IBLOG SPACE

Bug Labs’ Bug 2.0 is a really cool system that has all these modular components that you can use to make all sorts of stuff from alarms to all sorts of other things a designer can dream up. It’s sort of like a high-tech building kit to make your own gadgets that really work. Bug Labs and Verizon Wireless have announced a relationship that will help Bug users make cooler stuff. The partnership allows the users to design products and software using Bug Labs devices that feature Verizon mobile broadband modems inside. The Verizon modems can be pre-approved Wireless Broadband Access cards or removable modems that don’t have to be submitted to Verizon for testing before they can be activated on the Verizon network. Using the bug system and the Verizon modems, the user can create a new custom wireless device that can be active and have access to the internet. Exactly what the devices look like and do with that Verizon access is up t the designer.

Bug Labs’ Bug 2.0 is a really cool system that has all these modular components that you can use to make all sorts of stuff from alarms to all sorts of other things a designer can dream up. It’s sort of like a high-tech building kit to make your own gadgets that really work. Bug Labs and Verizon Wireless have announced a relationship that will help Bug users make cooler stuff. The partnership allows the users to design products and software using Bug Labs devices that feature Verizon mobile broadband modems inside. The Verizon modems can be pre-approved Wireless Broadband Access cards or removable modems that don’t have to be submitted to Verizon for testing before they can be activated on the Verizon network. Using the bug system and the Verizon modems, the user can create a new custom wireless device that can be active and have access to the internet. Exactly what the devices look like and do with that Verizon access is up t the designer.

Toshiba has announced that it will be cramming a WiMax modem inside some of its notebooks and offering them up for sale soon. The new machines are designed to take advantage of the 4G WiMax networks that are being rolled out in major metropolitan areas around the country. Several of Toshiba’s popular notebooks will get WiMax options. Among the machines that will get WiMax are the Satellite A665, the Satellite M645, the Portege R705, and the Satellite E205. The A665 laptop is a 16-inch notebook with a HD screen and premium audio. The rig can be had with the latest Intel Core processors and optional discrete graphics from NVIDIA. Models with WiMax will start at $804.99. The M645 is a 14-inch notebook with Core processor options, premium audio, and more. It will start at $759.99 with WiMax inside. Toshiba’s R705 is a smaller 13.3-inch notebook aimed at mobile users with a weight of three pounds. The machine has integrated Intel Wireless Display tech and will sell for $899.99 with WiMax.

It’s been two years since Sling Media launched the Slingbox PRO-HD on the North American market, and now they’re ready to release their European-centric version. Out goes the ATSC TV and in comes a Freeview TV tuner, meaning owners can now stream free-to-air digital TV as well as the various SD and HD video inputs. After the cut, more on the new PRO-HD, Sling’s push for in-browser viewing, and we talk to the company’s European VP about the future for place-shifting. Like the original PRO-HD, the new version has composite, component, S-Video and S/PDIF inputs and pass-through outputs (for hooking up the local TV). Still no HDMI port, and nor is wireless built-in; instead Sling recommend a pair of their SlingLink TURBO powerline adapters. Meanwhile Sling is also launching Slingbox.com in Europe, an online portal that takes the SlingPlayer experience into the browser. Rather than requiring a software client be installed on your PC or Mac, you can now view your streamed content in Int

Roku has updated its line-up of on-demand media streamers, with the $59.99 Roku HD, $79.99 Roku XD with WiFi-N and 1080p, and the flagship $99.99 Roku XDS with dual-band wireless. Delivering Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand and other video content – together with audio from Pandora, MP3tunes, MOG and RadioTime, and pictures from Flickr and Facebook – the XD and XDS versions will also get Instant Replay for skipping back through video without waiting for it to rebuffer. Each hit of the Instant Replay button takes you back seven seconds, just as you might be used to from a DVD or DVR. The entry-level Roku HD supports 720p HD, composite and HDMI outputs, has integrated wireless and wired ethernet, and measures under an inch tall and under five inches wide. Meanwhile the Roku XD upgrades to 1080p over HDMI and 802.11n. Finally, the Roku XDS makes that WiFi connection dual-band, for more stable connectivity with compatible routers, and it has an optical audio output, component video, and

It looks like Apple could be preparing to ship its first batch of Apple TV units, with SlashGear reader Russell letting us know that his card has just been charged for his September 1st preorder. Apple usually only takes preorder payment when they’re ready to send out the hardware, and that would certainly fit in with the company’slaunchday promise to release the new STB within around four weeks. The new Apple TV is just a quarter of the size of its predecessor, and now relies on cloud storage and streaming rather than downloads and local content. Ports are limited to HDMI, optical digital audio and ethernet, and it’s priced at just $99. For some first-impressions of the Apple TV, check out our hands-on. Anybody else place a preorder and now getting a payment notification? Let us know in the comments.

