CNET has published a review of the latest version of the MacBook notebook via CNN.com here. The latest update to the popular entry level notebook was actually from November when Apple introduced the Intel Santa Rosa chipset and bumped up the clock speed of the Intel Core 2 Duo processor to 2.2 GHz. The notebook also comes with the latest OS from Apple which of course is Leopard. Here’s a blurb from CNET:

The latest update, from November 2007, bumped up the top available CPU to a 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, and added Intel’s Santa Rosa platform and slightly better integrated graphics, resulting in a modest boost in performance.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Apple, MacBook, CNET, Review, Santa Rosa

Sony announced yesterday that they would be exiting the rear-projection television business and would focus instead on two technologies - liquid crystal display (LCD) and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technologies for the flat TV market. The company plans to stop production of rear-projection TVs at three plants in Japan and overseas in February.

Sony’s withdrawal from the business follows the withdrawal of Seiko Epson and Hitachi (from the North American market). Demand for rear projection systems have dissipated in recent years as LCD displays have gotten larger and cheaper.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sony, Rear-Projection TV, exit

Since I briefly mentioned the MadCatz Xbox 360 HDMI Conversion Kit, I thought I’d show you the pre-order link over at GameStop. The product has an MSRP of $89.99 and will ship on January 1st 2008. Not much info on the device although EngadgetHD did mention the kit comes with a free HDMI cable and a free optical audio cable. This probably means the kit won’t combine the video and audio into a single HDMI signal (or it could do that and also provide optical audio out as another option). $90 bucks for an HDMI conversion kit eh? It’s either that.. or spend another $300+ bucks for a new Xbox 360 console to replace the old one. *sigh*

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: MadCatz, Xbox 360 HDMI Conversion Kit, Xbox 360

It’s a question I’m sure many of you with older Xbox 360 consoles have long wondered - can I get HDMI output using my older Xbox 360? The question is posed and answered here at GearLog.com. I’m actually one of the many with an older Xbox 360. I would love to upgrade to an HDMI capable 360 but what the heck am I going to do with the existing 360 (I guess I could simply sell it). Why make the move? It’s simple for me - I want devices that support HDMI output. HDMI simplifies cabling which is a boon for anyone with a home theater system. Right now - I have video connected to my Samsung LCD HDTV via VGA and audio is connected to my receiver via optical out. I’d ideally like to route both audio and video to my receiver via HDMI instead - one cable, less headaches. So back to the original question. Is it possible to add HDMI support to an older Xbox 360? Well apparently MadCatz is coming out with an HDMI conversion kit but otherwise.. you might be out of luck.

Going all HDMI will eventually lead me to one major problem - running out of HDMI inputs on my receiver. My Onkyo receiver only supports 2 HDMI inputs so I can either get a newer receiver with more inputs or get myself a standalone HDMI switcher. If I end up getting a Blu-ray player and moving to an HDMI enabled Xbox 360, I will probably need to get a standalone HDMI switcher at some point.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Xbox 360, HDMI, GearLog

HP is looking to strengthen its market position in the PDA and PDA-phone by teaming up with several Taiwanese handset makers. HP recently introduced the iPAQ 112 in South Korea which was produced by Taiwanese based Foxconn Group. The iPAQ 112 features:

• 3.5 inch touch screen display
• Windows Mobile 6 OS
• Marvell PXA310 processor
• Supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0
• MSRP of around $305 dollars

Meanwhile, HP is planning to contract out the production of two new iPAQ phones to Inventec Appliances - the iPAQ 610 and the iPAQ 910. Both the 610 and the 910 support 3.5G and will come out during the first half of 2008.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: HP, iPAQ, 112, 610, 910,

I wish I saw this first hand last week. Apparently the official Blu-ray Association website was hacked on Friday to have traffic re-directed to the HD DVD website. While certainly not funny to Blu-ray officials, I’m sure at least one or two HD DVD followers got a chuckle out of this.

