Jan 04

Sony VAIO Z to offer ultra-fast “Quad SSD” in RAID 0 configuration, backlit keyboard?

Posted in: rumor, sony, SSD, Today's Chili, vaio

We’ve already given you the leaked specs for the unannounced updates to Sony’s VAIO Z series of laptops. Now here’s what you haven’t heard: that SSD on the feature list is rather special, a “Quad SSD” in Sony language. To quote from the materials we’ve peeped, the Quad SSD is delineated as “SSD RAID0:64GB/128GB x 4.” What’s unclear is whether that means 4x 128GB or 64GB modules for either 512GB or 256GB of RAID 0 storage, or simply 4x flash modules totaling 128GB or 64GB of RAID 0 capacity. Presumably, it’s similar to devices like the PhotoFast GMonster Quad Drive (pictured, with four CF memory cards) that we’ve already seen. What we do know for sure, however, is that Sony’s Quad SSD features incredible throughput compared to a traditional 5400rpm hard disk. We’re talking about writing a 1GB file at about 4 seconds compared to 25 seconds on that same 5400rpm spinner. We’re also told that the VAIO Z will be the first to feature a backlit keyboard, something we’ve been missing from Sony’s previous generation of Zs. It’s CES kids so the truth is only hours away.

[Thanks, Anonymous]

Sony VAIO Z to offer ultra-fast “Quad SSD” in RAID 0 configuration, backlit keyboard? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 04

Sherwood’s RD-7505 receiver and iNet-2.0 tabletop pull entertainment from the cloud

Posted in: Today's Chili
Sherwood iNet-2.0 tabletop player

Consolidation of the boxes littered around our TVs is one trend we’re happy to see, and for its part, Sherwood is getting onboard with network connectivity. Following the lead of the company’s R-904 NetBoxx, the RD-7505 also got a dose of Verismo’s VuNow tech for accessing content from DLNA, Hulu, YouTube, CinemaNow and internet radio. The RD-7505 also gets a trio of HDMI 1.4 inputs in addition to its seven channels of 110-Watt amplification; but you’ll have to wait until summer to grab one for $500. Next up from Sherwood is the iNet-2.0 tabletop which pairs up its 8-inch display with an alarm clock, internet audio playback and an iPod dock; all of which just might make it a digital photo frame (yeah, it does that too) we’d consider putting in the house. Full details in the PR after the break.

Continue reading Sherwood’s RD-7505 receiver and iNet-2.0 tabletop pull entertainment from the cloud

Sherwood’s RD-7505 receiver and iNet-2.0 tabletop pull entertainment from the cloud originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 04

ZOMM Bluetooth Leashes You to Your Phone

Posted in: bluetooth, Today's Chili

ZOMMWirelessBluetooth.jpg
Ever forget your phone at a restaurant, coffee shop, or bar? Then it might be time to look into getting a ZOMM, a wireless Bluetooth leash that lights up and beeps if it gets too far from your phone. The newly announced product will be launching this week at CES.

ZOMM pairs with any Bluetooth-enabled phone. It features a button for answering calls, a speakerphone, a panic alarm, and a feature that can call for emergency assistance from any locale. The poker-chip-sized device can be attached to your key ring or simply placed in your pocket. The ZOMM company expects to begin selling its device in the second quarter of 2010.

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Jan 04

Samsung, JVC pick RealD tech for their new 3D LCD televisions

Posted in: Today's Chili

A part of 3D’s assault on the home theater this year is a battle over which glasses technology each manufacturer will choose, and after locking up Sony RealD has announced its tech is coming alongside new displays from JVC and Samsung. While JVC’s 3D LCDs will use circular polarized passive glasses (like the ones you’ve probably worn at the movies) Samsung is promising to work on both active shutter LCD and passive eyewear models — no word yet on any Gucci tie-ins, but it’s still early.

Samsung, JVC pick RealD tech for their new 3D LCD televisions originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 04

AirStash expands your iPhone’s storage, wirelessly

Posted in: iPhone, ipod touch, IpodTouch, sd, storage, Today's Chili, Wireless
AirStash expands your iPhone's storage, wirelessly
You may be able to get your iPhones and iPod Touches in 32GB flavors these days, but what’s an unlucky early adopter stuck with an 8GB model to do? Get an AirStash, maybe, a device that pledges to add wireless storage to those devices and, potentially, make internal storage constraints a thing of the past. It looks like an oversized thumb drive, with a USB plug on one end and an SD slot on the other. Charge it up, dump some content on that memory card, throw it in your pocket and, according to the manufacturer, you’ll be able to connect to it wirelessly from your handset — and your friends too, if you like. There are some obvious security concerns here but right now we’re going to completely ignore those because of the potential for greatness here, which we hope to see in the flesh in the next few days.

