IBLOG SPACE

LaCie has outed its latest external hard-drive, the Wireless Space, and while the Neil Poulton designed 1TB and 2TB drives may look a lot like the company’s other blocky models, inside there’s a whole lot of wireless goodness simmering away. The LaCie Wireless Space is a combination NAS, gigabit ethernet and WiFi b/g/n router, media server and network extender, basically the company’s own version of the Apple Time Capsule. On the back there are three gigabit ethernet ports – which will work as a switch – and an upstream gigabit port, together with a pair of USB 2.0 ports for hooking up external drives or printers. Another USB 2.0 port is on the opposite edge, while inside there’s 2.4GHz single-band WiFi b/g/n and either a 1TB or 2TB hard-drive. Media – whether photos, audio or video – loaded onto the Wireless Space can be shared easily using UPnP or DLNA, and Mac users can set it up with Time Machine as if it actually were a Time Capsule; it’ll function as an iTunes library, too. I

We saw yesterday what HTC have in mind for their next-generation Sense experience on Android – complete with DLNA, slicker animations and remote access through a dedicated website – and now we might be getting a sneaky preview of what the company’s Windows Phone 7 handset experience might be like. A video purported to show an internally created HTC Sense concept for the upcoming Microsoft smartphone OS has made its wayonto YouTube. Labelled “HTC confidential” – which could of course have been added in there by a an over-zealous fan rendering what they’d like to see on HTC WP7 devices – the concept shows various flipping panes, a notes board which uses 3D animation and has stickies that can be scratched to show hidden details, and of course a beautifully rendered weather app. There’s also a pretty pointless flower app, which allows you to tug off petals to reach an “he loves me/he loves me not” message at the end. We’ve asked HTC for a comment, but we’ve a feeling they won’t be owni

Pocket projectors are continually being improved, which is a good thing considering that the bulk of them offer poor performance when it comes to being used in a room that isn’t totally dark. 3M has announced that it has a couple new pocket projectors that are aimed at the professional user looking for portability. As far as pocket projectors go, the new MP180 and MP160 are brighter than the norm with 30 lumens of light output each. That is almost twice the brightness of some pocket projectors. Both projectors also have two hours of battery life per charge and support SVGA resolution. The MP180 allows the user to show videos, photos, and presentations at the touch of a button and supports both Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity. It also has 4GB of internal memory. Along with a micro SD card slot and more. The MP160 has the same brightness, resolution and portability as the MP180 and 3M isn’t exactly clear on the specific differences of the two products. The MP160 will sell for $349 and th

Carriers have begun throwing their wireless hats into the HTC ring, after the smartphone company confirmed that the new HTC Desire HD and HTC Desire Z would have broad availability across most of the UK networks. T-Mobile UK has announced that their Desire HD will be priced from free on a £40 24-month agreement, while Vodafone will only say that they are indeed planning to offer the HD. Meanwhile O2 are saying the HTC Desire HD will be available on their network via Carphone Warehouse stores, again with no sign of any pricing. Orange and Three are yet to make any public announcement, though we heard at yesterday’s press event that they would indeed be offering the devices. Less clear is availability for the HTC Desire Z. No carrier is saying anything quite yet, but Amazon UK havelisted the QWERTY smartphone for £499.99, unlocked and SIM-free, with an October 18th release date.

Digital Projection International is a maker of some higher end projectors for different uses. The company has unveiled three new dVision LED projectors that boast lifetime illumination. The projectors include the dVision 30-1080p LED with 1080p resolution, dVision 30-WUXGA LED, and the dVision 35-WQXGA LED projectors. The three projectors are appropriate for applications where the projectors will run 24/7 and other uses where long life for the lamps is a priority. The LED lighting in the projectors is rated for 100,000 hours. The trio uses TI DarkChip DLP for deep black levels and dynamic range. The projectors don’t need a color wheel thanks to having red, green, and blue LEDs to produce the colors needed for an image. Not needing a color wheel also makes for clear and crisp playback with fast action. The projectors are also quiet and can be used in homes or commercial settings. A range of optional optics are available that allow the projectors to provide throw rations form 0.75:1 to

Rumors have surfaced this morning that Nokia has been forced to delay the release of the N8 past its most recent end-of-Q3 window, pushing the launch around three weeks into October 2010. Indian analyst Gaurav Hasabnis claims to have had it confirmed by Nokia India that there is a global delay, with Nokia Asia Pacific apparently stating that the phone will arrive in India first. However, we’ve been talking to Nokia UK and they maintain that the N8 is still on track for a Q3 2010 release. We’re looking for further clarification and will update as soon as we have it; Hasabnis says the reason for the delay is not being made public, though we’re guessing it would have more to do with finalizing software than anything else. Nokia’s UK presales for the N8 continue to state the late-September ship date, as do the US presales. The handset is priced at £429 and $549 SIM-free, respectively.

