Gadgety News

Soo Loos.

Wasn’t she the pig botherer on that ‘celebrity’ reality farm thingy?

Never mind.

This Sooloos is prepared to drag you away from your Sonos media hub.

After getting the details I have to admit I’m adding this system to my ‘If I Had The Cash I’d Buy One’ list.

Sooloos has matched a great server interface with ear-loving compression free audio. Yup, all of your music is stored at optimum-quality Flac for playback through your hi-fi.

You can tell the market that this aimed at when you discover that the system can be sent to 100 rooms (or you can give all your neighbours a treat in the highrise!).

Sooloos are a helpful bunch as they even offer to preload your system with the first 2500 CDs in your collection for free so once you’re hooked up you can play - to add to that the system will also make a 192kbps MP3 file of the same tunes for transferring to your iPod.

Nice

The Control:One control hub looks pretty clean and intuative and centres around the 17in touchpanel that displays all you need to drive the system. It is also the point that houses the CD drive for ripping discs.

You can also port the interface on to your iPod Touch or iPhone!

Control:One links via Ethernet to Source:One which is pretty much the preamp and hooks up to your hi-fi like a seperate CD player, etc.

Then there’s the bit where all of your tunes live. Store:One.

It looks like it is advised that you have 2 of these: One for the choonz and the other as a backup.

The storage seems to come in 1TB chunks which is able to hold 2500 albums in Flac.

Up to 3TB can be installed in each mirrored pair (7200 albums in total) and you can continue to add Store:Ones.

As you can imagine this is not budgety basement stuff and in this current crunchy climate the price may send most of you running shrieking the anthem of “HOW MUCH!!!???!!” but, as I’ve already said, if I had the money………..£11,2700 worth I’d probably be ordering one right now.

There has been plenty of chat about a tablet-style device from Apple for a number of years.

It has actually got to the point that people were fed up of waiting so they ended up making and selling one and called it the ModBook!

But Christmas 2009 could finally see a fully legit Apple tablet:  The iPad.

Ok, we now have our feet firmly planted in Rumourville, Hypetown and Hearsay City but those folks over at TechCrunch claim that:

‘three independent sources close to Apple’ have confirmed details of a prototype device to them.

From what I gather this iPad is likely to be a large-sized iPod Touch sporting either a 7 inch or 9 inch screen.

It will obviously have access to the iTunes app store with iTunes and a Safari web browser.

TC also add that prototypes have been ‘handled’ by those sources and that Apple is now in discussions in Asia about mass production.

Still, TechCrunch doesn’t say this is an absolutely guaranteed happening:

“I’m not saying Apple is definitely launching a large form iPod Touch.”

As with all rumored Apple products, we’ll see it when we see it, probably 12 hours before it’s actually announced (if it ever is) courtesy of Mr/Miss/Mrs Blurry Cam.

So, for now, file this under ‘believe it when I see it’ and wait for those ’spy shots’.

TechCrunch

If you’re a Metal Gear Solid fan you’ve probably seen the teaser campaign.

If you’re an XBox 360 owner, however, you may be confused when you see that the next MGS fix is coming out on the iPhone (I’m guessing that the iPod Touch will also be able to rock this as well).

It has been pencilled for release in Spring, 2009.

Metal Gear Solid Touch is an original game, not a port-over, that will feature the world and characters of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.

It will start with eight stages and Konami promises that more will be made available later on (for download I assume).

There’ll also be freebies in the form of images and wallpapers which are gained by earning points from playing the game.

You’ve probably already worked out that the game will be controlled by touchscreen, which Konami claims will make it

“simple for anyone to move their alignment or switch to zoom mode.”

Konami also announced a number of other iPhone releases including Dance Dance Revolution S Lite, Silent Hill: The Escape and Frogger, which are all due for release shortly.

What strikes me is that with such big names designing for the iPhone is the time up for the likes of the DS and PSP? 

What do you reckon?

Konami via Kotaku

The N7010 is pretty much a full featured laptop with its 2.26 GHz Core 2 Duo Processor, 16-inch 16:9 LCD, Blu-ray ROM drive and HDMI-out.

It also packs up to 4GB RAM, 256 MB ATI HD 3470 video card, SD card reader, 1.3 MP Camera, eSATA port, Bluetooth, 802.11N wi-fi and hard drives come as big as 320 GB.

Nice but nothing outstanding - so why have it on this wonderful blog?

Well - look at the pic a bit closer my friends…………go on - click the pic to make it easier for yourself!

