Freeze-Proof 65-inch Sony TV Available Soon. For $20,000.

Sony's TV division has apparently decided that the next great feature in televisions has nothing to do with image contrast, brightness, or green efficiency standards. Instead, they’re going to make rain- and freeze-proof TVs.

Clearly, this TV will be for people who, having survived the global apocalypse led by tidal waves, torrential rains, and freezing temperatures, will still feel like pulling up a chair to catch some game highlights.

Alright, so the new 65-inch GXD-L65H1 LCD probably won't survive something that crazy, and Sony is still placing inside some of the important picture quality features. According to its product page, it will also be completely dust-proof, using aluminum frames on the front and back. And it would not be a bad thing at all if the tough engineering principles here are eventually passed down to future TVs.

But it's hard to see the purpose of a 'tough' TV in this economy at this time, especially one that will cost nearly $20,000 for the privilege.That's almost the same price as a Dumas/Chen haircut!

Public parks like stadiums could probably use durable TVs, if bought in bulk, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was also marketed as a private stand-alone unit. Because, really, there's nothing like preying upon people's fearful need to buy durable, long-lasting products.

So unless I happen to live in the North Pole or an outdoor park in Seattle, I'd skip this one. It will be available soon in Japan and likely later this year in the US.

Toyota Wants to Build Car From Seaweed

Toyota is looking to a greener future — literally — with dreams of an ultralight, superefficient plug-in hybrid with a bioplastic body made of seaweed that could be in showrooms within 15 years.

The kelp car would build upon the already hypergreen 1/X plug-in hybrid concept, which weighs 926 pounds, by replacing its carbon-fiber body with plastic derived from seaweed. As wild as it might sound, bioplastics are becoming increasingly common and Toyota thinks it's only a matter of time before automakers use them to build cars.

"We used lightweight carbon-fiber reinforced plastic throughout the body and frame for its superior collision safety," project manager Tetsuya Kaida said of the 1/X, which is pronounced "one-xth." "But that material is made from oil. In the future, I'm sure we will have access to new and better materials, such as those made from plants, something natural, maybe something like paper. In fact, I want to create such a vehicle from seaweed because Japan is surrounded by the sea."

A kelp car is not as far-fetched as it might sound. Bioplastics are being used for everything from gift cards to cellphone cases. Demand for the stuff is expected to hit 50 billion pounds annually within five years, a figure that would account for 10 percent of the world market for plastic, according to USA Today. A company called NatureWorks claims the production of its bioplastic Inego produces 60 percent less carbon dioxide than petroleum-based plastic and requires 30 percent less energy. And Oakridge National Laboratory has explored the possibility of producing carbon fiber from wood pulp.

Toyota is laying out its green vision of the future ahead of the Melbourne Motor Show, where it will highlight three sweet hybrids — the next-gen Prius, a cool Camry concept designed in Australia and the 1/X, so named because its carbon footprint is a fraction of that of other cars.

"The 1/X concept is a vehicle that completely redefines what it means to be environmentally considerate," David Buttner, senior executive director of sales and marketing, said in a statement. "The name says it all: a car that weighs a fraction of the others in its class today and uses a fraction of the fuel."

The 1/X has been kicking around the show circuit for more than a year, and the photo is from its North American debut at the 2008 Chicago auto show. It features a tiny 500cc engine and weighs about one-third as much as the Prius while offering about as much interior space. It's got a flex-fuel engine and electric motor powered by lithium-ion batteries.

But don't expect to drive a Toyota Sea-Class anytime soon.

"In reality, the seaweed car is another decade away," Buttner told the Sydney Herald-Sun. "However, it shows where we're going.... Our thinking is that post-2020, cars like the 1/X will be made of plant-based plastic."

Nikon D5000 Cheap DSLR With HD Video and Swivel Display Outed Next Week?

Maybe the photo show next week won't be lacking DSLRs—Nikon Rumors claims a "90% chance" that Nikon will be revealing the D5000, a 12.3MP entry-level DSLR with Live View, video and a swivel display.

