Digital Trends has posted a review of the Logitech Harmony 720 Remote Control here on their website. One look at the 720 and I can’t help but be reminded of the Logitech Harmony Remote for the Xbox 360. Ok.. so the 720 has a color screen and nicer cursor controls - it still looks kind of the same!! right? From an operational perspective, the 720 is similar to many other Logitech Harmony remotes - configure it on your computer and then watch it go. Other features include:

• Simple one touch activity control
• Help button
• Large color display
• Battery saving rechargeable design
• Support for up to 15 devices

Oh one more thing - if you can’t seem to find the 720 on Logitech’s website, it’s because it’s not there at all. In fact, it does appear that the 720 has morphed into the 785 with the difference being that some of the buttons have been updated (including a row of buttons that might indicate support for the Xbox 360?).

Here’s the verdict from Digital Trends:

If you’re looking for a great middle range universal remote with all the bells and whistles, the Logitech Harmony 720 should be at the top of your list.

[Check it out]

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The folks at the Hardware Zone have posted up their first impressions into the new ASUS F3JM no frills notebook. At first glance, the F3JM is rather welll.. boring looking - especially when compared to many of ASUS’s own notebook models. However, if you care less about looks and care more about performance, this notebook is a keeper. Here are some of the basic specs for the F3JM:

• Intel Core Duo T2300 running at 1.6GHz (although you can get a T2600 at 2.13GHz)
• 15.4 inch TF LCD screen at 1280 x 800
• 1GB of DDR2 memory
• 120GB SATA HDD
• NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 GPU with 512MB
• Realtek HD Audio
• DVD Combo or Super Multi DV+/- RW drive
• Intel PRO/Wireless
• Bluetooth 2.0
• DVI out
• VGA out
• 1.3 megapixel digital camera with built in microphone

Here’s their impression:

The F3JM is without any doubt a no-frills gaming notebook that is able to live up to its promise by delivering where it matters most.

[Check it out]

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The folks at TechPowerUp.com have posted a review of the Logitech MX518 Gaming Grade Optical Mouse here on their website. This ultra high resolution mouse features:

• Dedicated controls to switch in game from pixel precise targeting to fast twitch evasive moves
• Five custom sensitivity settings
• Sculpted thumb support and contoured grip for incredible comfort
• 1600 dpi resolution
• 5.8 megapixel/second image processing
• 15 g acceleration
• Super slick gaming feet for effortless, precise tracking

Here’s the verdict on the $49.99 mouse:

Gaming and general use with this mouse is a pleasure - It’s very comfortable, and doesn’t miss a beat. I’m certainly pleased with it.

[Check it out]

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1. Check out these deals from Apple.com

• Spend $50 at the Apple Store and get FREE GROUND SHIPPING.
• Special Deals - get great prices on limited-time offers at the Apple Store.
• Amazing back-to-school deal for college students at Apple: Buy a Mac, get a free iPod.
• The Apple iMac, new for Education. Starting at $899.
• Get up to $100 back when you buy a Mac and a qualifying printer!

2. Here are various Cambridge Sound Works deals to consider:

• 10% off a purchase of $1000 or more. Excludes:Newton HD, SurroundWorks,CSW Radios, Open Box, B Stock, Clearance, and Megabuys. Regular and sale priced in-stock items only. Cannot be combined with any other offer.
• Save $100 off of any purchase over $750. Excludes:Newton HD, SurroundWork,CSW Radios, Open Box, B-Stock, Clearance, Megabuys, and Creative product. Regular and sale priced in-stock items only. Cannot be combined with any other offer.
• Save 10% on any purchase over $400. Excludes: Newton HD,SurroundWorks,CSW Radios, Open Box, B-Stock, Clearance,and Megabuys. Regular and sale priced in-stock items only. Cannot be combined with any other offer.
• $20 off any purchase of $200 or more. Excludes:Newton HD, SurroundWorks,CSW Radios, Open Box, B-Stock, Clearance,and Megabuys. Regular and sale priced in-stock items only. Cannot be combined with any other offer.
• $10 off any purchase of $100 or more.Excludes: Newton HD, SurroundWorks,CSW Radios, Open Box, B-Stock, Clearance, Megabuys, and Creative product. Regular and sale priced in-stock items only. Cannot be combined with any other offer.

