Toshiba has a new 720p HD camcorder coming out called the Camileo H10. The camcorder is designed to store captured video on SDHC cards (with support for up to 8GB cards) as the device only has 64MB of internal memory. Other features include 5x optical zoom lens, 4x digital zoom, 10 megapixel CCD sensor, a 2.7 inch TFT LCD display, a Night Mode for shooting in low light conditions, image stabilization technologies, and an HDMI connector. The Camileo H10 will supposedly be available at the end of the month for around $359 (which seems like an awfully low price to me so don’t kill me if the price is actually higher than this).

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Toshiba Camileo H10 HD Camcorder

ExtremeTech ran an interesting article comparing the new VIA Nano processor against the Intel Atom processor here on their website. Both processors (and their respective platforms) are geared towards mobile devices aiming to deliver good performance, good battery life, and low heat dissipation. Since the Intel Atom supports hyper-threading one would assume that the Atom would do better than the Nano at multi-process/multi-threaded oriented benchmarks.. and guess what? It does. However, benchmarks that are single-threaded show the performance to be somewhat of a wash between the two processors. Ultimately what the deciding factor might boil down to is the power consumption of these processors – with the Nano and it’s platform consuming slightly more than the Atom and it’s platform. Of course, having been manufactured on a 45nm process certainly helps the Atom’s cause.

For more details, check out the ExtremeTech article.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Intel Atom, VIA Nano, ExtremeTech, Performance Benchmarks

It looks like the Sony Ericssoon R306a might soon be coming to the U.S., as the handset has made its way to the FCC for approval. According to the Sony Ericsson webpage here, the R306a features the following:

• 128 x 160 pixel 65K color TFT display
• 5MB of internal memory
• Tri-band GSM (850/1800/1900)
• Measures 3.5 x 1.9 x 0.6 inches and weighs 3.3 oz
• Available in Coffee Black or Lustrous White
• 1.3 megapixel camera
• Video recording capable
• AM/FM radio

What’s interesting is the picture from the SE website – the R306a looks more like a tabletop radio than a mobile phone – at least when closed.

[Via Ubergizmo]

Technorati Tags: Sony Ericsson R306a, FCC

Sanyo introduced a new high definition Xacti camcorder this week called the DMX-HD800. The DMX-HD800 captures both video and digital still shots and saves data directly to SD/SDHC memory cards. Enhancements include a new three dimensional digital noise reduction (3DDNR) filter and a new “Face Chaser” which works for both stills and videos.

Key features of the new Sanyo DMX-HD800 include:

• Lightweight design
• Records in 720p (1280 x 720) for video
• 8 megapixel still capture
• Take stills at anytime – even when recording video
• Preview photos while recording video with “Photo View” button
• Utilizes AVC/H.264 codec

The folks at Akihabara also state that the DMX-HD800 will be available in Gold, Pink, and Black.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sanyo Xacti DMX-HD800

ASUS clearly has big plans for their Eee line of computer systems. According to DigiTimes, ASUS plans on segmenting their Eee PC product lineup – attacking different market segments with different Eee PC models. The company plans on adding two new categories to their Eee PC product lineup (which already has 11 different models) – a new Ultimate model and a new Pro Fashion model. Both of these models are planned for 2008 and will feature dual core Intel Atom processors as well as additional storage space (in the form of either 120GB HDD or a 32GB SSD). Since ASUS is targeting a higher end segment with these new models, you can expect prices to also be a higher. As an example, a 32 GB SSD Dual Core Atom Eee PC with a 10.1 inch 16:9 LED backlit panel and a 4 to 5 hour battery life system will cost around $700 to $900 dollars. Whether or not the market will actually bear such a system is unclear since at $700 to $900 dollars, these systems will be competing directly with notebooks that have Intel Core 2 Duo processors and much larger screens. The only key selling point would then be the lighter weight factor of these small Eee PCs.

ASUS expects to ship around 1.5 to 1.6 million Eee PC units during the third quarter which keeps the company on track for five million units for the year. Meanwhile, worldwide shipments of their new Eee Box (desktop version of the Eee PC) units should hit between 100,000 to 200,000 for 2008 and 1,000,000 for 2009.

Technorati Tags: ASUS, Eee PC, Eee Box

JVC announced a new addition to their Gumy line of ear bud headphones today called the JVC HA-F240 Gumy Air which feature ear buds that utilize silicon rubber air cushions to provide a soft, ear-conforming experience. The HA-F240 features an 11mm neodymium driver unit, a 1.0 meter friction noise reduction cord with an iPhone compatible plug, and is available in seven colors that are designed to match third generation iPods. MSRP for these new ear buds will be $14.95.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: JVC HA-F240 Air Gumy Headphones

The Sprint AIRAVE device and service is finally just around the corner. According to a press release from Sprint, the new AIRAVE by Samsung, will officially launch on August 17th with an MSRP of $99.99 (additional charges will apply for required services – more on that in a second).

If you’re not familiar with Sprint AIRAVE, it’s basically a mini cell tower that you purchase and install in your home or business which then connects to your broadband Internet connection. The AIRAVE is compatible with any Sprint phone (not Nextel phones though) which means Sprint subscribers will be able to use their phones whether they are on the go or at home. It’s especially useful if you have poor Sprint reception in your home or office because the AIRAVE gives you a localized coverage area for your phone calls (think T-Mobile HotSpot@Home meets cell phone towers). The AIRAVE is compatible with all Sprint phones because it leverages the same Sprint CMDA network signals as the wider Sprint Nationwide Network. 