Earlier, Nikon Rumors had reported that the D5000 would be a lot like their mid-level D90—with a 12.3-megapixel sensor, Live View and video recording—but with no built-in autofocus motor or top-level LCD like the current D60. What'd you get instead is a new kind of flash and tilt-y swivel display like you see on some super zoom cameras.

If this this thing is cheap and small enough, what do you need a super-zoom camera for? And if HD video recording is now in the lowest level DSLR, it's only a matter of one generation of turnover before all DSLRs shoot HD video.

Here's hoping, though, since most everybody has already pooped their new camera offerings, and I'd like at least a couple surprises next week at PMA.

Samsung CL5: digital camera as well as music and video player Compact Camera

Samsung will make the time you are confused which is called a digital camera which PMP (Personal Multimedia Player). Through the latest digital camera product CL5 (to Europe known as PL10), samsung combines a digital camera with PMP.
Through this digital camera, you not only can take pictures or video but can also be used as an MP3 music player or even watch videos on the 2.7 inch screen size.

Kameranya own specifications such as 9 megapixels, 3x optical zoom, face detection, the memory card SD / SDHC / MMC / MMCplus and can record video in HD format.

Other features that are not less interesting is the "Smart Album" where this feature can organize the images have to start in some of the criteria based on date, content, and other colors.

Samsung CL5 sale will start in April with a price of U.S. $ 260.

The Coral-200: A Solar Powered Phone for the Masses

Just last week we brought you news of the Blue-Earth, Samsung’s new solar powered touch phone. Well, it turns out that they are not the only company with solar dreams. Chinese mobile manufacturer ZTE recently revealed the Coral-200, a solar-powered handset with one very unique characteristic that sets it apart from its competitor: it will only cost 40 dollars!

Using technology from Dutch-based innovation, ZTE have created a relatively basic solar phone that promises to bring mobile phones to all those that do not have access to regular power. The slick solar phone provides about 15 minutes of talk time for every hour of sunlight, and will be available at a pretty incredible price point.

ZTE is hoping to leverage the Coral-200’s low cost to distribute this phone to the 2 billion people that do not have regular access to the grid. To do so, they have partnered with Digicel, a network provider that works in emerging markets and already provides solar powered chargers in some countries. The phone officialy launches in June.

iDuck Wireless Speaker

Easy way to do smth berendam in the bathtub while listening to the songs favored.

iDuck Wireless Speakers wireless speaker is shaped yellow duck that can connect to the iPod or other MP3 player. In it, there are lights that can change color to give the atmosphere more peaceful bath. :-)

iDuck Wireless Speaker is also equipped with FM Transmitter is located at the base of which an egg-shaped.

Yes, this is probably more suitable for children but you do not have shame I also accompanied bath duck this. : D

Wireless Speaker iDuck price is U.S. $ 40.00

Easy way to do smth berendam in the bathtub while listening to the songs favored.

iDuck Wireless Speakers wireless speaker is shaped yellow duck that can connect to the iPod or other MP3 player. In it, there are lights that can change color to give the atmosphere more peaceful bath. :-)

iDuck Wireless Speaker is also equipped with FM Transmitter is located at the base of which an egg-shaped.

Yes, this is probably more suitable for children but you do not have shame I also accompanied bath duck this. : D

Wireless Speaker iDuck price is U.S. $ 40.00

AT-AT boombox will squash rebellion, rock party

First off, massive geek respect to anyone who's managed to hold on to their "Empire Strikes Back" AT-AT Imperial Walker from childhood. But it takes a geek visionary to tastefully slap a boombox into the side of one and paint the thing K.I.T.T. black. This thing is like an '80s nostalgia heart attack. If you know who did this, give them a hug from me.

Boeing: We zapped a UAV with a laser

Updated 2:40 p.m. with details on how the laser damaged the UAV and on the Laser Avenger's targeting system.

Boeing is seeing a glimmer of progress in its work toward fielding laser weapons.