3. With Halloween and Christmas coming up, you know what all this means - shopping for toys! Check out eToys coupons and deals:

• eToys Current Deals & Special Offers
• eToys: FREE Thomas and Friends Toy with Qualifying Orders of $50 or More (see full details, ends 10.2)
• eToys: Cranium Game Deals & Special Offers (See Full Details, While Supplies Last)
• eToys: FREE Standard Shipping on Select Toys & Games (ends 11.23)
• eToys: FREE Standard Shipping on Select HALLOWEEN Costumes (ends 10.23)

4. Here’s a bunch of Sharper Image things going on today:

• Up to 70% off at The Sharper Image Outlet
• Receive $20 off any $100 order
• Receive $20 off any $100 order

5. J & R has a ton of product deals that you should check out. Here are some of them:

• $69.99 - CREATIVE LABS Zen Nano Plus 1GB MP3WMA Player (Dark Blue)
• PALM Wireless Bluetooth $29.88 after $30 MIR - Headset for TREO 650 3206WW (exp. 9-30-06)
• $99.99 - BLUE ANT 091193 Supertooth II Handsfree Bluetooth Speakerphone
• Save $100 on the VIEWSONIC VP2030B LCD Monitor - $399.99 after MIR (exp. 10-28-06)
• $169.99 and FREE Shipping - ALTEC LANSING FX6021 2.1 Speaker System for Computer
• $79.99 after MIR - FUJI FILM FinePix A350 5.2 Megapixel Digital Camera (exp. 10-31-06)
• $269.99 after MIR - VIEWSONIC VX2025wm 20.1 Widescreen LCD Display (exp. 10-01-06)
• $279.99 - SONY STR-DG800 AV Home Theater Receiver
• $56.99 after MIR - LOGITECH 961398-0403 QuickCam for Notebooks Pro (exp. 9-30-06)
• $1199.99 - SAMSUNG 32 inch Wide HDTV with Integrated ATSC Tuner LN-S3251D
• $6.99 DVD sale at JR.com (exp. 10-17-06, while supplies last)
• Save $109 on the LOGITECH Wireless Headphones for MP3 Players - Your Price $39.99
• $24.99 - PNY 1GB SD Secure Digital Memory Card P-SD1G-RF3
• $4.99 - MACALLY IP-P802 Clear Protective Overlay for iPod video
• $4.99 - MACALLY IP-N801 Clear Protective Overlay for iPod Nano

6. Wal-mart deals

• Limited Quantities! Clearance Savings at Walmart.com
• Online Only Specials at Walmart.com
• Online Only Electronics at Walmart.com

7. Overstock.com deals:

• Get your X-Box 360 gear today at Overstock.com!
• Overstock.com Xbox 360 Giveaway!
• Overstock.com Steal O’ The Day!
• Hot Summer Savings. Save 40%-80% at Overstock.com!
• Media Blowout! Items from $1-$4 only at Overstock.com!
• HUGE BLOWOUT on Electronics with savings up to 70%!!
• Digital Camera Clearance! - Save up to 70%!

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PC Magazine has posted a review of the Dell Latitude D420 notebook here on their website. This small and light notebook is pretty much a cross between the Dell Latitude X1 and the Latitude D410. The X1 is known for it’s lightweight demeanor while the D410 is a corporate oriented notebook. So what do you get with the D420? A corporate notebook that is darn light and compact! Here are the major features of the D420 unit reviewed by PC Magazine:

• Intel Core Solo U2500 processor running at 1.2 GHz
• 1GB RAM
• Weight of 3.7 lbs
• 12.1 inch widescreen display
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• 60GB HDD
• 802.11 a/g
• External optical drive

You can configure the D420 with a Core Duo processor but the notebook doesn’t currently have a configuration with the newest Core 2 Duo processor. Oh well! It’d be interesting to see someone pop in a Core 2 Duo processor though! Here’s the verdict from PC Magazine.

The Dell Latitude D420 is the convergence of the Latitude X1 and the D410, and with it, you get more battery life and an integrated cellular modem in a system that (unlike the X1) looks and feels like other Latitudes.

[Check it out]

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Many of you may not have realized this but Warner Home Video actually released “Superman Returns” on DVD in China - months before the planned release on home video here in the US and the rest of the world. Why would they release the movie so much earlier in China? To combat the rampent piracy that exists in that country. Despite the early release of the movie by Warner Home Video, bootleg copies of “Superman Returns” can still be found - usually selling for much less than the real deal and often providing very good video quality.

Superman Returns will not be released here in the US until Nov.28th at a retail price of $28.98 for the single disc edition and $34.99 for the two disc edition. Yet if you happen to be in China, you can purchase the single disc edition for roughly $1.75 and the two disc edition for roughly $2.75. But those darn pirates keep undercutting these prices with pirated versions going for $1.25. Hard to beat that eh? Movie studios hope that by giving consumers an earlier choice between pirated videos and legitimate videos, they will choose the legitimate ones which are a tad more expensive but offer better picture quality and additional content.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Warner Home Video Superman Returns China Piracy

Sling Media has announced three new products to fit the varied needs of their customer base - the Slingbox AV, the Slingbox TUNER, and the Slingbox PRO. What varieties are we talking about exactly? Well Sling Media realized that not everyone has the same needs when it comes to their television recordings. Some people have high end home theater setups with HD components while others have a straight forward set top cable box while others just receive analog cable connections or heck a regular TV antenna! To meet the needs of all these segments, Sling Media decided to segment their devices into three products.