Sony has been demonstrating a large-scale flexible e-paper display , which could potentially pave the way to rollable, twistable ereaders. Details on the display are scant – the company brought it along to their 2010 Dealer Convention, according to AV Watch – but it’s said to use a plastic substrate rather than the usual glass panel. Of course, you need to do more than just change the substrate in order to make something flexible, but Sony aren’t saying what exactly they’ve done to the e-ink technology itself. We’ve seen other companies attempt to commercialize flexible e-paper, and LG expects to begin manufacturing its own 19-inch panels by the end of the year, but so far the goal has proved just out of reach. A useful side-effect of the flexible system, Sony says, is increased resilience to breakage; anyone who has dropped their Kindle knows that, like LCD, regular e-paper can shatter. Perhaps flexible Sony newspapers will be the edge they need to push their Reader range out of th

We’ve already detailed ASUS’ new product range, but we thought you might like to see some live shots of the laptops, desktops, LCD monitors and WiCast HD streaming adapter in action. Altogether there are five notebooks ASUS are pushing in the run up to the holidays, including the Republic of Gamers G73Jw, but it was the WiCast EW2000 that actually grabbed our attention more. That’s because it ticks off a whole lot of the things we’d want a PC streamer to do, including supporting 1080p Full HD, HDMI output for simple HDTV connectivity, and the option to power it via USB or an external PSU. Setup is plug-and-play if your PC supports WHDI – unsurprisingly ASUS’ do – and the company reckons there’s under 1ms of latency. It’s priced at $199.99. The other hardware is ASUS’ usual mixture of slick design, with some technology highlights thrown in along the way. The B&O supplied audio system in the NX90Jq is mighty impressive, while we quite like the ASUS VX6 ′s Lamborghini inspired sty

Altec Lansing were out last night to preview their latest iPod speaker dock, the Octiv Duo, and it’s designed for those households with more than one iPod or iPhone to rejuice. The horn-shaped dock can not only recharge both devices simultaneously, but also shuffle tunes stored on each (using the free Music Mix app) to put an end to “no, my playlist next” arguments. There’s also a cute circular remote control that stows safely at the back of the dock, a USB port for recharging a third device – whether Apple or otherwise – and Altec Lansing are offering another app called Alarm Rock which turns the Octiv Duo into an alarm clock. As for the audio itself, the Octiv Duo gets a pair of two inch neodymium drives; it wasn’t exactly the loudest or most acoustically pleasing speaker dock we’ve ever heard, but for a kitchen or desk it’s ideal. One thing we’d like to have seen is a pass-through sync port, allowing you to hook up the speaker dock to iTunes and put new media on as they recharge.

External battery manufacture mophie has outed its latest product, and rather than a form-fitting case that slips in a backup power supply, the juice pack powerstation is an external block. Trickier to carry, yes, but the 3,600mAh unit is capable of recharging any USB-powered device – be it an iPad or something from outside of Apple’s catalog. We grabbed some hands-on with the powerstation, together with mophie’s new juicepack for the iPhone 4. The powerstation actually has a pair of USB ports, but only one supplies power. The other is used to recharge the battery itself, but can also recharge whatever device is attached at the time. mophie says the external battery will shut off automatically to save juice when not needed, but there’s also a physical power switch if you don’t quite trust it. A six-LED power gauge and up to 2 amp output round out the key specs, and while it’s not exactly the most pocket-friendly of devices – measuring in at 2.86 x 4.31 x 0.65 inches and weighing a p