AirStash expands your iPhone’s storage, wirelessly originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 04

Lenovo ThinkPad X100e hands-on impressions

Posted in: hands-on, impressions, lenovo, thinkpad, Today's Chili
You won’t find Lenovo calling the $499 ThinkPad X100e a netbook, but at first glance you can’t avoid thinking that’s exactly what it is. From the outside it looks like a shrunken ThinkPad T series, though its matte lid is available in both traditional black and red. Yes, you heard it: a ThinkPad in red. The 11.6 inch screen gives it a wider body than most 10 inchers, yet Lenovo has managed to fit the same gratifying, chiclet keyboard as the ThinkPad Edge 13. And even despite the limited deck real estate there’s a good old red pointing stick and a nice sized touchpad. So, why not just call it a netbook? Well, that’d be because it has stronger performance parts than the typical Intel Atom CPU. Instead it’s one of the first ThinkPads to have AMD processor options, including single and dual core Althon Neo and dual core Turion processors. In our brief hands-on we couldn’t gauge much on performance or battery life (though it does have a protruding six-cell on the back), but in the meantime you will have to feast your eyes on the gallery below and hold tight for our full review.

Gallery: Lenovo ThinkPad X100e hands-on

Lenovo ThinkPad X100e hands-on impressions originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 04

“Senior-Friendly” TV Ears TV turns itself off at naptime, has Jitterbug-style remote

Posted in: hdtv, LCD, Today's Chili

Sure, you may scoff at a television designed especially for seniors, but we think members of the Greatest Generation deserve a little high definition in their golden years, and thankfully so does TV Ears. The company, which produces those wireless headsets you see advertised during The Price is Right, will soon be introducing the TV Ears TV, a 32-inch LCD with an integrated transmitter, meaning fewer confusing wires, doo-dads, whatsits, and thingamabobs. The set ships with a specially designed remote control (featuring a grand total of six buttons) and will turn itself off after four hours of inactivity, saving power when the user dozes off — or falls and can’t get up. The set will be available in March for $1,199 and, before you cry foul at the 300% markup over comparable youth-friendly sets, know that the price also includes delivery, installation, and a toll-free support number. Not having to be grandma’s personal television tech support? That’s the greatest gift of all.

Continue reading “Senior-Friendly” TV Ears TV turns itself off at naptime, has Jitterbug-style remote

“Senior-Friendly” TV Ears TV turns itself off at naptime, has Jitterbug-style remote originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 04

Scosche Announces CES Lineup

Posted in: audio, charger, headphones, MP3, MP3 Digital Audio, power, Today's Chili

ScoscheTapStick.jpg

While many companies are trying to keep their CES announcements under wraps until they’re ready for the big reveal, gadget-maker Scosche has announced its 2010 accessories. Fellow gadget nerds, take note.

Owners of the third-generation iPod Shuffle will be able to protect their players with clear shatterproof polycarbonate TapStick cases (shown). The TapStick adds Play, Pause, and Volume controls to the Shuffle for those who want more than headphone controls. Speaking of the iPhone, Scosche will also unveil the new FlipSync keychain charge and sync cable for the iPhone and iPod. It provides owners with a convenient syncing cable that fits on a keychain.

Scosche will also unveil the IDR655m Earphones with TapLine II Remote and Mic, noise isolating earphones with convenient in-line controls and a microphone. For power on-the-go, the company will offer the ReviveLite II, a smaller version of its ReviveLite, which offers an additional USB port. Users will be able to charge their iPhone or iPod plus an additional USB device. The ReviveLite II also features a night light, so it’s perfect for unfamiliar hotel rooms.

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Jan 04

mophie to Debut iPhone Credit Card Reader

Posted in: Apple, iPhone, Today's Chili

mophieiphonecreditcard.jpg

A second iPhone credit-card reader has emerged from mophie, an iPod and iPhone accessories company, and it will make its debut this week at CES. The above photo shows a mock-up of the device. The gadget will pair with a new iPhone application to make easy transactions on the go.

Mophie’s product theoretically goes up against another reader announced by Square in August, but Square’s product is still in limited beta and not readily available to consumers. No pricing or availability for mophie’s device was announced.

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Jan 04

Spracht Aura EQ Bluetooth headset boasts dual mics, equalizer and capacitive volume control

Posted in: bluetooth, capacitive, headset, Today's Chili

Spracht. It’s probably not a company name you’re intimately familiar with, but as with Jawbone, we’re fully expecting it to become a mainstay in the Bluetooth earpiece sector after this unveiling. The Aura EQ earset is one of the wildest BT devices we’ve seen to date, boasting a slick, almost futuristic design and a smattering of features that are startlingly unique. For starters, it ships with twin switchable, focusable microphones, and if its ability to pair with up to eight phones doesn’t bowl you over, maybe the built-in six-band equalizer will. Essentially, this headset will amplify and equalize the voice of whoever is speaking, which compensates for volume loss in certain ranges when communicating on a windy day or over a lackluster connection. Finally, exterior touts a capacitive volume control: simply slide your finger up or down the base, and the volume increases or decreases. No knobs or minuscule rocker switches to fuddle with. You’ll be able to check this out worldwide in March for around $79 (estimated street price).

Spracht Aura EQ Bluetooth headset boasts dual mics, equalizer and capacitive volume control originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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