by Donald Melanson, posted Jun 2nd 2008 at 2:17PM It may not even have a firm release date just yet, but it looks like Microsoft is already taking a pretty hard line on Windows 7, with it reportedly now warning hardware makers to begin testing their devices on the OS as soon as the first beta becomes available or risk not qualifying for its certified compatibility program. As Information Week points out, that move is likely being done in order to avoid the mess stirred up when so-called Vista-capable systems went on sale in advance of Vista’s release, many of which, as we all know, turned out to be anything but. (Read the full post about ‘Microsoft warns hardware makers to begin Windows 7 testing ASAP’…)
by Darren Murph, posted Jun 2nd 2008 at 12:42PM Quite a bit has gone down since November of last year, but if your memory is sharper than a tack, chances are you haven’t forgotten about the M704. This stylish UMPC from Gigabyte was recently acquired, unboxed and reviewed by Mobile01, but we’ll go ahead and warn you: the inability to read and comprehend Chinese could hurt your understanding. At least images are universally grasped, right? (Read the full post about ‘Gigabyte’s M704 UMPC gets reviewed and unboxed’…)
iTunes is much more than a digital music jukebox. It’s capable of handling many different tasks involving digital media. Some of iTunes’ most popular features include buying music and vidoes online, burning CDs, and syncing files with your ipod or iphone. But one of the lesser known functions hidden within iTunes is the ability to convert audio files. Why would you need to convert an audio file? Converting audio file types can be useful in many different situations. Here are a few examples: You have an AAC file in iTunes that’s not compatible with your Zune that can play MP3 and not AAC files. A WAV file needs to be emailed to a client for approval but it’s too big. (Read the full post about ‘Converting Audio File Formats in iTunes’…)
Super Micro Computer has recently rolled out a couple of new desktop platforms that are based on the new Intel G45 and G43 (Eaglelake) Express chipsets, bringing even more options to the table for those who want to venture into the world of computing for the first time. According to Charles Liang, CEO and president of Supermicro, “Our new C2SEA and C2SEE desktop platforms based on the Intel G45 and G43 Express chipsets deliver workstation performance to the desktop market. These cost-effective solutions deliver outstanding processing performance with support for the latest 45 nm quad-core processors, as well as the best digital video with support for hd dvd and Blu-Ray high-definition formats. (Read the full post about ‘Super Micro Computer launches 2 new desktop platforms’…)
With Computex just about to begin, we should be seeing more than a few new announcements coming tomorrow, but it seems Asus could not wait that one extra day and let the Eee PC 901 out today, choosing to show it off during the WiMAX Expo. While this comes with few surprises, it is at least, now official. The official specs for the Eee PC 901 include a 8.9-inch display with a 1024 x 600 resolution, 1GB of RAM, WiMAX, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth, built-in card reader and will be powered by a 1.6GHz Atom processor. The Eee PC 901 will also feature a 12GB SSD on the Windows version and a 20GB SSD on the Linux version. It is estimated to give anywhere from 4 to 6 hours of battery life, and of course will come in either black or white. (Read the full post about ‘Asus intro’s the Eee PC 901 during the WiMAX Expo’…)
Acid Mods has successfully forced a DualShock controller to play nice with the Sony PSP console, and this won’t require you to perform any software modifications or updates as it can be done on just about any PSP regardless of the firmware, relying on hardware modifications entirely. I’m not sure why you would want to play the PSP using a DualShock controller, but hey - whatever floats your boat. Tags: players, plasma, TV, hdtv (Read the full post about ‘Sony PSP works with DualShock’…)
Here’s a render of the upcoming Optimus Popularis keyboard. Unlike the Maximus, this model will ditch the OLED displays that made it expensive, but still with a sub-$1,000 price tag attached to the Popularis, it ain’t gonna be cheap either. Some of the keys on the new keyboard will feature symbols that alter depending on the relevant application, and it will be compatible with both Mac and Windows platforms. I don’t know about you, but getting such a fancy keyboard ain’t my cup of tea as I prefer to place my money on something more reliable from Logitech or Razer (if gaming’s my thing). (Read the full post about ‘Optimus Popularis Sneak Peek’…)
Forget about the traditional fridge magnets and photos you place there - fast forward to the 21st century and you get this digital LCD photo frame that attaches itself to the fridge, but allowing you to feature more than a single photo so you won’t clutter up the entire fridge’s door with pictures. The 32MB of internal memory ought to be able to hold up to 66 photos or so, displaying them in a slideshow format via a 5cm display. It will last up to 11 hours on a single charge - pretty pointless if you ask me, since that means you’ll have to charge it at least twice a day to keep it going. £30 is the asking price. (Read the full post about ‘Digital Photo Frame for Fridges’…)
Here’re more specifications for the Asus Eee Box B202 that will hit the US pretty soon, and I’m sure there is a bunch of you out there who can’t stop yourselves from drawing comparisons with the Wii. Still, here are the nitty gritty of the details involved :- Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor 512MB/1GB/2GB RAM 80GB.120GB/160GB/250GB hard drive Intel GMA 950 chipset Gigabit Ethernet Draft-N connectivity Optional Bluetooth SD/MMC/MS memory card slotThe Asus Eee Box B202 will come in three flavors when it arrives on US shores - 1GB RAM + 80GB + Linux, 1GB RAM + 80GB + Windows XP, and 2GB RAM + 160GB + Linux which will retail for $269, $299 and $299, respectively. How many of you will start saving up for the B202? (Read the full post about ‘Asus Eee Box B202 Details’…)
I suppose if you’re rich enough to afford this $29,950 X10 automated poker table, you can surely afford to employ a group of dealers to serve you and your guests, right? Then again, you might just want to invoke the green-eyed monster in others by purchasing the X10. This unique table is capable of serving up high-speed Texas Hold ‘em action for up to 10 players, boasting ten 12.1″ touch screen displays as well as a 27″ LCD display located at the center of the table for all and sundry to see. Community cards and chips are displayed in the middle, while the players’ hole cards peel up when a player touches them on his individual screen. (Read the full post about ‘X10 Automated Poker Table’…)