Microsoft has announced five new, exclusive games for Xbox 360 that will work with the console’s upcoming Kinect motion gaming system . The titles - “Steel Battalion Heavy Armor” (Capcom), “Rise of Nightmares” (SEGA), “codename D” (Grasshopper Manufacture), “Haunt” (NanaOn-Sha) and “Project Draco” (Grounding) – all debuted at the Tokyo Game Show 2010; they’re expected to arrive sometime in 2011. The titles themselves range from 3D flying to first-person shooters, though full details on how players will control them using Kinect is yet to be seen. Similarly, it’s unclear whether the games are single-player or take advantage of Kinect’s support for more than two simultaneous gamers. • “codename D” (Grasshopper Manufacture, Microsoft Game Studios). From the famed makers of “killer7” and the “NO MORE HEROES” series comes “codename D” from SUDA 51 for Microsoft Game Studios. You must fight for your life to survive an evil amusement park filled with twisted and eerie creatures. With “code

Sony has confirmed that the PS3 Blu-ray 3D update is on track for release on September 21, as part of the upcoming v3.50 firmware upgrade. Although stereoscopic 3D gaming is already supported on the PS3 – and indeed has been since v3.30 – the console has so far been unable to play stereoscopic film content from discs. Sony is also promising “a few additional features” as part of v3.50, though they’re keeping those close to their chest until next Monday, on the even of the firmware’s release. They’re likely to include bugfixes, though PS3 owners might still be wary: the last time the company updated the PS3 they blocked a system of hacks that allowed pirated games to be played.

As the title might suggest to you, PEPCOM is happening tonight. And, while it’s one way to get people to meet and greet, it’s primarily just another avenue for companies to show off and announce new pieces of technology. ASUS is taking full advantage of it, and they’ve just gone and announced a plethora of new toys that people would want to get their hands on. The main draw is notebooks, but there’s one PC in there worth mentioning. First up is the ASUS NX90Jq . The manufacturing company is saying that this notebook is the result of cutting-edge technology and craftmanship. The notebook features a polished aluminum body, and there are two speakers that feature Bang & Olufsen ICEpower technology, making sure that your music and movies get the sound they deserve. The display? Coming in at a whopping 18.4-inches, and there are two trackpads, along with the full keyboard. And, there’s Asus’ Rotation Desktop software, which lets you work with the User Interface like an intuitive DJ-like

When Toshiba showed off their high-end Cinema Series HDTVs, there was a bit of sadness which immediately followed the announcement that the sets wouldn’t be available in the United States right off the bat. But, then a glimmer of hope, as they clarified that they would be coming, just at a later time. And finally, that time has arrived. And with it, Toshiba is bringing quite the party. The Cinema Series HDTVs being brought over are the 46- and 55-inch models, in the model series of WX800. Both HDTVs are LED-backlit, and will be able to rock your 3D socks off with their integrated 3D Resolution+ technology. You have integrated 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, access to Toshiba’s Enhanced NET TV features, a 240Hz processor, and Yahoo! Connected widgets. The set will be able to provide you with full 1080p resolution, too. The 55-inch HDTV will run you a cool $3,299.99 and it’s available right now; while the 46-inch model is $2,599.99 and is also yours to own right now. Along for the ride is the Toshiba

The last we heard about Notion Ink ’s Android-based iPad-killing tablet, the company had begun to sift out developers for its proprietary application digital storefront. Codenamed Genesis, it got plenty of people excited for what was to come. And now we’ve got word that the tablet has managed to make its way to the FCC, and start its rigorous coursework to get passed. And, that’s not all of the good news, either. First, and probably more notable than some, is the fact that the device will have a replaceable battery. With some other companies deciding not to go that route, this is certainly an interesting step. That’s just one more “check” in the iPad competition talk. What’s better though, perhaps, is that the Pixel Qi display will now feature a on/off switch. But what’s probably best for the company, is the fact that they seem to be ahead of schedule. 7 days, actually. And not just with the plan to put the tablet through the FCC’s tests, either. But, 7 days ahead of schedule for the

It’s no secret that the original versions of the PlayStation 3 from Sony were backwards compatible. You could enjoy plenty of PlayStation 2 titles, right from your shiny new next generation console, without actually having to own a PS2. But, with the revamp of systems, new hard drives were introduced in different size capacities, and with them, backwards compatibility went to the wayside. But, if you’ve been hoping that the ability to play PS2 titles would come back some day, Sony has heard your quiet prayers. Maybe. Thanks to a new patent unearthed, it looks like Sony is, at least at some point or another, playing around with the idea of introducing a new peripheral that will let you play PS2 titles again, right from the PS3 (kind of). Sony took out the backwards compatible feature from current generation PS3s because of cost (and probably more reasons than that), so it will be interesting to see if a real product even exists, or will ever exist. The big question would be: does anyon

