The Windows Home Server Team Blog reports that ASUS will soon be releasing their first Windows Home Server product – the TS Mini Home Server. Powered by a 1.66GHz Intel Atom processor, the TS Mini will come in two flavors – a 500GB system with one empty hard drive bay for $349 and a 1 terabyte system with one empty hard drive bay for$529.

Key unique features of the TS MIni (outside of what you’d get from Windows Home Server) include:

• One year of free 500GB online storage. Backup and synchronize data from  home server to ASUS Web Storage for redundant security
• ASUS exclusive Xtor Manager allows you to directly backup, synchronize, and manage files and folders between external USB and eSATA storage devices and the TS Mini.
• 6 USB ports and 2 eSATA ports
• ASWM Management provides real-time system health monitoring including fans, temperature, disks, drives, network, memory, and processors
• Energy Star 5.0 certified

Specs include:

• Intel Atom N280 processor clocked at 1.66GHz
• 1 memory slot for up to 2GB of memory – comes with 1 GB
• 2 hard drive bays
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Measures 245 x 96 x 204mm and weighs 2.7Kg
• 90W power supply

The TS Mini is available for pre-order now at Amazon.com and at Newegg.com.

[Check it out via Windows Home Server Team Blog, PC Magazine]

Technorati Tags: ASUS TS Mini, Windows Home Server

The Dell Adamo XPS notebook officially went on sale yesterday with a starting price of $1799. At that price you’ll get the following specs on the Adamo XPS:

• Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
• 128GB SSD
• Intel Core 2 Duo SU9400 clocked at 1.4 GHz
• 13.4 inch WLED HD (720p) LCD panel
• 2.0 megapixel camera
• 4GB RAM
• Intel GS45 integrated graphics
• Intel 5300 WLAN 802.11n Wi-Fi
• 20WHr batter
• HD audio 2.0
• Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Module
• Metallic keyboard
• Ethernet Network USB adapter

Interestingly enough, hardware customizations are next to nill as most of the option add-ons are external drives, additional software, and additional batteries. The 40WHr battery will cost you an extra $100 dollars. So in reality, the starting system priced of $1799 is really all you need except for maybe an additional battery. Not too shabby.. though still pricey for most consumers.

As to when it ships – preliminary ship dates show 12/23/2009 – ah… a Christmas gift indeed.

[Check it out via Direct2Dell]

Technorati Tags: Dell Adamo XPS

Now here’s an interesting piece of news, Chinese-language Commercial Times (via DigiTimes) is reporting that Dell has teamed up with Qisda in the development of their MID product lineup which they hope to launch in 2010 in cooperation with AT&T. One can only guess as to what kind of MID this might be in light of the fact that  the company recently announced their first Android-based handset for the Chinese and Brazilian market in the form of the Mini 3.

And speaking of the Mini 3, DigiTimes also reports that Foxconn Electronics is responsible for the production of these handsets. Foxconn will manufacture a 2.75G version of the handset for China and a 3G version for the Brazilian market.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Dell, Mobile Internet Device, MID, Foxconn, Qisda, Mini 3

In need of a new pair of headphones that can effectively block out ambient noise? Check out the new Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7b Quiet Point active noise-cancelling over-ear headphones capable of blocking out approximately 90 percent of environmental noise.

The headphones feature Quiet Point active noise-cancellation technology which makes use of miniature microphones in each earpiece to detect environmental noise. The headphones then apply a sound-cancelling signal against the noise thereby blocking out 90 percent of the ambient noise.

A winner of a CES Innovations 2010 award, the ATH-ANC7b also come with padded earcups, adjustable headband, a 5.2 and 3.3 feet detachable cable, a 1/4 inch adapter, an airline adapter, and finally a hard carrying case.

The Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7b headphones are available for a suggested price of $219.95.

Technorati Tags: Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7b Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Have a need for a portable photo scanner? Want to scan a physical picture, slide or negative into your computer? Well you’ll want to check out Pandigital’s newest scanners – the PhotoLink One-Touch 5×7 Scanner and the PhotoLink Personal Photo Scanner which are a part of the PhotoLink line of scanners. Features of each of the two new scanners are as follows:

PhotoLink One-Touch 5×7 Scanner:

• Scan 5 x7 inch (or smaller) traditional prints onto memory card or directly with PC
• Simply insert photo into the feed area of the scanner and push a single button to begin
• 1800 x 1200 pixel resolution and 600 dpi clarity
• Usable out of the box – no software to install
• Supports SD, MS, MS Pro, MMS, XD cards
• mini-USB port for USB connection
• 512MB SD card included
• Measures a mere 7.5 x 1.75 x 3 inches

PhotoLink Personal Photo Scanner:

• 5 in 1 memory card reader with support for SD, MS, MS Pro, MMC, XD
• Scan slides, negatives, and prints
• Place slide, 35mm negative or photo print (4 x 6 or smaller) into device and push a single button
• Transfer to a memory card or to a PC
• Comes with 512MB SD card
• Image scan at 300 dpi resolution
• Slides or negatives scan at 1200 dpi
• Auto-feed, cropping tools, color balancing, and film-type detection
• Measures 6.15 x 1.8 x 1.5 inches and weighs 0.5 lbs

The PhotoLink One-Touch 5×7 Scanner has an MSRP of $129.99 and is available now while the PhotoLink Personal Photo Scanner has an MSRP of $129.99 and will be available exclusively through QVC through Dec. 5th.

