Archive for January, 2006
We love Mozilla products here at TechSmec.com even though in the back of our minds we can’t help feeling that their Microsoft equivalents are getting a raw deal in terms of press. Even with that love, the arrival of a new (or at least, slightly enhanced) version of Thunderbird, Mozilla’s email rival to Outlook, has left us a little underwhelmed.
In keeping with the fact that this is a ‘dot’ release and not a complete new version, most of the new features are under the hood. That being said, there is some fairly useful stuff there - you just won’t notice most of it in action.
Firstly Mozilla have streamlined and automated updates, just as they did with Firefox 1.5 last year. Thunderbird now automatically downloads small updates in the background and prompts users when they are ready for installation, rather that demanding a reinstall of the entire application. This was always one of Thunderbird’s more annoying features, so it’s good to see it resolved.
There’s a new built-in “phishing” detector helping protect users against email scams by flagging suspicious email messages. This is really just a tweak to the built in spam filter and probably just looks for banking related words in the email content.
Mozilla has added RSS and Podcasting support, although the implementation of this doesn’t seem particularly useful. We’ll be giving it a try in the next few days to see how it works.
Finally Thunderbird 1.5 boasts several refinements to email composition including “spell check as you type,” “auto save as draft” mail composition, and the ability to delete attachments from email.
Thunderbird 1.5 is available immediately as a free download from http://www.getthunderbird.com/.
January 13th, 2006
Research In Motion (RIM) today announced that Google Talk instant messaging and Google Local for mobile will be supported on the BlackBerry.
“Instant messaging and local content are two increasingly important areas of focus for mobile applications and we are very pleased to work with Google in extending these two popular Google services to BlackBerry users,” said Mark Guibert, Vice President, Corporate Marketing at Research In Motion. “Google Talk for BlackBerry and Google Local for mobile will offer additional flexibility to BlackBerry customers in terms of how, when and where they stay in touch.”
“As mobile technology continues to converge, consumers are becoming increasingly more connected and require access to information at home, at work, and on the road,” said Deep Nishar, Director, Product Management, Google Inc. “By extending Google Talk and Google Local beyond the desktop, BlackBerry users will have greater access to the information they need regardless of where they are.”
Google Talk for BlackBerry, a version of the instant messaging application specifically designed for BlackBerry handsets, will allow users to send and receive instant text messages with other members of the Google Talk community, while on the go. Google Talk for BlackBerry extends the user experience of the popular desktop-based Google Talk instant messaging service to BlackBerry devices, allowing users to add, delete and rename contacts, know when their Friends are online and available, leave conversations and resume them later, copy conversation text into memory and even be notified when a message is being typed.
Google Talk for BlackBerry is easy and intuitive to use. After downloading Google Talk for BlackBerry, users can quickly sign in through their Gmail username and password, access their existing Google Talk contact lists, see which Google Talk Friends are online, and send and receive instant messages. The service is integrated with BlackBerry to allow for home screen notifications of new messages, integration of Google Talk instant messages in the BlackBerry Email inbox and quick access to the BlackBerry Calendar from Google Talk for meeting scheduling.
Additionally, users can now download Google Local for mobile, which enables BlackBerry users to view maps and satellite imagery, find local businesses and get driving directions on their BlackBerry handsets. Google Local for mobile provides draggable maps, directions and imagery, as well as a “click to call” feature. Google Local for mobile will store any addresses you have typed in or used for directions for quick and access to previous locations.
The satellite imagery viewing of Google Local for mobile allows users to zoom in on an image for a closer look at the terrain, zoom out for a grander perspective, or move the map in any direction. This interactive satellite view gives you a chance to explore and evaluate your locations in far greater detail.
Google Talk for BlackBerry is expected to be available in the Spring timeframe. Both applications will be free, subject to any data service rates applicable for downloading and using the applications with a limited data plan.
January 13th, 2006
Several month’s ago, Apple supremo Steve Jobs reached into the pocket of his jeans during a product presentation and, to the gasps of the assembled press, pulled out the iPod nano, an mp3 player so thin it didn’t even spoil the line of his trousers.
Now Levi Strauss have reversed engineered that showmanship by creating a pair of jeans built entirely around the iPod.
The Levi’s RedWire DLX Jeans, which will be available later in the year have a built-in docking cradle for the iPod which apparently ensures the bulge is “virtually eliminated” and retractable headphones, as well as featuring a joystick in the watch pocket to operate the device. The iPod is connected to the jeans by a red conductive ribbon, so it can be removed to check playlists etc. while staying attached.
The jeans are, of course, machine washable but remember to take your iPod out first, because it sure isn’t watertight.
