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Jan 08

Misa Digital Kitara hands-on preview (video)

Posted in: audio, capacitive, guitar, hands-on, impressions, Linux, Music, open source, opensource, preview, sound, Today's Chili, video

Ambidextrous, capacitive, programmable, open source, five simultaneous touch inputs. The Misa Digital Kitara has quite the laundry list of goodies to boast about, but we couldn’t let it slide through CES without getting our fingers on it and exploring for ourselves. The first thing that strikes you about this guitar-shaped synthesizer is its weight distribution — it’s no heavier than a good electric guitar, but a lot more of that weight is contained within its neck — and the second will inevitably be its lightning-quick response to touch. Misa tells us latency is less than 5 milliseconds and it felt like it.

There are two main modes of operation: a string mode, as seen above, and a ball mode allowing for even more adjustability. Both modes can then be further tweaked by choosing between the red and blue setting, with the former allowing for the performance of hammer-ons. Sliding your finger around the 8-inch touchscreen can do all sorts of wonderful things as well, such as altering pitch, tempo and volume, while those fearful of having no tactile feedback in string mode can apply a clear sheet over the screen that has tiny little ridges where the strings would usually reside. We say “usually,” because you’ll be able to configure the distance between the imaginary strings for yourself. The Kitara runs an open source Linux OS, which will be updatable via USB and is already compatible with Mac, PC and, naturally, Linux machines. It also has more than a hundred sound presets and we’ve been promised the option to customize them and create new ones by playing around with the algorithms in the future.

The black Kitara is made out of good old plastic (but it’s made very well) and costs $849 whereas the silver one you see in the gallery below is constructed out of a single block of aluminum and will set buyers back $2,899. Pre-orders are going on now through Misa Digital’s online store and shipping is set to start on April 3. Video follows below.

Gallery: Misa Digital Kitara hands-on

Continue reading Misa Digital Kitara hands-on preview (video)

Misa Digital Kitara hands-on preview (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 10:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 08

Actiontec teams up with Cavium Networks to create the MyWirelessTV HDMI transmitter, sounds death knell for WirelessHD?

Posted in: Today's Chili

Do you ever find yourself yearning for an intense fragging session but your roommate is watching last night’s episode of The Jersey Shore on the DVR, leaving you to wonder why you hooked your Xbox to main room TV? Well, Actiontec has created MyWireless TV for just such occasions in order to keep both you and your roommate happy. MyWireless TV is a wireless HDMI transmitter that allows you to stream 1080p video from most any source over 802.11n WiFi to multiple displays (as long as said displays are connected to a MyWireless TV adapter). The system works using Cavium Networks WiVu technology, which is a video streaming protocol that is fully compatible with H.264 encoding, HDCP 2.0 encryption, Dolby surround sound, and can stream 3D video. Of particular interest to gamers is the fact that the system has an alleged sub 20ms latency from source to screen at a claimed range of 150 feet, which gives it quite the leg up on its WirelessHD competition. The set comes with one transmitter and one receiver at a rumored $200 hit to your wallet when (if?) it goes on sale later this year.

Continue reading Actiontec teams up with Cavium Networks to create the MyWirelessTV HDMI transmitter, sounds death knell for WirelessHD?

Actiontec teams up with Cavium Networks to create the MyWirelessTV HDMI transmitter, sounds death knell for WirelessHD? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 10:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 08

2002 Prius with 206,000 miles tested again, still gets (almost) the same mileage

Posted in: hybrid, Today's Chili, Toyota

Afraid that your hybrid or full electric vehicle will be dead after a few years? Well, we recently saw how rapid-recharging has a minimal impact on the longevity of a car’s batteries, even after 1,500 iterations. Now we have some more good news: Consumer Reports decided to do a re-test a 2002 Prius, with 206,000 on the clock, and found that it delivered 46.3mpg, compared to 48.6 in the original test with a new car. Lower? Yes, but not bad for 206,000 miles. Not that bad at all. Full test results, including performance figures, are on the other end of the source link.

2002 Prius with 206,000 miles tested again, still gets (almost) the same mileage originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 10:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 08

Daily Downloads: Opera, Firefox, Launchy, and More

Posted in: Daily Downloads, Today's Chili

This article was written on December 19, 2007 by CyberNet.