When Microsoft has plans to update their Xbox LIVE experience, which usually incorporates some major improvements to the Dashboard, as well as adding plenty of features, the company has a call-out for interested gamers that would like to take part in a Beta-like program. They call it a Preview Program, and it’s designed to let gamers out there get a taste for what’s coming, as well as test out the features before Microsoft rolls it out to everyone else. This year, the sign-up process has begun. This time around, there’s plenty on the features side, just as the visuals of the Dashboard get updated. Preview program participants will be able to get their hands on some ESPN for Xbox LIVE goodness, as well as get a glimpse of what the new Zune and Netflix will look like in the upcoming update. Major Nelson has officially announced, today, that the sign-up process has begun, and if you’re interested in getting into the Preview Program, you should hurry up and go through the registration pro

Halo: Reach was the last Halo -based title from the series’ creator, Bungie Studios. But that doesn’t mean that the Halo story is over and done with. It’s been known for a long time now that Microsoft planned on making more games based in the universe. The main speculation was about who would be making the games, along with when these titles would be released. It’s now known that 343 Studios, consisting of a lot of former employees from Bungie Studios, will now take the Halo helm, and it seems that Microsoft is now clearing up (at least a little bit) when they plan on these future games coming out. Considering Halo: Reach just came out, Microsoft isn’t talking up the next game in the franchise, let alone the exact release date. But, Microsoft is apparently planning on releasing these titles faster . In a brand new interview with IGN Microsoft Game Studios’ Vice President Phil Spencer said that the Redmond-based company intends to release the Halo games at a faster frequency. He po

Planning on building your ultimate gaming PC machine? Already have your brand new display picked out? Then it’s time to take a look at this brand new special edition chassis from iBUYPOWER. Designed in conjunction with AMD, the AMD Dragon Special Edition chassis will make your PC look ferocious, while you slay all your friends (and all those strangers) in your favorite PC game. The chassis is wrapped around an NZXT Lexa enclosure, and you’ll find the metallic AMD Dragon wrapped around the body. iBUYPOWER says that the AMD Dragon will provide gamers with the superior performance and stunning visuals that gamers demand. Like many previous iBUYPOWER announcements, the AMD Dragon is a fuly customizable unit under the hood. You an choose to configure your system with a powerful six core Phenom II x6 processor, if you choose, and there are plenty of hard drive sizes to choose from. What comes stock, though, are two cooling fans, and the whole system is set up with liquid cooling, too, to ma

Plantronics’ BackBeat headphones have been around for some time now, with the company gradually evolving the design and hardware to keep the stereo Bluetooth headset ahead of the game. The latest iteration is the BackBeat 903+, packing the newest version of Plantronics’ AudioIQ2 DSP and tighter iPhone integration. Sweet music or a bum note? Check out the full SlashGear review after the cut. Style-wise, there’s not a huge amount of difference between the 903+ and the model it replaces. Plantronics says the casing is more rugged, and we do reckon you could throw the BackBeat into your bag without the included carry pouch and not worry too much about damaging it. The two earpieces are connected by a tough, rubber-coated cord, with the battery sections hooking over the back of your ears and the earbuds themselves mounted on flexible loops. It’s a comfortable arrangement, as long as you haven’t got particularly large or small ears; there’s minimal adjustment beyond the rubber sections, alt

