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The DAB Digital Radio That’s Going Places

PURE Digital has announced the world’s first rechargeable DAB digital radio that can withstand the rigours of outdoor life (or so they claim).

With Oasis digital radio listeners can roam freely, safe in the knowledge their radio can survive the environmental conditions of garden, campsite, bathroom, boat or even building site. Oasis’ rugged build makes it the perfect travel mate, but it’s the radio’s stylish good looks, featuring a cast aluminium protection frame, that ensure it’s a companion users will want to be seen out with.

It’s not just a great radio either – users can connect an iPod or other audio device to use Oasis as a great sounding portable sound system. Oasis also provides over 15 hours of use from its built-in ChargePAK battery system. ChargePAK is a custom designed rechargeable battery with six high performance nickel metal hydride C-cells. Simply connect to the mains to recharge – disconnect to wander free.

Oasis will be on sale from September 2005 for £120.

Says Kevin Dale, GM, PURE Digital: “Whether it’s listening to sport in the park, news or cricket in the garden, or music in the bath, Oasis is the perfect radio companion – and all without compromising on price, looks or sound quality. Oasis frees DAB digital radio from the constraints of the kitchen, living room or bedroom.”

Tested to stringent international IP65 water-resistance standards Oasis is weatherproof and splash resistant in all conditions and has been ‘tested to be tough’ for use outdoors as well as in the bathroom or kitchen.

Oasis’ rugged design and build features a cast-aluminium protection frame, while rubber ‘bumpers’ and recessed controls help prevent damage. Rubber covers protect input and output connectors from damp and dust. The removable aerial is rubber protected too and can be stored in the rear of the unit for transport.

Oasis offers superb audio quality from its custom designed, weatherproof 4″ long-throw speaker. Not just loud enough to be heard in the wide-open outdoors, Oasis is built to PURE’s award-winning DAB audio excellence standards.

The DAB transmission standard provides high quality, interference-free digital audio without the hiss, crackle and fade of AM/FM broadcasts. Fast autotune locates all available DAB stations and users simply select stations by name. Oasis will list them alphabetically or in the order users listen to them most.

Up to twice as many stations are available in many areas as via FM. UK stations broadcast digitally include national BBC Radios 1-4, BBC Radio 5 Live, Classic FM, talkSPORT and Virgin Radio, plus local and unique-to-digital stations.

Oasis’ two-line display shows station name, date/time, scrolling text with news, sports results, song titles and more. Oasis’ clock display automatically adjusts for summer/winter time.

Oasis is ‘USB Upgradeable’ over an Internet connection (PC required). Whether it’s enhancements to the DAB standard or new features from PURE, the USB connector enables users to keep their Oasis up-to-date.

Add comment August 24th, 2005

Google Launches Instant Messenging Client

As rumoured Google has launched an IM rival to MSN and AOL in the form of Google Talk, a tool that not only allows instant messenging, but also online voice calls.

Google Talk stops short of being a direct competitor to Skype and other VoIP firms as you can only make calls via the Google Talk client and not to landlines or mobile phones.

Google Talk is based on open standards for IM and Google claim they will make the source code available so it can be adapted and included within other software packages.

So far the client only runs on Windows XP, but Google allows other Jabber/XMPP based IM clients to connect to Google Talk.

To download a beta version of the software go to http://www.google.com/talk. You’ll need a Gmail account to log on, but you’ll be able to access your Gmail inbox from within Google Talk and send e-mail. You will also be alerted about new messages received in your Gmail account.

Add comment August 24th, 2005

Dell Launches Its Most Powerful Projector Yet

Dell today introduced its most powerful, highest resolution projector that produces detailed images and includes leading features for home cinemas.

The Dell 5100MP is a high-performance, high-brightness projector that is currently the only product in its class for less than $3,500. It features a 3,300 ANSI lumens (max)(b) brightness rating, SXGA+ (1400 X 1050) resolution and 2,500:1 contrast ratio for distinct black colors.

The ability to project true high-definition content makes the 5100MP ideal for home theaters.

“Dell is extending its legacy of delivering high-performance and high-quality projectors with innovative features at ground-breaking prices,” said Gerry Smith, vice president, Dell product group. “The 5100MP augments our projector offerings and gives us the ability to offer customers an ultimate projector with extreme brightness and high-resolution at a great price.”

The 5100MP Projector offers the most connectivity options in the Dell projector line-up and includes an RJ-45 port for network-based monitoring and troubleshooting. Other ports include HDMI, composite, VGA, M1 and S-Video, among others. Preset and user-programmable video and graphics modes help ensure optimal color performance, regardless of content displayed. Automatic vertical keystone correction technology helps ensure that a symmetrical image is displayed even when the projector is at an angle to the screen.

The 5100MP, housed in a sturdy magnesium chassis with silver accents, includes flexible installation options. Users can mount it to a ceiling (with optional kit), project from behind a screen or use it with a notebook or desktop system.

Dell also launched its standard projector ceiling installation service for business and institutional customers that is ideal for conference and training rooms. The service is available with all of Dell’s projectors, including the 1100MP, 2300MP, 4100MP and 5100MP.

This projector is available today in the United States and Canada and will be offered in other regions later this year. More information and specifications can be found at http://www.dell.com/projectors.

Add comment August 24th, 2005