January 11th, 2006
SLAPPA have announced the launch of the newest additions to their PSP product line, the SLAPPA HardBody PSP Complete Case and a new version of their already popular SLAPPA HardBody PSP Daily Case.
The HardBody PSP Complete Case offers a storage capacity capable of carrying a gamer’s full PSP collection. A hand sewn UMD storage page holds 6 UMDs, while separate Velcro secured scubaprene storage bags are provided for protecting and storing PSP, extra UMDs, headphones and remote separately.
The white and silver edition of the HardBody PSP Daily Case was created in response to the very well received black model, which was released in the fall of 2005. This case is ideal for the gamer-on-the-go with a storage capacity capable of toting the basic necessities to get any gamer through the day.
Both cases feature a sleek graphite and patent PVC outer design on the xEVA HardBody shell, which provides tough protection without the rigidness of hard plastic. Cargo storage nets for extra accessories, Velcro secured storage dividers, rainproof zippers and dual SLAPPA logo rubber pulls complete these cases, making them a highly protective and smart solution to storing your PSP gear.
“We designed the new SLAPPA line of PSP cases to be the best of both worlds—tough protection and a look as sleek as the PSP itself,” says Dustin Garis, Director of Marketing for SLAPPA.
The SLAPPA HardBody PSP Complete Case is now available for preorder for only $19.99. The SLAPPA HardBody PSP Daily Case in white and silver is now available for preorder for only $19.99. Both are available at www.slappa.com and will ship to customers on January 25th.
January 10th, 2006
Building upon the popularity of the Nokia 6101 and Nokia 6102 phones, Nokia has announced the Nokia 6102i and Nokia 6103 phones, both of which add the convenience of Bluetooth technology to the already strong feature sets found on these compact mid-range fold-style phones.
The Nokia 6102i phone carries on the same design found on the Nokia 6102 phone, while the new Nokia 6103 phone features an updated modern look but retains the compact size and exceptional ease-of-use that made the Nokia 6101 phone such a hit with customers. The Nokia 6102i and Nokia 6103 phones will be available in a GSM 900/1800/1900 version primarily for markets in Europe, Africa and Asia while a GSM 850/1800/1900 version will be available primarily for markets in the Americas. Both phones are planned to be available during the 1st quarter of 2006 and are expected to retail for approximately €200, before applicable taxes or subsidies.
The addition of Bluetooth technology to this popular phone platform opens up a myriad of options for owners to increase the productivity and convenience of their mobile experience. Nokia offers a wide array of Bluetooth technology-enabled enhancements such as wireless car kits and wireless headsets as part of its line of mobile enhancements. Today, Nokia announced a new trio of wireless headsets including one of the smallest such devices ever made available. Additionally, with an increasing number of products being introduced to market incorporating Bluetooth technology - from laptops to automobiles - owners of the Nokia 6102i and Nokia 6103 phones will find an ever expanding number of ways to use their mobile devices.
“The Nokia 6101 and Nokia 6102 phones have proven to be extremely successful. The combination of a modern, compact folding design with a strong feature set and Nokia’s easy-to-use interface has proven to be an irresistible draw for customers shopping for a mid-range handset,” said Aage Snorgaard senior vice president of broad appeal products for Nokia. “With Bluetooth technology currently being on the top of many customers ‘wish lists’, the addition of Bluetooth technology to this equation will make the Nokia 6102i and Nokia 6103 phones even more attractive to wireless consumers.”
Along with Bluetooth technology, the Nokia 6102i and Nokia 6103 phones offer a strong feature set including a VGA camera with dedicated camera key, Nokia Xpress audio messaging for sending audio clips with just the touch of a few buttons and dual color screens with support for animated wallpapers and screensavers. Synchronizable contact and calendar information, voice dialing and recording and a built-in handsfree speakerphone make the Nokia 6102i and Nokia 6103 phones a perfect productivity companion, while an integrated FM radio and downloadable content support including MIDI and MP3 ring tones, themes and games satisfy the need for fun.
January 9th, 2006
Dual graphics cards aren’t exactly commonplace, but NVIDIA and Dell seem to have decided that even two isn’t enough power to keep up with gaming demands.
Delivering the a high definition gaming experience, Quad SLI features four of NVIDIA’s flagship GeForce 7800 GTX GPUs each with two GeForce 7800 GTX graphics processing units (GPUs) on-board with an NVIDIA nForce4 SLI X16 motherboard. This revolutionary technology was introduced on the forthcoming Dell XPS 600 Renegade, as part of a keynote presentation by Michael Dell at CES in Las Vegas.
John Medica, senior vice president, Product Group at Dell, stated: “Our demonstration of the first Quad SLI PC with NVIDIA is a major technology innovation, that when combined with the Dell XPS 600 Renegade and the new Dell 30-inch flat panel makes true high definition gaming a reality.”
