Gadgets Newscentre

According to a recent study by In-Stat, embedded Wi-Fi chips could end up in about a billion consumer electronics devices by 2012. There are a few select television brands that are capable of connecting to the Internet via wireless (Wi-Fi), connection. In the near future, most TVs will use a form of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technology.

Currently, TVs use ethernet or cable to connect to the Internet. According to a recent article in CNET, WiFi has been slow to televisions because the video streaming over Wi-Fi is too 'buggy.' Ethernet remains to be a reliable choice for connectivity and ease of use.

Currently, companies such as SONY, are already working on delivering HDTVs that they can stream content to directly to televisions. The only missing detail is the elimination of all those ugly wires.

As always, let us know what your thoughts are.

-itsTripple

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Sling Media recently announced that it will start selling the Slingbox PRO-HD. The new high-definition version will allow users to watch HD cable or satellite programs on their PCs via their Internet or a home network. The cost should be around $300 when it hit the shelves.

This isn't your average cable box. This is for the true 'cableholic.' You have to be the type of person that can't live without your cable or satellite subscriptions away from home.

The new HD Slingbox can stream up to 1080i HD content (1920-by-1080-pixel resolution), to your computer at home or over the internet. The internet connection is only valuable if you have at least a 1.5 MB of data transfer capabilities. The new SlingPlayer desktop PC software gives Slingbox owners access to their cable and satellite subscription via an electronic programming guide. The Slingbox PRO-HD is available at slingmedia.com, Amazon.com and Buy.com.

Is the Slingbox for you? Is it practical or a waste of engineering time? As always we would like to know.

-itsTripple

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It appears that TiVo is in the process of getting away from content service offerings and is focusing more on their DVR units by renewing their relationship with cable satellite TV provider, Direct TV.

According to a recent Reuters article, TiVo is developing a new digital video recorder for satellite TV provider DirecTV with the hopes of boosting the number of subscribers using their service. Due to an 'intellectual property sharing' arrangement, DirecTV will pay TiVo a substantially higher monthly fee for households using the new TiVo produced high definition DirecTV DVRs than it does for previously models.

Are you a TiVo and Direct TV user? Has their recent disputes interrupted your content service? Let us know.

itsTripple

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According to a recent CE Pro article, half of the country's U.S. cable subscribers will use tru2way technology by 2013. Tru2way is a new technology that enables televisions to access interactive digital and HD services without a set-top cable or DVR box.

Some early adaptors to the technology have been Samsung and LG Electronics. Sony recently adopted tru2way and looks to profit off the technology first by striking a deal with the six largest cable companies in the country. LG has plans on featuring tru2way functionality on all their 2009 HDTVs.

- itsTripple

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© SqueakyMarmot

The February 2009 digital television transition deadline is getting closer than you may think. Many consumers can't afford, or haven't decided to switch over to HD televisions yet.

As a result, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have teamed up to provide consumers with online tools and resources to assist consumers with the upcoming transition to digital television. The two organizations are promoting a 'green' message to consumers that decide to keep their old analog televisions. They put together a FCC/EPA fact sheet which includes facts and tips on how to continue to use their existing analog television sets and how to dispose of them too.

The Consumer Electronics Association has a website located at myGreenElectronics.org, where consumers can find electronic recycling locations and information on “green” consumer electronic products.

-itsTripple

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© r3v || cls

I guess since TiVo has had such a challenge with “Ad skipping,” they developed a partnership with Amazon online store to monetize their services. Next time you turn on your TiVo get ready to use your remote for more than just “surfin.”

The recently announced service will allow TiVo video recorder owners to use their remote control to order products from Amazon.com. According to a recent article in The New York Times, Owners of TiVo video recorders will see, in TiVo's various onscreen menus, links to buy products like CDs, DVDs and books that guests are promoting on talk shows like “The oprah winfrey show,” “The Late Show With David Letterman” and “The Daily Show.” Talk abut living a digitized life! Now you don't even need to walk to the bedroom to use your computer to shop!

Are you a current TiVo video recorder owner that may use this service? Let us know what you think. Is this a good idea or just another way to try to sell, sell, sell!