The defense industry giant on Monday said tests of its Laser Avenger system in December marked "the first time a combat vehicle has used a laser to shoot down a UAV," or unmanned aerial vehicle. In the testing, the Humvee-mounted Laser Avenger located and tracked three small UAVs in flight over the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico and knocked one of the drone aircraft out of the sky.

Boeing didn't go into much detail about the shoot-down. In response to a query by CNET News, it did say this much about the strike by the the kilowatt-class laser: "A hole was burned in a critical flight control element of the UAV, rendering the aircraft unflyable."

While decades of Hollywood imagery may conjure up a vision of a target disintegrating in a sparkle of light, the actual workings of the laser beam are probably more prosaic. For instance, the beam from Boeing's much, much larger Airborne Laser, which is intended to disable long-range missiles in flight, uses heat to create a weak spot on the skin of the missile, causing it to rupture in flight. Boeing hopes to conduct the first aerial shoot-down test with the much-delayed 747-based Airborne Laser later this year.

In tests in 2007, the Laser Avenger "neutralized" improvised explosive devices (IEDs) like those that have been a deadly threat in Iraq, along with other unexploded munitions.

Those types of targets don't move, so the ability to track and zap a small aircraft in flight is clearly a step forward for directed-energy weapons. But testing on a missile range is still a far cry from effective use on the battlefield, where military units may have to fire on the move against multiple targets approaching through cluttered airspace.

It's not clear how long the laser beam has to be locked on a target such as a UAV before it can cause sufficient damage, or how well the beam can be corrected to deal with dust and other atmospheric disturbances. Here's how the targeting system works, according to the company (FLIR stands for "forward-looking infrared").

The laser system is completely integrated to the Avenger turret and works independently of on-board wide field of view camera/FLIR systems. The laser system can work together with on-board wide field of view camera/FLIR systems and slew-to-cue fire control system of the Avenger turret. Once a target has been sighted, the laser system will "zoom in" on the target and use advanced UAV tracking algorithms to acquire and track the target even in heavy background clutter. Only after positive identification will it fire the high energy laser.

Boeing is pitching the Laser Avenger--and these are Boeing's own words--as a defense against UAVs "like those that increasingly threaten U.S. troops deployed in war zones." In the near term, of course, it's exactly the opposite--UAVs such as the Predator from General Atomics and Boeing's ScanEagle are a boon to U.S. troops and represent a distinct tactical advantage for U.S. forces against al-Qaeda and other foes. The MQ-1 Predator, in particular, has been very successful as both a reconnaissance tool and a weapons platform.

The Boeing-funded Laser Avenger is based on the existing Avenger platform, which carries more traditional "kinetic" weapons, including Stinger antiaircraft missiles and a .50-caliber machine gun.

Army invests $50 million in flexible displays

The U.S. Army has committed to renewing its partnership and providing another $50 million to Arizona State University's flexible-display research facility, the university announced on Thursday.

That brings the Army's total investment since the Flexible Display Center (FDC) started in 2004 to $100 million.

The announcement comes in conjunction with a two-day event in Tempe, Ariz., near ASU, in which the U.S. Army and Flexible Display Center plan to showcase their progress to the public. So why is the military so keen on flexible displays?

It's all about information and communications...and possibly profit.

Flexible displays are paper-thin electronic screens that can be bent, mounted onto objects, and sewn into clothing. Soldiers could easily wear them on their sleeves or wrists, and use them to receive critical data in real time in the form of instructions, photos, or maps.

In addition, flexible displays can be made more durable than regular LCD screens, allowing them to get banged around in combat and still work. They also consume only a fraction of the power of LCDs.

That doesn't just make them good for the military; it also makes for cool tech products. That commercial value is something the military, ASU, and its partners clearly have in mind.

In addition to the design and development of things like integrated circuits and thin-film transistor (TFT) arrays, the Flexible Display Center has facilities for early-stage prototyping and low-volume production.

