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« August 2009 | Main | October 2009 »
JVC has joined the craze for pocket video cameras with its Picsio GC-FM1. The Picsio shoots full 1080p HD video and 8-megapixel stills, and has built-in image stabilisation.
Videos are stored as .MOV files that can be synched to iTunes and uploaded to YouTube with no need to convert file formats.
The GZ-FM1B is available in October with an RRP of $399.00
Released today, Dell's Latitude Z boasts a full 16-inch, 1,600 x 900 pixel display but is just 1.25cm thick and weighs only 2kgs.
It's also the world's first laptop with optional inductive charging -- that means no power cables. Instead, you have a dynamic power transfer from the Latitude's primary stand and its secondary module (I know that sounds as clear as mud, but that's all the detail available right now).
Other top features include Dell’s EdgeTouch to allow users to interact with commonly used applications and media controls through a touch interface that is on the edge of the system’s screen, a two megapixel camera featuring Dell Capture technology that allows users to scan and save business cards to Microsoft Outlook contacts and copy documents, and Dell FaceAware Lock-Out to automatically lock out other users when a user steps away from the laptop.
The Latitude Z also ships with WLAN, Bluetooth and optional 3G WWAN mobile broadband.
The laptop has a soft-touch Black Cherry finish and is available today in New Zealand starting at $3,645. More details are available at dell.co.nz/latitude.
Netgear's new Stora NAS device offers easy media sharing over the web. Compatible with PC, Mac and Linux systems, the Stora offers 1TB of storage and a web interface to share your files with any internet connected device.
Instead of uploading files to photo sharing sites, or emailing them, the Stora offers an interface via www.MyStora.com that users and their chosen friends and family members can use to remotely access files from any internet connected device.
Simply send a link to anyone you wish to share with and they'll be able to access your selected files, even on a smartphone.
As well as the supplied 1TB storage, the Stora has a second drive bay that can be used with a second hard drive for mirrored storage. Stora will also connect to Xbox 360, Playstation 3, DLNA-enabled photo frames and even iPhones and Blackberries.
RRP is $419.
Dell is urging people who like their screens substantial and their graphics sharp to go forth and purchase its new UltraSharp U2410 24" LCD monitor.
Launched in New Zealand yesterday, the high-end $1,199 monitor features PremierColour technology that Dell says delivers consistent, accurate and precise picture quality with a range of up to 1.07 billion colours. It has a maximum screen resolution of 1920 x 1200, and provides for a 1000:1 contrast ratio with a 96% Adobe RGB or 100% sRGB color gamut. The addition of a height adjustable stand, makes it ideal for both business professionals and entertainment buffs, Dell said in a media release.
"The Dell UltraSharp U2410 is ideal for desktop publishing firms, photography studios, design firms and animation studios" said Scott Bates, Dell SMB product manager.
"Computing enthusiasts and gamers will also appreciate the crisp and clear images and the six millisecond response time which ensures that fast-moving content is displayed with minimal distortion".
The Dell U2410 includes a large number of connectivity options for wide compatibility such as Display Port, 2X DVI-D (HDCP) and a VGA connector, allowing the monitor to be hooked up to high definition video cameras, gaming consoles, DVD players or cable boxes.
Picture-in-picture (PIP) and picture-by-picture (PBP) modes were incorportated, so users could watch content from a video input and view their PC simultaneously, on a single display, Dell said.
Tech savvy DJs and vinyl music lovers now have a new tool to get the most out of their vinyl collections with the release of Akai's latest range of USB turntables.
The Akai ATT022U and the ritzier Akai ATT023U allow music lovers to modify and transfer tracks from their favourite vinyls onto their PC or Mac hard drives. These tracks can then be cleaned up and converted and into WAV or MP3 format for easy transfer onto iPod or CD. The ATT023U even has a direct transfer function for those wanting to bypass their computers and transfer directly to a USB flash drive.
The new Akai range isn't the cheapest around - the ATT022U has an RRP of $349.95 and the ATT023U will cost $449.95 - but its range of features will appeal to people who want to modify their music or scratch some new tunes.
Both models have two fully functional belt driven modes, supporting 33, 45 and 78 RPM playback speeds. They also feature adjustable pitch control and an anti-skating control feature to stop the tonearm moving towards the centre of the record as it plays, preventing skipping.
Akai has also incorporated an S-shaped static balanced tonearm with detachable headshell, audio technica magnetic cartridge, built-in phono preamp, and a slip pad into both models in a move it says will allow users to produce scratching sounds and other special effects without damaging their records.