Even before Sony’s PlayStation Move went on sale, there were already enough bundles to satiate most consumers. Ranging from a full bundle with a PlayStation 3 included, all the way down to just getting your hands on one of the Move controllers, they covered the gamut of included accessories and features. But, the company obviously has more up their sleeve, as they’ve just announced the EyePet bundle. This one, though, is only going to be sold in Toys “R” Us stores across the United State and Canada. This bundle won’t include a PlayStation 3 , so you’ll already want to own the console. But it does include one EyePet game, one PlayStation Eye camera, and one PlayStation Move Motion controller. Sony’s calling it another PlayStation Move Starter Kit, but there’s no word on whether or not you’ll find any demos of other Move titles inside the box. As far as pricing and availability go, you’ll be able to pick up the EyePet bundle in participating Toys “R” Us stores in the United States and C

Linpus isn’t a name that’s mentioned a lot in homes, but the company has been around for quite awhile now. They made their presence known by developing the Operating System utilized by many early Acer manufactured netbooks, but it looks like they’re ready to step into the tablet industry, and they’re aiming for the stars. While only the netbook version of MeeGo has been released to the public so far, the tablet version is set to get released soon, and Linpus is looking to take advantage of it. Linpus is planning on using MeeGo for their tablet device. They’re going to create a User Interface that makes use of not only touch-based input methods, but also gestures. They’ve also confirmed that they will be creating applications within MeeGo, created solely for touchscreen devices, like an eReader app, maps, a mail app, a Browser, and a media player. They’re even going to include a contact manager in there, too. While Linpus is just focusing on the User Interface experience, considering t

It was only a matter of time. The new Kindle has been jailbroken , and now you can take advantage of the options that come along with it. Of course, if you’re not a fan of handling a device that’s not necessarily “up to code” from the original manufacturer, you could always sit back and just enjoy official updates. But, if you do like to get your hands a little dirty, then you’ll be happy to know that all of the previous jailbroken-specific hacks that were available for the previous generation Kindle are now available for the newer version. Those features include USB networking, access to more screensavers, and more font options. It may not be the easiest process in the world, but if you’re looking for more fonts, and you’re brave enough to give it a shot, then the results will probably be worth it. If you’re interested in looking into the options, head on through the source link and take a look at the instructions. Proceeding with caution should go without saying.

The Dell Streak hasn’t been out all that long, but we already know that Dell’s hard at work at a whole range of other “tablet” devices. And it looks like the company’s Chief, Michael Dell himself managed to tease, hint, and otherwise add some speculation about an upcoming 7-inch tablet, which will feature Google’s mobile Operating System, Android. Unfortunately, the details are pretty much non-existent. The Dell Streak, the current tablet offering from Dell running the Android platform, is available internationally right now, as well as on AT&T here in the United States. It features a 5-inch touchscreen display, as well as Android, so the guessing game has already begun on what this somewhat larger tablet device will be called. Pricing and availability were also mischievously left out, so that could be any time in the future at this point. It’s quite possible, though, that we’ve actually already seen what this supposed 7-inch Android-based tablet looks like. We may even know what

Toshiba has officially unveiled the refreshed X500 gaming machine. Featuring plenty under the hood to get any PC gamer excited, the laptop features a rich black and red casing to attract the eye of any passer-by. But, as with everything that we enjoy, with high-end specifications, come the high-end price tag, and Toshiba has certainly followed that rule with the Qosmio X500 . Specifications wise, the Qosmio X500 doesn’t slouch. Featuring NVIDIA’s high-end GTX 460M discrete graphics, DirectX 11, Optimus technology, and 3D support, the X500 covers all the bases right off the bat. The display is a monstrous 18.4-inches, and you can choose to have up to 8GB of RAM tucked away inside. Toshiba is giving you plenty of options in the SSD range, and you can choose from Intel’s Core i5 or Core i7 processors. Rounding it out, you’ll get simulated 5.1 surround sound thanks to the Harmon Kardon speakers, and you’ll even get a backlit keyboard. As for that price tag, Toshiba is asking for an MSRP of

RIM’s BlackBerry Bold 9780 has leaked again, this time showing up in Vietnam for a quick photoshoot and video demo. The QWERTY smartphone is apparently running BlackBerry 6 on a 624MHz processor, with 512MB of RAM and an HVGA display. There’s also a 5-megapixel camera and GPS, though BlackBerry Maps isn’t working on this particular prototype. The physical design of the Bold 9780 isn’t a great departure for RIM, but we can’t help but think that there’s something vaguely Motorola Q about it. Maybe it’s just the angle of the photo and the fretwork in-between the keys. Will the Bold 9780 make an official appearance at the BlackBerry Developer Conference, which is being held next week? All signs are pointing to yes.