One product has already come out of the center. The Soldier Flex PDA, developed by Inhand Electronics, was introduced for military testing in 2007. It's a rugged glass-free PDA containing a screen developed by the Flexible Display Center.

The center even started a Flexible Display Center YouTube channel for showing the public its latest prototypes.

The Flexible Display Center's partnership with ASU and the U.S. Army also extends to the private sector, as well as other universities.

Those partners include the Center of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology at Lehigh University, Boeing, E Ink, Hewlett-Packard, LG Display, Raytheon, and Plextronics.

Wealth-flaunting app arrives on Android phones

An application that did nothing beyond showing a person was willing to spend gobs of money for it didn't last long on Apple's App Store, but now we'll begin to see if Google lives up to its more laissez-faire approach to its rival Android Market.

Apple banned Armin Heinrich's "I Am Rich", which cost $1,000 and only showed a red ruby, from its App Store last August. Now the conceptually similar "I Am Richer" has arrived on the Android Market from Mike DG.

Perhaps owners of T-Mobile's G1 phone are more cost-conscious, or the recession has hurt the market for inane software, or Android programmers are willing to offer greater value, though, because the new application offers basically the same feature set for only $200, a fifth the price of the app Apple banned.

"Prove your wealth to others by running this app and showing them the mesmerizing glowing crystal," the software's description says.

Google has some rules for Android Market--no malware is allowed, for example--but generally has a much more liberal attitude than Apple. While each application on the App Store requires Apple's approval, Google plans to let the world at large sort out Android applications through the mechanisms such as the rating system. Good applications will eventually sift their way to the top of the heap the way good YouTube videos do, Google argues.

Update 7:06 p.m. PST: The $200 price is as much as Google permits organizations to charge, the company said. And yes, Google appears perfectly happy to let people buy the application:

"We check applications for compliance with the Market Content Policies and Terms of Service (in order to remove malware, porn, spam, or profanity)," the company said in a statement.

LG Versa to be released March 1?

More rumors have surfaced about the LG Versa, the new all-in-one modular touch screen phone from Verizon Wireless. If you'll recall, the Versa is a touch-screen phone much like the LG Dare, but you have the option of attaching modules to it, like a QWERTY keyboard for texting, or speakers for music, or a game pad controller for games, and so forth.

It's more than a little intriguing for us, as we would like something such as this for another certain touch-screen phone (*cough*iPhone*cough*), and it looks like the Versa might come out as early as March 1, if the rumors hold true. Engadget Mobile points to this Web site that has, apparently, unboxed the Versa a few days ahead of schedule. Indeed, this looks as if it may debut very soon. So, keep your ears and eyes peeled for this one.

Verizon Wireless announces the slim CDM-8975

Most push-to-talk phones are of the rugged variety, but there are also those that are slimmer and more compact. Verizon Wireless and PCD have released the CDM8975, which is exactly that.

This push-to-talk device also features a 1.3-megapixel camera, a speakerphone, a microSD card slot, Bluetooth, and more. It's only $99 after a two-year contract and a $50 rebate. Strangely, apparently the rebate will only come in the form of a debit card. Not sure why Verizon decided to do that, but there it is. The CDM8975 will be available March 9.

Behold 1GB 20 years ago and 1GB today

I remember the first time I ever heard the term gigabyte. Actually, I didn't hear it, I worked it out myself. It was the early '90s, and my friend Paul had just ordered a new hard drive for his 486. I remember how excited he was to get a 100MB drive, which was easily twice as big as the one he had at the time. I was astounded and said, "How big do they go now?"

"Next year, they'll hit 1,000 megabytes," Paul said.

I was even more awe struck. I said, "1,000 megabytes. That would be--1 gigabyte?"

Paul just looked at me and said, reverently, "Yes."