Having a TV in your home isn’t what it used to be. With the progression of technology, and the way that we enjoy entertainment expanding every day, TVs have to be able to do more than just simply feed you your standard cable or satellite programming. Now they’ve got to be able to connect to your WiFi connection, and let you update your favorite social networks whenever you want. And let’s not forget streaming video, either. Sony’s BRAVIA HDTV s are about to get a major upgrade in that department. Sony has just announced that they are going to make available BBC’s iPlayer, a ridiculously popular video streaming service across the pond. And, considering how popular Video-On-Demand (VOD) is becoming, having one that’s as popular as iPlayer is a good move for Sony to make. For those in the UK who have Sony’s PlayStation 3, then you’ve probably been taking full advantage of iPlayer’s goodness. The service is available now, and will be able to allow customers to use 7 day catch-up, which wil

Over the last couple of weeks, Microsoft’s Surface has been shown off just as much as what researchers were really trying to show off, like virtual joysticks or commanding robots remotely. That’s because Surface is a very cool idea, and a lot of fun to actually use. The unfortunate part comes in the fact that it’s not everywhere , and not a lot of people have ever been able to get their fingers on it. And right now, it doesn’t look like that’s going to change. But, Microsoft does have plans to change it in the future. As it stands right now, a Surface unit costs somewhere between $5,000 and $10,000. So, it’s no surprise that the table-sized, touchscreen computer hasn’t made its way into every home in the world. But, that’s not what the original concept of Surface was supposed to be anyway, even if that’s what everyone wanted. You could almost consider this, despite its public nature, a limited trial run. And, considering it’s been an overall success, it looks like Microsoft is ready t

Apple has confirmed that its AirPrint wireless printing functionality – which will allow iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users to wirelessly send print jobs from their devices – will be released in November as part of the iOS 4.2 update. Meanwhile the Cupertino company is also pushing out a beta version of the AirPrint technology to developers today, so that they can get their apps up to speed. Apple has also announced its initial printer hardware partner, with HP’s ePrint range the first to take advantage of AirPrint. HP’s fall range of ePrint models will support AirPrint, including models in the Photosmart, Officejet, Officejet Pro and LaserJet Pro lines. If users haven’t got an ePrint printer, they’ll also be able to wirelessly send documents to a printer hooked up to a PC or Mac and shared with AirPrint. AirPrint will work on iPad, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch (second generation and later).

It fell through the cracks a little at HTC ’s press event earlier – two new uberphones like the Desire HD and Desire Z will have that effect – but we’re quietly excited about the upcoming HTC Media Link wireless DLNA streaming adapter. Introduced as part of the company’s new Sense evolution, the compact box works with the two new handsets and allows you to stream media to TVs that lack integrated DLNA support. The Media Link box itself looks to be relatively straightforward, with a mini HDMI port and a microUSB port on the back – the latter, we’re guessing, for power rather than data – and a power button with indicator light on the front. Since there’s no obvious wired network connection it looks like WiFi (probably b/g/n to match the phones) is the only way to hook things up. Once connected, we know that the smartphone acts as a remote control for managing what media is played back through the HDTV – that could be video (up to 720p HD), audio or photos you’ve sideloaded, or alternat

The Curve lineage is one of BlackBerry customer’s favorites. Featuring a pretty slim form factor and one of the best uses of a full physical QWERTY keyboard to date, it’s the total BlackBerry package in a body that most everyone can enjoy. Building off that success, Research In Motion today have officially announced the future availability of the next Curve device: the Curve 3G. The model number is 9330, for those technical fans, and it will be available for your purchase in just a matter of weeks. The BlackBerry Curve 3G may not be a powerhouse when it comes to smartphones, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be. RIM has managed to pack 512MB of RAM into the Curve 3G, and the display features a resolution of 320 x 240. The device is going to ship with RIM’s BlackBerry 5 mobile Operating System, but it is officially a “BlackBerry 6-ready device.” The device is expected to get upgraded to the new Operating System some time in 2011. Other features you can expect is a Pandora radio app pr

Logitech has outed its newest peripheral, the Logitech Wireless Trackball M570 , promising up to 18 months use from a regular AA battery. The M570 uses Logitech’s Unifying Receiver, the USB dongle that will also hook up to the company’s recent wireless keyboards, and promises up to 30ft range. As well as the trackball itself, there’s a scroll-wheel and back/forward shortcuts for browsing, and the whole thing is molded to suit your (right) hand. Expect the Logitech Wireless Trackball M570 to drop in September in both the US and Europe, priced at around $59.99.

