First off - I apologize for this posting. It has nothing to do with the latest in technology or consumer electronics .. but dang it – it’s a blast from the past. What we have here is an eBay auction for a reproduction of the KITT (or Knight Industries Two Thousand) car from Knight Rider. What really impresses me is the level of detail that the owner put into the car. From the outside to the inside, this is a true KITT lookalike. Unfortunately you probably won’t find the “Turbo Boost” feature on this car.. but come on now – how cool would you be taking this car for a ride down Sunset Blvd?? Heh.. ok maybe you won’t be THAT cool but this will surely make the Hoff proud.

Oh yes – the eBay auction ended with 0 bids.

[Check it out via Autoblog]

Technorati Tags: KITT, Knight Industries Two Thousand, eBay auction

I mentioned yesterday that Lenovo had introduced a new small form factor desktop PC called the ThinkCentre A55 SFF. Unfortunately at the time, we didn’t have detailed specs nor a picture to post. Well thanks to one of our readers, we now have that handy!

The following are specs provided by James (many thanks for the pic and specs!)

A55 Small Form Factor

9636, 9638, 9640, 9641

Processor

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor or

Intel Pentium D Processor or

Intel Pentium 4 Processor with HT Technology or

Intel Celeron D Processor

Preloaded operating system

Genuine Windows Vistaâ„¢ Business 32

Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic 32

Genuine Windows XP Professional

Genuine Windows XP Home

Video graphics (integrated)

Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000

Core chipset

Intel 946GZ Express

Memory/max capacity

DDR 667 MHz (PC2-5300) or

DDR 533 MHz (PC2-4200)/4GB

Hard disk drive

80GB, 160GB, 250GB or

500GB (7200 rpm) Serial ATA

Optical drive (full-size)

CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, DVD/CD-RW

Combo or DVD Recordable

Audio (integrated)

AD 1986 HD;

Rear audio: line in, line out,

Front audio: mic in, headphone out

Internal speaker

Security features

Client Security Solution (Software)

Connectivity (integrated)

Gigabit

Expansion

2 slots x 3 bays

Dimensions

87.5×310x358mm (3.3×12.2×14.1″)

Ports

6 USB 2.0 (2 front-access), 1 serial (second serial

optional), 1 parallel, PS/2® mouse/keyboard, VGA

Keyboard

Preferred Pro PS/2 Full Size Keyboard, Preferred

Pro USB Full Size Keyboard, Preferred Pro USB

Fingerprint Keyboard, Enhanced Performance

USB Keyboard or Enhanced Performance Wireless

Keyboard and Mouse

Mouse (varies by model)

USB Optical Wheel Mouse (400DPI)

USB ScrollPoint Optical Mouse (800DPI)

You can find the original post here.

Technorati Tags: Lenovo, ThinkCentre A55 SFF, Small Form Factor PC

We just got word that iLuv would be launching the new iLuv i182 video recording dock next week which will allows users to easily record real time video content for portable video players like the Apple iPod.  The iLuv i182 is designed to record from a variety of A/V sources as long as they have either an S-Video connector or a composite video connector.

The iLuv i182 is designed for ease of use. There are only two buttons on the device – one button adjusts the recording timer (in recording times of 30, 60, 120, or 180 minutes) while the second button controls the video recording start/stop operations.  You can record up to 640 x 480 at 2.5 MBps for the Apple iPod or 720 x 480 at 5 Mbps for other portable media players.

What’s particularly cool about the iLuv i182 is it’s ability to record video directly onto portable media players like the Apple iPod. Simply dock the iPod with the iLuv i182 and use the built in hard drive of the iPod as the destination location of recorded content. iLuv comes with an external iLuv adapter which allows users to plug in devices such as the Sony PSP, Memory Stick cards, Memory Stick DUO cards, MMC cards, SD cards, Portable Media Players, or USB storage devices.