Now, of course, you can fit 4GB onto a microSD card the size of your thumbnail. But the above image, from ToxicJunction, really shows how far data storage has come in 20 years: it's 1GB in 1988 and 1GB in 2008. :D

Kia No 3 concept with unconventional panoramic roof

February 25, 2009 There are few details available just yet but you don't need to look hard to see the Kia No3 concept is quite different to anything you've seen before. The concept features a unique extended windscreen and panoramic glass roof with a diagonal supporting bar and an automatic sun visor. If the vehicle follows Kia tradition of turning its concepts into production vehicles, we suspect this is the first foothold for a new niche in the small car market.

The 4045 mm long concept is finished in matt Titanium Grey with contrasting gloss-white accents and will be unveiled on March 3 at Salon de l’Automobile in Geneva. Designed by Kia’s European design team, led by Peter Schreyer, the No 3 also features the new ‘face of Kia’ with the front grille, head lamps and brand logo in a new constellation arrangement.

World's 'smallest, lightest' laptop launches

A Korean firm’s unveiled what it claimed is the world’s smallest and lightest notebook to date.

The mbook measures just 158 x 94.1 x 18.6mm and weighs only 315g, yet its diminutive 4.8in display has a 1024 x 600 resolution and appears to be stylus operated. A speaker sits on one side of the screen and a 1.3Mp webcam rests on the other.

Two versions of the machine appear to be available, one with a 1.1GHz Intel Atom processor and another with a 1.3GHz option. Both come with 1GB of memory, but the Flash-based storage provided ranges between 8GB and 32GB.

Maker UMID has also claimed the machine’s compatible with a strong selection of communication technologies, including HSDPA, Bluetooth 2.0 and WiBro – a WiMax-like wireless broadband internet technology developed in the company’s native South Korea.

A pull-out aerial also allows the mbook to receive telly signals, but given that it’s DMB compatible – rather than DVB-H – it's probable that the machine’s only set-up to receive TV signals in South Korea.

Elsewhere on the tiny notebook you’ll find a four-in-one memory card slot, a mini USB 2.0 port and a Qwerty keyboard. Battery life should last about six hours. The 1.3GHz mbook costs KRW800,000 (£368/$534/€417), while its slower specification twin costs KRW700,000. UK launch dates or prices haven’t been announced. ®

NYPD Rolls out Hybrid Patrol Cars

Should you ever find yourself being pursued by the NYPD, now you can rest assured that the carbon footprint of your chase around the city will be just a little bit greener. As part of New York’s efforts to go green, the NYPD is rolling out 40 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrids for use during regular patrol. The vehicles get around 35 miles per gallon, which is about twice of the range of the current fleet of Chevy Impalas and Ford Crown Victorias.It’s hard to imagine a more demanding role for a vehicle than running the daily rounds of a NYPD patrol car. The vehicles have to be in operation pretty much all day long while enduring harsh driving conditions and multiple drivers. Since patrol cars log so many hours, the switch to energy-efficient hybrids stands to make a significant dent in the NYPD’s carbon footprint.

The city will spend around 1.1 million dollars acquiring the vehicles, and 18 of the vehicles will be regular patrol cars, while the rest will be unmarked. The hybrids have a top speed of 116mph and are capable of cruising along at speeds under 40mph without consuming a drop of gas, which makes them ideal for inner-city driving conditions. The cars will be in operation within the next week.

Sony Vaio Performance Has a Price - The Review

The Vaio P is by far sexiest Netbook available, but the P is also the most expensive and could be your best friend or worst nightmare.

Sony came up with an impressive design for the P. Great material gives the P the feel of a real high-end subnotebook and has a far better conception than other available Netbooks. The P’s keyboard is a real wonder, soft, precise, and large enough to be used for hours… The P’s large screen is also impressive with its 1600 x 768 resolution, and wherever your finger goes or eyes look you won’t find any conception mistakes… The P is rock solid for its size and has been crafted with delicacy and precision. There are almost no drawbacks in its design, construction, and materials... Ok, I said almost, since the P’s tracking point is a little cumbersome, but except from that, we admire Sony’s design team for this awesome device.

While I have no doubt the Vaio P is a winner when it comes to design and construction… I'm puzzled with Sony’s decision when it comes to basic specs.