The cool part about the Lifebook N7010 is the 4-inch, 480×272 pixel touchscreen integrated into the keyboard area.

It works as an application launcher, but according to Fujitsu’s Paul Moore, you can use it as a second (really teeny-small) screen, with the ability to drag whatever you want down to the second screen like any other external monitor.

Aside from the app launcher, its intended to be used as a CD/DVD control panel, or as a photo viewer.

This groovy feature is considered to be an industry first for laptops but it probably is worth noting that it isn’t connected in any way to Windows Vista Sideshow.

The N7010 will begin shipping on November 10 and will start at $1500 on the Fujitsu website.

Fujitsu

I downloaded this yesterday while it is still free

iTalk is a new sound recording app for iPhone, iPhone 3G, and 2nd generation iPod touch.

This natty little app allows you to create one-touch, high-quality recordings which can be transferred over to your Mac or PC.

You’ll need to download the iTalk app from the iTunes App Store and whack it onto your iPhone/iPod touch for the recoding/playback bit while the buddy prog, iTalk Sync, runs on your computer to transfer recordings from iPod or iPhone for editing and sharing. 

iTalk Sync connects to your iPod touch or iPhone wirelessly via your local Wi-Fi network, with recordings saved as high-quality AIFF files, playable in iTunes and most other media players.

I’ve only had a quick play around with it and the quality sounds pretty good for a free app - handy for a quick recording of a riff before I forget it or a melody line that comes to me on the bus or tube - it happens!

Griffin’s iTalk is free for a limited time, and is now available at the iTunes App Store.

iTalk Sync is now available as a free download at www.italksync.com.

Grab it while it’s hot (and free!).

Some more limited edition greatness in time for Halloween - this time in the form of some portable speakers.

The “Headphonies” iPod speakers range includes 5 figures created by several artists (including Frank Kozik), and 2 blank versions that you can decorate yourself.

I wouldn’t expect fantastic definition from these arty speakers but those who have heard it claim that the sound is “surprisingly good.”

Each viny toy speaker collectable will be sold in 500 to 1000 limited quantities starting on November 30th.

Unlike most collectables (I collect vintage Rado watches if you want to treat me ) these are a more than reasonable $30 apiece.

Headphonies via SpankyStokes via Ubergizmo

There’s a new player in the crowded Smart Phone party.

Velocity Mobile has been formed as a joint venture with laptop manufacturer Inventec and is based right here in the UK.

Their formula is the straight forward combo of “Western design expertise with Eastern manufacturing efficiencies“.

Their 2 offerings, the 103 and 111 have a lot to live up to.

The Velocity Mobile 111 is the new company’s first QWERTY phone, and it will feature the updated Windows Mobile interface found on its touchscreen cousin, the Velocity Mobile 103.

The slim, black Velocity 103 lacks the QWERTY board but it throws in a full touch screen.

Velocity has borrowed a trick from HTC’s Touch, and extending the touch sensitivity just a bit off screen so those tiny menu buttons at the bottom are easier to hit.

The 103 has Smart Phone cred as it packs 3G HSDPA, Wi-Fi and GPS navigation, 256MB of internal memory, 128MG of RAM, Bluetooth 2.0, a 2 megapixel camera, Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, Wi-Fi, TV out, and a microSD card slot.

This is all very well but it’s the pricing that will be the main factor.

Expect to see it on store shelves by October 2008.

Cnet

Well, as we’ve all survived the Large Hadron Collider being started let’s have a look at the new iPod Touch.

Jobsy says that it still ”has the same gorgeous 3.5-inch display”, but is even thinner, has built-in speakers, better artwork on albums and videos and an inbuilt app store are all being added.

But the killer thing is that it will feature Nike+ support, which has the receiver built in, meaning the user just needs a transmitter for their shoe, and off you’re go - measuring all those pies ‘n’ pastries that you’re burning off.

You’ll obviously get the new Genius support.

“You could make a pretty good argument that the iPod Touch is the best device to play games on”, Jobs goes on to say………………..MMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmk.

A new software update will be launching this week, “2.1 software update is a big update” according to Jobs.

It does sound pretty fab. The battery life is improved, iPhones won’t crash, backing up to iTunes is “dramatically faster”, all available this Friday, for free for iPhone owners.

iPod Touch users however, have to pay $9.99.

The new iPod Touch will cost £169 for the 8GB model, £219 for the 16GB model and £289 for the 32GB model. They’re available now.

