Archives for March 2010

Google Apps Marketplace Launched

Google [GOOG] have launched Google Apps Marketplace that integrates third-part cloud apps with Google Apps.

The Google Apps Marketplace offers products and services designed for Google users, including installable apps that integrate directly with Google Apps. Installable apps are easy to use because they include single sign-on, Google’s universal navigation, and some even include features that integrate with your domain’s data.

By integrating the applications together it allows you to directly access third-party applications from GMail for example. With various apps running such as contact sharing it can be just a matter of logging in to GMail, clicking the More tab, loading your listed 3rd party app and passing contacts quickly to another user. [Read more…]

OWC Quad-Interface Portable 1TB Drive

OWC have created a new portable harddrive that it claims to be the worlds first “quad interface”. The BUS powered drive can be connected to a PC using four methods which are eSATA, USB 2.0 and two Firewire 800 ports with support for Firewire 400.

The new drives come in several capacities which include a 1TB, 500GB, 200GB and a 640GB model. Some of the models run hard drives while others run SSDs. See the chart below along with pricing to see whats what. [Read more…]

New Hard Drives to Leave XP Behind

Hard drive manufacturers are about to change the format on new hard drive which will prevent older operating systems (such as Windows XP) from working. The new controller technology is increasing the byte sector size from what it is now (512 bytes) to somewhere in the region of 4K to allow the data that we currently have to day to work better.

The problem will only become apparent if you want to install Windows XP on a new hard drive. At this point it simply wont work.

The new hard drives are supposed to start being launched in 2011 at which point, you won’t be required to switch over as your XP machine will continue to work as normal… that is until the drive fails and you end up having to buy a new drive. [Read more…]

ExiTool Seat Belt Cutter

If you are one of the unfortunate ones to be trapped in a car at some stage in your life then perhaps this tool could be a life saver depending on the situation. It’s called the ExiTool and attaches to a seatbelt which can be quickly detached if stuck in an awkward situation.

The device has a sharp blade within that can be used to slice open a seatbelt if needed. [Read more…]

MSI Wind U230 Now Shipping

After about 4 months of waiting, MSI have now started to ship the MSI Wind U230 that we mentioned back in November 2009. The new netbook computer comes running an AMD processor and has a 12.1 inch HD LCD display.

The new MSI Wind U230 was designed to replace the U210 netbook that MSI say was a favourite among MSI users.

The Wind U230 weighs 3.3 pounds and comes in two different variates. The first is the U230-033 with the other model being the U230-040. Each of the models ship with 2GB of DDR2 memory along with a 6 cell battery and for the OS, each run Windows 7 Home Premium. [Read more…]

Pentax 645D 40 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera

Pentax have launched their latest digital SLR camera called the Pentax 645D. The 645D is a medium format camera that has a 40 megapixel CCD sensor along with a 3.0 inch LCD that can display 921k dots.

The new 645D is also compatible with existing 645 system lenses. By utilising such a large CCD sensor the camera is aimed at those who want to capture landscape and other outdoor subjects. The sensor measures 44mm x 33mm and uses PENTAXoriginal image-processing technology to process the images when captured to produce extra sharp and super high resolution images.

The camera it’s self is lightweight but built out of a magnesium-steel-alloy frame making it also durable. The LCD panel is also built using reinforced glass to help protect from weather, dust and knocks. [Read more…]

Dell Streak Leaked

Information has been found about the Dell Streak (previously called the Dell Mini 5). Although it has been called the Dell Streak, this could also be just an internal name given by Dell prior to launch.

The Streak has a 5 inch screen that has a WVGA resolution capable of displaying 800 x 480 pixels. A 5 megapixel camera with autofocus and a flash is also included along with a front facing camera allowing for video calls over Skype for example.

It appears from the image above that the Streak will come in a variety of colours as well as being able to use the Design Studio to get art work on the back cover too. [Read more…]

Lenovo IdeaPad S10-3t Netbook Tablet

Lenovo are launching a new tablet style netbook that has a 10.1 inch capacitive touchscreen (multitouch). The screen can be rotated 180 degrees turning the device in to a tablet and then back to a netbook.

Inside an Intel Atom N450 CPU is found that is clocked at 1.66GHz. Memory wise it has 2GB of DDR2 RAM and for storage a 320GB hard drive. The graphics are provided by the regular onboard Intel GMA 3150 chipset.

All the usual connectivity can be found inside too which includes wireless networking that can connect up to 802.11b/g and n networks. Bluetooth 2.1+EDR can also be found inside. [Read more…]

BT-H12-VP Handsfree Speaker Phone with Headset

This handsfree kit is called the BT-H12-VP and is designed to work in your car. The unit is attached to the sunvisor and provides a Bluetooth two-way speaker phone for your connected mobile phone. The small headset seen in the picture is also detachable allowing you to take it with you when leaving the car.

It has all the usual bluetooth specs that include a 10 meter range for pairing up to your mobile phone along with 80 hours of standby and a 4 hour talk time.

Other features include echo cancellation and noise depression to silence out the background noise as well as allow two way conversations to happen. The unit can be charged while talking allowing it to always be fully charged when needed to be used away from the car. [Read more…]

Intel Atom Dual Core for Netbooks a Possibility

Netbooks often use Intel Atom processors inside that traditionally come in a single core layout. Desktop versions of Intel Atom processors also exist but there are generally two options with those processors allowing you to choose from either a single or dual core. We are now hearing that netbooks might be getting dual core options in the near future.

We are hearing that the new dual core Atom CPU’s will be called the Intel Atom N500 and be specifically designed for netbooks in that they are efficient in what power they need to draw.

Before you get all excited though, adding a second core to an Intel Atom processor isn’t going to yield much difference due to the fact that Intel have designed the Atom processors to be efficient, low powered and a step or two down from the more powerful CPU’s we see in desktop computers. [Read more…]

Addictaball Finally Arrives in the UK

Addictaball is the UK version of what the US call Superplexus. It’s a handheld puzzle game that requires you carefully manoeuvre a ball bearing around a 360 degree puzzle along a pre determined track.

Addictaball comes in two different sizes with the larger one measuring 19cm in diameter and the smaller, 13cm that’s aimed to be an on the road type game (obviously not while travelling as it’s hard enough sitting still to navigate the ball around the maze).

it takes serious hand-eye co-ordination to steer your ball through Addictaball’s handily numbered sections (138 sections for the large, 100 for the small). We guarantee you’ll be cursing this unputdownable sphere’s devious nature and pulling faces worthy of a champion gurner in under a minute

[Read more…]

Samsung Super AMOLED Screen Explained

A video has been uploaded to Youtube that gives a visual representation of how Samsungs Super AMOLED screen works and why it gets clear and more vibrant image quality.

The reason why Samsung can call their AMOLED screen Super is that they have done away with the touch layer and embedded it in the screen. The touch sensors are integrated in to the display rather than being over the top of the screen which normally acts as a filter. [Read more…]