The Vaio P sold in Japan in your average store features the same basic specs as US and EUR versions. 2GB of RAM, an ATOM Z520 CPU at 1.33GHz, Intel GMA500 a 1.8” HDD at 4200rpm and Vista Home… The same one Sony Japan sent us to test for a few days.

On paper the above specs appear to be fairly common with any Netbook, reality is however a cruel thing… Let me put this simply, the Vaio P sucks… BIG TIME! At least the stock version.

From the moment you turn it on to the moment you see Vista’s desktop requires around 1.01 to 1.02 minutes… Hold on a second here, seeing Vista’s desktop doesn’t mean you can use it… Oh no, far from it! You'll wait at least another minute to surf the Web or even using basic functions (depending on your Vista installation) To make things wors I extrapolate that once you install Office, or any other software, and start using Vista’s Widget bar you'll have to add at least 15 to 20 seconds more before getting the full potential out of your P and the HDD LED stops flashing like crazy… I reckon you need around 3.20 minutes once booted up to use the thing and get everything from McAfee, Bluetooth, and Sony’s mouse software fully loaded.

For crying out loud it's 2009! How is it possible with a New Gen CPU with Hyper Threading and 2 GB of RAM than a PC be can this slow? I'm sure you've discovered the culprit… Yep, Vista has proven again to be a resource hog and was not designed to be installed on a slow low end PC… But Microsoft is not the only one to blamed here, Intel has their share of responsibility. The ATOM CPU sucks big time unless properly integrated like on the Ion platform (NVidia), and how dumb are Intel folks for not providing a similar experience, if NVidia did it how hard can it be… Sony’s engineers are also too blame with their poor choice of components. To give you an idea, whether or not you run Vista or 7… You'll never get Aero to work on the P, like we did on a far cheaper Sotec C1 Netbook… This mainly due to the GMA500 chipset the P uses … A low end integrated video chipset good enough to power an average PDA, but not a decent PC.

I'll be honest with you, I'm very disappointed here, I really wanted to love the P test unit we got, I mean just look at it! It's gorgeous, but how did Sony screw up their latest ultraportable so bad? We know that whatever ATOM CPUs plus the 945G Chipset can't play HD videos, technically impossible but at least it would have given us a better experience… far better than the ATOM and GMA500 combo…

Is the P total rubbish? No, not really, there's still hope but it looks like only Japanese consumers will get to test the real power of the P.

So far only sold in Japan or via other channels, the Vaio P90 is the only one to consider because of its 1.86GHz ATOM CPU and 128GB Intel SSD… You still can't use AERO or get smooth HD video playback, but you won't have to wait 2 minutes once booted-up to use it… Unfortunately the P90 comes at a price (around $1,800 US), four times more expensive than the Sotec C1 notebook we tested earlier that runs Photoshop CS3 and AREO pretty smoothly… Something that even a P90 may not be capable of doing. Sony Vaio P scores under Windows 7.

Nikon Media Port UP300x Head-Mounted Display PMP: Review

Last October (200 Nikon surprised the world with their UP300x, a Head-Mounted Display PMP wonder with nothing in common with the usual camera stuff we see coming from Nikon.

Produced in a limited quantity, the UP300x is now available in Japan and we thought we should get our hands on this little baby to find out if it's life altering our life or not.

UP300x History
Before going deeper in our review here's some general info on the UP300x. It's the result of more than 8 years of research and development from the ideas and concepts of a single engineer, Kato Shigeru. Kato-San explained the idea behind the UP came to him while he was commuting to and from work and traveling around on Shinkasens during business. He wanted to create a full audio and video experience without completely shutting out the world… Now the UP300x is a reality.

The meaning of UP
If you wonder what UP stands for, Nikon and Kato-san have several meaningful answers. It was taken from a number of word combinations that can be used to described the broad functionality and uses of this product, including "Universal Port", "Ubiquitous Player", "Ultimate Player", "U (your) Partner", "U (your) Pleasure", and "U (your) Power". As the first product in a brand new genre, they chose the name "UP" for both its simplicity and its presence.