NVIDIA Quad SLI technology allows consumers to run today’s hottest games at extreme high definition (HD) resolutions, including 2560×1600 at silky smooth frame rates.
“[ Our ] demonstration of the new Dell XPS 600 Renegade with our Quad SLI technology takes gaming to new levels,” said Dan Vivoli, executive vice president of marketing at NVIDIA. “The ability to run today’s hottest titles in extreme HD resolutions with all the eye candy turned on is absolutely amazing.”
In addition, NVIDIA announced that Dell will be shipping the award-winning NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GTX 512 in the Dell XPS 600 PC.
January 8th, 2006
Maxtor Corporation has announced a new family of Maxtor OneTouch III external storage and backup solutions that offer a range of features, capacities and performance for home users, creative professionals and business executives.
Available on retail shelves starting this month, the line of Maxtor OneTouch III storage solutions, with capacities from 100GB to one terabyte ( 1,000 GB ), provide easy-to-use, automated backup and restore capabilities for PC and Mac users. New software tools, including the ability to synchronize data between two or more computers and a System Rollback feature that helps return PC systems to a healthier state after a damaging spyware attack, are now integrated into the entire Maxtor OneTouch III family of products.
The Maxtor OneTouch III solution, with a triple FireWire 800/FireWire 400/USB 2.0 interface, was selected as a CES 2006 Innovations Design and Engineering Honoree in the Computer Accessories category. It was chosen for its engineering qualities, the product’s intended use/function, unique features, and aesthetic and design qualities, among other reasons. To meet the needs of mainstream creative and business professionals, Maxtor is offering the Maxtor OneTouch III with dual interfaces, FireWire 400 and USB 2.0, for quickly and easily backing up photos, music and data. For the home PC market, the company is offering a USB 2.0-only interface model that provides basic file-level backup capabilities.
Like the 1TB Maxtor OneTouch III, Turbo Edition launched in October 2005, the expanded Maxtor OneTouch III family sports an innovative new industrial design, an improved consumer friendly user interface and a redesigned retail package from award-winning consulting firm frog design inc. Built to last, the Maxtor OneTouch III family features improved acoustics, an inner disk drive casing and shock mounts for additional durability and drive protection. The entirely new user interface is simple to navigate for both Mac and PC users, making it easier to set up and manage data backup, file archiving and system settings. All Maxtor OneTouch external storage and backup systems come with an added data security feature called Maxtor DriveLock(TM), which provides a password protection option to safeguard contents if the drive is ever lost or stolen.
“Digital entertainment and data have become absolutely integral to our everyday lives, for people and businesses, but the vast majority of us still don’t protect valuable files by backing them up,” said Stacey Lund, vice president of marketing, Maxtor Branded Products Group. “At Maxtor, we strive to bring innovative solutions to market that make it simple to expand, share, and protect your digital life. Our new Maxtor OneTouch III family is designed from the inside out to be the easiest, most trustworthy way to back up and store photos, videos, games, music, business data and personal information.”
Based on customer feedback and innovative technologies, Maxtor has added Sync, the ability to automatically synchronize files between two or more systems on the same operating platform, across its new family of Maxtor OneTouch III storage solutions. Increasingly, customers want to share data easily and automatically between home and office, synching files and folders in both computers. Also, to combat spyware, adware and computer registry issues that can slow a system to a crawl or even a screeching halt, the new Maxtor OneTouch III product family includes a System Rollback feature that reverts the system to a healthier point in time while preserving the most current user data in Word and Excel documents, photos, music and other digital files. System programs that can be rolled back in time include operating system, settings and applications.
Maxtor OneTouch III external storage and backup solutions will be available starting in January at major retailers, distributors and online stores, as well as at www.maxstore.com www.maxtor.com . Worldwide availability varies by region. The Maxtor OneTouch III with a triple interface will be available late in Q1 2006. Please visit for local distribution channels and retail outlets.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the Maxtor OneTouch III family ranges from $159.95 for the 100GB USB 2.0 only version to $479.95 for the 500GB triple interface solution. MSRP for the 1TB Maxtor OneTouch III, Turbo Edition is $899.95.
January 8th, 2006
It’s certainly the strangest design for a commercially marketed media center PC that TechSmec.com has ever seen. Kapsel has thrown out the rulebook that says that media center manufacturers must make their PCs look like components in an audio system. They’ve made it look like a prop from the set of 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Made entirely from high-quality ceramics, the PC measures just 27 x 23 x 10 cm, and is designed to be positioned either horizontally, vertically or on the wall.
We can’t find the spec for the hardware inside anywhere, but presumably it has power to match its good looks, although that’s not always a given.