[Check it out via GearFuse]

Technorati Tags: Blu-ray, HD DVD

PC Magazine has published a glowing review of the Epson PictureMate Zoom here on their website. The PictureMate Zoom is a compact photo printer with an integrated DVD reader and CD-RW burner. With the Zoom, you can print out photo quality 4×6 inch prints from digital images stored on multimedia cards, digital cameras, USB flash drives or on CDs/DVDs. You can also use the integrated CD burner to archive images found on digital cameras, multimedia cards, or flash drives. Specs of the PictureMate Zoom include:

• Advanced MicroPiezo optimized for photo printing
• 90 nozzles x 4
• 4 color dye
• Max resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi
• 4 x 6 inch prints in as fast as 37 seconds
• Supports CF Type I/II, SD, SDHC, MMC, Memory Stick, Microdrive (type M/H), and xD-Picture Card
• USB connection
• Supports PIF, Exif Print
• Measures 9.1 x 6.5 x 9.9 inches and weighs 6.6 lbs

Here’s the verdict from PC Magazine:

The Epson PictureMate Zoom archives photos to disc and prints an index sheet for reference. It also prints high-quality 4-by-6-inch photos at warp speed.

Yes.. that’s definitely good enough for their “Editor’s Choice” award.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Epson, PictureMate Zoom

ASUS has announced their latest addition to their ultra-portable notebook lineup in the form of the ASUS U2 notebook. Featuring an Intel Core Duo processor and an 11.1 inch LCD display with LED backlighting, the U2 should  appeal to road warriors out there looking for decent power in a small mobile package. Features of the ASUS U2 include:

• Intel Core Duo ULV U7500 processor
• 11.1 inch 1366 x 768 resolution LCD display with LED backlighting
• Intel 802.11 a/g/n wireless
• Windows Vista OS
• Up to 4GB of RAM
• 80 or 120 GB HDD
• Optional 32 GB SSD
• Three USB 2.0 ports
• VGA and micro-DVI output
• Ethernet ports
• Integrated webcam
• Optional fingerprint reader
• Measures 1.1 inches thick and weighs only 2.76 lbs
• Hand-polished stainless steel frame
• Copper etch detailing
• Premium leather

No word on price but I’ll try and find out more about the U2 at CES 2008.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: ASUS, U2

It’s the day after Christmas, and we’re all bound to have one or two gifts that we’re not entirely thrilled with. Well, you can now put those gifts to good use AND get yourself a new cool bag from Crumpler too - that is if you’re living in New York City. Crumpler is allowing you to “regift” your gifts by bringing any unopened gifts (or gifts that have not been owned for a long time) to two Crumpler store locations in the city (SoHO and West Village) on Saturday January 5th between 11:30 to 7:30. In exchange, Crumpler will give you 40 percent off any messenger bag, laptop bag, camera bag, or backpack. Crumpler will take your gifts (make sure they’re in their original packaging and rewrapped!) and donate them to the Salvation Army. Personally, I think it’s an awesome deal. Crumpler bags are generally pricey but they’re also great bags. I’ve had this one Crumpler bag for approximately 6 years now and it’s practically in new condition still! If you’re a lover of messenger bags, Crumpler is definitely a brand you’ll want to check out (if you haven’t already) - plus you get to help out a good cause with some gifts that you .. well quite frankly probably won’t use.

Store Locations in NYC:

January 5th from 11:30 am to 7:30pm.

SoHo:

45 Spring St.

212-334-9391

West Village:

49 8th Ave

212-242-2537

[Via CrunchGear]

Technorati Tags: Crumpler, Regift

OK.. this is a totally random post. I saw the trailer for the upcoming movie Cloverfield and I just had to share it here on Krunker.com. Here’s the plot outline for those of you unfamiliar with Cloverfield:

Five young New Yorkers throw their friend a going-away party the night that a monster the size of a skyscraper descends upon the city. Told from the point of view of their video camera, the film is a document of their attempt to survive the most surreal, horrifying event of their lives.

Technorati Tags: Cloverfield