Opera Firefox MAM Wireshark Logos Icons Welcome to Daily Downloads brought to you by CyberNet! Each weekday we bring you the Windows software updates for widely used programs, and it’s safe to assume that all the software we list is freeware (we’ll try to note the paid-only programs).

As you browse the Internet during the day, feel free to post the software updates you come across in the comments below so that we can include them the following day!

–Stable Releases–

The software listed here have all been officially released by the developers.

Damn Small Linux 4.2 [Homepage] [Release Notes] [Mirror]
Type of Application: Linux Operating System
Changes: Bug fixes
Launchy 2.0 [Homepage] [Review]
Type of Application: Application launcher
Changes: New default skin, better customization, and more
Opera 9.25 [Homepage] [Mirror] [Review]
Type of Application: Web browser
Changes: Security patches
Wireshark 0.99.7 [Homepage] [Release Notes] [Mirror]
Type of Application: Protocol analyzer
Changes: Bug fixes and a few new features

–Pre-Releases (Alpha, Beta, etc…)–

The software listed here are pre-releases that may not be ready for everyday usage.

Firefox 3.0 [Homepage] [Release Notes] [Mirror] [Review]
Release: Beta
Type of Application: Web browser
Changes: New address bar, Places improvements, and more
MAME 0.122 [Homepage] [Release Notes] [Mirror]
Release: Beta
Type of Application: Play old games
Changes: Bug fixes and a few updates
Portable Firefox 3.0 [Homepage] [Release Notes] [Review]
Release: Beta
Type of Application: Web browser
Changes: New address bar, Places improvements, and more

–Release Calendar–

December 20 – Ubuntu 8.04 Alpha 2
Early 2008 – Vista SP1 [Review]
Early 2008 – XP SP3 [Review]
January, 2008 – PhraseExpress 5 [Review]
January 15, 2008 – Mac Office 2008 [Review]
January 24, 2008 – WordPress 2.4
February, 2008 – iPhone SDK [Review]
February, 2008 – Deskscapes 2.0 [Review]
February 27, 2008 – Windows Server 2008 [Review]
March 4, 2008 – OpenOffice.org 2.4
April 24, 2008 – Ubuntu 8.04
September 2, 2008 – OpenOffice.org 3.0 [Review]
2009 – Paint.NET 4.00 [Review]
2010 – Windows 7 [Review]

Thanks to Omar on the Opera 9.25 tip!

Daily Downloads: Launchy, DriverMax, and More

CyberWare: Start Your Programs In A Flash With Launchy

Firefox Download Counter Rolls Over 400 Million

CyberNet Update: Daily Downloads Merges with WrapUp’s

Jan 08

Logitech intros $30 Wireless Speaker Adapter for WiDi-enabled laptops

Posted in: bluetooth, logitech, peripheral, speaker, speakers, streaming, Today's Chili

A WiDi adapter, but only for music? It’s true. Up until now, Intel’s Wireless Display technology has been marketed as a means for transmitting video wirelessly from a PC to an HDTV, but apparently it’s good for audio, too. Logitech has chosen CES 2011 to launch the box you see above, the Wireless Speaker Adapter for Intel WiDi-enabled laptops. The idea is fairly simple: place the box near your sound system, and connect it up via a 3.5mm auxiliary jack or using standard analog RCA jacks. From there, you can launch the WiDi software on your laptop, nail the ‘Connect’ button and watch as your PC pairs up with your speakers. If you aren’t equipped to handle WiDi, there’s a similar box, but for Bluetooth. Both are expected to ship in the US and Europe this May for $29.99 apiece.