January 8th, 2006
A new DVD recorder with hard disc drive introduced by Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. today offers advanced features for greater enjoyment and convenience to consumers.
The DVR-640H-S utilizes TV Guide Onscreen to help consumers find the programs they want to record. Since music is such an important part of home entertainment, the player also offers playback of compressed audio files like MP3 and WMA as well as offering a Digital Jukebox for storing hours and hours of one’s music collection. For digital photography buffs, it offers photo viewer and Internet video fans will appreciate its DivX playback. By combining numerous components in a single unit, the new recorder acts as a total media source for the home entertainment center.
With 160GB of hard disc drive (HDD) space available in the DVR-640-H-S, consumers have plenty of available space to record their favorite television shows. TV Guide’s program guide includes TV listings for as many as eight days that can be sorted by type of programming, title and genre. This allows users to recall and playback previously recorded TV programs from the HDD or copy them to DVD for viewing on a portable or in-car DVD player.
These recorders are perfect for the sports fan who may have missed that last crucial quarter during the “big game,” or those who have a favorite TV series but can’t catch every episode, by allowing users to skip forward or rewind recorded content in increments of 30 seconds to quickly scan through the parts the viewer doesn’t want to see.
One DVD Recorder: Multiple Playback Options
Five-inch discs are abundant in today’s digital world. The Pioneer DVD recorder offers tri-format recording and playback for DVD-R/DVD-RW, +R/+RW and DVD-RAM, so no matter what type of recordable disc a consumer has available it will be compatible.
“The new Pioneer DVD recorder is an excellent solution for consumers who desire a single product to use with all of their entertainment content, making it easier to preserve and enjoy their expanding collection of music and video,” said Gary Bauhard, director of marketing and product planning for home entertainment at Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “We introduced the new tri-format playback and recording feature to allow consumers yet another opportunity to view their favorite DVDs without having to worry about the format.”
Music Fans Will Love the Digital Jukebox
Music CDs can be recorded onto the HDD and be played back via the Digital Jukebox. In addition, the recorder possesses popular WMA and MP3 digital audio playback capability.
New Technology for Internet Video
The DivX video codec is among the world’s most popular video compression technologies with more than 200 million people worldwide who use it to compress video files in a very high quality format so a full-length film can be delivered through a broadband connection. As more video content is available for sale online, consumers will be able to playback their DivX files on Pioneer’s new DVD recorder.
Photo Buffs
Instead of crowding everyone around a computer or passing small paper photos around the room, users can take advantage of the DVD recorder’s USB input to upload digital images and with the JPEG photo viewer create photo slideshows. Screening the slide show on a large screen TV in the company of friends and family is a far better option than crowding around a scrapbook.
The DVR-640H-S will be available June 2006 for a suggested price of $399.
January 8th, 2006
NewSoft unveiled its latest version of Presto! Media@Home, at the 2006 International CES.
Like the Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, Presto! Media@Home offers a remote-capable, ten-foot interface for digital media and television tasks, combining computing and entertainment to offer a straightforward means of turning the home PC into a true home entertainment media center.
With a simple and intuitive operating interface, Presto! Media@Home enables users to watch both digital and analog TV, play DVDs, listen to music and radio, browse the Internet, view photo slideshows, as well as effortlessly watch and record video from a web cam, all on a PC or notebook via a remote control-based interface that does not require traditional navigation using a keyboard or mouse. Presto! Media@Home users can relax and enjoy their digital entertainment at home now, not only on their TVs or stereos, but right from their computers as well.
With the quick and easy installation of a capturing device, Presto! Media@Home users can receive radio broadcasting as well as both digital and analog TV programs from a single PC system and enjoy tremendous flexibility in their television viewing capabilities through a simple software switch. In addition, Presto! Media@Home also supports Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g technology, which can enable wireless TV functionality and allow the digital video sender to wirelessly broadcast Digital/Analog TV/AV to multiple PCs or notebooks. As a result, users have greater freedom to further edit or watch their favorite video programs from anywhere in their homes. Users can also simultaneously access the Internet through Media@Home’s bridge function embedded in the digital video sender.
“With the digital home coming of age, the personal computer should enable greater functionality of consumer electronic devices such as DVD playback, TV viewing, radio/music listening and so forth, ” says James Li, President of NewSoft. “With user-friendly interface and remote control operation, Presto! Media@Home ensures uncomplicated navigation of multiple entertainment modes, including ATV, DTV, WVR, Gallery, Radio, Music, WebCam, IE and DVD. The multi-task embedded software in Presto! Media@Home is designed to help turn the home PC into a flexible, easily deployed digital entertainment media center.”
January 8th, 2006
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