Shame that they forgot to put in GPS though :(  Now, would that have hurt so much Mr Jobs?
Apple

Great news!

Spore Origins! for the iPhone - It’s here!!

A little after I thought but what’s a few days?

Bad news!

As of yet I can’t see it in the UK app store

It’s $10 in the US though……..

~waits some more~

On the plus side, however, it is available to buy and download (officially and not via Torrents) for your puter.

U P D A T E ! ! !

It’s there for Uk’ers - £5.99 is the small price to pay

Update part 2

It’s tooooooooooooo addictive!

Using the accelerometer to move around is a master stroke.

Looks like the new iPods will come on September 9 just as expected.

Apple have sent out invites (mine got lost in the post again it seems) for the event that is taking place at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater in San Francisco at 10:00 a.m.

No prizes for guessing that this event is going to be centered around the iPod but doesn’t Apple usually try to spring something on us? Or, at least, keep us guessing?

I’m feel lost and a little frightened…………..Mummy, why are they being up-front with everything??  I don’t like it!!

By the sounds of things Apple are refusing to rest on their laurals as “No. 1 digital Music Retailer”.

There are plans afoot for a more interactive element to the digital albums.

The first artist to take advantage of this is Snow Patrol who are set to release their latest studio offering next month.

According to a Polydor production manager, the downloadable, “interactive” application (could this be why there’s going to be an iTunes 8?) will offer additional content such as artwork, behind-the-scenes images, and lyrics for iPhone and iPod touch owners.

“A digital booklet that will take you into the videos and content.”

This is very interesting indeed - especially if this is merely one of the new features that iTunes 8 is going to bring.

More news as I get it.

MacWord UK

Everyone of a certain age that marvelled at the 3D projected scene in the first screened Star Wars film have longed to see a mini Princess utter those immortal words, “Help me Obi-wan Knobe, You’re my only hope” in real life.

Well, if you have an iPhone it’s about to become a reality (well, kinda).

iHologram has been created for the iPod Touch and iPhone by designer David O’Reilly.

The application apparently gives the viewer the idea that the graphic is a 3D hologram jumping off the screen.

“The application works by assuming a constant viewing angle (35-45 degrees), typical for when the device is placed on a tabletop. The 3d scene’s perspective is warped using anamorphosis, the same technique used in Hans Holbein’s painting The Ambassadors. This application does the exact same but updates dynamically”, says O’Reilly.

Using the iGadget’s acceleromter, the software calculates rotation on the y-axis, so we can look around the environment around by turning the device, there are also controls for manual rotation with a slider on the left-hand side of the screen.

O’Reilly is currently looking for developers to help him further the project - frankly I NEED THIS APP!!!


Sprint to the link - Davidoreilly.com

Apple has released the latest update for the iPhone - version 2.0.2.

Apparently this is to fix problems that some folks have reported with reception of 3G.

Once you hook up to iTunes users of the iPhone 2.0 software and iPod Touch 2.0 software are recommended to download the latest update.

So, what is it for?  What is it going to “fix”?

“This version of the software includes the following improvements and supersedes all previous versions”, Apple says before citing said improvements as merely:  “Bug fixes”

So, what are these “bugs” that have prompted these “fixes”?

Is it purly for the reception problems that supposedly affects 2% of iPhone users?

Do you have an iPhone 2.0 that was experiencing problems?

Are they fixed after the update?

I’d be interested to hear from you :0)

I love the screen on my iPhone.

It’s great for browsing and pretty sweet for films and stuff.

But, if you’re wanting to share the optical love it can get a little crowded.

Up steps the projector dock from Honlai Technology.

It’s obviously going to be larger than the official iPhone/iPod Touch USB dock but compared to other video projectors it’s still compact.

While the 640×480 image resolution is understandable, the ANSI brightness rating is a less-than-fantastic 10-15 lumens with a contrast ratio of just 200:1.

That translates into a projected image that’s roughly 15 to 27 inches in size but it’s not going to wow as far as definition is concerned.

There is also a mini AV jack allowing you to connect other devices as well as a set of 2W speakers for stereo sound.

No idea about release or cost as yet.

QingBar MP101 Mini Projector Dock

It’s time to outgeek those that think a GPS/DVD/CD/Mp3 player in the car is the height of in-car tech.

Check out the KNGT icom MK1 which gives you on-the-road multi-media web browsing a-go-go!

Granted, it will work better in its native home of Korea as they must have better wireless coverage than in the average British town - or even some British cities for that matter!