Samsung and AT&T have pushed out a firmware update for the Samsung Captivate , the carrier’s version of theGalaxy S, which addresses the GPS issues some users have reported. The new software – which will be delivered as an OTA update, and should show up on all Captivate handsets in service within the next few weeks – also consists of several other bugfixes and improvements. “An update to improve the Samsung Captivate’s GPS performance is now available. Captivate customers will receive a notification on their device that an update is available and will simply need to download the file to update their phone. The updates will be pushed to customers’ devices over the next few weeks. The update for the Captivate will also improve additional device functions, such as media scanning time, add the full version of Quickoffice and address Microsoft Exchange 2003 policy support.” Sluggish media indexing is one thing we discovered Verizon had addressed in their Galaxy S handset, the Samsung F

Home automation specialist Savant has unveiled its latest remote control, the simply named Savant Touch Remote, and it takes an iPod touch as its starting point. Rather than sliding the touch into a caddy, it seems Savant strip the PMP down and rebuild it into their own casing: that lets them keep not only the 3.5-inch multitouch Retina Display but add various hardware buttons too. iOS 4.2 is still running the show, but Savant’s custom UI – which is already available for the iPhone and iPod touch – sits on top for when you want to control your multiroom A/V system. That also means you can download apps through the official Apple App Store, have FaceTime chats and make VoIP calls. Altogether there are 18 backlit hardware buttons – offering everything from channel control, volume, menu navigation and more – together with a desktop dock/charger, and it’ll be available in black and white. Savant has also added in RF connectivity, alongside the regular WiFi b/g/n. It’s expected to ship

The CDMA iPhone 4 rumors continue to circulate, with Susquehanna Financial Group analyst Jeffrey Fidacaro latest to speculate on the Verizon version of the Apple smartphone. According to his latest investor note, his checks with overseas suppliers indicate Apple is on track to produce three million CDMA iPhone 4 handsets in December, with a launch likely to take place in early 2011. The speculation comes on the heels of Credit Suisse research that suggested 23-percent of current AT&T iPhone subscribers would consider jumping to Verizon were the Apple device available on their network. As for GSM sales, Fidacaro believes the component delays in iPhone 4 displays has been alleviated, and that will allow Apple to sell 11.6m handsets in the fourth fiscal quarter.

JVC ’s latest audio system has been unveiled, and the UX-J51 follows in the footsteps of just about every other micro HiFi by slapping an iPod dock on top. The compact stereo is spattered with touch-sensitive keys and blue LED backlighting, and if you’re bored of your iPod (or iPhone) music then you can always dust off a CD or – heaven forbid – turn on the FM/AM radio. Alternatively there’s a USB 2.0 port for hooking up a non-Apple PMP, while other connectivity includes digital optical input and outputs, analog input and outputs, an aux input and a subwoofer preout. A front-panel headphone socket and a remote control wrap up the key specs. Power is 40W x 2 and JVC has used two separate amps, one for each channel, which the company reckons will make all the difference. Still, if you’re listening to shoddy MP3s in the first place, it probably won’t matter too much. Out next month for $399.95.

Kensington has outed its latest iPad accessories, and oddly enough the company’s KeyFolio Bluetooth Keyboard and Case looks decidedly similar to the GearZap iPad KeyCase we’ve just reviewed. Like the KeyCase, the Kensington KeyFolio has rubberized keys and a faux-leather case, and promises up to 90 hours of solid use from a single charge. Meanwhile there’s also the Kensington Folio Case for iPad, a faux-leather flip case that has an adjustable stand to prop up the Apple slate whether you want to enter text or watch videos. It’s priced at $39.99, while the Kensington KeyFolio is $99.99.