How does it Work?
The UP300x (8GB) and the UP300 (4B), are average high-end audio headphones under steroids. They have basic MP3 functions, the obvious head-mounted display and its 0.44” resolution (providing the equivalent of a 50” screen), WiFi, and a nice and elegant GUI.

Compatible with the basic audio and video standards like MP3, WMA9 (DRM 10 compatible), AAC, but also JPEG photos or Mpeg-1/2 WMV9 or SWF files, the UPP300 series is similar to the average PMP. It's interesting to note that Nikon made it easy to use other external sources. If unfortunately the cable provided was not compatible with my iPhone and my iPod 5G, you can normally watch video stored on an iPod and any other device with video out, the same applies for audio files. You can watch a DVD on the plane from your portable DVD player directly on the screen on your UP300.

The Network Player UP300
A Nikon and Kato-San idea behind the UP300 was not only to give you a PMP, but also a different approach to videos and online content. Once connected to a network, you can directly access a UP300 Portal for access to video or audio programs. You can enjoy video clips when and wherever you want (if you have a network connection or access to one of Nikon’s UPxHOTSPOT).

So far the number of program is limited, but Nikon is working on expanding the UP300 experience by providing unique content… An example they gave us was dedicated content and general information when shopping in different areas of a department store... Imagine you are queuing-up to watch a movie, your UP300 could give you access tomovie data, teaser videos, and info on other movies.

No limits
While the UP300 Series is a finish product, the overall concept behind this next generation network Walkman is still under development. Put simply, Nikon defined some ideas and ways for using the UP300, but left room for the user. After all, the UP300 can be used in many different settings, like helping you to learn an instrument. You can view lesson videos with one one eye and still see what you're are doing with your guitar or piano with the other. Same applies for cooking or if you're a mechanic you can get tips on how to restore your old Corvette from online video feeds.

So, you tested it, how good it is?
To be honest, the first few days were difficult. We needed time to get used to it and finding reasons for using it. If you use the UP300 only as a PMP you may be a bit disappointed, with only one eye to watch a movie will quickly give a headache and Nikon recommends not viewing video for more than one hour at a time.

If you use the UP300 first as a MP3 player, you can get video information while passing the time waiting in queues, waiting rooms and on subways and trains. As I said earlier, you have to understand its limitations in order to use it wisely, and I really enjoyed watching a 15 minute news program walking home… Since the screen is not intrusive, I could enjoy my news program with confidence to walk the streets safely.

Product Quality and finish
The first words that come to you when you get the UP300 in your hands are "WOW, it's cool." Yes the UP300 is really cool and well built, it feels strong and luxurious. On your head the headphone pads are fantastic and very comfortable, the sound quality is great and the screen, when fitted it correctly to your eye, is brilliant and crystal clear.

Same applies to the GUI, but you'll have to get used to playing with the buttons on the side of the headphones to navigate between menus.

Conclusion:
The UP300 Series is an interesting concept and a really high-end product. Definitely not made for everyone, don't expect to get the perfect PMP player experience, but once you understand its limitation the UP300 can be very useful… Anyone can find a use for it if they really think a bit about it. I really like the idea of getting guitar lessons with video, but I am sure you could find other ideas on how to use it. I also love the Network concept, it would be great to get information in department stores and waiting areas… Due to UP300 limitations, I'm not sure many companies will provide services and info for it.

Samsung offers latest point-and-shoot camera

Samsung’s TL320 point-and-shoot camera comes with analog dials showing the battery life and memory space which looks like your car dials showing fuel balance. The camera comes with a 24-240 mm lens with 5X optical zoom, 3” HVGA Amoled display and a 720p H.264 video recording. It also has a 12MP sensor, HDMI output and both hardware and software image stabilization.

Samsung TL320 has aperture priority, shutter priority or full manual, 11 preset shooting modes, face detection and “Beauty Shots” which smoothes out skin tones. The colors available will be black and silver and slated for release in May for a price of $380.