If we were better wi-fi equiped as a nation what could you expect from this little box of tricks?

In essence it’s a dash-based PC with 6.95-inch touchscreen, on-screen keyboard, Wi-Fi, net-based navigation, digital TV, up to 80GB of storage and 2GB of RAM, USB ports, 1.6GHz Intel CPU and a Windows XP operating system.

As for trying to watch that amusing YouTube clip whilst navigating a UK ‘B’ road probably isn’t best attempted - still it’ll be safer than the Multi-Media Scooter!!!

KNGT (via AVING)

Let me introduce you to the very cool (if not a little scary) world of Augmented reality (AR).

This is the combination of virtual worlds and reality and could lead to extremely useful applications in navigation systems, medicine, architecture and many other fields.

Geisha Tokyo Entertainment Inc. [JP] now found a way to help all single Otaku get one step closer to their dreams…………..

Their salvation from loneliness comes in the diminutive form of “Dennou Figure ARis”, or “Cyber Figure Alice” in English.

Buyers will receive the AR software, 2 cybersticks and 2 cybercubes.

Put one of the cubes in front of the computer, point a webcam at it and the screen will display a 3D image of Alice standing on top of the cube - all cute and innocent so far.

Using the cyber sticks they can go on to “touch”, caress and (of course)  “peep” at their new girl friend. It is even possible to undress Alice and change her clothes………ah.  There goes the innocent bit then!

This will go on sale in Japan starting in the Autum.

Taking into consideration that there’s probably not a lot of dialogue to be translated, chances are that “Cyber Figure Alice” will be soon offered by American and European web shops that specialise in Otaku products as well.

Via CrunchGear

Word on the blogosphere is that Apple is a bit miffed at us here in Blighty and our propensity to unlock iPhones so they’re going to limit supplies of the iPhone 3G

Toys/Pram mean anything to ya?

ElectricPig reports that a source has said that ” Some are suspected of being sold abroad, while the majority are unlocked for use on other networks in the UK.”

The source goes on to say that the UK will receive a “very limited stock” of the iPhone 3G as a result, especially the 16GB model, which could go some way to explain the “one per customer” rationing.

It also sounds like we might be spanked further by way of not getting the white version (displayed here).

Next step is that all UK Apple Stores will include a ‘naughty bench’ for us to sit on and think of what we’ve just done. Just kiddin.

Or am I?

Do you think that this is fair?

If you love all this social networking carry-on you’ll probably know FriendFeed.

FriendFeed is a social network feed aggregator and links up various sites so you can keep an eye on who’s poking who and when the next club night that everyone is going to is happening.

FriendFeed has now released a new version of its site optimised for the iPhone.

FriendFeed was known for having a basic/uncluttered design but the standard version was difficult to read due to tiny fonts.

This new version has increased the font size, and has further tweaked link placement and picture sizes to make the site more accessible to mobile users.

Rah!

The site also includes a new “Post photos from your phone” link that will let users submit photos to FriendFeed straight from their iPhone.

Each user is assigned a unique email address (e.g. Jay+fake666addy@mail2ff.com).

To submit a picture you send a snap from photos chosen from the iPhone’s integrated photo viewer to the assigned address.

The only draw back I can see so far is that you have to tap in the email address each time.

There’s no obvious way to save the addy to your address book - if you know different please share!

The official announcement can be found here.

Fancy tinkling in your jeans pocket?

Well to avoid embarrasment you could do with iAno or Pianist as it is more recently known.

Don’t expect a full keyboard - the iPhone aint THAT big!

What you do get is five key polyphony so you can rattle off Cmaj9s and such thanks to its multi-touch screen.

There’s even soft and sustain pedals or una corda and sostenuto pedals for those more in the know.

via Electric Pig

EuroTech have just launched their new iPod docking station, the movieCENTER.

As the name suggests you can connect your iPod to the dock and then get your iPod content through your stereo or TV.

They claim that the device incorporates

“powerful processing technology that transforms iPod movies and music into a more realistic and immersive experience”.

This technology includes:

• TruBass processing for subwoofer like performance from ordinary stereo or TV speakers.
• Dialog Clarity tool that creates a virtual center speaker “that lets you hear even the quietest whisper in crystal clear detail no matter how much background action there is“
• There is also a tool to process surround sound.

The movieCENTER comprises a compact black dock and remote control, a shielded audio cable with gold-plated connectors, component and composite video outputs and a USB input.

The Xitel movieCENTER is available in the UK now for £59.99.