Apple’s on-screen keyboards and auto correction technology isn’t half bad in iOS, but it’s still fair to say that consuming text on the iPad is an easier endeavour than entering it. The Cupertino company’s own iPad Keyboard Dock is one way to address the issue, though not especially portable; the GearZap iPad KeyCase – sold by AIDACASE in the US – attempts to remedy that, being a combination Bluetooth keyboard and folio case. Have our typing prayers been answered? Check out the full review after the cut. There’s not much in the box: the case itself, a short USB to microUSB to charge it, and a poorly translated user guide. Made from reasonably convincing black imitation leather, the KeyCase has a strong dual-magnet clasp and a snuggly fitting section for the iPad to slot into. Cutouts leave the home button, power/sleep, microphone and headphone socket, volume rocker, orientation lock and dock connector accessible, and there are holes punched through to line up with the speaker on the b

Netflix has delivered on its promise to launch its streaming TV and movie service in Canada, with the news that the $7.99 per month plan is now available. Offering unlimited access to “thousands” of titles, content will be viewable on PCs and Macs, the Wii and PS3 – Xbox 360 follows on later in the fall – and various Blu-ray players, together with Netflix’s iOS apps. Initial content will be in English only, but Netflix plans to bring French language media to the service “over time.” Among the titles there’s children’s TV and films, such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer and Babar, together with previous seasons of Mad Men, Monk and Rescue Me, and films such as Superbad, A Beautiful Mind and more recent titles from Twentieth Century Fox. In fact, Netflix has signed Canada-specific agreements with Lionsgate, MGM Studios, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox and Universal Pictures, as well as Canadian distributors Alliance Films, Maple Pictur

Perhaps Microsoft isn’t entirely familiar with the UK carrier scene, or maybe they’re just stalling for time, but today the company has surprised exactly nobody with the news that all five of the UK networks will be offeringWindows Phone 7 devices at launch. O2, Vodafone, T-Mobile and Three have all been included in the WP7 fold, along with Orange which was confirmed as a “lead partner” back at MWC 2010. The news that Microsoft is looking to spread its Windows Phone 7 offerings across as many networks as possible doesn’t come as a huge surprise, but the announcement likely follows much speculation last week after it was confirmed that CDMA WP7 devices wouldn’t arrive until some way into 2011. Of course, while that affects Sprint and Verizon in the US, there aren’t any CDMA carriers in the UK, and the GSM networks are all interchangeable rather than T-Mobile USA and AT&T’s non-compatible frequencies. So, nice try Microsoft, but no applause until you announce some fixed release da

HTC has thrown up a new promo video for the HTC Desire HD , detailing some of the phone’s more endearing features like cached mapping and media playback on that huge 4.3-inch WVGA display. Announced last week, the Desire HD runs Android 2.2 Froyo with the latest version of HTC Sense, and has WiFi b/g/n, UMTS/HSPA and a new-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. There’s also an 8-megapixel camera, GPS/A-GPS and a full metal chassis that feels great in the hand. More details – and video – in our hands-on post from last week’s launch event.

After Verizon’s EnTourage Pocket eDGe was spotted making its first, unofficial debut, the company has relented on its prolonged silence and spilled the details. The Digital Reader met up with EnTourage and snapped some hands-on pictures – here you see the mini version nestling up with the original eDGe – with the new clamshell confirmed to have a 6-inch E Ink touchscreen on the left and a 7-inch WVGA LCD touchscreen on the right. Two versions are planned, one WiFi-only and the other with embedded Verizon 3G. Unfortunately, the E Ink panel is the company’s previous-gen Vizplex screen, not the newer Pearl as seen on the third-gen Kindle. The camera has switched sides, from above the LCD to above the e-paper display, and the controller nubbin on the right has been swapped for an optical trackpad. It’s also lost some connectivity, being down to a single USB Host port, and the full-sized SD card slot of the original eDGe has been replaced with a microSDHC slot due to size constraints;

Neofonie’s WeTab MeeGo slate may be expected to launch this week, but it seems the overall user experience may not quite live up to what iPad and Android tablet owners have become accustomed to. CarryPad‘s Steve Paine bumped into one of the 4tiitoo team partially responsible for the WeTab (back when it was the WePad) and he confirmed that when the 10-inch tablet arrives it won’t have any sort of application download store. Intel’s own AppUp – which went “gold” last week – is not currently available for MeeGo devices, only Windows netbooks, and the marketplace created by AndroidPIT for the Android virtual machine that’s part of the WeTab experience also won’t be ready in time for the first production hardware. Neofonie will be preinstalling OpenOffice, a browser, media player and an email app, but beyond that – and the company’s flashy UI – the experience will be relatively closed. That could put a serious dampener on the whole MeeGo launch, and is potentially part of the reason that