SPH-W7100 and Its SOS Mode Hitting Korea in the Middle of March

The SPH-W7100 is like many Japanese phones for kids, like the SCH-X850 introduced by Samsung in 2004.

Thanks to some nifty features like its SOS or alarm system that will scream for help (not literally of course) at 100dB, and can send to parents, relatives, or authorities an immediate email with GPS position once the SOS Alarm is triggered. On top of the alarm, the SPH-W7100 will emit a bright flash when lost in darkness.

Samsung also added an interesting feature an email sent with GPS position if the phone is powered off.

Since we're talking about a child's mobile phone Samsung worked their magic to make the overall phone and UI appealing to kids thanks to some cute characters. click source

Human Jobs Deathwatch: Robot Nurse will deliver medication

It looks like Japan's roboticists have finally come up with an answer to the country's shrinking work force and growing elderly population. Murata Machinery has developed a robot capable of performing many of the duties of a human nurse such as delivering medication to patients during late night hours.

Developed as a part of Japan's "Project for Strategic Development of Advanced Robotics Elemental Technologies" led by NEDO, the robot is one of six selected new robots picked that cover functions such as security, industrial work, and disaster recovery. click source

Massive iPhone 3G USB Power Adapter Recall

This could be the largest recall of USB chargers ever for a 3G smartphone. Apple has issued a recall on the ultra-compact USB power adapter bundled with every iPhone 3G that is sold primarily in the US, Japan, Canada, Mexico and several Latin American countries. (There are 6 million iPhones sold in total worldwide while most of them were sold in USA.)

Reports are that the metal prongs have a tendency to break off while remaining lodged in the power outlets, posing a safety risk of electric shock. Apple urged iPhone 3G users to stop using the faulty adapter until they can exchange for a free replacement of a redesigned USB charger from either the web or an Apple Retail Store. In the meantime, they should charge using the USB cable that came with the phone.

You'll need your iPhone 3G's serial number as part of the process for this exchange program starting on October 10th. click source

MS Files Patent for Smartphone USB Docking Bay

We don't usually like to take sides in the MS/*nix/Apple/Vi/emacs type wars (unless it's for fun or to just be mean for no reason). This patent filing seems a bit on the vague and domineering side even for the Redmond juggernaut. The filing covers a docking interface to allow smart-phone devices to connect to multiple USB peripheral devices. The patent mentions "external monitors, input devices such as mice and keyboards, external hard drives, and networks (wired and/or wireless)".

Verizon has recently released a bridge device (Hub) with a display and adaptive connectivity for home/wireless use. Microsoft seems to be looking to go even further making the smart-phone into the core of a home computing environment instead of just a expanded phone station. With the mention of connecting to TVs 4G, 5G or 8G might provide enough mobile bandwidth to stream entertainment media via wireless broadband without breaking the bank. No word on the release or even what generation Microsoft is planning to enter the market, but good money says it will be a while. click source

Cellphone USB Ranger: Out, Out Dead Spots!

If you live in a populated area and have trouble with calls dropping as you drive under bridges or in between large buildings there's a new cell booster that may be able to help. Cell Ranger Port takes power from your USB port and uses a microprocessor system to clean up and boost GSM and GPRS signals in areas of poor reception or interference. The USB stick booster has a 15 foot cable that leads to a magnetic base antenna. You can attach the cable anywhere that's convenient and it will claims to give you a couple of extra bars and up your bandwidth. The Ranger works on the principle that the cell towers are much better at handling transmission noise and errors the handset so it only bothers with the tower signal. While it claims to be friendly with blue-tooth and GPS signals it won't help them. Cellular customers working within the 800-1900 MHz range (except for those belonging to Sprint/Nextel) can get help but only in North America for the moment. That should cover most NA carriers including 3G signals. Your mileage may vary but every little bit helps when you are slaved to your phone or miss calls in places you find yourself too often. Prices start at a little over $110 and can be ordered now. click source