off the Factor 5 game in action (or, should we say, motion).You might recognize some of the animation from videos seen elsewhere, but it was nice to catch the newer footage of a dragon wireframe model meticulously rendered with layers of musculature and skin, too.If that's not enough for ya, you can always just listen in to the audio, which features a young lady from Washington asking questions of a developer with the hope of getting hired. Consider this a lesson in networking.[Via GameBrink]
Found Footage: Steve Jobs' Macworld bloopers
In a move that I'm sure is just begging for the wrath of Jobs, someone has put together a well-crafted blooper video that looks at the best quirks, mistakes and glitches of Steve Jobs' Macworld keynotes. The video is hosted at YouTube and we're linking to it here, so you should be able to click on the image above and play it right here in TUAW (or your RSS reader) as long as Flash is enabled.I have to agree with the post at FreeMacBlog: it's pretty tough to watch this and not squirm at least a little, especially during my personal favorite: the 2005 keynote when I believe it was Sony's CEO who painfully stumbled and blundered through a speech about... well I don't even remember what it was about anymore.This video is a nice reminder of those unfortunate (yet darn funny) blooper moments of Macworld keynotes that we all so easily forget once we open our new [insert Apple product here]. Check out FreeMacBlog's post where I found this, or head over to YouTube where the video lives - at least for now.