Getac makes a full line of rugged computers that will survive harsh environments where the average notebook would not last. The company has announced that its B300 rugged notebook has been updated for better performance. The machine gets some nice new features. Those new features include an Intel Core i7 2Ghz CPU that can run at 2.8GHz with Turbo Boost tech enabled. The machine has two display options to choose from. The options include a 700 nit brightness display and a display with a class leading 1400 nit brightness. The 1400 nit display has Getac exclusive Quadra Clear tech for easy viewing in direct sunlight and in reflective conditions like sand and snow. The machine also has a -20 operation option that is standard on all pre-configured machines. Getac also offers a dual battery option that allows the machine to run for 22 hours straight per charge. Gobi 2000 mobile broadband is now available in pre-configured machines. The starting price for the rugged notebook is $3799 and a v

Sprint is getting a new Sanyo feature phone called the Innuendo that is made by Kyocera. The device has a really cool design that opens like a book to reveal a QWERTY keyboard under the number pad on the smooth face of the phone. The device has a high-gloss blue finish that has a glow-through dial pad and a 2.8-inch internal display. The outside of the phone has small display for showing numbers and the time. Other features include a media player and a 3.2MP digital camera that can shoot video and the handset has full messaging options. Music loaded onto a microSD card can be played on the handset and the device supports Sprint TV and YouTube videos. The handset has full MMS and other messaging options and supports push email from most online and IMAP/POP3 accounts. Spring will offer the Innuendo for $49.99 with a new contract and a $50 mail-in rebate.

I like to download lots of games for my iPhone and iPad to help pass the time when I am sitting around bored waiting for the kids to get out of school. When it comes time to download games I often look for names of developers that I know make quality games rather than risking buying a crap game. One of my favorite mobile game firms is Glu Mobile . If you are planning to give Windows Phone 7 a try when the devices hit the market soon you will be glad to hear that Glu has announced it will be developing games for the new Windows platform. Glu was chosen by Microsoft to be one of the partners to offer games in the launch window for the new OS. Launch titles from Glu for the phone will include the music game favorite Guitar Hero 5 that lets players play guitar, drums, or bass on the go with 20 different popular rock songs. The company will also offer a game called Glyder: Adventure Worlds that has players playing as Eryn as she glides around on a handmade glider. Both of the games should b

Sony has unveiled its latest slim external Blu-ray drive calls the BDX-S500U. The optical drive connects to the computer via USB and is designed to be used with any computer from desktops to netbooks and notebooks. The drive can write SONY Blu-ray and other media formats. It can burn BD-R discs at up to 6x speed and dual-layer BD-R discs can be burned at up to 4x speed. At those speeds, the Blu-ray drive can record a 25GB disc in about 20 minutes. Sony ships the BD-R with a single writable BD-R in the package so it is ready to go. The drive connects to the computer using USB 2.0 and it can play Blu-ray movies in standard format and in 3D. In addition to writing to Blu-ray media, the drive can also burn to DVD and CD media of multiple types. The drive will ship this moth online and to retail stores at an unannounced price.

Novatel Wireless has announced the launch of a new USB modem that is claimed to be the smallest dual carrier HSPA+ USB device on the market. Novatel demonstrated the device in Spain recently and it was able to achieve download speeds of 40.5Mbps. The modem is the most compact and portable unit of its type on the market right now. The MC545 uses the 3GPP Release 8 standard and supports speeds of up to 42Mbps download and up to 5.7Mbps for upload. The device can operate on 900/1900/2100Mhz networks and is designed to let the user get online anywhere and surf the web, download files, and check email. The USB device also has a microSD card slot supporting up to 32GB microSD cards allowing the drive to be used to store files as well. Pricing and availability information on the new modem are unannounced at this time.