Apple ’s next step in taking on Amazon’s Kindle service might be newspaper subscriptions, according to sources at publishers and metropolitan papers. While the Cupertino company itself is declining to comment, the chatter is that Apple is pushing for subscription plans – from which it would take a cut – whereas the papers themselves wanted to pay them a set fee. Still, they’re pushing ahead with the proposal in an attempt to turn around declining revenues in print. According to Roger Fidler, the head of digital publishing at the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute in Columbia, Mo., Apple are expected to be looking for 30-percent of all subscriptions sold for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch via the App Store, together with up to 40-percent of any advertising revenue. The latter will be supported by opt-in consumer information that will allow the publishers to serve up custom ads to better suit the readers.

Robert posted the news earlier, but here’s the official TNT press release. via press release: TNT Orders Third Season of Powerful Medical Drama HAWTHORNE, Starring and Executive-Produced by Jada Pinkett Smith TNT has written a prescription for a third season of the powerful medical drama HAWTHORNE, starring and executive-produced by Jada Pinkett Smith ( Collateral , The Matrix trilogy). TNT has ordered 10 new episodes of the hit series, which is slated to return in 2011. Created by Emmy® winner John Masius ( St. Elsewhere , Providence , Dead Like Me ), HAWTHORNE premiered in summer 2009 and ranked as one of ad-supported cable’s Top 5 new series of the year. In its second season in summer 2010, the series continued its success, averaging 3.7 million viewers and ranking as ad-supported cable’s #1 Tuesday program among women 25-54. “With its memorable characters, powerful performances and moving storylines, HAWTHORNE takes us on a dramatic journey through the world of a hospital on

via press release: “BIG BROTHER” TO SIZZLE AGAIN IN SUMMER 2011 CBS PICKS UP ANOTHER EDITION OF ITS PERENNIAL REALITY HIT This Summer’s 12 th Edition Continues to Post Across-the-Board Increases On-Air and Online Two-Hour Finale to be Broadcast Tonight, 9:00-11:00 PM, Following the Premiere of “Survivor: Nicaragua” BIG BROTHER, the perennial summer reality hit, will return for its 13th edition next summer on the CBS Television Network. This summer’s 12 th edition of BIG BROTHER is posting year-to-year increases, up +5% in viewers (7.64m vs. 7.26m), +4% in adults 18-49 (2.7/09 vs. 2.6/08), +10% in adults 18-34 (2.3/08 vs. 2.1/07) and +3% in adults 25-54 (3.2/09 vs. 3.1/09). “Big Brother is our summer hero,” said Jennifer Bresnan, executive vice president, alternative programming, CBS Entertainment. “Every year, our producers deliver innovative twists and turns, consistently evolving this proven franchise and engaging one of the most loyal and interactive fan bases on television and o

ABC Posts its Top Tuesday Since June, Up on the Same Night Last Year for the 10th Straight Week and on 16 of the Last 17 Weeks in Viewers and Young Adults ABC’s “Wipeout” is No. 1 at 8pm in Adults 18-49 for the 4th Straight Telecast, Dominating NBC’s Original “Minute To Win It” by 47% in Young Adults At 9pm, ABC’s Season Finale of “Wipeout” Scores the Net’s Best Non-Sports Performance Among Adults 18-49 in Over 3 Months “Final Witness” Draws ABC’s Largest Non-Sports Audience at 10pm Since June, Topping CBS’ “Fashion’s Night Out” by 60% in Viewers and 133% in Adults 18-49 Tuesday Night (8:00-11:00 p.m.) ABC placed second on Tuesday in Adults 18-49 (2.3/7), turning in the Net’s best non-sports performance on the night in the key young adult demo in over 3 months – since 6/1/10. Growing on the night for the 10th consecutive week, ABC built solidly over the year-ago Tuesday (9/15/09) in Total Viewers (+35% – 6.2 million vs. 4.6 million) and Adults 18-49 (+53% – 2.3/7 vs. 1.5/4). The Net