Dutch GPS company TomTom announced the impending release of its GO x50 series of portable navigation products yesterday, promising hands free calling and improved map and fastest route functions.
According to the company, the sleek looking TomTom GO 750 and GO 790 models will be available in the fourth quarter of this year at a yet to be announced price.
Both will feature the latest GeoSmart maps of New Zealand and will be hands free - a big bonus given the government's moves to discourage products that distract people while driving.
The GO x50 series models also incorporate TomTom's IQ Routes and Eco Routes technology, which use historical travel data to help drivers' cut down on fuel costs and speed up travel times. But strangely, TomTom is only promising that IQ Routes will increase travel times "in up to 35% of all cases". That may sound like it could actually slow you down the rest of the time, but TomTom's New Zealand spokesperson Georgie Stent said the IQ Routes application should never result in slower travel times than those achieved using a TomTom without IQ Routes installed. In short, the IQ Routes software should only result in good!
Other improvements will apparently include clearer voice directions and glitzier graphics, and the sleek new-look models should also look fancy sitting inside your car.
TomTom's marketing manager for New Zealand and Australia, Chris Kearney, said the new models "superb new design and interface" would ensure TomTom remained "the choice of advanced drivers who demand the best of their GPS".
IFA Wrap-up: Berlin
An example of how not to use your GPS device.
Ever since the first caveman learned to store his food supply (imitating the squirrel perhaps), it seems we've been obsessed with hiding and then trying to find, the "stash". So much so, that according to geocaching.com, there are approximately 900,000 caches around the world.
And the connection to IFA? Garmin of course. The Kansas based company is sponsoring Treasure Hunt 2.0, the Garmin GPS Festival auf Zollverein. Several thousand GPS fans, gamers and geocaching nuts will be descending on the former coal mine (heritage listed Zollverein in Germany) for the event. If you're one of them and looking for a weekend with a difference, there's still some time to book a flight: the festival runs over the weekend of the 19 and 20 September.
And as far as Garmin is concerned, what better device to use than its newly released Dakota touchscreen outdoor handhelds? The Dakota 10 and 20 GPS navigators pack a high sensitivity GPS receiver, worldwide basemap and colour touchscreen display into a compact, waterproof device.
The Garmin Dakota 20
Up to 20 hours of battery give you plenty of time to lose yourself, find yourself, and of course, stash those caches - you can download up to 2000 caches with information such as location, terrain, difficulty, etc. No more print-outs to get soggy and lost.
Features on the Dakota 20 include a three-axis compass, barometric altimeter, a microSD card slot and wireless unit-to-unit connectivity. The Dakota devices can apparently even maintain satellite reception in heavy tree cover or deep canyons.
For city dwellers and weekend boaties, Dakota comes preloaded with a worldwide basemap, is compatible with City Navigator NT for turn-by-turn directions and Blue Chart g2 for marine charting.
If you're one of those GPS users tired of paying for each update (as let's face it, things change rapidly in this world of ours), Garmin is now offering nuMaps Lifetime, a single fee programme (US$119.99) that allows you to download the latest map and point of interest information every quarter for the lifetime of your device.
The disclaimer? "The subscription is not transferable if the unit is sold, is not transferable to another compatible unit and is valid as long as Garmin offers map updates for the particular PND model and map updates are available from Garmin's applicable map data supplier". Right... a lot of variables there that could rapidly terminate the 'lifetime'' and at the moment it looks like it is only available for Europe and North America.
With that, this correspondent needs to find her way home. Look out for full coverage of IFA in the next issue of PC World.
By Pauline Herbst
Day 3: IFA coverage, Berlin
This particular Miss IFA has been the eye candy for the show for the last three years but it’s the ear candy she’s multitasking that really gets us going. Although not a new release, Sennheiser took the opportunity to showcase ”the world’s best„ headphones, the HD 800s (each even has its own individual serial number), which recently won the ‘European Headphone 2009-2010’ award.
New wireless models shown for the first time at IFA and due to be released in October include the RS160, RS170 and the RS180. Dynamic sound transducers with powerful neodymium magnets ensure clear, high-resolution audio playback whilst the Kleer transmission technology promises uncompressed transmission of the audio data. Not only can you move around while watching tv but you can also enjoy cable-free music at a radius of up to 100 metres (RS 160 up to 20 metres, RS 170 up to 80 metres and RS 180 up to 100 metres, line of sight.
Sennheiser RS180
While Sennheiser may deliver premium listening devices, it’s Cisco that enables you to control what you’re listening to and more - displaying a range of ‘Connected Life’ solutions that ”helps to enable a connected life that is more personal, more social and more visual„.