Runco is a maker of high-end home theater projectors that are designed for high-end home theater installations in homes. The company has announced a pair of new home theater projectors for the enthusiast that includes the Signature Cinema SC-50d and the SC-60d. The projectors are the best custom-built projectors that Runco offers. Both of the projectors are 3D ready for viewing 3D flicks on a really big screen. The projectors can be used with both passive and active 3D screen technology. Both projectors use a pair of UHP lamps for improved brightness and redundancy. The units also support 2.35:1 aspect ratio CinemaScope standards. These are also the first projectors to use the new Runco Smart Lens system that has a motorized lens and iris that can have presets to an exact position to make it compatible with screens that use horizontal and vertical masking. Another cool feature is that both use an external digital high-definition video processor and they support HDMI CEC and other cont

If you have a computer with a USB 3.0 port and need a Blu-ray drive without having to crack open the case to install one Buffalo has a new product for you. The new product is the Buffalo USB 3.0 Blu-ray drive . The optical drive can play Blu-ray discs and will burn to Blu-ray writable media all from a USB 3.0 port. The drive has 12 times speed for writing discs and supports writing to CD and DVD media in addition to Blu-ray. Buffalo says that the writer can burn up to 50GB onto a single Blu-ray disc and it can be used to convert normal movies to 3D and make video files into HD quality. The drive ships with CyberLink Media Suite Software for burning discs and the drive is compatible with USB 2.0 ports as well. Buffalo will ship the Blu-ray drive in September for £199.99 in the UK. Exactly when the drive will make it to the US is unknown.

I have played with lots of iPhone and iPod docks over the years and many of them sound pretty good but the thing they almost all lack is power. If you are a fan of deep bass in your music, you don’t often find that in a docking station and the reason is that the things often just don’t have the power to give that deep bass. iHome has a new docking station that will work with any dockable iPod and the iPhone called the iP3BZC. The dock has Bongiovi Digital Power Station technology, which is a real time DSP constantly scanning audio and restoring the detail lost in compressed audio formats. The 50W of power the dock has drives a pair of 3.5″ coaxial neodymium speakers to deliver improved sound quality. The dock also has a built-in EQ, AV output for sending video to another screen, and a line-in jack. That line-in jack allows the dock to work with any music player. The design of the dock is adjustable so inserts aren’t needed. The iP3 is available right now for $199.99.

Vizio has pulled the wraps off a cool new portable TV for anyone who wants to be able to watch TV on the go. The set has a 7-inch screen that uses LED technology for the backlight. The resolution of the little portable screen is 800 x 480 and it’s under an inch thick. The set has an integrated antenna that folds away when not needed and it has an internal battery good for 3.5 hours per charge. The little set can also double as a digital picture frame when you aren’t watching programs on it. The set also has Dolby Digital sound. The VMB070 has a USB port for directly attaching flash drives with photos to view on the screen. The small set measures 8.2″ x 5.75″ x 0.75″ and weighs under a pound. You can pick one up right now for $159.99 at Walmart or direct from Vizio.

Froyo may have hit for the Motorola DROID X – and with good effect – but we’re still waiting for the Android 2.2 update for one of our other favorite big-screen smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy S. Unfortunately there’s still plenty of confusion as to when exactly Froyo for the Galaxy S might drop. Samsung UK maintains it’s due for UK handsets before the end of September (and will be distributed via the company’s Kies PC software tool), but other regions say it won’t arrive until sometime in October. Samsung Spain updated its Facebook page to confirm the delay, while Samsung India used Twitter to confirm the October window. This could be to do with regional differences – language packs, local carrier deals and other issues – or alternatively a sign of some last-minute tweaking Samsung is having to do in order to fix final bugs. Update: T-Mobile UK has announced that the Android 2.2 update for their version of the Samsung Galaxy S will be released at the end of September.

Perhaps its just our desire to anthropomorphise gadgets, but we can’t help thinking that NuForce’s new Icon uDAC2 USB portable DAC looks a whole lot like a big nosed man looking somewhat surprised. No matter; the important thing is the bag-friendly size (just 21 x 42 x 68 mm and 87g) and decent specs for a USB-bus powered DAC: 110dB, total harmonic distortion of -95dB and a SN ratio of 98dB. There’s also the NuForce Icon2, a larger version which will work as a preamp and has boosted power. There are twin inputs and 24W x 2-channel amplification, while connectivity includes mini-stereo input, USB and RCA ports. However, it needs an external PSU unlike the uDAC2, and so is more suited to desk-bound applications. Both are available now, priced at 15,750 yen ($185) for the uDAC2 and 45,150 yen ($532) for the Icon2.