-itsTripple

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US-based Belkin, a provider of connectivity solutions, has launched “TuneBase FM” or F8Z176qe, meant to be a compact FM transmitter for iPods in the Indian market.

Equipped with ClearScan technology, “TuneBase FM” claims to eliminate the need to manually find a clear FM frequency by doing it automatically for users. It claims to quickly scan and find the best FM frequency to play music from with one push of a button. “TuneBase FM” can also be used in cars.

It features a built-in transmitter that wirelessly connects to the car stereo on multiple FM channels while improved FM transmission delivers crystal clear audio performance to the iPod, the company said. The device also comes equipped with an integrated auto power charger, thus enabling users to charge iPods even while on the move, plus an innovative swivel cradle with integrated antenna, making it easy to place the iPod in the desired listening position.

“TuneBase FM” is compatible with the iPod nano 3G, iPod classic, iPod touch, and other iPod models. It is available for a price of Rs 5,499.

Nokia has introduced two more XpressMusic phones; the 5320 XpressMusic, and the 5220 XpressMusic.

The Nokia 5320 XpressMusic features 3G social entertainment capabilities and offers a new voice-controlled ‘Say and Play’ feature whereby users can merely say the name of their favorite song to automatically play it.

The phone also features dedicated XpressMusic keys and N-Gage gaming keys, a 3.5mm audio jack, up to 24 hours of playback time, and an audio chip for hi-fi sound quality. It integrates a full-featured Internet browser and offers access to Ovi and Nokia Search 4.1 for easy searching and sharing of media content. In addition, it packs a memory slot expandable up to 8GB, HS-USB for fast music transfer, and HSDPA for fast access to data.

The other music handset, the Nokia 5220 XpressMusic is a mid-range phone sporting an asymmetrical design. It promises instant access to music on-the-go and comes with a lanyard for easy carrying around. Additional features of the phone include up to 24 hours playback, dedicated XpressMusic keys, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

Both new handsets are compatible with the recently launched Nokia Music Store, which Nokia claims allows consumers to choose music from a collection of more than 2 million tracks. The 5320 XpressMusic will be priced at around 220 EUR, while the 5220 will retail for about 160 EUR. Both phones are expected to begin shipping in the third quarter of 2008.

Adding to its “green-concern” factor, Dell, which is probably the world’s most environment-friendly computer maker, has announced its foray into the small desktop computer segment.

On ‘Earth Day’ yesterday, at the ‘Fortune Brainstorm Conference’ in Pasadena, California, Michael Dell, chairman of the company, introduced the company’s upcoming smallest (claimed to be) desktop PC.

Dell claims that its yet-to-be-named PC is not only their first smallest but also the most environmentally-responsible consumer desktop PC.

However, the company has not revealed the desktop PC’s hardware specifications. What is known, as per reports, is that this computer will stand on a holder and will be 81 percent smaller than a typical mini-tower desktop and will use up to 70 percent less energy.

It will compete with the likes of Apple’s Mac Mini and Everex’s MyMiniPC size-wise, if not in computing capabilities. To add to form-factor efficacy, this desktop PC from Dell will come in a recycled and recyclable packaging. With regard to the company’s environment protection efforts, Dell was the first in the IT industry to establish a product recycling goal in 2004. It completed the implementation of its global consumer recycling program in 2006.

On World Environment Day 2007, Dell announced its plans to partner with the ReGeneration — people of all ages who care about the environment — to become the “greenest” technology company on the planet. Coming back to Dell’s latest announcement, the company is yet to publicly announce the brand name and pricing of the upcoming product. The company plans to announce these details later this year when it releases the desktop.

Acer Aspire 2920 launched in IndiaAcer, one of the world’s top 3 branded PC vendors, has announced the availability of its latest laptop name Aspire 2920 in the Indian market.

The laptop christened “Aspire 2920″ is part of the Gemstone series, and sports a Ceramic-finish Pearl Grey interior along with a holographic Satin-finish cover.

The notebook is powered by Intel Core 2 Duo mobile processor T9300, and developed especially for professionals and women as it offers high performance mobility. The machine supports mobile GM965 Express chipset and Wireless WiFi Link, Bluetooth network solution.