Key features include:

• No new phone to purchase
• Talk all you want with the optional unlimited AIRAVE calling plan. The plan includes unlimited incoming and outgoing calls and nationwide long distance are included
• Easy to install into existing broadband Internet connection – ready to use out of the box
• Calls initiated on AIRAVE will transfer automatically to nationwide Sprint network when you leave the AIRAVE coverage area.
• Covers up to 5,000 square feet

So now the payment details. The Sprint AIRAVE by Samsung will cost you $99.99 to purchase. You’ll need to subscribe to an AIRAVE enhanced coverage plan which costs $4.99 per month on top of your existing voice plan. If you want unlimited in-home calling and you do not have Sprint’s unlimited voice plan, you can purchase an optional AIRAVE Unlimited Voice plan for an additional $10 dollars per month for individuals or $20 dollars per month for families. And again – the AIRAVE will be coming out on August 17th.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sprint AIRAVE, August 17th

The Microsoft Live Mesh team announced that new updates would be available later today for the Live Mesh system. Both the Live Mesh software and the Live Desktop would be updated to version 0.9.3103.9,  In addition, Live Mesh is going to be available to more people and the sign-up process has been greatly streamlined.

Fixes in the latest version include:

• Raised the limit on the total number of customers we’ll allow to access the Live Mesh Tech Preview.
• Expanded availability: you can sign up directly, with no waiting list, if your country/region is the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, or New Zealand.
• Removed the limit on the number of Live Mesh invitations you have. Invite new friends and family members to the Live Mesh Tech Preview.
• For our customers in countries/regions other than those above, we’ve greatly simplified the waiting list process. You no longer need to sign up through Microsoft Connect. You can sign in with your Windows Live ID on www.mesh.com, click Sign Up, and you’ll automatically be notified once Live Mesh is available in your country/region.
• Improved the performance of peer-to-peer synchronization.
• General performance improvements.

One final note for folks with Windows Vista. “If you’re running Windows Vista and recently turned off UAC, you may have to turn on UAC to install this update. Please see the Live Mesh forums for further information.”

I’ve been using Live Mesh since it went public a few weeks back and I’m absolutely loving some of the initial features – in particular the ability to easily sync files between devices and the ability for me to easily remote desktop into my connected devices.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Live Mesh

The revenue generating machine known as the Nintendo Wii keeps on chugging along as Nintendo announced fiscal first quarter profits surged 34 percent from the year-ago quarter. The company reported a profit of 107.27 billion yen (or $996 million U.S. dollars) during the quarter from April till June which was up from 80.25 billion yen last year.

The driving force behind the profits? The Nintendo Wii and associated game titles such as the new “Wii Fit” game.  Nintendo sold 5.2 million Wii consoles worldwide during the quarter which was 1.7 million than a year ago. 3.4 million “Wii Fit” games and 6.4 million “Mario Kart Wii” games were sold. Overall, sales grew 24 percent to 423.38 billion yen (or $3.9 billion) for the quarter. Yes.. that is a revenue generating machine.. actually a profit generating machine!

Overall, Nintendo has now sold more than 29.6 million Wii consoles around the world. Compare that statistic to Sony which has sold around 14.4 million PS3s and Microsoft which has sold around 19 million Xbox 360 consoles and it’s clear that the Wii is the reigning next-gen console champ. (though Next Generation is loosely applied here in our opinion)

Going forward, Nintendo announced that they are planning to sell 25 million Wii consoles and 28 million Nintendo DS devices for the fiscal year ending next March (2009). Since we’re on the topic of the DS, Nintendo DS sales dipped somewhat for the quarter – dropping 40,000 to 6.94 million units sold. Total DS sales now total 77.54 million devices around the world.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Nintendo Wii, Profits surge

Samsung keeps churning out new LCD HDTV sets – this time it’s the new Series 9 LED LCD’s which is Samsung’s second generation LCD HDTV to feature Samsung’s LED SmartLighting technology. The new Series 9 is now Samsung’s flagship LCD TV featuring Touch of Color bezel design, Auto Motion Plus 120Hz technology, 1,000,000 dynamic contrast ratio,  and full HD 1080p pictures.

According to Samsung, LED SmartLighting with local dimming technology achieves “dramatic contrast levels” and expresses “‘actual black levels’ by completely shutting off a pixel’s light source”. In addition to SmartLighting, the Series 9 displays utilize improved Ultra Clear Panel technology to help eliminate ambient light reflection.

Other specs to these LCD Series 9 displays are as follows:

• Samsung InfoLink RSS service
• Supports MP3, JPEG, Video file formats
• USB 2.0
• Internal memory pre-loaded with content
• Four HDMI-CEC connectors (1 side mounted and three in the rear)
• EnergySaving Mode

The new Series 9 LED LCDs will be available in August in three models – a 46 inch (model LN46A950) and a 55 inch (model LN55A950).

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Samsung LED LCD HDTV, Series 9, LN46A950, LN55A950