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HP Launches New iPods

HP today announced two additions to its Apple iPod from HP line of digital music players. The new iPod products allow consumers to carry and enjoy an extensive music and photo library wherever they go.

The Apple iPod from HP is available in two sizes - 30 gigabytes which holds up to 7,500 songs, and 60 GB, which holds up to 15,000 songs. In addition to a music library, the new players can each store up to 25,000 digital photos and can display them on a vivid, high-resolution color display.

Consumers can use an optional audio-visual cable accessory to share slideshows on big screen televisions and projectors.

“HP offers consumers simple, fun ways to enjoy and personalize their music and photo experiences,” said Siobhan O’Connor, vice president, Consumer Brand and Marketing, HP. “Along with products such as our new Media Center PCs, now available with an integrated iPod dock and pre-installed Apple iTunes software, these new iPods round out a complete music solution from HP.”

The players come with a USB 2.0 cable to connect easily to a PC for syncing of music, playlists, photos and album artwork. Plus, extended battery life gives users up to 15 hours of music playback or up to 5 hours of slideshows. Both models are backed by HP’s Total Care customer support, which includes one year of phone support and a one-year warranty.

The new iPods are also compatible with HP Printable Tattoos, HP’s innovative way to allow consumers to personalize their iPods with artwork, designs and photography. At http://www.hp.com/music, consumers can find a gallery full of tattoo designs, including album art from the hottest bands and recording artists, as well as unique artwork and images.

Consumers can also upload their own photos and images to print as Tattoos at home. The ultra-thin HP Printable Tattoos are easy to apply and remove from the player’s exterior. Durable and water-resistant, they help to protect from scratches while adding a touch of personal style.

HP Printable Tattoos are sold in 10-packs of printable glossy paper that are pre-cut to fit any Apple iPod from HP. The retail price for HP Printable Tattoos is $14.99. The Apple iPod from HP 30 GB is $349 and the Apple iPod from HP 60 GB is $449. HP also continues to offer the popular Apple iPod from HP 20 GB for $299. The new Apple iPod from HP models and HP Printable Tattoos are available online at hpshopping.com and at many major retailers, including Circuit City, Radio Shack, Sears and Wal-Mart.

Add comment April 14th, 2005

Would You Let a 15 inch Robot Guard Your Home?

The makers of Nuvo think so, although we think that the Japanese must have exceptionally rubbish burglars if that’s the case.

Nuvo, which was released in the land of the rising sun yesterday tops the scales at a fighting weight of 5.5 pounds. Perfect for drop-kicking out of a Tokyo high-rise window.

The makers, TMP, are marketing Nuvo as a home security device, and have assigned it a suitably impressive £3000 price tag. We think it looks slightly less effective than Robosapien as a guard robot (made us jump the first time it started speaking to us in a Gadget Shop), but you can use a mobile phone to check on images taken by the camera in its head.

Predictably it can also respond to voice commands (as long as you want it to ‘turn right’ etc. ‘Cook my dinner’ is not in its repertoire.) and do a dance.

We expect Japan to lap this one up - after all, they love the Aibo.

Add comment April 13th, 2005

PSP - Aibo’s Electronic Training Aid

According to Wireless Watch Japan you can use your PSP to control your Aibo (you do have an Aibo don’t you?).

Well, assuming that you aren’t like the entire population of Japan and that you actually prefer a real dog to a plastic one, you may not be aware that Aibo is Sony’s walking, talking electronic pet.

It seems that the PSP, quite by accident, can control Aibo without any hacks. We like to think that PSP developers built this feature in on purpose so they didn’t need to carry two remotes, but the accident theory is more likely.

The full story is at WWJ.

Add comment April 13th, 2005