While God created the universe, He also created many a poetry and verse, Of all the poems He composed, He made Lata Mangeshkar the best, After which, He took complete rest! These words or verse aptly describe today's birthday baby, whose voice grows younger and younger, even as she grows older and older! We are indeed talking about the eternally eternal Lata Mangeshkar, who turns a year older today, or should we say younger! No amount of words can summate her contribution to the Indian cinema and to the world of music! She is the living Goddess, for whom awards, rewards and citations is a part of her day to day life! ApnaDesi whole heartedly wishes this living legend a very happy birthday. You too can wish Lata Mangeshkar a very happy birthday by posting your wishes below: 

The very name of Karisma Kapoor unfailingly spells terms like style, poise, élan and class! Well, after her self-imposed retirement from films after marriage, Lolo seems to be grabbing the limelight once again, but this time in the ad world. The actress is busy signing endorsement deals for FMCG products. In the recent past, Karisma was seen endorsing 'California Almonds' and 'Kellogg's Chocos'. The actress will now be endorsing 'Puretta Baby Wipes', a premium product from the house of Aditya Birla Group. Karisma Kapoor surely seems to be all set to rule the advertising world!

With season one of 'Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC)', the entire nation was held in raptures as none other than the living legend of Bollywood - Amitabh Bachchan with his deep baritone voice took over TV screens. Well time has passed and the fourth season is here, with the audience waiting anxiously for the first episode. However, there is a lot to look forward to in the first episode, as the first contestant on the show will be none other than Sanjay Dutt. Dutt will be appearing on the show as a contestant to promote his upcoming film Knock Out . Apparently, even John Abraham was on the game show to promote his film Jhoota Hi Sahi . Bipasha Basu was also present to help John in the game. Bips tweeted, "On the sets of KBC! I still have childlike excitement to meet MR. B!:)What a magnetic personality!!!" She however clarified that she was not on the hot seat playing the game. "Thankfully I don't have to b on d hotseat! I just hve to be

Shirish Kunder is one happy man these days. Besides writing and producing his wife Farah Khan's directorial venture Tees Maar Khan , Shirish is also set to make his mark as a music composer and lyricist with this film! Shirish, who is the writer, producer and editor of Tees Maar Khan , will be making his debut as music composer and lyricist with this film! Kunder is also composing the background score for the film. Master of all trades, we must say. Talking to Media,  an elated Shirish says, "There are 5 songs in all in Tees Maar Khan , four of which are composed by Vishal-Shekhar, while I have done the title track of the film, including the composing and the lyrics. I have also composed the film's theme music." Shirish can't stop praising Sonu Nigam, who sang the title track of TMK. Reveals the debutant music director, "Sonu Nigam, who has sung the title track, needs an exceptional mention and credit for the wonders that he has do

Seems like after the AR Rahman tragedy, as far as the anthem for the Common Wealth Games goes, many from the Bollywood singing fraternity are ready to pitch in to make this event a grand one. The first to be approached is Sukhwinder Singh who has given some real gems to Bollywood. Sukhwinder has now been approached to sing his most popular song ' Kawa Kawa ' from Monsoon Wedding for the closing ceremony of the Common Wealth Games. AR Rahman is also performing the Oscar winning ' Jai Ho ' for the opening ceremony of the Games. But with such negativity surrounding the games, Kailash Kher made it a mission to fuse some positive energy. Along with Naresh and Paresh Kamath (the members of his band Kailasa), Kailash composed a song called ' Yaaron Jashn Manao ' appealing to the people of India to celebrate the Games, rather than condemn it. The song was supposed to be gifted by the singer to Chief Minister of Delhi, Sheila Dixit in a concert

Okay, it's final and as always, the news is first on 'Bollywood Hungama'. Aamir Khan has locked the release date of DHOBI GHAT. It's not Christmas this year. It's February next year. In fact, just last week, this writer had mentioned that Aamir has confirmed the month of release - February - and was likely to decide on the date shortly. It could be 18th or 25th. Well, the date is confirmed. It's 25th February. As of now, the month of February also seems to be packed with biggies: DUM MAARO DUM on 4th, PATIALA HOUSE on 11th and DHOBI GHAT on 25th.