The Slingbox AV and the Slingbox TUNER will each sell for $179.99 while the higher end Slingbox POR will retail for $249.99. The Slingbox PRO will also support an optional HD component accessory called HD Connect which will retail for $49.99.

Here are the specs for the devices:

Slingbox PRO:

• Designed for people with multiple AV devices and with HD requirements
• Includes four sets of AV inputs and outputs which means you can control up to four separte video sources at the same time - you can now access your entire home theater practically from a remote connection
• Supports optional HD component connection for HD set top box customers
• Support for 16:9 displays
• High quality programmable video compression
• Easily connect to digital cable, satellite, DVR
• Also has pass through connections for seamless integration into current A/V environments
• Remote control
• The Slingbox HD Connect is a separate component and includes all the cables necessary to connect HD component video and audio to the Slingbox PRO

Slingbox AV:

• Designed for people who watch standard definition tv using cable boxes, satellite tv’s or DVRs
• The Slingbox AV gives you complete control over your cable box, satellite receiver, or DVR. All controls are made accessible through the SlingPlayer interface
• Watch and control TV from any internet connected PC/Mac/Laptop or Windows Mobile based device
• Widescreen 16:9 support
• High quality programmable video compression
• Does NOT have a built in TV tuner

Slingbox TUNER:

• Ideal for customers who don’t need to connect a set top box or satellite receiver or DVR to the Slingbox and want to be able to view the content from anywhere on the net.
• The Tuner can connect to a basic coaxial connection without a TV present
• This system is ideal for the basic user who just wants to watch TV from wherever they are at.

[Check it out]

(more…)

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Somehow we all knew this was going to happen. When Dell acquired Alienware earlier this year, it was clear that VoodooPC would be the next to go. It wasn’t because these high end computer companies needed to be purchased mind you - they were perfectly fine in their own right. It was because the likes of Dell and HP needed to continue to grow and the best places for growth in the computer industry was in the high end computer market where the likes of Alienware and VoodooPC have thrived.

So yes - it’s no surprise today that HP has announced its acquisition of VoodooPC. Once the deal is closed, HP will form a separate business unit inside the Personal Systems Group focusing entirely on the gaming industry . Voodoo PC co-owner Rahul Sood will become the chief technologist for the unit and the other co-owner, Ravi Sood, will become the unit’s director of strategy.

Don’t expect the VoodooPC label to disappear though - HP plans on maintaining the brand name, company operations and current distribution model. Hey - if it works - why tinker with it? If anything make it more efficient with the efficiencies of HP.

The acquisition is expected to close by November of this year. Unfortunately we don’t get to see how much money was involved in this deal as the terms were not disclosed.

[HP Press Release]

[Check out News.com article]

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Intel announced a contest yesterday at IDF - challenging PC designers and manufacturers to think outside the “beige box”. The contest will award up to $1 million dollars in prizes to those that can design and build the smallest and most stylish home PCs that feature Intel’s Viiv technology platform - a.k.a. multimedia or home theater PCs featuring Intel’s Core 2 Duo processor. Submitted systems will be evaluated on style, acoustics, functionality, and features.

Hey - I’d enter this contest if I had all the supplies necessary to build a cool looking small and quiet home theater system. There’s certainly plenty of ideas in that head of mine.. at least there was earlier today.`

The grand prize winner will win $300,000 to help enable mass production of the winning system and $400,000 for co-marketing activities with Intel. The first place winner will win $300,000 to enable mass production of their winning system.

Applications must be submitted no later than January 15th, 2007 11:59PM PST and systems no later than March 2nd, 2007 11:59PM PST. The winner will be announced at the spring time IDF which will be held on March 20th - 22nd, 2007.

[Check it out]

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Lenovo has announced a fleet of new PC additions to two lines of ThinkCentre desktops - many of which feature Intel’s latest Core 2 Duo processor. The two product lines in question are the ThinkCentre M series and the ThinkCentre A series which are designed for IT departments looking for stability, reliability and easy support. The new PCs include the M55p, M55, M55e, A55, and A53. The real key to these new ThinkCentre PC’s is the ease of system administration via the ThinkVantage Technologies suite which is a boon to IT administrators out there who need to deploy machines in a corporate environment.

Both the ThinkCentre A and M series feature a wide range of processors including the Intel Pentium D, Pentium 4, Celeron D, and the new Core 2 Duo processors.

[Check out the ThinkCentre A systems]

[Check out the ThinkCentre M systems]

(more…)

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