Here are some of the specs:

The iLuv i182 records in MPEG-4 ASP

For the iPod with video, the iLuv i182 supports

• 416 x 240 @ 512 kbps / 768 kbps / 1 Mbps / 1.5 Mbps
• 640 x 480 @ 1.5 Mbps / 2.5 Mbps

For the PSP, you get:

• 320 x 240 @ 384 kbps / 512 kbps / 768 kbps
• 400 x 192 @ 384 kbps / 512 kbps / 768 kbps

For other devices, you can get:

• 640 x 480 @ 768 kbps / 2 Mbps / 4 Mbps
• 720 x 480 @ 2 Mbps / 3 Mbps / 5 Mbps

The new iLuv i182 will be available starting in March for a price of $229.99.

Stay tuned for the official press release next week.

Technorati Tags: iLuv, iLuv i182 Video Recording Dock, Apple iPod, Portable Media Players, Sony PSP, PMP

Looking for a small form factor PC from a big brand name? Well now you can add Lenovo to the picture as they’ve announced the new ThinkCentre A55 SFF desktop PC which will feature the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Microsoft’s Windows Vista OS. Although we don’t have pictures of the new desktop as of yet, we do know from Lenovo that the A55 SFF is 64 percent smaller than the standard Lenovo tower system and 25 percent smaller than their standard small desktop PC. 

Specs are a bit scarce at the moment so stay tuned for additional information and of course pictures. What we do know is that Lenovo will begin selling the ThinkCentre A55 SFF sometime in February with a starting price of around $579.

[Check it out]

(more…)

No Tags

In addition to the new Satellite P105 models, Toshiba introduced a variety of new notebooks featuring Microsoft’s new Windows Vista OS. The highlight of the announcement was the launch of the signature notebook computer – the Toshiba Portege R400 which was designed in collaboration with Microsoft.  The R400 is the world’s first notebook to feature Microsoft’s Active Notifications  which allows you to synchronize your email or your calendar events whether the notebook is on or in suspend mode. You’ll then be able to see your synchronized content on the Toshiba “Edge” display which acts as a Personal Information Assistant.

Features of the R400 include:

• Intel Core Duo processor
• Up to 2GB of memory
• Windows Vista
• Widescreen XGA LED Backlight Display with high brightness and wide view angle
• 1280 x 800 resolution
• 80GB HDD
• Bluetooth 2.0
• Verizon EV-DO support
• WiFi support

The new Portege R400 is available now.

The following are new systems available as of now:

• Satellite A135 featuring 15.4-inch diagonal WXGA widescreen display (ESUP starting at $899.99)
• Satellite P105 with 17-inch diagonal WXGA widescreen display and external USB TV tuner (ESUP starting at $1,599)
• Satellite P105 gaming notebook with 17-inch diagonal WXGA widescreen display and NVIDIA’s GeForce Go 7900 GS Graphics Card (ESUP starting at $1,999.99)

The following system will be available starting on Feb 6th.

• Satellite U205 ultra-portable notebook with 12.1-inch diagonal WXGA widescreen display (ESUP starting at $1,299)

And finally, the following will be available in Q1 of this year.

• Qosmio G35 audio-video notebook with integrated HD DVD-R optical drive

[Check out the R400]

(more…)

Technorati Tags: Toshiba, notebooks, Portege R400, Windows Vista, Signature Series Notebook

Toshiba introduced two new additions to their Satellite P105 line of notebooks today – the Satellite P105-S9337 and the Satellite P105-S9339. Both models feature the new Windows Vista OS and offer features such as the Intel Core 2 Duo processor, NVIDIA GeForce Go 7900GS graphics, DVI-D output, S/P DIF audio output, and Bluetooth 2.0 support. Let’s go into the specifics now.

Satellite P105-S9337 specs:

• Intel Core 2 Duo processor running at 2GHz
• 2GB of memory
• Windows Vista Ultimate
• 17 inch Widescreen XGA display with TruBrite technology (1440 x 900)
• 200GB HDD
• DVD-SuperMulti drive (+/-R double layer)
• Bluetooth 2.0
• V.92 modem
• Type II PC Card slot
• ExpressCard slot
• TV out (S Video)
• 7.1 lbs

Satellite P105-S9339 specs:

• Intel Core 2 Duo processor running at 2GHz
• 2GB of memory
• Windows Vista Home Premium
• 17 inch Widescreen XGA display with TruBrite technology (1440 x 900)
• 200GB HDD
• DVD-SuperMulti drive (+/-R double layer)
• Bluetooth 2.0
• V.92 modem
• Type II PC Card slot
• ExpressCard slot
• TV out (S Video)
• 7.1 lbs

