Hasta La Gadget!

Passing files over the internet using iTwin’s 256-bit AES encryption’s all well and good, but wouldn’t it be nice if you could use that connection for other things? Luckily for you, that’s just what the iTwin Connect was designed to do. In addition to the usual file-sharing jiggery-pokery, the new hardware can let you surf via your domestic internet connection, control devices on your home network and play with your desktop from afar. Even better, the company is throwing in US, Asia and Europe-based VPN servers of its own, so you can still catch that episode of Duck Dynasty on Hulu if your primary machine’s turned off. Despite the raft of new features on offer, the company isn’t charging a regular subscription, so all of that will set you back a rather meager $130.

Continue reading iTwin Connect turns a humble USB stick into your own VPN (video)

Filed under: Misc, Internet

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It’s been quite a few months since Diamond Multimedia announced it’s AMP1000 set-top box, so the company likely figured there was no better better time and place than CES 2013 to release its latest Android-based media offering. With the AMP2000, the multifarious company joins the likes of Roku and FAVI in the powered-by-Google streaming race — in which it’ll give potential users the ability to wirelessly view files on any HDMI-ready TV set, as well as offering support for applications like Hulu Plus and Netflix. Diamond Multimedia notes the AMP2000 comes “with Google TV,” though it doesn’t go into much more detail, and thus it’s quite unclear whether this means you get the actual Google TV experience — you know, the one found on devices such as that Vizio Co-Star — or if it’s something a bit more like Always Innovating’s HDMI Android dongle. Speaking of the lack of details, mum’s the word on how much the AMP2000 will run you when it ships “sometime in March or April,” but we can only imagine it to be around the same price as other similar offerings.

Continue reading Diamond Multimedia intros AMP2000 Android set-top box, availability coming later this year

Filed under: Misc, Internet, Software, HD

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Source: Diamond Multimedia

The Slingbox news hasn’t stopped just because Dish made its big splash. An update to the Slingbox 500 at first, and the 350 later this year, adds a local My Media sync component that lets Android or iOS users offload photos or videos to a USB drive attached to the Slingbox — they just have to stream their content instead of chewing up their mobile device storage. Both Slingbox 350 and 500 owners are also promised the new Slingbox Companion app you see above. As long as they’re toting at least an iPad 2, they can find shows, share their tastes through social networks and use their tablet as a remote without the usual live video of the SlingPlayer app. My Media is arriving first, both as a firmware update and a new SlingPlayer release, in the weeks ahead. Would-be Companion users will need to wait until the app hits iPads in the spring.

Continue reading Slingboxes get My Media syncing to USB, Companion iPad app for at-home viewing

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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Source: Slingbox

If you want to count your steps and measure your activity, there’s no shortage of options from unobtrusive bracelets to clip-on dongles. GeoPalz chose the latter form factor for its ibitz line of activity trackers that are meant not just for individual monitoring, but for keeping the whole family on target for a healthy life. The ibitz PowerKey is specifically designed for children and even has an accompanying smartphone app that syncs via Bluetooth 4.0. To keep kids motivated it converts steps into “keys” that earn rewards, mini game levels and prizes on Amazon. The adult version, called Unity, has its own separate app that tracks not just the parent’s activity through a pedometer, but can also connect to smart scales and heart rate monitors for more collecting more detailed health data. The app also displays the activity of associated PowerKeys so parents can ensure their children are staying active. The PowerKey and Unity will hit shelves in April for $49.99 and $34.99 respectively. For a bit more, check out the gallery and PR below.

Continue reading GeoPalz launches ibitz line of activity trackers for kids and parents

Filed under: Misc

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So far at CES, Dell has announced that its XPS 13 Ultrabook will finally get a higher-res screen. Now it’s shifting its attention to the lower end: the company just refreshed its mainstream Inspiron R line with optional touchscreens and a slimmed-down form factor. All told, the line includes three screen sizes: 14, 15 and 17 inches. Now that they’ve all gotten a bit of a makeover, the smaller two measure about an inch thick and weigh in at less than five pounds. Still, they’re all just thick enough to accommodate a tray-loading optical drive, and the 15R and 17R also have enough room for a numpad on the keyboard.

Spec-wise, you can trick them out with Core i7 processors, up to 8GB of RAM, Intel Wireless Display and discrete graphics (either a 2GB NVIDIA GeForce GT640M or a 2GB AMD Radeon HD 8730M). Still, there’s a considerable gulf between the top-end options and the base specs. Though you can choose a Core i3, i5 or i7 CPU, for instance, they actually start with Celeron. Ditto for storage: you could get 1TB, but you’ll get just 320 gigs at the entry level. The 14R and 15R top out at 1,366 x 768, while the 17-incher comes standard with 1,600 x 900 resolution. 1080p displays are also available for the 15- and 17-inch models. Sounds reasonable to us: these systems are mid-range at best. Speaking of the sort, prices start at $430 for the Inspiron 15R and $500 for the 17R. However, if you want that touchscreen, the prices start at $650 for both the 14R and 15R.

Filed under: Laptops, Dell

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