Continue reading Logitech intros $30 Wireless Speaker Adapter for WiDi-enabled laptops

Logitech intros $30 Wireless Speaker Adapter for WiDi-enabled laptops originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 09:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 08

Kingston launches USB 3.0 roadmap, SDHC UHS-I UltimateXX card

Posted in: flash, SSD, storage, Today's Chili, usb, usb 3.0, Usb3.0

The SD Association took the opportunity to introduce the UHS-II standard here at CES, but Kingston’s doing its best to just make the most of the protocols that are available in the here and now. The outfit has just introduced its latest range of SDHC cards, the USH-I UltimateXX, which is set to ship later this month and be perfectly backwards compatible with Class 4, 6 and 10 equipment. We’re told that it’ll hit read rates of 60MB/sec and write rates of 35MB/sec, with pricing set for $69.99 (8GB), $179.99 (16GB) and $349.99 (32GB). In related news, the outfit’s also launching its DataTraveler HyperX 3.0 USB flash drive, and it has plans to launch an entry-level flash drive in “late Q2 / early Q3.” Head on past the break for the full skinny.

Continue reading Kingston launches USB 3.0 roadmap, SDHC UHS-I UltimateXX card

Kingston launches USB 3.0 roadmap, SDHC UHS-I UltimateXX card originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 09:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 08

This week in Crave: The lost-in-Vegas edition

Posted in: Today's Chili

Just in case you hadn’t noticed, this week was all about the Consumer Electronics Show. From tablets to robomassagers, here are a few of the bigger and wackier highlights.

Jan 08

iRig Mic: because your iPad, iPhone and iPod just aren’t complete sans a microphone

Posted in: Apple, ipad, iPhone, peripheral, Today's Chili

IK Multimedia, the same dudes and dudettes responsible for the downright hilarious iKlip, seem to be on somewhat of a hot streak. This week, the company’s hitting back with the iRig iMic, hailed as the first handheld condenser microphone for the iPhone. The image above truly explains it all — it’s designed to plug directly into your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, and so long as you’ve got a recording app of choice, you’ll be capturing your vocals in no time flat. The obvious next step is to run everything through the T-Pain app, but for those who’d rather roll more naturally, IK’s VocaLive effects processor is tossed in gratis. Pricing details are being kept under wraps for reasons unknown, but let’s be honest — you’re buying one even if it means losing two arms and a leg.

Continue reading iRig Mic: because your iPad, iPhone and iPod just aren’t complete sans a microphone

iRig Mic: because your iPad, iPhone and iPod just aren’t complete sans a microphone originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 08:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 08

RIM launches Built for BlackBerry

Posted in: Today's Chili

RIM launched the Built for BlackBerry program at CES 2011, which helps let consumers know if an accessory or a case was made specifically for a BlackBerry.

Originally posted at CES 2011

Jan 08

Acer Liquid Mini and BeTouch E210 hands-on

Posted in: froyo, hands-on, qualcomm, smartphone, Today's Chili

Acer didn’t just land in Vegas with Iconia tablets galore — it brought along its new Liquid Mini and BeTouch E210 Froyo smartphones. The 3.2-inch Liquid Mini is the most interesting of the two, and like its larger older brothers, it’s made of a black glossy plastic, which is bound to pick up more fingerprints than Sherlock Holmes. It will be actually be available in quite a number of hues, but Acer only had the black one on display. Still it’s one cute phone, and with a 600MHz Qualcomm 7227 processor, 512MB of memory, and a 5 megapixel cam it’s bound to fill Acer’s mid-range smartphone offering quite nicely. That said, the unit we saw hanging around Acer’s private suites wasn’t working all that well — in fact, it rebooted itself twice. This one was running Acer’s own software layer on top of 2.2; the BeTouch E210 seemed to be running stock Froyo. Speaking of the BeTouch, it’s a lot like the E130 with its BlackBerry-like form factor and awesome physical keyboard, except the E210 has been slimmed down and upgraded to that aforementioned 600MHz Qualcomm CPU. The E310 on display was working much better than the Liquid and while it wasn’t blazing fast, it kept up with our scrolling and navigating in and out of menus. No word on US availability, but they should be hitting the UK market sometime soon. Hit the break for some beauty shots.

Gallery: Acer Liquid Mini and BeTouch E210 hands-on

Acer Liquid Mini and BeTouch E210 hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 07:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hasta La Gadget!

Misa Digital Kitara hands-on preview (video)

Actiontec teams up with Cavium Networks to create the MyWirelessTV HDMI transmitter, sounds death knell for WirelessHD?

2002 Prius with 206,000 miles tested again, still gets (almost) the same mileage