(more…)

Technorati Tags: Toshiba, Satellite P105-S9337, Satellite P105-S9339, P105, Intel Core 2 Duo

Here’s some product news for NevoSL owners out there. Universal Electronics has announced that their NevoSL universal controller is now compatible with iMerge’s SoundServer S3000 hard disk audio system. In fact, nearly all of the S3000 models are now compatible with the remote control. Thus, if you have a NevoSL controller, you’ll be able to play and interact with nearly every feature on the S3000 – all from the comfort of the palm of your hand.

Here’s a refresher course on the NevoSL. It’s basically a universal remote designed to control all of your entertainment and media devices. It’s got a built in IR database to handle all sorts of devices big and small. There’s even Wi-Fi connectivity allowing you to control digital media content. Check out the website for additional information.

Meanwhile, the iMerge SoundServer S3000 is basically just that – a central digital audio server for your home. You can connect PCs or Macs to the S3000, present music content right up on a television screen, and output different media content simultaneously to different users/audiences.

[Check it out]

(more…)

Technorati Tags: Universal Electronics, NevoSL, iMerge, SoundServer S3000

WINDOWS VISTA IS HERE. WINDOWS VISTA IS HERE.

OK – there I said it. Let’s move on right? Well not so fast folks! I thought it would be neat to list out all the different articles and reviews about Windows Vista found today on the net. So to all of you adoring Windows fans and users, let’s go over the major highlights.

Vista launch articles:

• Vista’s actual launch? Think whisper, not bang (News.com)
• Hundreds line up in Tokyo for Windows Vista (PC World)
• A Tale of Two Launch Events – Windows Vista Launch Event Photo Galleries
• What’s in the Vista swag bag (News.com)
• Vista Launch a Late-Night Yawn (Wired.com)

Vista specific articles:

• Experts – Don’t buy Vista for the security (News.com)
• Microsoft Windows Vista Review (PC Magazine)
• Microsoft Answer ‘Vista OEM’ Questions (PC Magazine)
• First Vista PC Tests (PCWorld)
• Windows Vista: 15 Reasons to Switch
• Microsoft talks up Vista security in DC (InfoWorld)
• Microsoft will change Vista to meet EU requirements (InfoWorld)
• Windows Vista Ultimate Edition Review (EliteBastards)
• Vista Performance/Gaming Mini Article (Firing Squad)
• Predictions for Windows Vista (Wired.com)

Finally - one more thing. Bill Gates appeared on the Daily Show last night and you can view the interview over at YouTube. The interview itself was simply hilarious. Here are two statements that nearly had me rolling over (about Vista)

Jon Stewart: What if I don’t know how to  use it?

Bill Gates: Call me

No Tags

Blu:sens has a new music player out called the G14. Now what makes the G14 interesting is the fact that it has built in Bluetooth support (A2DP profile) and WiFi connectivity. According to OhGizmo, the G14 allows you to share music wirelessly and doesn’t hobble things with DRM protection. Pretty nifty. Unfortunately, I can’t verify this directly since the product page doesn’t actually meantion this but if this is true, the G14 will have one-upped the Microsoft Zune easily.

Other specs include:

• Support for MP3, WMA, OGG, JPEG, MPEG4
• 2 inch LCD TFT screen with 256 K colors
• FM radio and voice recording
• 20 hour playback
• Free access to Blu:sens blu:generation platform

[Check it out via OhGizmo]

Technorati Tags: Blu:sens, G14, WiFi, MP3 player

OMG – this USB key nearly had me rolling over in laughter this past weekend. It’s a teddy bear shaped USB key that’s slightly sadistic. The design of the key makes it look like the teddy bear was jammed right into the computer. Hilarious!

The flickr page is in Spanish but I was able to machine translate the text to get a feel for what the owner did. He basically took a USB flash key; attached it to a teddy bear and presented it to his girlfriend. Hilarious.

[Check it out via GearLive]

Technorati Tags: USB Flash Key, Flash Drive, USB, Teddy Bear