Technorati Tags: Pandigital PhotoLink One-Touch 5x7 Scanner, Pandigital PhotoLink Personal Photo Scanner

Looking for a high speed replacement for that 3.5 inch internal hard drive of yours? You might want to check out OCZ Technology’s new announced Colossus 3.5 inch Solid State Drive (SSD) with storage capacities up to a whopping 1 terabyte. Yup.. 1 terabyte of fast solid state storage.

The Colossus delivers high performance made possible by using an internal RAID 0 architecture. You’ll get read and write speeds up to 260 MB/second with sustained write speeds up to 220 MB/s. Colossus is built using cost-effective multi-level cell (MLC) flash memory which keeps these drives somewhat reasonably priced (at least for enterprises).

The OCZ Colossus will be available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB capacities and has a 1.5 million hour mean time between failures. Other specs include:

• 128MB cache
• < 1 ms seek time
• lightweight aluminum casing

Amazon has the 500GB model available for $1766.99 and the 250GB model available for $1122.99

[Check it out]

[Check out the product page]

Technorati Tags: OCZ Technology Colossus Solid State Drive

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies announces several new 2 terabyte storage drives today including the new SimpleDrive USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive. Features of this new drive include:

• Vertical form factor with a “non-invasive footprint”
• Up to 2TB of storage space
• Plug-and-play support
• Anodized aluminum enclosure keeps the drive cool
• Available in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities

The 500GB has an MSRP of $99.99. The 1TB an MSRP of $129.99 and the 2TB an MSRP of $249.99.

In addition to the SimpleDrive USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive, Hitachi also announced 2 terabyte solutions in the form of :

• SimpleTech Pro Drive with four interface options (USB 2.0 FireWire 400, FireWire 800, and eSATA). 500GB available for $119.99, 1TB for $169.99, and $2TB for $299.99
• SimpleTech Duo Pro Drive – two drives in one supporting RAID 0 or RAID 1. Includes eSATA and USB 2.0 interfaces. 1TB goes for $199.99 while the 2TB goes for $499.
• Hitachi Internal Hard Drive Kits – available in both 5400 and 7200 RPM speeds with up to 32MB cache buffer. The 2TB 7200RPM HDD has an MSRP of $249.99.

Technorati Tags: Hitachi, SimpleDrive USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive

Chinon Corporation announces a complete music and TV solution today with the introduction of the AVi, the industry’s first portable iPod docking station with built-in LCD monitor and digital TV tuner. You’ll be able to view content, listen to music, and watch TV, all from a single docking station.

Features and specs include:

• Combines the look of a retro boom box with a modern rubberized black finish and silver trim
• 7 inch LCD monitor
• AUX input
• ATSC digital TV tuner with AV out
• Built-in telescopic radio antenna
• External telescopic TV antenna
• Digital FM and alarm clock
• Full-function remote
• Plays local TV channels, and content from iPod including music videos, pre-recorded movies, TV shows, and videos
• 3 hour battery life
• Plays and charges iPod at the same time

The AVi can be purchased for $199.99 only at www.chinonusa.com.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Chinon Corporation, AVi iPod docking station

AT&T also announced today the upcoming availability of the LG Shine II handset featuring a stainless steel construction, polished rounded edges, and a 2.2 inch wide mirror LCD. Specs to the Shine II include:

• 2.0 megapixel camera with flash and video recording
• Image editor allows users to resize, crop, rotate, color adjust photos, insert fun frames, and produce mirror effects
• Built-in music player with customizable equalizer, music recognition, and ringtone creator
• Direct-to-device music download capabilities
• Built-in stereo Bluetooth wireless
• Java 2.0 support
• Support for AT&T Navigator

The Shine II will be available starting on November 22nd for $119.99 after a mail-in rebate and a new two year agreement (you’ll receive a $50 dollar AT&T Promotion Card).

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: AT&T, LG Shine II

AT&T announces the upcoming availability of the BlackBerry Curve 8520 smartphone. The Curve 8520 is a compact smartphone with features such as a full QWERTY keyboard, a touch-sensitive trackpad, a built-in media player, and built-in Wi-Fi. Other notable specs include:

• Dedicated media keys
• Email, text, IM, picture messaging
• 320 x 240 resolution display
• 512MHz processor
• 256MB of flash memory
• 2 megapixel camera
• Video recording
• DataViz Documents to Go suite for editing and viewing Microsoft Office documents
• Corporate and personal email support

The BlackBerry Curve 8520 will be available in the coming weeks for a price of $99.99 after a $100 dollar mail-in rebate and a new two year agreement with a minimum $59.99 data plan.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: AT&T, BlackBerry Curve 8520