Ethernet bridge
The Linksys by Cisco Dual-Band Wireless-N Ethernet Bridge can make a wired Ethernet-enabled device a part of a wireless network. It’s optimised for streaming video and can be connected to an Ethernet-enabled HDTV, Blu-ray Disc player, DVR or set-top box or game console for consumers to discover a whole new world of entertainment. You can also convert your wired-Ethernet printer, scanner, camera, storage device, notebook, or desktop so everyone in your family can access these devices wirelessly.
Media hub
Designed to simplify access to and interaction with digital content, the Linksys by Cisco Media Hub gathers, organises, and presents all the digital video, photos and music that you have ferreted in various devices throughout your home. An easy to use interface can be accessed both at home and throughout the world via a regular web browser. Two bays with SATA interfaces, two USB ports and one media reader that supports CF/MD/MS/SD/XD and MMC memory cards makes for a versatile hub.
By Pauline Herbst
Daily IFA coverage from Berlin
The future face of home media?
"Imagine you wake up on a Sunday and while staying in bed you can read the paper, check your emails and view photos from the party the night before... Later you might be looking in your pantry to see what's missing, and check the shared family calendar to synchronise appointments... And you can do it in one second at your fingertips."
This was the opening gambit of Marco Perino, general manager PC Options, Peripherals and Service Division, Toshiba Europe GmbH as the Journ.E touch was launched for the first time at IFA.
With this device, Toshiba are hoping to be first to market with what it believes will become ”the fastest growing product category in the overall consumer electronics space„. The home multimedia tablet lets you do all the social and practical things you normally would online, but is highly portable and allows you to access info instantly without having to boot up.
What’s that you say? I can use my iPhone/Blackberry for that? The 7-inch TFT touch sensitive display with LED backlight and touch screen menu is a lot more accessible than fiddling with a key board and small screen.
Lightweight - only 450grams
Apparently Toshiba are not intending to replace a household’s notebooks or netbooks but say: ”this is the easiest way to connect to the internet and experience multimedia content in a second. It’s about ease of use and speed in connecting to the internet„ (using the built in Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, with supporting WEP, WPA and WPA2).
Unfortunately when asked about the time line for distribution to New Zealand and Australia, Toshiba were vague, saying only that it: ”will be available from the fourth quarter 2009 via selected resellers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa„. The price? A cool 249 Euros.
Currently the Journ.E is running Win CE 6.0 pro with Internet Explorer and Windows Multimedia Player 9.0. Supported file formats include JPEG, MP3, WMA, MPEG 4, H.264, divX and WMV.
Other trends to watch from IFA include the now mature Blu-ray Disc market; networking; mobile entertainment, communication and navigation; and flash memories with huge capacity replacing mechanical storage.
By Pauline Herbst
Daily IFA coverage from Berlin
Content is still king, 3D is the way of the future and connectivity is a crucial part of the home media experience. This is what industry giants Sony, Panasonic and Samsung are saying and their products back them up.
Officially opening its doors to the public tomorrow, and running until the 9 September, 1164 exhibitors are currently represented on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds with 121,000 square metres of display space rented out. That's a lot of gadgets and cool new technology to cover.
Sir Howard Stringer and the Sony team pulled out all the stops unveiling its new global brand message make.believe (make dot believe).
The audiences of the future
”‘Believe’ is the power of inspiration and ‘make’ is about crafting inspiration into products and experiences for our consumers. The ‘dot’ is the place where they meet - and where magic happens," said Sir Howard.
3D is a major part of Sony's strategy with its 4K digital projectors and 3D garnering industry support. "The 3D train is on the track and we at Sony are read to drive it home," he said, showing the trailer for Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs in 3D. The image above shows the audience complete with stylish 3D glasses.
With Sky introducing a 3D platform in the UK next year the future media home media experience promises to pop.
New initiatives Sony revealed included HD triple tuner Bravia TVs and Bravia internet video. The Bravia V5800, W5800 or Z5800 TV with integrated 3-in-1 DVB-S2, DVB-T and DVB-C tuner will let you receive terrestrial, cable and satellite channels in HD - no set-top boxes or cables taking over. It even has CI+ support for access to pay TV.
The Bravia Z5800 - the first Motionflow 200Hz LCD TV with built-in triple tuner was also featured, with a range of eco features to suit the ongoing trend in energy efficiency. While this is currently available in Germany, Austria and Switzerland as yet we don't know when it'll hit New Zealand shores.
The Sony X-series
Sony also unveiled the slimline X-series Vaio, its new range of DSLRs, and the next development in Sony readers.
More tomorrow.
by Pauline Herbst
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